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Thread: Refrigerated bulk tanks- value

  1. #1
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    Default Refrigerated bulk tanks- value

    Anyone have any idea on what a working used refrigerated stainless steel bulk tank with an agitator would go for in the 500-1000 gallon range? I'm seeing anywhere from $2-$6/gallon with online ads. Trying to see what we should be looking for without over paying. Any input is appreciated.
    305 taps on 2 Shurflo's, 31 taps on 3/16" and 229 taps on gravity. 565 in all
    Mountain Maple S3 controller for 145 of the vacuum taps
    2x6 Darveau Mystique Oil Fired Evaporator w/ Smoky Lake Simplicity Auto Draw
    Wesfab 7” filter press

  2. #2
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    I was pretty lucky when I found a 1000 gallon tank with refrigeration unit and automatic washer but no agitator and will have right about $1000.00 in it when it is installed and working at my sugar shack. I had to tear out a block wall and remove everything myself (I used the farms skid loader) and I hauled it. The farm was in the process of being sold to an Amish family that does not use electricity and I had a time limit right in the middle of maple syrup season. I am working on buying a 800 gallon tank with refrigeration unit and automatic washer right now but I am pretty sure that I will not get anywhere near as good of a deal.
    Matt,
    Minehart Gap Maple

  3. #3
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    A good deal depends upon age and condition, size, availability, compressor specs and condition, and demand in your area. Working units are typically in the $2-5/gal range. Check Craigslist in your area. Frequently you’ll have to remove and transport it yourself unless you buy from a dealer.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  4. #4
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    Thanks for the info. Not in a rush for it, just one of those things I'm trying to keep an eye out for when a good deal is found.
    305 taps on 2 Shurflo's, 31 taps on 3/16" and 229 taps on gravity. 565 in all
    Mountain Maple S3 controller for 145 of the vacuum taps
    2x6 Darveau Mystique Oil Fired Evaporator w/ Smoky Lake Simplicity Auto Draw
    Wesfab 7” filter press

  5. #5
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    For us, adding a refrigerated bulk tank has been a real game changer. It has almost completely decoupled the RO concentration and boiling process. We may concentrate 20-25 times each season (to a very high value, usually around 35 Brix), but only boil 5-8 times each year. The concentrate is chilled to about 24 deg F (the temperature you can chill to without it freezing is dependent upon the Brix level), which can easily keep it fresh for at least 2 weeks. We have about 1,000 gal of refrigerated or insulated cold concentrate storage. Boiling usually is about once a week, is easy to schedule, and can be done during the day. We don't boil on weekends or at nights...the crew gets to go home. As a consequence, our vacuum system is tighter and thus our production is better.

    The next couple of changes are:

    1. Adding 1,000+ taps this summer/fall (with separate collection of red maple and sugar maple sap so we can check on sap volume, sugar, and syrup flavor differences, a Dr. Abby headed study).
    2. Adding a pump line to eliminate the need to truck sap from a remote station.
    3. Because of #1, we're adding another post to the RO and replacing our current 10" filter press with a 15" press.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  6. #6
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    Yes, I like the idea of the convenience. It will be especially handy once we get an RO and have concentrate we can store if we want. We spend thousands on evaporators, filter presses and RO's so a refrigerated tank seems like a worthwhile investment. I do know from talking with an HVAC buddy I know that repairs can get expensive quick though.
    305 taps on 2 Shurflo's, 31 taps on 3/16" and 229 taps on gravity. 565 in all
    Mountain Maple S3 controller for 145 of the vacuum taps
    2x6 Darveau Mystique Oil Fired Evaporator w/ Smoky Lake Simplicity Auto Draw
    Wesfab 7” filter press

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrTimPerkins View Post
    The concentrate is chilled to about 24 deg F (the temperature you can chill to without it freezing is dependent upon the Brix level
    Dr.Tim, is there a formula to determine the freezing temperature of concentrate and if there is, would you please share it.
    Matt,
    Minehart Gap Maple

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by minehart gap View Post
    Dr.Tim, is there a formula to determine the freezing temperature of concentrate and if there is, would you please share it.
    Note that this is an approximation based upon a pure sucrose solution. The formula is embedded within the chart. There will be some variation based upon other substances in the concentrate (other types of sugars, organic acids, etc. Sap/concentrate will tend to freeze slightly lower due to these other inclusions. There could also be differences based upon how well your bulk tank is calibrated and whether it is continuously stirred. Bottom line is...the first few times you do this, keep checking it to make sure you don't end up with a huge concentrate-berg in your bulk tank. Slushy concentrate doesn't flow through evaporator feed lines very well. Better to keep it slightly ABOVE freezing than slightly BELOW freezing.

    freezepointsugar.JPG
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    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

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    Great info, thanks for sharing. Might go look at one tomorrow. Guy called it a double lined tank. I assume that means insulated or jacketed as other terms used? Seems to be worth quite a bit more. Not sure it makes much difference to me for holding sap in March/early April though.
    305 taps on 2 Shurflo's, 31 taps on 3/16" and 229 taps on gravity. 565 in all
    Mountain Maple S3 controller for 145 of the vacuum taps
    2x6 Darveau Mystique Oil Fired Evaporator w/ Smoky Lake Simplicity Auto Draw
    Wesfab 7” filter press

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by mainebackswoodssyrup View Post
    Great info, thanks for sharing. Might go look at one tomorrow. Guy called it a double lined tank. I assume that means insulated or jacketed as other terms used? Seems to be worth quite a bit more. Not sure it makes much difference to me for holding sap in March/early April though.
    Typically there is an inner tank, with refrigeration built-in (mostly on the bottom), then insulation, then an outer tank.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXpZNVrdSo4

    If you're not using the refrigeration unit, then it is basically just a HEAVY tank.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

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