Hoses for Liquid Processing and Transport

Choosing the right material is one of the key aspects in designing a liquid transport system. Each material offers different characteristics in terms of flexibility, chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and compatibility with fluid.

PVC-P and PVC/NBR hoses are used for numerous liquid suction and discharge applications.

Configurations with fabric reinforcement and/or spiral reinforcement allow for hoses suitable for transferring liquids under various operating conditions.

They are particularly suitable for applications such as:

• suction and delivery of liquids;
• fertilizers and agricultural products;
•  fungicide solutions;
• mineral oils, when specified by the formulation;
• fuels and other compatible fluids;
• industrial applications.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is used to manufacture hoses characterized by high flexibility and wear resistance.

TPU hoses can be configured with a reinforcing spiral, making them suitable for transporting liquids in industrial applications and, in the appropriate versions, for the food industry.

Specific formulations must be selected based on the liquid being transported and the application requirements.

TPE-s (thermoplastic elastomers) are used for applications that require flexibility, durability, and specific fluid compatibility characteristics.

Solutions are available for:

• transporting food liquids and beverages;
• pharmaceutical applications;
• cosmetics;
• biotechnology;
• chemical solutions, depending on the compound used.

Platinum-cured silicone tubing is designed for applications that demand high standards of purity and material compatibility.

It is particularly suitable for the transport of substances in:

• the pharmaceutical industry;
• biotechnology;
• process applications;
• other environments where specific material properties are required.

When selecting a hose, consideration must be given not only to the material, but also to the sector and the type of fluid being conveyed.

In the agricultural sector, hoses are used for the suction and delivery of:

• water;
• fertilisers;
• pesticides;
•  fungicide solutions;
• products used for spraying and treating crops.

For these applications, PVC/NBR and PVC-P hoses with textile and/or spiral reinforcement are available, to be selected according to the nature of the product and the operating conditions.

The chemical compatibility of the hose with the fluid is a key factor in product selection.

In the food industry, hoses must be designed taking into account the nature of the product being conveyed and the hygiene requirements of the application.

TPU, TPE-s and specialised compound hoses can be used for the conveyance of:

• water;
• drinks;
• food-grade liquids;
• fluid products;
• other foodstuffs compatible with the hose material.

For applications involving contact with food, it is important to always check that the specific version of the tubing complies with the regulatory requirements applicable to the fluid and the intended use.

Pharmaceutical applications require particular attention to be paid to the purity of the fluid, the compatibility of materials and the process conditions.

Depending on the application, the following may be used:

• TPE-s tubing;
• platinum-cured silicone tubing;
• TPU tubing;
• other specific food-grade PVC-P formulations.

These solutions can be used for the transfer of liquids and substances in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biotechnology processes.

The transport of chemicals requires a specific assessment of the chemical compatibility between the hose and the fluid.

For these applications, hoses made from the following materials can be used:

• TPV;

• PVC/NBR;

• PVC-P with textile and/or spiral reinforcement.

The choice must consider the fluid’s composition, concentration, temperature, pressure and method of use.

There is no single universal hose suitable for all chemicals: the selection must be made on the basis of the fluid’s characteristics and the hose’s configuration.

Specific formulations are required for the transport of mineral oils, fuels and lubricants, designed to withstand the effects of the fluid.

The available configurations include TPV, PVC/NBR and PVC-P hoses with textile and/or spiral reinforcement, depending on the application.

In the case of fuels and chemicals, it is particularly important to check the material’s compatibility with the specific fluid before selecting the hose.

The correct selection of a flexible hose must begin with an analysis of the actual conditions of use.

This is the first factor to consider. Water, foodstuffs, oils, fuels, solvents, chemicals and pharmaceutical substances may require different materials.

A hose used for suction must be able to withstand the vacuum generated by the system. In such cases, the presence and geometry of the reinforcement spiral are particularly important.

For discharge applications, on the other hand, the expected pressure conditions must be taken into account.

The temperature of the fluid and the ambient environment can affect the material’s properties and must be checked against the specified limits for the version of the pipe.

The workting pressure and any pressure peaks must be compatible with the pipe’s construction and the connection systems used.

Where chemicals, solvents, oils or fuels are present, it is essential to check the material’s chemical resistance.

Hoses can be manufactured with:

• a spiral reinforcement, which is particularly important in suction applications;
• textile reinforcement, to increase pressure resistance;
• a spiral + textile reinforcement, when both characteristics are required.

The design of a liquid-handling system requires the fluid, material, hose  structure and operating conditions to be correctly matched.

IPL develops flexible hoses for various industrial applications, combining materials such as PVC-P, PVC/NBR, TPU, TPE, TPV and platinum-cured silicone with different reinforcement systems.

To identify the most suitable solution, it is necessary to assess the type of fluid, temperature, pressure, whether it is for suction or discharge, diameter, frequency of use and environmental conditions.

Discover IPL’s range of hoses for fluid handling and find the solution best suited to your application.