+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Increasing RO capacity

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
    Posts
    634

    Default Increasing RO capacity

    Hey all,

    So after a great first season on RO I am of course looking to increase taps. However I would also like to increase the capacity of the RO. I have a Deer Run 125 dolly. It has one 4x40 membrane and a 3.5 gpm pressure pump with no feed pump. I also had him add a low pressure shutoff. I was able to remove 60% one pass with re circulation but the flow rates would drop quite a bit with the smaller pressure pump. So after talking with Ray I would like to make some upgrades to make this more of an expandable RO. To do that I will need at minimum a 5.5 gpm pressure pump and 1.5hp motor to run it and a feed pump. This would give me higher flow rates and potentially more water removed per pass. Then if we continue to expand in the future the RO is set for adding another membrane with no pump or motor upgrades needed.

    So basically my plan is to use the existing plumbing and replace the pump and motor, along with adding the feed pump. Sounds simple enough unless I am missing something?
    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

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,547

    Default

    That should do it. However, look at a 1HP or even a 1.5HP sprinkler SS booster pump in 1". it will do far better than the small belt drive feed pump Ray uses.
    On my 250 I can run using his feed pump but I almost always use an electric 1" sprinkler pump and that increases to total flow some. My feed pressure using that is about 75 psi, without it I get about 25-30 psi feed pressure. This is what I use https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wayne-1-...S100/203448494. check around, you might find a better price. I got mine thru Northern tool on sale.
    Just use that without any belt feed pump, then to your hp pump. It will give you a slight increase in gpm thru the membrane, but likely not enough to eliminate the need for a larger HP pump. My 250 has a 2hp motor and my HP pump, open discharge moves about 5.5 gpm.
    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
    Posts
    634

    Default

    Thanks for the tip on the feed pump.

    Next question - The current motor on the RO is 1.5hp and 56hc frame. If I go procon pump route they require 56c frame motor. Would a 56hc be compatible? From a bit of research they look quite similar. Perhaps I will get the procon with mount and adapter for a 56c frame motor and see if everything lines up on my current 56hc frame motor.
    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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Mapleton Twp, SW Ontario
    Posts
    361

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mol1jb View Post
    Thanks for the tip on the feed pump.

    Next question - The current motor on the RO is 1.5hp and 56hc frame. If I go procon pump route they require 56c frame motor. Would a 56hc be compatible? From a bit of research they look quite similar. Perhaps I will get the procon with mount and adapter for a 56c frame motor and see if everything lines up on my current 56hc frame motor.
    Pretty certain that the "H" in the HC designation is simply that the base mounting bracket has slots for more flexibility for base mounting... the "C" flange (face) dimensions will be the same on both motors.... which is the part you are concerned about with mounting your procon.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Peoria, IL
    Posts
    634

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wmick View Post
    Pretty certain that the "H" in the HC designation is simply that the base mounting bracket has slots for more flexibility for base mounting... the "C" flange (face) dimensions will be the same on both motors.... which is the part you are concerned about with mounting your procon.
    That is what I found as well when I was researching today. That is good news as it will save me from having to buy another motor and wire it in.
    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

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts