Diy ro unit

[rayjavu]

I’ve been encouraged by all the DIY reverse osmosis (RO) systems that I’ve been seeing on here and want to build one.
I have 450 – 3/16” taps on gravity and a 30”x10’ Dallaire evaporator. I’d like to reduce my boiling time and my firewood consumption.

I’ve selected these main components:
1 EACH: Aquatec 5850-2P01-N574 Diaphragm pump, 720 GPD @ 160 PSI
4 EACH: Membrane Solutions 400 GPD RO Membrane, Reverse Osmosis Membrane with Membrane Housing, 1/4" Quick-Connect Fittings, Check Valve.
1 EACH: EcoPure EPW2VC Whole Water Filtration System Housing
25 Pack: 10" x 2.5" x 5 micron String Wound Sediment Water Filters

I would like your opinion on my component selections and any ideas about my capacity. My wife needs a little convincing that this is a wise use of our money so I’m asking anybody with either a homemade unit or an ROBucket to posts comments about your experience with reduced boiling time, maintenance, etc. My wife says she will read all the comments if you write them. Thanks so much.

[ecolbeck]

It seems unlikely that an RO of that size will be useful for feeding a 10 foot evaporator. A 4x400GPD RO might process 20GPH of sap if the pump is up to the task. You would have to RO for more hours than there are in the day to be able keep up with sap demand from your evaporator. ROs are incredibly useful, but you've got to size it for your application.

[markgm]

At a minimum you should be looking at a 4x40" membrane, maybe multiple. I second what ecobeck said, the setup you listed won't make a dent. An Aquatec pump is massively undersized for 4 400 GPD membranes. Look for used equipment if you want to keep costs down. You can usually find Procon pumps and motors (sometimes listed as carbonator pumps) for reasonable prices on ebay or on Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist. Same with a 4x40" membrane and housing.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Everyone’s trees are different so how many gallons is a typical run? How much sap are you looking at processing each time? My guess is you’re looking at a 250 GPH RO.

[rayjavu]

My average run is 200 GPD.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

I'd say if you have the ability to process the sap every day or two then you could get by with something that could process around 100 GPH, like one of the small hobby RO's. I'm not a DIY RO guy, but I believe you'll need a much more powerful pump for your application.

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

Way too small of a setup for the amount of sap you would be getting on 450 taps and an evaporator of that size. Even your pump if it were running 24 hours a day is only going to push through 30 GPH.

I’ve been encouraged by all the DIY reverse osmosis (RO) systems that I’ve been seeing on here and want to build one.
I have 450 – 3/16” taps on gravity and a 30”x10’ Dallaire evaporator. I’d like to reduce my boiling time and my firewood consumption.

I’ve selected these main components:
1 EACH: Aquatec 5850-2P01-N574 Diaphragm pump, 720 GPD @ 160 PSI
4 EACH: Membrane Solutions 400 GPD RO Membrane, Reverse Osmosis Membrane with Membrane Housing, 1/4" Quick-Connect Fittings, Check Valve.
1 EACH: EcoPure EPW2VC Whole Water Filtration System Housing
25 Pack: 10" x 2.5" x 5 micron String Wound Sediment Water Filters

I would like your opinion on my component selections and any ideas about my capacity. My wife needs a little convincing that this is a wise use of our money so I’m asking anybody with either a homemade unit or an ROBucket to posts comments about your experience with reduced boiling time, maintenance, etc. My wife says she will read all the comments if you write them. Thanks so much.

[ronintank]

i run from 120-170 taps depending on the snow depth/ access to the lines. i built a single 4 x 40 with i think a Series 4 CLAMP-ON Procon Pump and 3/4hp motor. what a life saver. removes close to 75 percent water with some recycling of sap. processes 50 gallons sap per hour into 15 gallons concentrate.
there is plenty of information down in the RO section.

[Rselleck91]

I would go to a 4x40 membrane with a 3/4 feed and drain with 1/2 permeate drains. Rule of thumb is 1 of these per 100 gallons a hr. You have to remember your sucking in the sap at 100gal a hour and not getting 100gal of concentrate. Use a procon stainless pump not brass, brass contains lead and realistically none of those pumps are considered food grade. I like series 6 pumps that are good for 660gph. I run 4 membranes and could run another as I get more taps up. Down the road I can plum a recirculation pump. I may add that you also need a low pressure feeder, filtration etc.

[Beerclouds]

i was in the same boat a couple years ago... i made a RO system from scratch...3 400 gpd membranes with filter and a aquatec 8800 pump...i have 300 taps and a 2x3 flat pan this ro system has proven to be a godsend...i usually ro my sap in advance then i boil....my system runs thru the night and all day while im at work...if i think i might run dry i just put my concentrate line into my sap barrel and let it recirc... all the best in 2022 season