Sap filtering. What do you do/use? Why/why not??

[Jmsmithy]

Howdy folks

Those of you reading/following/responding to my thread in tubing forum re:gunk, cleanliness etc know what's coming...

I'd like to install some type of sap filtering system, between my releaser and bulk sap storage tanks particularly to filter out any gunk, "boogers" etc that form in the lines between seasons (no I don't clean/rinse but I do remove taps leaving vac on to help rid lines of excess - not greatest but helps).

Thinking of everything from diatom fishpond type filters to pool filters and everything in between.

I'd appreciate any and all thoughts, recommendations on what you do, how you do it, setup etc etc etc.

Pictures are always a plus!!!

[GeneralStark]

The best solution for you will depend upon how you move sap through the sugarhouse and how long you store it for. Prior to adding an ro I pumped from my releaser (electric) to my bulk storage tanks and then pumped from those tanks to the head tank to feed the evap. The final step is when I would filter and I used a sock filter with a pvc adapter that fits on the end of the pipe and hangs in the tank. The sap is pumped through the sock filter. You can find these pretty easily through maple suppliers.

I have also used a LaPierre sap filter with a cleanable filter cloth that was slick but pricey. Now I generally just let the ro prefilters do the sap filtering.

[Jmsmithy]

I have virtually identical setup General, including electric releaser. I've been filtering same deal w/ "felt" sock and pic adapter. I filter all before it goes into sap storage tank (from there to head tank to evaporator). I'd like something more "in-line"...

How did u like that LaPierre setup? No longer using? If not, how come?

[madmapler]

I pump from a 1550 gal. poly tank outdoors to a 1100 gal. tank indoors(from which I recirculate to my RO) via a 2hp. pool pump and DE filter. I can also open/close a few valves and send it through one of 2 500' geothermal loops I have that run underground to my pond while enroute. The reason I went with a DE filter was to cut back on the amount of ro prefilters especially toward the end of season. You can filter down to 5 to 10 microns with it. To be honest, I still have to work out a few kinks with it but I'm confident it'll work well this season. I got too busy to fiddle with it last year. There are a few other guys who apparently do well with them. I think maple2 is one. I'm sure he or someone else could tell you more.

[n8hutch]

I use a household water filter with a 5 Micron cartridge filter, I change it once a season. Most I have put through one is about 2,000 gallons. I guess the cartridges would get expensive if you were processing a 100,000 gal of SAP a year.
I tried going as low as 2 Microns but it didn't work well later in the season. 5 seems to be sufficient.

[unc23win]

I use a sock filter with a PVC adapter like General described. I made 2 and use cam locks so I can change them quick. They are machine washable I probably don't change them as often as I should. I also have an RO and change the pre filters.

[GeneralStark]

I have virtually identical setup General, including electric releaser. I've been filtering same deal w/ "felt" sock and pic adapter. I filter all before it goes into sap storage tank (from there to head tank to evaporator). I'd like something more "in-line"...

How did u like that LaPierre setup? No longer using? If not, how come?

The LaPierre sap filters and great. I was a partner in a larger operation and that was when I used it. Since building a new operation of my own I have not seen the need for it as I process considerably less sap now and it is not in the budget.

One thing to consider with sap filtering is once it is filtered it can still generate more bioslime and particulate as it sits in storage tanks. So, if you added an inline filter between your electric releaser and bulk tanks but then the sap was stored for several hours it will still develop more sediment (especially in warm weather) that you may want to filter prior to boiling. If you are just trying to filter out gunk from your tubing system, allowing the sap to "settle" in your tanks will remove quite a bit of sediment. Then you just clean the tanks once drained. I personally feel that filtering just prior to boiling is the most ideal scenario in a small operation as that will cut down on build up in your pans and how much syrup filtering you need to do.

Once again, it really depends upon your process and how long sap is stored, and exactly what you are trying to remove from the sap. Many filter sap prior to the ro to minimize the number of prefilters they will have to buy and to protect their membranes. If you are not using an ro it may make the most sense to filter as pumping to the head tank just prior to boiling.

[brookledge]

i have been using DE pool filter for the last 5 or 6 years. I'm happy with the way it works. Still plugs up fairly quick at the end of the season. But sure extends the life of the filters at the RO
Keith

[BreezyHill]

I use a dairy filter system on my milk pump on the bottom of the Glass releaser jar.

11921

It is the last section of pipe before the sap enters the tank. They are inexpensive and will catch most all of what you are looking to catch. Flow is reduced slightly but it allows more life from our RO's filters.

The only issue I have had is that if the filter should plug the end will blow out and all the stuff collected in it is lost into the tank so I just change it every night.

Available from most dairy supply stores and the pipe and support system is available from online dairy supply sources.

I got a new box at an auction of 100 for $5.

Prior to this I used a filter's screen core to support maple filter paper that was zip tied on. This was inside the releaser's manifold and needed changing the first week and at end of season.

For me filtering pays dividends by removing the wood chips and plastic from saddles. I do get a little bit of FM but not much now with the peroxide wash. Clorox on the other hand, we would see stuff the first week. But that could be the contact time issue of the Cornell study results.