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Thread: Pump instead of head tank.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Merrill, WI
    Posts
    41

    Default Pump instead of head tank.

    As I’m building my setup here I got another hairbrained idea. Anybody plumb the outlet of their Shurflo pump directly to the evaporator feed, no head tank? In my case 4 - 3/16” sap lines would feed a Shurflo inlet and the outlet would pump either to a storage tank or to the heat exchanger inlet on the copper pipe around my chimney. Also a throttling valve somewhere to control the flow into my pans. This could eliminate my head tank and issues I have with that.

    If I did this I would only have 1/2 gpm flow from the pump at times. Not sure if that would slow the pump down and lower vacuum in the lines? Anyone else try this? Thanks.
    2012 3 1/2 gallons on a block arch. 25 buckets.
    2017 44 gallons on a Homemade 2x6 arch. 170 taps all on 3/16" tubing.
    2019 62 gallons on 200 taps on 3/16” tubing.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

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    You need to ask yourself - what can go wrong and what am I risking? One scenario is that you power supply cuts out and the pump stops delivering sap to the evaporator. If you add all the contingency measures for all the possibilities then you'll probably determine that a head tank isn't a bad idea.
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Verona, NY
    Posts
    411

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    it could be done but it's risky. especially with a small pump i'd worry about possible vapor lock/unpriming the pump from the preheater as it creates back pressure, plus the power issues below. much easier to have a small head tank and put a float in it, use the pump to keep the head tank full.
    7000 taps on vacuum, just trying to get a little better every year.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    9

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    I have used a Super Transfer Variable Speed Self Priming Transfer Pump for the past 10 years. I added an extra in-line screen filter (pump is available at morebeer.com). I keep an eye on it and adjust the flow when needed (I also have a low level sap alarm). My 3x10 arch has a preheater and boils at 110/hour. I keep a spare pump on hand just in case. These pumps have lasted for about 5 years for me.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

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    Quote Originally Posted by FL Maple View Post
    I have used a Super Transfer Variable Speed Self Priming Transfer Pump for the past 10 years. I added an extra in-line screen filter (pump is available at morebeer.com). I keep an eye on it and adjust the flow when needed (I also have a low level sap alarm). My 3x10 arch has a preheater and boils at 110/hour. I keep a spare pump on hand just in case. These pumps have lasted for about 5 years for me.

    I assume that you have a raw sap tank that you pump from to serve as a reserve. It sounds like in the event of a pump failure, you bypass the failed pump with a backup and hopefully without significant delay. Then, if necessary, you could flood the evaporator using the reserve capacity to stop an overheating condition. As we all know, once things reach that critical condition it can't easily be tempered down.

    I'm not sure I understand the situation the poster inquired about but it sounds like he's asking about using his shurflo pump to draw sap directly from the "sap lines" to the evaporator. I would consider this much riskier since the reserve capacity is more limited and might not be available at the rate needed to temper the system in an emergency. It also risks a failure in the lines such as a break from a fitting failure or tree falling on the line.

    Other concerns

    - The typical sap run lasts from a few hours to a few days. So if you're taking the sap in real time it means you work to the schedule of the trees and not for you're own convenience.

    - You'd need to size the number of taps to the evaporation rate of you rig with a significant buffer which means wasted sap. So you'd collect that excess sap in an overflow tank that could instead serve as your head tank.

    Ken

    Ken
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    185

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TapTapTap View Post

    - You'd need to size the number of taps to the evaporation rate of you rig with a significant buffer which means wasted sap. So you'd collect that excess sap in an overflow tank that could instead serve as your head tank.

    Ken


    Ken
    I would agree with that. On that note. If anyone out there can figure out how to get their trees to run day upon day to the rate of the evaporator (RO then Evap) and only on my schedule let me know and my tanks will be on the market the next day haha.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    St. Johns, Michigan
    Posts
    101

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    A few things to consider:

    1. Trees do not flow consistently and therefore your flow of sap is not consistently feeding your evaporator. If your rig is wood fired you could easily run into a problem.

    2. If you are feeding a float will the pressure from the pump overwhelm the capacity of the float?

    3. You are removing a safety parameter/insurance policy by not running a head tank, even a 15 gallon barrel will offer a small buffer to respond to a interruption in the flow of sap.
    2022 - 157 taps, 40 gallons of syrup
    2021 - 171 taps buckets and tubing, 41 gallons of syrup
    2020 - 225 taps bags and tubing, 45 gallons of syrup
    2019 - 180 taps buckets and bags, 50 gallons of syrup
    Lapierre 2x8 Vision with reverse flow, hood & preheater
    Leader Micro2 RO
    Lapierre 10" short bank press

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    East Concord NY
    Posts
    104

    Default

    Your right, its a hairbrained idea! yeah you could probably do it and it may work a while but it will end in a burnt pan.

    Just put in a small head tank so you have some buffer.
    At least 5th Gen Sugarmaker
    30"x10'6" Vortex with Steamaway
    1000ish on vac with Atlas DSV065 Claw,
    ? buckets per how dumb i am feeling.
    Prehistoric DG500 RO, and a big Timberwolf splitter.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Merrill, WI
    Posts
    41

    Default

    Thanks for the reply’s.
    2012 3 1/2 gallons on a block arch. 25 buckets.
    2017 44 gallons on a Homemade 2x6 arch. 170 taps all on 3/16" tubing.
    2019 62 gallons on 200 taps on 3/16” tubing.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Canterbury, NH
    Posts
    149

    Default

    I know someone who plans to use an air powered double diaphragm pump to pump from a tank on the ground to the float box on the evaporator. Adjusting the air pressure to the pump will allow the pump to run when needed and stall when not needed. I'm don't trust that plan for the reasons already mentioned here.
    http://www.northfamilyfarm.com

    Tim
    2,500 taps on two pipelines
    Busch Vacuum Pump
    MES Three Phase Three Post RO
    2X10 Leader Vortex Max Flue pan, Enhanced Steamaway
    Electricity made with wind and solar

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