Watson Marlow – Qdos series peristaltic pump
The Watson-Marlow peristaltic pump moves fluid inside a flexible tube: rollers squeeze the tube and push the fluid forward. The fluid only contacts the inner wall of the tube. There are no valves, seals, or shafts in the fluid path. The manufacturer is Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions, Falmouth, UK. Information about the company and other group brands can be found on the page Watson-Marlow.
How does a Watson-Marlow peristaltic pump work?
A roller rotor rotates and successively squeezes the tube. A sealed volume of liquid is formed between two squeeze points and moves towards the outlet. Behind the straightening tube, a vacuum is created—the pump is self-priming.
From this, four operational consequences follow.
The feed is proportional to the revolutions, so dosing is linear and repeatable, and calibration boils down to speed adjustment.
The pump withstands dry running without damage: squeezing the empty tube is safe for it.
There is no wear in the liquid because there are no moving parts in the medium. The tube itself is the consumable item.
Maintenance simply involves replacing the tube. There is no need to dismantle the pump or remove it from the line.
Series within the housing: Qdos, Qdos H-FLO and 100–730
| The series | Capacity | Pressure | A distinctive feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kudos | 0.1–2,000 ml/min | up to 7 bar according to the brand description, up to 9 bar according to the product page | chemical dosing and metering |
| Qdos H-FLO | 0.12–600 l/h | up to 7 bar | the highest flow rate in the Qdos range |
| 100 | up to 190 ml/min | up to 2 bar | speed control up to 10,000:1 |
| 300 | 2 µl/min – 2,000 ml/min | up to 2 bar | single-channel or multi-channel execution |
| 530 | up to 3.5 l/min | up to 7 bar | adjustment range 2200:1 |
| 630 | up to 18 l/min | up to 4 bar | control range 2650:1 |
| 730 | up to 33 l/min | up to 2 bar | adjustment range 3600:1 |
The manufacturer contrasts the Qdos series with diaphragm metering pumps. The manufacturer's phrasing: Qdos eliminates the need for ancillary equipment and ensures accurate, linear and repeatable dosing under any process conditions, while the flow rate remains constant up to 7 bar. The stated benefits are reduced chemical consumption due to more precise dosing, pipework-free installation, and tool-free replacement of a single component.
500–800 Series Monoblock Units
In monoblock design, the pump and drive are assembled into a single unit.
| The series | Capacity | Pressure |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | up to 4.6 l/min | up to 2 bar |
| 600 | up to 18 l/min | up to 4 bar |
| 700 | up to 33 l/min | up to 2 bar |
| 800 | up to 8,000 litres per hour | up to 3.5 bar |
The 800 Series is the highest-flow model in the Watson-Marlow peristaltic range. For flow rates exceeding this level, the range includes Bredel hose pumps: up to 108 m³/h at 16 bar, with a solids content in the suspension of up to 80%.
DriveSure built-in pumps
DriveSure panel pumps are designed for integration into machinery manufacturers' equipment. The manufacturer specifies state-of-the-art control, industrial Ethernet and PC software for them.
| The series | Capacity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 100 (low-flow) | up to 500 ml/min | low flow rates, precise delivery at medium pressures |
| 300 (medium-flow) | up to 2000 ml/min | wide range of flow rates and filling tasks |
| 400/RXMD | — | precise flow control at a given high pressure; application — surgical cooling |
| 500 (high-flow) | up to 3,500 ml/min | single-channel; continuous tube or LoadSure elements for high pressures |
Tubes: what lifespan, flow rate and accuracy depend on
The manufacturer puts it plainly: pump characteristics – suction lift, pressure, service life, flow rate and efficiency – are determined to a large extent by the tubing. Watson-Marlow tubing has been manufactured since 2000 in its own cleanrooms, in sizes ranging from 0.13 to 40 mm.
