9
Plumbing installation
The Econox is part of an integrated system of maple sap gathering and concentrating. To
make sure it operates with accuracy and efficiency, it must be correctly linked to all the
other elements of the system. The following explanations will provide you suggestions of
installation. The physical provision of the places can change, but the principles of
suggested connections seem important to us to operate in a sedentary, effective and
reliable way.
Required tanks
There are three tanks, please see page 11 for details
Permeate tank (B-2). To gather pure water (permeate) extracted from maple
sap. This water will be used to wash your Econox separator;
Maple sap tank (B-3). To maintain a sufficient supply of maple sap to feed
your separator
Concentrate tank (B-4). To store concentrated water to supply your
evaporator.
The capacity of the tanks is related to the importance of your maple bush (your number
of taps); to the size and the performance of your evaporator and to the way you want to
manage your equipment (gathering and then concentration before evaporation or
simultaneous operations launched one after the other)
Considering all these possibilities, we will not give here any strict rules. We suggest you
consult your H2O Innovation expert who will guide you according to your personal needs.
However, for best quality maple syrup, most American and Canadian specialists
recommend that maple sap should be concentrated as soon as possible after gathering
and that boiling should begin right after concentration (the sooner the better).
Connecting tanks to system
See the installation chart on page 11. It shows a simple installation that should
adequately suit your personal needs. All tanks must be connected to the drain (sewer)
since each has to be emptied and cleaned regularly. Each tank must be equipped with
an outlet valve (BV-2 to BV-4) connected to a single line leading to the drain.
Permeate and maple sap tanks should be connected to the feed pump. In diagram # 5,
you can see that the same line is used to go towards the feed pump and towards the
drain, using valves BV-6 and BV-1 to proceed to the necessary diversions.
A non-return valve (CR) at the pressure pump's entrance is necessary.
An 840 microns filter installed between the Econox and valve BV-1. To prevent
discharges and for more protection against bacterial contamination, we recommend that
a built-in air gap should be installed between the line and the drain.
