For those with two 400 gpd membranes

[Swingpure]

I currently have one 400 gpd membrane and two 150 gpd membranes. The outlet of the 400 gpd is 1/4 which wells because the inlet for the 150 gpd is 1/4.

I am going to be replacing the two 150 gpd with a second 400 gpd. The inlet for the 400 gpd is 3/8. The outlet of the first 400 gpd is 1/4, do you just get an adapter quick connect firing that goes from 1/4 to 3/8 to feed the input of the second 400 gpd membrane?

One last question, is there any value in keeping one of the 150 gpd membranes to have three or would it just slow everything down?

[Swingpure]

Just bumping this thread, in case someone has two 400 gpd membranes and has the solution.

Thanks

[MajorWoodchuck]

Sorry I haven't responded much this summer. Been busy building my shack and other off season activities. I trip through New England (especially Vermont) has sparked up my maple addiction.
I ran two 400 membranes in series this year off a Aquatech pump. I ran 3/8 line into and out of the pump to 5micron pre filter and to the first membrane. Then ran 1/4" after that for everything. The flow and pressures used was well within the capacity of the 1/4" line. The 3/8 to 1/4" adapters came with the filter housing. Really hope you get your RO working this year. It will make such a difference in the time spent boiling. Still jealous you made almost twice as much syrup as me with just the same amount of taps :)

[Pdiamond]

How much fun did you have keeping up with
your two file cabinet evaporators?

[carls47807]

Run 3/8" into the first 400gpd membrane. You can get 1/4" npt x 3/8" hose for the bottom and plumb the top of the 2nd with 3/8" hose as well. I would run all the membranes you have (both 150's). The more membrane the better.

[Swingpure]

Thanks, I will just have to get a fitting that has 3/8 on one end to go into the membrane and 1/4 on the other end for the tubing.

I was lucky my sap was 3% to 4% sugar content. According to my neighbours, volume was down. We will see what this year brings.

Tomorrow will be one day closer to the sap running.

[Swingpure]

Run 3/8" into the first 400gpd membrane. You can get 1/4" npt x 3/8" hose for the bottom and plumb the top of the 2nd with 3/8" hose as well. I would run all the membranes you have (both 150's). The more membrane the better.

So the 150’s will not slow the output?

[carls47807]

They will not slow your output. You should be terminating to a 1/4" line anyways and running a 1/4" or similar push connect valve. We have fittings available at www.therobucket.com, you should be able to find them at most hardware stores as well.

RO membranes are not restrictive. They allow full flow of liquid through the housing unless an outside restriction is placed on them (then water can squeeze through them). Your pump can probably handle up to 1000-1200gpd in membranes and sap temperature.

[Swingpure]

They will not slow your output. You should be terminating to a 1/4" line anyways and running a 1/4" or similar push connect valve. We have fittings available at www.therobucket.com, you should be able to find them at most hardware stores as well.

RO membranes are not restrictive. They allow full flow of liquid through the housing unless an outside restriction is placed on them (then water can squeeze through them). Your pump can probably handle up to 1000-1200gpd in membranes and sap temperature.

I wish there was an affordable RO bucket in Canada.

So I am trying to understand these membranes, there is a piece in the puzzle missing for me.

So I will have a needle valve set so I get 50% permeate and 50% concentrate. So after each pass of each membrane the sugar concentration should be greater.

What does the gpd rating mean if the output of the 400 gpd is not slowed by the 150 gpd? This is the part that confuses me. Is my hourly output the same if I have 400, 400, 150, 150, vs 400, 150, 150 and just the sugar content different?

Sorry for not getting this.

Gary

[MajorWoodchuck]

Once you have your assembly and running it will make sense. The GPD ratings are the permeate (no sugar water) the filters are rated at using "unclean" water. Using sap they are rated much less...I think half that rating. As the filters clog up they produce even less permeate. I assume you are running your two 150's in parallel and then your 400 in series after. Then your needle valve goes after your 400 and sets the pressure of all the membranes. Reading what others have done I have run higher flow rates of consentrate (the output of the needle valve) than permeate to keep a good flow going through the membranes and let it work on one barrel of sap at a time... reducing the 55gal down to 15-20 gal. I run my concentrate into the same barrel I am sucking out of and have a separate barrel for the permeate.

[Swingpure]

Once you have your assembly and running it will make sense. The GPD ratings are the permeate (no sugar water) the filters are rated at using "unclean" water. Using sap they are rated much less...I think half that rating. As the filters clog up they produce even less permeate. I assume you are running your two 150's in parallel and then your 400 in series after. Then your needle valve goes after your 400 and sets the pressure of all the membranes. Reading what others have done I have run higher flow rates of consentrate (the output of the needle valve) than permeate to keep a good flow going through the membranes and let it work on one barrel of sap at a time... reducing the 55gal down to 15-20 gal. I run my concentrate into the same barrel I am sucking out of and have a separate barrel for the permeate.

I actually have the 400 first and then the 2 150’s all in series. I am thinking of adding another 400 gpd to it. I was going to add it after the other 400 gpd. It has not have seen an ounce of sap yet.

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