I think I am looking at doing biodiesel and wondering what the experience here has been, most seem to have gone the DIY processor route, I was wondering if anyone has gone the BIO Pro 190 route and what your experiences have been ?

 

It's all about what you want to spend. $250-$1000 DIY or $6000(used Bio pro 190) $9,000(new Bio pro 190) fully automated and smaller footprint.

 

The BioPro is great. 2-stage reaction means bigger yields and more forgiving range of feedstock. Fully auto is very nice - add ingredients (no titration/math req'd) and push a button, come back in 24hrs and drain off glycerin and push another button, after 24hrs pump triple-washed and dried B100 into your tank using pump on BioPro. However, I would strongly consider the 'dry wash' options that are more readily available now than when I was still making B100 (its been a couple years now...).

On the 'used' BioPro... I will say we have had issues with the methoxide pump on our early-model 190. It uses little diaphram pump(s) and the filters are inside near electronics, etc. The filter sucks to change and pump/filter tend to get crystallized caustic in them and need cleaned regularly. We began a routine of flushing and rinsing after every couple batches to mitigate this headache - but that adds a bunch of 'hands on' time to using the machine. I know they redesigned that system with a different style pump...

I have met dozens of people who finally got tired of messing with DIY processors and the cheaper 'processors' that are for sale. Seems like going that route is more of a hobby than most are willing to tolerate!!

Let us know what ya end up doing!

 

I know ya didn't ask, but have you considered using SVO. A fully automatic conversion from WVO Diesel Conversion | SVO Grease Conversion | Ford Vegistroke Powerstroke | Biodiesel Conversion is about 1/3rd the cost of a BioPro 190 and fuel costs are next to nothing (I estimate $0.10/gal - including collection costs). This option puts all your costs upfront and continues to pay you back loooong after ROI. You still have to collect and dewater WVO either way - with this option you simply do a little more filtering. The biggest up-side is with a 2-tank system you are purging all the 'biofuel' out of the heads every time you shut down. The reason no OEM will recommend more than B5 is due to oxidative polymerization - the natural degradation of VO. Unless you are using some form of 'stabilizer' in your B100, you are at risk of poly forming in your system eventually...