RO feed pump question
Hey all,
For this season I am using a Deer Run 125 hobby RO (the smallest 125 Ray makes). It does not come with a feed pump. I have used it once with my feed tank, which is elevated 4 ft, and had great results. I'm sure I will fine tune it throughout the season to get the most out of it. My question is will a feed pump increase the capability of a RO? Or is my elevated feed tank similar to having a feed pump on a feed tank ground level?
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
The feed pump really won't have any affect on the RO performance. The membrane type, size, condition, sap temperature, sugar content and most important system pressure control the performance. The only issue with no feed pump is that you have to change the filters more frequently to maintain good flow to the RO. As the filter gets fouled the pressure drop across the filter increases and you will suck in air or the pump will start to rattle or cavitate.
Leader 1/2 pint - Kawasaki Mule - Smoky Lake Filter Bottler
24 GPH RO, 2 1/2 x 40 NF3 (NF270), 140 GPH (Brass with no relief valve ) ProCon pump
2013 - 44 taps - 16 gallons syrup, 2014 - 109 taps - 26 gallons syrup
2015 - 71 taps - 13.5 gallons syrup, 2016 - 125 taps - 24.25 gallons syrup
2017 - 129 taps - 17.5 gallons syrup, 2018 - 128 taps- 18 gallons syrup
2019 -130 taps - 18.5 gallons syrup, 2020 ~125 taps-19.75 gallons syrup
Thanks for the info.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
In reality a feed pump will have some effect, but not much. On my 250 it has a 1" feed pump that gives about 30PSI feed pressure, I started using an electric feed pump in line before the original feed pump, it changed my typical GPH from 245-255 to 260-270 GPH at 37-38 F. Not much but it now shows 75 PSI on the pressure gauge for the feed pressure, I still run the RO at 270-275 on the high pressure. It basically adds about 15 gal/hr overall
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
I have a procon 5 series with a 3/4hp motor... I don't even bother with a feed pump... I let the procon self-prime and pump... works great.
2019 290 taps on 3/16"
2018 20 taps on milk jugs
2017 10 taps on milk jugs
Adding a feed pump makes it so that the high pressure pump doesn't have to work so hard. The manufacturer not putting one on it is just a way for them to save money so that they can sell the unit at a lower price.
I've been working on Volvo cars for over 40 years. Volvo had a problem with high pressure fuel pumps cavitating and failing in the late 70's and early 80's. Because the pump was located under the car and not in the fuel tank it had to work too hard to suck the fuel out of the tank. Volvo's solution was to add a high volume low pressure pump on the fuel tank to feed the high pressure pump. That solved the problem.
Add a feed pump to your RO and you'll extend the life of your high pressure pump.
Russ
"Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!
1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
Four chainsaws and no chickens!
Besides, a high pressure pump does not like to be run dry, it will fail much sooner.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
What mechanism do you have on the feed pumps to avoid cavitation or aeration? I want to be able to start the RO and "walk away". I have a low pressure switch between the filter and the ProCon, in addition to other safeguards after the filter, but haven't quite figured it out concerning the feed pump (suction & discharge ends).
550 Taps - bags
3x7 flat pan
Ford 860 with halftracks
Lots of help from friends, neighbors and family
My RO has a pressure switch for the feed pump. It has to reach 25 psi for the pump to stay on. When the pressure drops below 25 psi the pump shuts off.Originally Posted by Cloverland Maple
"Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!
1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
Four chainsaws and no chickens!
Is this pressure switch on the suction or discharge side of the feed pump? If on the discharge side, do you have concerns about cavitation?
550 Taps - bags
3x7 flat pan
Ford 860 with halftracks
Lots of help from friends, neighbors and family
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