Pressure pumps

[labman]

I built my own RO a few years ago using a 5 HP 10 GPM Cat pressure washer type pump which is very noisy, all of the new RO's I've seen ie: CDL, LaPierre. etc... have multi stage type pumps that are quiet does anyone know what type or brand pumps these are any info would be appreciated.

[maplwrks]

Lapierre makes their own pumps, I think CDL does also.

[Teuchtar]

I built my RO using a Procon model 6 pump with 3/4 HP motor as the feed pump. This brings 2.5 gpm up to 140 psi.
Then the high pressure pump is a 1-1/2 HP Goulds Multistage pump. It takes the flow and boosts it by 160 psi, total is 300 psi discharge pressure to the membranes.
My recirc pump is also 1-1/2 HP from Graingers. But now obsolete.
Even with all three pumps running, the RO Room is quiet. Serene compared to an engine howling ! And I have plenty of feed flow on my two 4" membranes, so will likely add another one soon.
I notice on EBay there are similar Goulds pumps on auction at $420 and you can make an offer. Says "used" so buyer beware. The photo looks like a new pump.
If you can get hold of the pump curve from Goulds, you'll need that for matching the two pumps back to back. Procon pump curve is on their website, but I didn't find the Goulds curve.
Berkeley and others make a multistage booster pump like the Goulds.
Graingers carry a line (I think made by Berkeley). http://www.grainger.com/images/booster_facts.pdf
If running two pumps in series to 300 psi make sure to chose a pump with a casing rated for the total pressure. Berkeley and Goulds both do, but I doubt that those cheaper booster pumps intended for your lawn sprinkler with plastic housing would suffice.
My first year on RO, I used a Hypro series 6 pump on the tractor PTO. Even on idle speed the hypro would output plenty of pressure and flow for the RO, but I didn't like running my tractor all night with supervision. I didn't need a booster pump, so that might work for you. Hypro instruction sheet shows you how to run the pump by pulley drive off an electric motor.
Let us know what membranes you are using, and maybe we can advise further.
I did come across several cautionary notes from Dow about not to use power washer pumps for driving the RO, because the pressure pulsations can rip the membrane. I have no experience myself there.
On previous year's posts you will find my RO piping diagram listed.

[labman]

I run my Reverse Osmosis (Not Nanofiltration) at 500psi I need a little more than that. I have not had any problems with my membranes in 4 years its just very loud and I built a new sap building and would like it quieter.

[Mathieu]

They all build their turbine pumps in the same way. They add differents motors, plates, inlets, outlets and casing if applicable to purchased parts.

[Bucket Head]

Labman,

Please explain the "not nanofiltration" statement. I have NF270's, which I thought stood for nano filtration, and run at 475psi. What RO/manufacturer do you have? Thanks.

Steve

[labman]

The NF270's are nano and have max psi 600 are rated to flow 2500gpd at 70#psi my membrane is 600 max psi and rated to flow approx. 1000gpd at 225 there are lots of different membranes now a day but basically RO is finer filtration and slower flow almost all RO's sold for maple use are really nano-filtration no way they could flow like they do if they were really RO's
Please correct me if I'm wrong

[grumpy]

my ro has a roller pump used for crop sprayers. there are many choices and most arnt food grade but the one i have is food grade compliant and came from tractor supply at a cost of $450 i believe

[Bucket Head]

Thanks Labman. The only reason I asked was I knew there was some correlation between the two, but I could'nt remember which. I could'nt remember if we were calling it ROing but were really NFing it, or vice versa! Your post jogged my memory, but my memory does'nt work like it used to!

Steve

[PATheron]

Grumpy- I was curious about your ro after reading your post. I thought about using a roller pump just like you used but didnt know if it would work good. The flow rates are impressive it just seemed to good to be true. What does your ro consist of and what does it do? Did you build it yourself? Theron

[Brent]

For the most part, on this forum at least, running a reverse osmosis system is called just that, ( ROing if you like ) regardless of the whether your membranes are nano-filters or true reverse osmosis. Only when we get into the nitty gritty of specs and performance of membranes does anyone pay attention to which style they are.