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The BioPro190 Automated Biodiesel Processor Cost Analysis & Return On Investment
A BioPro 190 Automated Biodiesel Processor can easily pay for itself in a relatively short amount of time. On this page we'll be breaking down what it costs to run a BioPro 190 and what your expected return on investment time will be. Costs and times will vary based on the current prices for electricity, methanol, catalyst, sulfuric acid, and oil.
Downloadable Production Cost & Return On Investment Worksheet
Click Here to dowload (Microsoft Excel)
We've created a simple to use electronic worksheet where you can plug in the costs of items in your area and quickly see how much it would cost you to produce your own Biodiesel. We've included all of the items discussed on this page as well as the ability to add labor costs, rent costs, and even a usage fee for using the machine.
We've also included a handy section that shows you how much you'll save per gallon and per batch to produce your own biodiesel vs. using petroleum based diesel fuel. And, to top it off, we've included a section on how many gallons you'll need to make to recover your initial investment in a BioPro 190.
Operating Costs:
Here's a breakdown of how you can calculate how much a BioPro190 will cost to run. All figures were based on local prices in Utah near the end of August 2006.
Electricity
If the machine is used in an environment where daytime temperatures are in the 50-60's F and night time temperatures are in the 40-50's F, the machine will draw approximately 35 KwH (Kilowatt Hours) during a batch. If you pre-dry your oil in the machine, which is recommended, the total will more like 50 KwH. You'll need to look at your utility bill to see what your rate is, but in the Seattle area our power costs about $0.06/KwH. So, on average, based on 50 KwH, you'll use $3 worth of electricity per batch.
Methanol
Methanol will vary based on where you live and also by the quantity you buy it in. In Seattle, a 55 gallon drum of methanol runs about $165.00 for a 55 gallon drum, so about $3 gallon. The BioPro190 will use 10 gallons of Methanol to make a 50 gallon batch. Based on $3/gallon, the BioPro190 will use $30 worth of methanol per batch.
Catalyst
The BioPro190 can run on either Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) or Potassium Hydroxide (KOH). KOH is usually a little more expensive than NaOH but has several advantages. In the Seattle area, KOH goes for $53 for a 55 lb bag. NaOH goes for $39 for a 55 lb bag. So, 55 lbs is about 25000 grams.
If KOH is used, you'll use 2350 grams. That comes out to roughly $5 per 50 gallon batch. If NaOH is used, you'll use 1520 grams. That comes out to roughhly $2.38 per 50 gallon batch.
Sulfuric Acid
The BioPro 190 will use 190 mL of high-grade (93-98% pure) sulfuric acid in the conversion process. Sulfuric Acid in the Seattle area can be purchased for $53 for 5 gallons (through Cascade). That would be enough for about 100 batches, or $0.53 / batch.
Water
The BioPro 190 will use approximately 45 gallons of fresh water during its cycle. In Seattle water costs about 1.3 c / gal, so that would come out to $0.60 / batch.
The Totals
Using KOH as the catalyst
Electricity - $3
Methanol - $30
Water - $0.60
Sulfuric Acid - $0.53
KOH - $5
Total - $39.13 per 50 gallon batch
Per Gallon cost - $0.82 per gallon (based on 48 gal/batch actual yield)
Using NaOH as the catalyst
Electricity - $3
Methanol - $30
Water - $0.60
Sulfuric Acid - $0.53
NaOH - $2.38
Total - $36.51 per 50 gallon batch
Per Gallon cost - $0.76 per gallon
(based on 48 gal/batch actual yield)
Return On Investment
To calculate Return On Investment do the following.
1- Take the current price of diesel fuel (bout $3.05 gallon in Seattle)
2- Subtract the cost to make Biodiesel in a BioPro 190 per gallon ($0.76-$0.82/gallon)
3- Record the difference ($2.29 using NaOH / $2.23 using KOH)
4- Divide $7995 by the per gallon savings
- NaOH - $7995 / $2.29 = 3491 gallons
- KOH - $7995 / $2.23 = 3585 gallons
5- Identify how long it'd take you to go through that many gallons of fuel. Let's say you use 10 gal per week, a common amount. So it would take you about 350 weeks, or about 6.7 years to get a return on your investment, though that's at current fuel prices!
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