Concentration issues with my RO
I have a single tower RO with a Procon Series 4 pump. The pump is rated for 115 to 330 gallons per hour at 250 psi.
Over the past few weeks I have gotten about 700 gallons of sap. While processing I can never seem to get an even flow out of the 2 lines. My concentrate hose always seems to be running a lot harder than the permeate line. I know I should be getting them to flow evenly. I took 2% yesterday(using a refractometer to test), 150 gallons, and after 1 pass at 200psi it went to 3%, ran a 2nd pass, again at 200psi and I got it to just over 4%. Ive tried playing up and down with the pressures to make them more even but even then it doesnt seem to be concentrating to much over 4%. So far I have run 700 gallons through it and I get the same results each time. The RO is clean, I rinse every run and then Ive done 2 washes with Lapierre soap. Ive changed out the 5 micron pre filter after every run as well. From my collection tank I use a pump to feed the RO so not over working the Procon pump during the 1st pass. For the 2nd pass, that then feeds to my head tank it pulls straight from the tank which is about 3ft away. Im sure I could just recirculate it until it finally reaches 8% but that seems like a big waste of time adding potentially a few extra hours to each run.
Any ideas? I dont know why im not seeing anything close to 8% after 2 passes. I know its a Dow Filtec 4040 Membrane.
Thanks!
2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
2014 110 taps
2013 35 taps