RO Room Design

[TuckerMike]

I've searched through the forum and didn't see this topic, so forgive me if it is a repeat.

I'm sick of listening to my RO in the sugar shack and am planning to build a room to house the RO for next season. I'm currently running a 4-post 4x40 RO with a Procon 660 pump and booster. The noise isn't too bad until I start to squeeze the pressure upwards of 200psi, then the recirc line starts to scream. I'm running approx. 7gpm for recirc through 1/2" line, so it should be more than adequate for that flow, but the flow noise is close to unbearable in the shack while I'm trying to boil.

My plan it to frame in an insulated room inside the sugar shack with sound deadening foam on the walls. However, I still want to be able to see the front of the RO, so I am planning to install a full glass storm door for viewing. However, I don't think the door is going to block much of the noise and I'm concerned my idea might not work as well as I'm planning. How are you folks handling the RO noise? Am I on the right track or do I need to consider other options?

I appreciate the input/opinions.

[darkmachine]

I framed a room for my RO, I used rock wool sound proofing. I elected for a door with only a single window on top, seemed to work well, I can see my flow meters. It is far from silent but much better than before. I might tighten up the door seal and add some more sound proofing on the inside for next season.

[BAP]

Instead of using a door as your visual point, consider using an insulated glass window and a solid door.

[TuckerMike]

Instead of using a door as your visual point, consider using an insulated glass window and a solid door.

I like that idea of using an insulated window. Is that how your RO room is set up? Any pics you can share?

[DrTimPerkins]

The RO/Releaser room at UVM PMRC is fully insulated with a full-glass, double-pane French door (came out of my house when we replaced our deck door). Works fairly well to keep the noise level down, but you can still hear the noise somewhat and see into the space nicely through the door at a glance. Of course, the Lapierre HyperBrix has a lot of very powerful pumps, so it is not the quietest machine we've ever used (but otherwise works great). The noise level is not real bothersome, but you do notice when the RO goes off (and the evaporator isn't running) just how much quieter it is. If I had to do it again, I'd go with 2"x6" walls and rock-wool sound-dampening insulation. What really helped to reduce noise in the sugarhouse was moving the compressor to a space outside the sugarhouse.

An alternative to the glass door if you have Wifi in the sugarhouse would be a Ring (or other brand) camera pointing at the RO control panel. Or a cheap security camera system like this https://www.defendercameras.com/products/exclusive-bundle-phoenixm2-non-wifi-plug-in-power-security-system-with-4-cameras?variant=40055961256002&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18134564575&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17338797763&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzYLABhD4ARIsALySuCSKw5_a0byO4qFp3beC WAZWIng95A556GXDsDPsGT2JhHQ2J8mFb_0aAl9-EALw_wcB We've used both to monitor various gauges and tank levels.

[TapTapTap]

In our modern sugarhouses, we forget what it sounded like before the noise of RO's, compressors, vacuum pumps, evaporator blowers, steam-away blowers, and other industrial sounds.

Ken

[darkmachine]

In our modern sugarhouses, we forget what it sounded like before the noise of RO's, compressors, vacuum pumps, evaporator blowers, steam-away blowers, and other industrial sounds.

It is nice at the end of the evening of boiling to have everything off and just let the evaporator natural draft while we have a conversation and relax.

[TuckerMike]

It is nice at the end of the evening of boiling to have everything off and just let the evaporator natural draft while we have a conversation and relax.

I totally agree. It's so nice and "quiet" once the RO has been cleaned and sitting idle. Unfortunately, that's about the last 30 of our boil. I do like Tim's idea of using a camera system too!