hodorskib's Small Scale RO Build

[Blacksheep7]

Thanks Mark. I will see how the switch works out. I can always disconnect it.

As for the rinse, I am curious about before the first run. I have read you need to do an initial rinse to clean the membranes. I do plan to keep permeate once the first run is complete.

Thanks again,
Jason


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SDdave]

First of all you will love this contraption when you are using it!

Before processing sap make sure you do the rinse. I used a couple 5 gal buckets. Fill both with water. Pump through these with the valve wide open. When working on the 2nd bucket, refill the first. Then run the system with valve as you would run sap. Pressure around 125ish. Run another 10 gallons like this. Refill buckets again and run wide open.

If you dare sample some of the first run of water. Then compare to the last run. Should taste like water when you are done.

SDdave

[Blacksheep7]

Thanks SDdave. I hope to run the initial cleaning rinse on Sunday afternoon.

[jdircksen]

I have a small operation currently, and next year might have 25 taps total. Is there a rule of thumb for # of RO membranes and size vs the number of taps? Meaning...should I use 2x 100gpd, or 3x 100gpd, or 2x 150gpd?

[eustis22]

I recently purchased a couple of 30 gallon HDPE barrels that were sold as "food grade". It turns out they were used to store zinc orthophosphate which is a water additive so I cannot use them for sap (concentrate or other). BUT..can I use them for permeate storage? If so, what is the effect of rinsing my membranes with permeate stored in these?

[jdircksen]

Another question...why is my pressure so low? I am running an Aquatec 8852, 5 micron prefilter, and 3x 150gpd membranes. All the components are brand new. City water has been in my 62*F basement for 4 days to let the chlorine evaporate. I just turned it on today to flush the membranes and these are the pressure readings after 2 hours of running.

With the valve fully closed, the pressure goes to 65psi and there is moderate flow from the permeate line.
With the valve adjusted so that I get a 50/50 mix of concentrate/permeate, the pressure is at 40psi.
With the value fully open, the pressure is at 20psi and there is still a small, steady flow from the permeate line.

[eustis22]

So I'm getting ready to assemble and use this RO this weekend and I need to know if I can use ordinary tape water for the initial rinse of my membranes?

[jdircksen]

You are not supposed to use tapwater because it has chlorine and that will damage the membranes. But if you let tapwater sit out for a few days the chlorine will evaporate.

[Mark B]

Or you can cheat and buy the water treatment we use in our home aquariums to neutralize the chlorine so it does not harm the fish. The local pet stores will have it... one bottle will treat hundreds of gallons.

[SDdave]

Another question...why is my pressure so low? I am running an Aquatec 8852, 5 micron prefilter, and 3x 150gpd membranes. All the components are brand new. City water has been in my 62*F basement for 4 days to let the chlorine evaporate. I just turned it on today to flush the membranes and these are the pressure readings after 2 hours of running.

With the valve fully closed, the pressure goes to 65psi and there is moderate flow from the permeate line.
With the valve adjusted so that I get a 50/50 mix of concentrate/permeate, the pressure is at 40psi.
With the value fully open, the pressure is at 20psi and there is still a small, steady flow from the permeate line.

If no one has answered yet...

On my system I had to adjust the pump, and use back pressure. On the pump there is a set screw that needs to be adjusted with an Allen wrench. I would close the valve and have the system run, adjust the screw (1/4 turn at a time) the pressure should go up. Then open the valve slightly to obtain the flow you desire. I try to run around 125 psi when processing sap.

SDdave