Maple R/O or a reg R/O

[gmack]

I have never used an r/o before but i am looking at cutting my boiling time down . I have 450 taps on 3/16 and running a 2x6 CDL .
As I live in Ontario Canada I am looking for an afordable r/o unit . I was wondering if a off the shelf commercial r/o at 300 gal a day would do the job or do i need one special to the maple industry .


Thank you

[Bucket Head]

I think an operation your size would require a maple industry-type RO. You will not be able to process sap quick enough with the 300gpd model on that many taps.

Steve

[mellondome]

A 2600 gpd unit would work for you. ( single 4x40 membrane). Set up properly it should remove 60+ gal of permeate per hour.

[nymapleguy607]

I have a similar setup to you, difference being I am running high vacuum. I am running a 3 post 300gph MES RO, my goal was to be able to process all my sap from a day in as little time as possible. The longest boil was about 4 hours and that processed 1000 gallons of sap and made 20 gallons of syrup. I was running the RO as I was boiling and pushing sap to 6-7%, The RO had to run about 6 hours total, and the flows never dropped off to where I needed to stop and rinse the RO. That being said buy a maple RO and never look back. When concentrating sap the recirculation pump is what matters the most.

[Sunny Knoll Farm]

I have bought a half dozen "street" ROs off of craigslist and ebay. The maple systems may be optimized for sap but you have to look at the cost. Last fall I purchased an ebay RO package for $1000. It included a (4) 4 x 40 post system, an identical "parts system" that was missing the HP pump and some controls plus a 135 gal cone tank with (2) stainless pumps. The system came out of a dialysis clinic that had upgraded. Fortunately, it was only an hour's drive so I was able to see it before I bought. I also bought a (1) 4 x 40 system off of craigslist for $ 150. It was used in a grocery store to make misting water to spray on produce. The only thing I like better that shiny stainless steel is saving $$$ . If you're patient and persistent you can save some serious cash.