| Tube | Material | Operating range |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpsil | platinum-cure silicone, ultra-smooth channel | -20 to +80 °C |
| Bioprene | thermoplastic, long peristaltic life, low permeability | +5 to +80 °C |
| Marprene | thermoplastic elastomer resistant to oxidising agents | +5 to +80 °C, up to 7 bar |
| PureWeld XL | TPE, weldable and sealable for sterile connections | — |
| Accusil | For precise filling, dosing accuracy of ±0.5%, eight standard sizes | — |
| Maxthane | thermoplastic polyurethane, LoadSure elements, food grade compatibility | — |
| GORE STA-PURE PCS | reinforced silicone | -20...+80 °C, up to 7 bar |
| GORE STA-PURE PFL | reinforced fluoroelastomer, extreme chemical resistance | −20…+80 °C, up to 4 bar |
Maxthane is positioned by the manufacturer for dosing: the material is recyclable, LoadSure elements are changed quickly, and the tube is compatible with all types of vegetable oil and CIP chemicals.
Three selection rules provided by the manufacturer: for maximum service life — a large bore tube at low speeds; for maximum delivery — the largest tube at maximum speeds; for maximum precision — a small bore tube at high speeds.
Precision tubing is supplied with documented biocompatibility and a validation pack, with laser marking of the part number, batch number and use-by date.
Qdos H-FLO: specifications and control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Max. feed | 600 l/h |
| Minimum serving | 0.12 l/h |
| Max. working pressure | 7 bar |
| Ambient temperature | 5–45 °C |
| Drive power supply | 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, 350 VA |
| Management | manual, Universal, Universal+, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS, PROFINET |
| Pump head control | RFID head identification, revolution counter for maintenance planning |
| Option | pressure monitoring kit with customisable alarms |
One drive works with several pump head options – for different process conditions and chemistry. Among the standards to which the pump is certified, the manufacturer lists NSF 61, RoHS, UL 61010-1, EN 61326-1:2021 and EN 60204-1:2018.
How to choose a Watson-Marlow peristaltic pump?
Start with the feed rate. Microlitres per minute — 300 Series. Hundreds of millilitres per minute — 100, 300, Qdos. Units and tens of litres per minute — 530, 630, 730, 500, 600, 700. Hundreds of litres per hour — Qdos H-FLO. Thousands of litres per hour — 800 Series.
Next is pressure. Up to 2 bar — series 100, 300, 700, 730, 500. Up to 3.5–4 bar — 600, 630, 800. Up to 7 bar — 530, Qdos, Qdos H-FLO.
Then the medium: the tubing material is chosen according to chemical compatibility and temperature. For oxidising agents, Marprene; for biopharma, Pumpsil or PureWeld XL; for precise filling, Accusil; and for food dispensing, Maxthane.
Finally - integration: a standalone pump in a casing, a monoblock unit or a panel-mounted DriveSure with industrial Ethernet.
Frequently asked questions about the Watson-Marlow peristaltic pump
What is the maximum flow rate?
8000 l/h - 800 series. For larger flow rates, the group includes Bredel hose pumps: up to 108 m³/h.
What is the maximum pressure?
7 bar for the 530, Qdos and Qdos H-FLO series. The Qdos product page on the manufacturer's website indicates up to 9 bar; the descriptive block for the same product line states up to 7 bar.
Can micro-volumes be dispensed?
Right. The 300 series starts from 2 µL/min.
Does the pump withstand dry running?
Right. There are no friction pairs or seals in the liquid path, so running without liquid does not damage the pump.
What is an expense item?
Tube. Its replacement does not require dismantling the pump; in Qdos the component is changed without tools, while in the 500 series DriveSure and Maxthane quick-release LoadSure elements are used.
Why is it important to pick up the manufacturer's phone?
The manufacturer states that the pump's performance is largely determined by the tubing, and that the result of using tubing from other suppliers is unpredictable.
Is there network integration?
Right. The Qdos H-FLO supports EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS and PROFINET; the DriveSure panel pumps feature industrial Ethernet and PC software.
What is the case material?
The design of the casing and pump head differs depending on the series; the specific design is confirmed upon ordering.
What is needed for the selection?
Medium and its chemical compatibility, temperature, required flow rate and its control range, backpressure in the line, dosing accuracy requirements, control method, validation requirements for pharmaceutical or food production.
Manufacturer: Watson Marlow
Category: Peristaltic pumps
Industries: Food, Beverages, Pet food, Pharmaceutical, Other
The serial series: 8 positions