First TIme RO Questions

[Keitha333]

Good Morning!

I like many have jumped into the home made RO process. I needed to find time since I took on coaching baseball again. Here is a picture of my setup20630 400gph membrane. A couple of questions I have 1) Do I need to pre rinse before my first time ever use? 2) After I run a batch it typically will be a week or so until my next batch since I boil on weekends. Would a rinse of permeate be enough for it to last the week in a cool environment after each batch? Thanks for any help!

[ecolbeck]

In my experience the answer to both of your questions is yes. I believe that the membranes have a preservative in them that should be rinsed out with 10 gallons of clean non-chlorinated water.

When I am done with my RO I rinse it with permeate and then store it between boils for upwards of a week in a cool spot. I’m not sure if this is necessarily recommended by the manufacturer, but it seems to work in my case, and I have not had problems with bacterial buildup.

[barnbc76]

I agree with that.

[barnbc76]

Which pump are you using.? Looks like you'll have room to expand, that will be nice.

[Keitha333]

Thank you for taking the time to answer! I appreciate the help!

[Keitha333]

Which pump are you using.? Looks like you'll have room to expand, that will be nice.

Aquatech CDP 8800 I believe it was. THat was kind of my plan....see how it goes and can always add in the future if I need.

[DRoseum]

I made almost the exact same set up last year and it worked great. You will love it. This year I scaled it up to a 2 stage unit with three 400 gpd membranes. Once I tap and try it out I will report back on how it works.
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Details here:
https://www.sugartree.run/2020/01/diy-2-stage-portable-hobby-ro.html

[Keitha333]

I made almost the exact same set up last year and it worked great. You will love it. This year I scaled it up to a 2 stage unit with three 400 gpd membranes. Once I tap and try it out I will report back on how it works.
20632
20633
20634
Details here:
https://www.sugartree.run/2020/01/diy-2-stage-portable-hobby-ro.html
Curious as to how many gallons per hour you got on it last year? I don't know what to expect.

[DRoseum]

Approximately 10 gallons of raw sap yielding 5 gallons of permeate and 5 gallons of concentrate per hour. This varies by sap temp.

The flow rating of either the pump or the membrane will be limiting factor. At 100 psi the 8852 pump can push 1.2 lpm (or 0.317 gpm) but the membrane cannot exceed its max flow rating of 400 gpd (1 lpm or 0.264 gpm).

In fact, at a 50/50 output of permeate/concentrate and 35 -40 F sap, those membranes will actually operate about 60% - 65% of the 400 gpd feed flow rating.

~0.65 x 0.264 gpm x 60 min/hr = ~10 gallons of raw sap/hr.

[to100]

DRoseum,
How much does this weight dry and once done for the day? Do you bring in side or do you have a warm room where you RO?

[DRoseum]

A little over 20 lbs dry and around 30lb wet.

I bring my unit inside after swapping sediment filters and doing a permeate rinse after each use. I store the sap sediment filter in a freezer bag in fridge for a few uses and then replace. Same with rinse filter. Keeps things nice and clean and promotes long membrane life.

[Keitha333]

Approximately 10 gallons of raw sap yielding 5 gallons of permeate and 5 gallons of concentrate per hour. This varies by sap temp.

The flow rating of either the pump or the membrane will be limiting factor. At 100 psi the 8852 pump can push 1.2 lpm (or 0.317 gpm) but the membrane cannot exceed its max flow rating of 400 gpd (1 lpm or 0.264 gpm).

In fact, at a 50/50 output of permeate/concentrate and 35 -40 F sap, those membranes will actually operate about 60% - 65% of the 400 gpd feed flow rating.

~0.65 x 0.264 gpm x 60 min/hr = ~10 gallons of raw sap/hr.
Okay, Thank you! I hoping to get about that....it will be fun!