RO Membrane Output
I bought an RO Bucket last year. The RB5 with one membrane processes 8 gallons an hour, leaving 4 gallons of concentrate.
I am adding a second membrane this year. This will allow me to process twice as much per hour.
My question: If I assume my starting sap is 2% sugar, by adding a second membrane will my end concentrate stay at 4% sugar, or will it increase because I'm running the new concentrate through a second membrane?
2021 - First year: 4 taps; Tapped too late; 4.5 gallons of sap
2022 - 11 taps; 20 gallons of sap
2023 - 23 taps. 3 gallons of syrup; founded TruNorth Maple Co.
2024 - 26 (+10) taps; 4.5 gallons of syrup; added RO filter
2025 - 40 taps; Added lines;
If your flow rate of concentrate and permeate is equal; the sugar % of your concentrate will still be 4%. You'll just get through the sap faster.
If you change your ratio of permeate:concentrate, you can get higher sugar % of your concentrate. Overall processing rate will probably decrease some. RO Bucket does not suggest more than 50:50. There is risk of fouling membranes. I run my RB25 kit (since upgraded with higher capacity membranes plus another one) to at least 2/3 permeate, 1/3 concentrate, sometimes 75:25. I typically output 7.x% concentrate in one pass at a decent overall processing rate. Sap is normally just under 2% for me.
42.82N
2015 - Small operation. 25 buckets. One excited 5 year old and one 35 year old that feels 5 again.
2016 - One year older. New Homemade 2x4 Arch, Smoky Lake Pan and looking at 52 maples, 17 box elders and 2 walnut trees.
2017 - Shurflo 4008 hooked to 42 stingy silver maples and a few Norways. A couple buckets on sugars and Norways. 10 box elders.
2018 - ...a few more taps.
2019 - ...more taps on 3/16 gravity. This spiral is heading downward in a hurry.
2020 - 4x400 RO - RB20 (uh-oh!)
Thanks. That's what I needed to know. I appreciate the help.
2021 - First year: 4 taps; Tapped too late; 4.5 gallons of sap
2022 - 11 taps; 20 gallons of sap
2023 - 23 taps. 3 gallons of syrup; founded TruNorth Maple Co.
2024 - 26 (+10) taps; 4.5 gallons of syrup; added RO filter
2025 - 40 taps; Added lines;
You bet! You'll be finding yourself wanting to tweak and push your RO.Originally Posted by ScottT
Just have fun and have a great season!
42.82N
2015 - Small operation. 25 buckets. One excited 5 year old and one 35 year old that feels 5 again.
2016 - One year older. New Homemade 2x4 Arch, Smoky Lake Pan and looking at 52 maples, 17 box elders and 2 walnut trees.
2017 - Shurflo 4008 hooked to 42 stingy silver maples and a few Norways. A couple buckets on sugars and Norways. 10 box elders.
2018 - ...a few more taps.
2019 - ...more taps on 3/16 gravity. This spiral is heading downward in a hurry.
2020 - 4x400 RO - RB20 (uh-oh!)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote