hodorskib's Small Scale RO Build

[Maple Time]

I just put together one of these systems and have a couple small leaks. I’m just wondering how to empty the system of water, can I just run the pump without anything on the input side to push it all out or do I just disconnect the fitting and let it spill out?

[hodorskib]

JDirksen: I posted this a couple of weeks ago on cleaning:

The soap I am using is from CDL - https://webstore.cdlusa.net/en/Catal...=022009001&ps= this is an organic product and was under 20 dollars so that is why I selected it.

The flushing and cleaning process I have been using this year:

After each time I run the RO I take 5 gallons of permeate in a bucket (1.5 - 2 gallons I put in a pot and bring to a boil then add it to the cold stuff - this gives me a temperature between 90-100 degrees *** don't go over 100 degrees) then run it through the system with the needle valve wide open and both the permeate and concentrate lines back in the bucket of warm water. I let this recirculate for at least an hour.

For cleaning - I have been doing after every two or three days of operation (this will increase as the season goes on with more bacteria building in the system) I take the same warm permeate but add the RO soap to it until it reaches a PH of 11. Then recirculate as above for 1-2 hours. It is amazing how this stuff works. For me I needed to about 1 level tablespoon of soap powder to achieve that level. So the 1kg container will be enough for me to do like 40 or 50 washings. Then I flush with permeate for at least an hour - this time letting it flow down the drain. If you don't have access to the soap right now I have heard back from some other folks who are using similar systems using 2 or 3 quarts of hydrogen peroxide instead and getting good results as well.

I have processed 400 gallons of sap this week and it seems to be working well. Last season as things went along the performance of my membranes deteriorated which is why I am trying the ro soap this year. I have also checked with the manufacturer specs on my membranes and 11ph is the max level.

I will be posting everything to my website at the end of the season to make sure it all works out - but there seems to be enough interest to put out what I am trying now.

[hodorskib]

MapleTime: you can shut off the feed and let the pump push what it can - only takes a few seconds but there is really no way of purging the system without letting it drain out of each housing.

[Maple Time]

Ok thanks.

[DaveB]

I have a question about membrane storage. I know that they can't freeze and I don't have a heated sugar house so I'm trying to think of options. I've built a system with three 400gpd membranes and one thought I has is can I remove the membranes from the housings and place them in a plastic bag and put them in my refrigerator to keep them cool and moist and just leave the rest of the system at the sugar house or do I need to bring the whole thing in? I can do that but I'm just wondering about options.

[eustis22]

ok, I suspect my shurflo 4008 isn;t robust enough for hodors model. I could only manage 10 PSI on my initial try. I didn;t even bother to open the needle valve up. I ordered an Aquatec for this. I ran about a gallon thru the membranes. DO I need to clean them before my next attempt?

Also, I was just sucking from a 5 gal bucket for my testing.....do I need any kind of head tank pressure?

[hodorskib]

Eustis:
Did you test with sap or water? If just water you won't build that much pressure. Yes you want to flush the membranes for about a half an hour or more to get them wet and to flush any funk that may be on them - even though they are new. Sorry I have never used any other pump can't help with that.

[hodorskib]

Dave:
I have heard of some people making a box out of 2" insulation foam board and putting an old style light bulb inside and leave it on. It will generate enough heat to keep from freezing from what I have been told. I would not let the membranes, water filter housing or pump freeze.

[eustis22]

I tested with sap..prolly 1.5%. Another thing..I am unclear on the position of the needle valve at the start of things...all the way open or all the way closed until the pressure buillds?

[hodorskib]

Needle valve should be open when you start and then start closing this should build pressure and force things through the membranes.