An Experimental Study of Peristaltic Pumping,

In an experimental apparatus that approximated a two-dimensional, infinite train of peristaltic waves, measurements were made of mean flow, of mean pressure rise, and of pressure-time pulses at fixed locations. In addition, visual observations of reflux and trapping were made using dyed fluid. A theory was confirmed with respect to mean pressure vs. mean flow, pressure vs. time, reflux, and trapping. Controversy regarding the criterion of material reflux was settled in favor of the Lagrangian time-mean velocity rather than the Eulerian time-mean velocity. Author