fireant911
04-07-2023, 07:58 AM
Short version: Has anyone attempted to use a ‘proofing parrot’ to test the Brix level of the concentrate from their reverse osmosis machine?
Long version: As I am still very new to syruping, I have many questions and, occasionally, an idea will pop into my head… after a quick search, it becomes evident that many other great minds have already thought of this, tried it, and reported their success or failure with such an idea.
Yesterday, while I was researching a topic relating to that idea which consisted of modifying the principle of a p-trap to monitor the output of a reverse osmosis machine, I came across something that distillers have long been using to measure the alcohol content of their production in near real-time AND measuring continuously. This sounded like a nice approach that could be beneficial to others, like me, that frequently check the Brix value from the output of their reverse osmosis machine. Although testing using a low-scale refractometer is quick and requires not too much effort, it is, however, still an extra individual step that must be performed… so what if one was able to continuously monitor the Brix concentrate level without manually sampling?
Sap hydrometers are readily available and provide nice and relatively true readings for the Brix percentage of one’s concentrate bucket ONCE a sufficient level is accumulated that will float the hydrometer…. now, getting an accurate reading from a bucket that is one-third full will be challenging because of the viewing angle! Another downside to this bucket configuration is that the new reading resulting from any adjustment to the needle value will be much delayed because of the volume in one’s concentrate bucket PRIOR to the adjustment. Yes, samples could be extracted from the concentrate line, poured into hydrometer test cup, and the Brix level read BUT that is several steps long.
Now, finally, my question: has anyone attempted to incorporate a ‘proofing parrot’ to their reverse osmosis machine’s concentrate line? Prior to yesterday, I have never heard of such a device but it looks as if this could give me the ‘impact’ readings (i.e., actual Brix percentage and was the change an increase or decrease) resulting from changes to the needle valve. A gravity-fed proofing parrot paired with a sap hydrometer could be easily mounted on a reverse osmosis machine and, at least theoretically, provide constant Brix readings… yes, there will probably be some minor variations due to the density of the concentrate at the bottom of the hydrometer-holding chamber from that floating out of the weir-like top portion but, I posit, if the volume of the hydrometer-holding chamber is matched nicely with the volume of the submerged portion of the hydrometer this will be of minimal affect.
Many of the commercial proofing parrots are made from copper through I imagine that a similar model could be constructed using PVC material at a much lower cost. If warranted, I could actually make a custom design that is optimized for the exact sap hydrometer being employed on a 3D printer though with this year’s season practically over it is too late.
Here is a brief overview of a proofing parrot: https://www.clawhammersupply.com/blogs/moonshine-still-blog/how-to-measure-the-abv-of-distilled-alcohol. Why am I asking rather than building such a device… I do not yet have a sap hydrometer plus I am very, very much a novice at this maple-stuff! I did a search and saw no reference to a “proofing parrot AND maple sap” therefore I am asking if any of you way-more experienced syrupers have any wisdom to share about using a proofing parrot of a reverse osmosis machine?
Long version: As I am still very new to syruping, I have many questions and, occasionally, an idea will pop into my head… after a quick search, it becomes evident that many other great minds have already thought of this, tried it, and reported their success or failure with such an idea.
Yesterday, while I was researching a topic relating to that idea which consisted of modifying the principle of a p-trap to monitor the output of a reverse osmosis machine, I came across something that distillers have long been using to measure the alcohol content of their production in near real-time AND measuring continuously. This sounded like a nice approach that could be beneficial to others, like me, that frequently check the Brix value from the output of their reverse osmosis machine. Although testing using a low-scale refractometer is quick and requires not too much effort, it is, however, still an extra individual step that must be performed… so what if one was able to continuously monitor the Brix concentrate level without manually sampling?
Sap hydrometers are readily available and provide nice and relatively true readings for the Brix percentage of one’s concentrate bucket ONCE a sufficient level is accumulated that will float the hydrometer…. now, getting an accurate reading from a bucket that is one-third full will be challenging because of the viewing angle! Another downside to this bucket configuration is that the new reading resulting from any adjustment to the needle value will be much delayed because of the volume in one’s concentrate bucket PRIOR to the adjustment. Yes, samples could be extracted from the concentrate line, poured into hydrometer test cup, and the Brix level read BUT that is several steps long.
Now, finally, my question: has anyone attempted to incorporate a ‘proofing parrot’ to their reverse osmosis machine’s concentrate line? Prior to yesterday, I have never heard of such a device but it looks as if this could give me the ‘impact’ readings (i.e., actual Brix percentage and was the change an increase or decrease) resulting from changes to the needle valve. A gravity-fed proofing parrot paired with a sap hydrometer could be easily mounted on a reverse osmosis machine and, at least theoretically, provide constant Brix readings… yes, there will probably be some minor variations due to the density of the concentrate at the bottom of the hydrometer-holding chamber from that floating out of the weir-like top portion but, I posit, if the volume of the hydrometer-holding chamber is matched nicely with the volume of the submerged portion of the hydrometer this will be of minimal affect.
Many of the commercial proofing parrots are made from copper through I imagine that a similar model could be constructed using PVC material at a much lower cost. If warranted, I could actually make a custom design that is optimized for the exact sap hydrometer being employed on a 3D printer though with this year’s season practically over it is too late.
Here is a brief overview of a proofing parrot: https://www.clawhammersupply.com/blogs/moonshine-still-blog/how-to-measure-the-abv-of-distilled-alcohol. Why am I asking rather than building such a device… I do not yet have a sap hydrometer plus I am very, very much a novice at this maple-stuff! I did a search and saw no reference to a “proofing parrot AND maple sap” therefore I am asking if any of you way-more experienced syrupers have any wisdom to share about using a proofing parrot of a reverse osmosis machine?