What is the maximum flow rate that peek tubing can handle?

What is the maximum flow rate that peek tubing can handle?

As a supplier of PEEK tubing, I often get asked about the maximum flow rate that our PEEK tubing can handle. This is a crucial question, especially for industries where precise fluid transfer is essential, such as medical, chemical, and analytical instrumentation. In this blog post, I'll delve into the factors that influence the maximum flow rate of PEEK tubing and provide some insights to help you make informed decisions for your applications.

Understanding PEEK Tubing

PEEK, or polyether ether ketone, is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties. It offers excellent resistance to chemicals, high temperatures, and wear, making it an ideal material for tubing in a wide range of demanding applications. Our company offers various types of PEEK tubing, including Peek Capillary Tubing, Green Peek Tubing, and Peeksil Tubing, each designed to meet specific requirements.

Factors Affecting the Maximum Flow Rate

The maximum flow rate of PEEK tubing is not a fixed value but is influenced by several factors. Understanding these factors is key to determining the appropriate tubing size and configuration for your application.

Tubing Diameter

One of the most significant factors affecting the flow rate is the internal diameter (ID) of the tubing. According to the Hagen - Poiseuille's law, the volumetric flow rate (Q) of a viscous fluid through a cylindrical tube is proportional to the fourth power of the tube's radius (r). Mathematically, it is expressed as (Q=\frac{\pi r^{4}\Delta P}{8\mu L}), where (\Delta P) is the pressure difference across the tube, (\mu) is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid, and (L) is the length of the tube. This means that a small increase in the internal diameter can lead to a significant increase in the flow rate. For example, doubling the internal diameter of the tubing will result in a 16 - fold increase in the flow rate, assuming all other factors remain constant.

Tubing Length

The length of the tubing also plays a role in determining the flow rate. As the length of the tubing increases, the resistance to flow also increases. This is because the fluid has to travel a longer distance, encountering more friction along the walls of the tube. According to the Hagen - Poiseuille's law, the flow rate is inversely proportional to the length of the tube. Therefore, for applications requiring high flow rates, it is advisable to use shorter lengths of tubing whenever possible.

Fluid Viscosity

The viscosity of the fluid being transported through the PEEK tubing is another important factor. Viscous fluids, such as oils or syrups, have a higher resistance to flow compared to less viscous fluids like water. A more viscous fluid requires a higher pressure difference to achieve the same flow rate as a less viscous fluid. When dealing with highly viscous fluids, larger - diameter tubing may be necessary to maintain an acceptable flow rate.

Pressure

The pressure applied to the fluid is directly related to the flow rate. Increasing the pressure difference across the ends of the tubing can increase the flow rate. However, there are limits to the pressure that PEEK tubing can withstand. PEEK tubing has a certain pressure rating, which is determined by its wall thickness, material properties, and manufacturing quality. Exceeding the pressure rating can lead to tubing failure, such as bursting or leakage.

Calculating the Maximum Flow Rate

While it is possible to use theoretical equations like the Hagen - Poiseuille's law to estimate the flow rate, these equations assume ideal conditions, such as laminar flow and a Newtonian fluid. In real - world applications, the flow may be turbulent, and the fluid may have non - Newtonian properties, which can complicate the calculations.

In practice, we often rely on empirical data and testing to determine the maximum flow rate for our PEEK tubing. Our engineering team conducts extensive tests using different tubing sizes, fluid types, and pressure conditions to establish reliable flow rate guidelines. These guidelines are based on actual performance data and take into account the practical limitations of the tubing.

Applications and Flow Rate Requirements

Different applications have different flow rate requirements. In the medical field, for example, PEEK tubing is used in applications such as drug delivery systems, where precise and controlled flow rates are essential. In these applications, the flow rates are typically relatively low, ranging from microliters per minute to milliliters per minute.

In chemical processing, PEEK tubing may be used for transferring chemicals between different vessels or reactors. Depending on the process, the flow rates can vary widely, from a few milliliters per minute to several liters per minute. High - flow applications in chemical processing may require larger - diameter tubing and higher pressures to achieve the desired flow rates.

In analytical instrumentation, such as liquid chromatography, PEEK tubing is used to transport samples and solvents. The flow rates in these applications are usually in the range of milliliters per minute, and the tubing needs to provide consistent and accurate flow to ensure reliable analytical results.

Choosing the Right PEEK Tubing for Your Application

When selecting PEEK tubing for your application, it is important to consider the maximum flow rate requirements, as well as other factors such as chemical compatibility, temperature resistance, and pressure rating. Our company offers a wide range of PEEK tubing products with different internal diameters, wall thicknesses, and lengths to meet various application needs.

If you are unsure about which type of PEEK tubing is best for your application, our technical support team is available to assist you. We can help you determine the appropriate tubing size and configuration based on your specific flow rate requirements, fluid properties, and operating conditions.

Contact Us for Procurement and Consultation

If you are interested in purchasing PEEK tubing or need more information about our products, we encourage you to contact us. Our team of experts is ready to answer your questions, provide detailed product specifications, and assist you in finding the best solutions for your applications. Whether you are a small - scale laboratory or a large - scale industrial manufacturer, we can offer you high - quality PEEK tubing products and excellent customer service.

References

• Bird, R. B., Stewart, W. E., & Lightfoot, E. N. (2007). Transport Phenomena (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
• Incropera, F. P., DeWitt, D. P., Bergman, T. L., & Lavine, A. S. (2007). Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
• Engineering ToolBox. (n.d.). Fluid Flow - Flow Velocity vs. Pipe Diameter. Retrieved from https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fluid - flow - velocity - pipe - diameter - d_1031.html