600 ro question

[PerryFamily]

I have a 600 Waterloo ro with around 700 taps gravity, 450 vac.
4 yr old nf 270 membrane.

Question? What is the minimum amount of sap that can be safely run through?

Example: picked up first run yesterday, 500 gallons 2% ( gravity taps only). Could I have run that amount through the ro? I can save up to 600 gallons of permeate at this time.

My thought is since the membrane is 4 yrs old, I could use and abuse it this year and replace it for next.

Thanks in advance

[Mark]

I would rather save sap because concentrate will spoil much faster and the RO will warm it up a little.

[PerryFamily]

Mark- I would have boiled it right away but I do agree it will spoil quickly for sure.
I run a 2x6 patriot so even 100 gallons of 6-8% will still be worth boiling....at least I think!!

[Sunday Rock Maple]

My understanding is that they reccomend rinsing with the same amount of permeate that the membrane is rated for (in your case 600 gallons). That being said, I've occasionally run ours (also 600) and then rinsed with as little as 200 gallons of permeate with no problems.

[PerryFamily]

Sunday rock- I am under the 600 minimum impression as well but there have to be people or circumstances where they run in less than ideal conditions.
I figured as long as you rinsed with every drop of permeate available it should be OK.
I am also thinking if less than 300 gallons is probably the minimum amount. New to the ro world and trying to make it work to my advantage. Thanks