RO, back to back batches

[bigvalen]

I've loads of power in the new workshop, so thought I'd be smart and go for the 50A back-to-back version of the Electric Brewery, intending to use 70l pots, so I could do 50l batches. Then realised I've a different bottleneck...water.

After the talk on water over the weekend, I was convinced to go for an RO filter on the input. I could make up a nice float-sensor based system, fill the HLT with RO water the day before, etc.

Then I realised...wait...no. I can use RO for the first batch. But if that drains the HLT, it'd take ages to fill it up again. I found a reasonable-priced 25l/h RO system.

Maybe I could start refilling the HLT as soon as the mash starts...so as the mash is circulating, in comes 400ml/min of cold RO water from the mains. The 4500W element in the HLT should be able to handle that, so the HERMS coil doesn't get too cold.

I think if I made a 50l batch, I'd have to mash in 35l of water.

That means if I mash in for an hour, the HLT would have another 25l of new water in it. Assuming I filled it initially with 65l, I'd have 65-35+25 = 55l.

Then I'd sparge, using another 50l. As the sparge runs, water would keep trickling in again at 400ml/min. After 60 mins, I'd be down 30L in the HLT. Balls. No where close to being able to kick off another brew, straight away.

What could I do to be able to kick off another batch reasonably quickly ? Switch to 40l batches ? Go for a 100l HLT ? Pump in front of the RO filter ? Maybe put the RO output into some plastic barrels first ?

[molc]

RO to plastic food grade barrels would be my plan. It's also faster to pour into the HLT on brewday.

[brenmurph]

Bigger  tank as big as u need.

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[neoanto]

I gather 50l of RO water into a food grade plastic barrel the night before.
this saves alot of time on brewday.