RO Build Advice

[bryankloos]

Hello All,

I’ve toyed around with the idea of building up a better RO for a while now.
For the past three years I’ve used a 4x150 in series which brings my 1-2% red maple sap up to about 4-6% on a good day.

I have about 100 taps this year and fill a 275 gallon IBC tote from which I RO into 55 gallon drums. If I start the RO at night and run continuously I’m maybe 200 gallons through my 275 by midday the following day. I then boil 60ish gallons of concentrate.

I’d like to explore a system that can take my raw 1-2% (generally closer to 1-1.5%) upward to 8% in a more realistic timeframe.

My evap is a 2x4 Mason XL divided pan that maybe gets me
10-12gph.

In an ideal world, I’d start my RO just before I start boiling and be able to run through the 275 gallons of sap in a few hours, again being it up to about 8%.

I have access to 120 and 240 and would like to build at then end of this season.

What do you guys think is reasonable, what am I missing, and what would you do if you were me?

All help is appreciated.

[gbeneke]

For your number of taps, there is an easy answer if you are going to stay at that level. A 4x400 gpd system with a larger pump would match your needs without breaking the bank. Have a look at the RO Bucket Site.
Happy Sugaring,
Doc Beneke

[markgm]

I currently have 119 taps and use a MES 4x40 membrane. I couldn't imagine using something smaller.

[darkmachine]

I generally boil when i have 200 to 200 gallons of sap, i have a 2x6 evaporator(Frankenstein). This year i built a 2 membrane 4x40 RO and the ro is pretty well matched with the evaporator. I start the RO first, and then prep to boil, that gives it about a 10 minute head start, and I have a tank level gauge in my head tank so i can run it empty every time I boil. I have about 80 taps on vacuum, and 140 buckets, and about 100 on gravity. the RO saved my life, I only take to 4 or 5 percent, but i don't really push it, i thought about batch concentrating to see if i could get it up to 8, but it's a noisy machine(2 pumps both wired for 110 now) and i just run it while i boil, when it stops, i have time to start it cleaning and by the time all the concentrate is in the pan, the machine rinsed and is ready to move into the garage for the night. One boil this season i concentrated up to 6% single pass, but it was slow and made me nervous about how fast it was boiling, lol.

[bryankloos]

4x400 is going to cost me $250 in membranes and housing plus more for a new pump. What pump would be advisable?

Im thinking I want to be able to RO the full 250 gallons in a 4ish hours or so. Starting ahead of the boil and finishing before I’m done. I’m thinking a single 4x40 with recirc would fit the bill well…. I’m never going to get above 130 taps at the current property so I’m not too worried about outgrowing things unless I move and that won’t be for years as the kids are still young and I’m not retiring any time soon.

Im good with fabricating, but lack the basics regarding proper flow, fouling, membrane ratings and calculating expected performance. I’m a quick learn, if anyone wants to walk me through the process.

Many thanks

Bryan

[tombaisley]

RO Bucket has a single post kit, will process 70-80 gallons of cold sap / hour, you won't really do better on price any where else

[bryankloos]

I was looking at their single post kit. Seem like a good starting point.
I also like the challenge of building, and would like a few bells and whistles. Flow meters, high/low pressure cut-off, feed pump, HP pump.

Is there a good thread that outlines any similar builds on here?
I'll search, but ****, I'm bad at the search....

BK

[voluntucky tapper]

check out you tube videos ,on the topic ,good visual aid