8" RO concentrate first pass?

[DocsMapleSyrup]

What does a single post 8"x40" RO concentrate to in reality, not advertized?

Anyone have a brand preference? If so, why?

[n8hutch]

It all depends on what you want your flow rate to be , my CDL unit is the smallest 8" R.O. that they offered at the time, it only has a 3hp Turbine. However it will still do 2 to 10 in 1 pass at 1gpm concentrate- 4 to 5 gpm permeate at 450 PSI. Last night I had 700 gallons, I let the R.O. recerculate back to the same tank for 1 hour at low pressure like 350 PSI , 3gpm concentrate 6 gpm permeate, after an hour I cranked my pressure back up to around 450 and 1 gpm concentrate , I was getting 15/16 % sap

[VTnewguy]

Our Mempro 350 will take 1% to 7.5% first pass. Better sap we saw up to 9%. But it's really a different animal then a 600. Works good for us.

[Russell Lampron]

My LaPierre 250 Turbo RO has two 4" membranes so my results won't be the same as a single post 8" machine but when I set it at .5 gpm and 450 psi I get around 14% in a single pass.

The LaPierre Turbo and the CDL professional models are the only RO's designed specifically for concentrating maple sap. They are the only ones with recirculation pumps mounted on the bottom of the membrane towers. That design allows you to concentrate at higher pressures for longer periods of time without losing your flow rates. They also clean up easier. All of the other machines are water RO's with maple membranes in them. They won't concentrate as long before slowing down and they don't clean up good. Once you lose your flow rates it's hard to get them back.

LaPierre is the company that invented the technology and I've had excellent luck with mine in the 16 years that I've had it. The CDL is also a top quality machine. I would buy another LaPierre RO if I was going to upgrade but if it came down to what my local dealer had I wouldn't hesitate to buy a CDL.

[ecp]

Flow rates are a big factor when sizing an RO to me. Of course these are difficult to pinpoint because with the change in incoming sap sugar content and temperature your flow rates can change from day to day on your rejection rate and concentration flow. If you were to get a single 8'' post I would get something with a 5hp high pressure pump to help out there plus you can add a post down the road if you would like. Your question about what it would concentrate to in reality you could probably hit high teens if you have the time to recirculate, and don't need much flow on the concentrate side.

As far as brand I would go with CDL every time because in my area they are the best service. Plenty of RO's on the market, but when you blow a motor on Easter Sunday and can get someone there is an hour that is very important.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Expect the membrane to remove roughly 75 percent of the water in a single pass at between 500 to 700 gph with the lower number on cold sap (less than 40 degrees) and the higher on warm sap (60's)

[DocsMapleSyrup]

I'm hoping to be able to get 500-700 gallons of sap to 15-20% in 1-2 hours.

[bill m]

I'm hoping to be able to get 500-700 gallons of sap to 15-20% in 1-2 hours.I don't think you can get those numbers with a single post 600GPH machine. Your pressure is going to be very high and a very low flow rate for concentrate. Not very good for the membrane.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Not a lot of personal experience with the CDL 600 RO's but have been around them enough. Buddy of ours has a 600 with an upgraded 7.5 HP pump (from 5 hp) and runs 3 posts to get 16-19% in one pass. Don't think you'll get to 15% with 1 post regardless of the rest of the configuration.

[ecp]

you can get the sap to the 16% range by recirculating a lot. Its going to take you more than and hour or two though. If my goal was to run 500 to 700 gallons of sap to 16% in that time frame I would call a rep and get their advise. I don't see why they couldn't do and custom set-up with a 5HP pressure pump, 2HP feed pump with, 1 8 inch post and probably, and 3 4 inch posts (possible a 1HP booster pump so you should hit the 20% range). That would be able to get you the concentrate level you want in 1 pass to save time and you should have enough water left over to wash everything. This would be the same principal of the larger RO's (where your first membrane is larger and removing the bulk of the water and the next membranes are getting things sweeter) just to scale for you operation. I don't know why we are not seeing more of these types of machines out there already honestly.

[bill m]

I am taking 1.3% sap to 15-16% in my 600GPH single post machine. I recirculate starting at 300PSI and a combined flow rate of about 750 GPH It does take a while but I think it is easier on the membrane.

[n8hutch]

When I recirculate i do it at low pressure, 300psi, but when I want to get to 15% or higher after recirculating I have to go up higher on the pressure like 425-450, I never go above 450 . That being said I think worrying about Membrane life is overblown. I have had my R.O. 4 years and it still has excellent flow rates and I have never had it professionally cleaned, I soap wash it every other use and at the end of the season I will do soap and acid washes. I have already saved enough money not having it professionally cleaned to buy a new Membrane if need be. The whole idea of the Machine is to save you time boiling, fuel boiling, and to have time to do other more important things. Any expenses incurred running your R.O. Hard if you will can easily be matched by time saved. Just my 2 cents.