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Thread: Pressure dropping as membranes become plugged.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
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    1,792

    Default Pressure dropping as membranes become plugged.

    With my previous 2 ROs (Deer Run 375 and D&G 600), as I processed more sap and the membranes got closer to needing a wash, the pressure would climb and if I kept it going too long, the high pressure switch would shut the machine off. With my Leader Micro2, as more sap is processed, the pressure actually drops, and the concentrate output increases. Is there something wrong with it, or is this how the Micro is supposed to function? FYI, there is no high pressure switch on it.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Lake County Ohio
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    1,628

    Default

    First year for me with an RO, so no experience there, my CDL hobby 100 also has no high pressure shutoff.
    As it processes more sap the permeate flow drops and the concentrate seems to increase.
    Pressure gauge will rise though, from 150 when clean to 175 when it’s getting plugged.
    John Allin

    14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
    Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
    Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
    Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
    CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
    06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
    14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
    Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
    7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Rochester, NY USA
    Posts
    639

    Default

    Maybe your pre-filter is plugging and dropping the feed pressure to the membrane? If so, your permeate would would drop and possibly your concentrate flow would increase. At least in theory. When I reduce pressure the concentrate flow increases and permeate decreases...low pressure, high flow.
    Smoky Lake 2x6 fuel-oil fired, raised flue, hoods, SSR, concentric exhaust
    Home-built auto draw off
    Home-built RO - double XLE 4040, PLC controlled
    8x10 Sugar Shed
    200 taps on tubing with Shurflo vacuum with solar
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    I can see how that theory could hold true. It does have low pressure shutoff but I could still see this happening.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

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