RO high pressure pump

[Clinkis]

I purchased a used commercial RO for water purification that I'm planning on repurposing for sap and I'm wondering if I can reuse the high pressure pump or if anyone uses this style of pump. It's a Pentek submersible style pump, 2 hp, 230V 3 phase. Says max pressure is 275 psi. Unfortunately it doesn't have a GPH rating but I'm guessing it's in the 500-600 gph range. The pump was running five 4" membranes in series. My plan is to reduce it to a 2 post system. Can anyone tell me anything about this pump and if it will work ok for sap?

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[NH Maplemaker]

Clinkis, I'm know RO expert, but that being said. If the pump worked on water it should work on sap ! The membranes are what's going to make it work well with sap. Some of the newer maple RO membranes work very well with lower pressure, But I don't believe you will get any were close to 500 to 600 GPH with that pump! I was running an older SpringTech RO with a 500 PSI pump with three 4" membranes. I would run the operating pressure at 275 PSI. It also had a 1HP feed pump and would only process 250 GPH until warmer sap temps came. Then it would do around 275 GPH !

[Clinkis]

I'm just talking about flow rate for the pump. Trying to determine if it will have appropriate flow to run 2 membranes in series. I found some more info and I believe pump runs at 9 GPM which would be 540 gph which I think should be no problem considering I'm currently running a single xle4040 with a 190 gph procon. I plan on replacing membranes with either MES or XLE 4040's.

Just curious if anyone has used this particular pump or similar in a maple RO.

[mkoehler79]

I have the multistage type pump. The biggest question is what the pump curve is to determine flow at 275 psi. Otherwise if this is already running 5 membrane in series, 2 in series for Maple should be fine with recirculation.

[mellondome]

You will want to have a supply pump. You will need the supply to be able to push 50-80 psi. This will allow you the flow you need before the pump maxes out on pressure and stops flowing volume. When the system was connect to purify water, there was pressure already comming to the pump.

So if you add 60psi supply, then your max output is 335 psi. But @ that pressure level, your flow will be 0. So take the pump performance curve.. find the flow you need.... and subtract the 60psi for the supply pump (or whay ever it rates @ for the same desired flow) and ths will be your target membrane pressure.

[Bricklayer]

I did the same as you and re-purposes a commercial RO that had 3 4" membranes. I called the manufacturer of the RO and they sent me the info on the pump and other components. The RO manual didn't have a pump curve graph in it but I was able to contact the manufacturer of the pump and get that.

[Clinkis]

Thanks for the info. I will contact the manufacturer and see if they can send me the pump specs. I'm used to working with procons that give consistent flow regardless of pressure. I had originally planned on replacing pump with a procon but if this will work then I can save the money.

[Bricklayer]

I've never seen a pump like that. It's submersed in a well. Says right on the decal. Can you take it out or is it a sealed unit. Would be nice if it was removable. Give the well a good cleaning before using it on sap.

[Clinkis]

Yes it's removable. I will take it apart and inspect and clean it.

[Bricklayer]

Does the RO have a VFD for the 3 phase power or are you going to install one?