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.

Electricity
If the machine is used in an environment where daytime temperatures are in the low 80's F and night time temperatures are in the 60's F, the machine will draw approximately 25 KwH (Kilowatt Hours) during a batch. You'll need to look at your utility bill to see what your rate is, but a common figure is about $0.10/KwH. So, on average, you'll use $2.50 worth of electricity per batch.

Methanol
Methanol will vary based on where you live and also by the quantity you buy it in. In Utah, a 55 gallon drum of methanol runs about $155.00 for a 55 gallon drum, so about $2.82/gallon. The BioPro 190 will use 10 gallons of Methanol to make a 50 gallon batch. Based on $2.82/gallon, the BioPro 190 will use $28.20 worth of methanol per batch.

Catalyst
The BioPro 190 can run on either Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) or Potassium Hydroxide (KOH). KOH is usually a little more expensive than NaOH but is preferrable by some people. In Utah KOH goes for $60.00 for a 50 lb bag. NaOH goes for $41.34 for a 55 lb bag. So, 55 lbs is 25000 grams. 50 lbs is 22727 grams.

If KOH is used, you'll use 2350 grams. That comes out to roughly $5.11 per 50 gallon batch. If NaOH is used, you'll use 1520 grams. That comes out to roughhly $2.76 per 50 gallon batch.

Sulfuric Acid
The BioPro 190 will use 190 mL of high-grade (95-98% pure) sulfuric acid in the conversion process. Sulfuric Acid in Utah goes for about $33.18 for a 2.5 liter container of it. Based on those figures, the BioPro 190 will use $2.53 worth of Sulfuric Acid per batch.

Water
The BioPro 190 will use approximately 45 gallons of fresh water during its cycle. Water prices vary from place to place, but we estimate that it uses about $0.50 of water per 50 gallon batch.

The Totals
Using KOH as the catalyst
Electricity - $2.50
Methanol - $28.20
Water - $0.50
Sulfuric Acid - $2.53
KOH - $5.11
Total - $38.84 per 50 gallon batch
Per Gallon cost - $0.78/per gallon

Return On Investment
To calculate Return On Investment do the following.
1- Take the current price of diesel fuel ($3.59/gallon in Utah)
2- Subtract the cost to make Biodiesel in a BioPro 190 per gallon ($0.73-$0.78/gallon)
3- Record the difference ($2.86 using NaOH / $2.81 using KOH)
4- Divide $7995 by the per gallon savings
- NaOH - $7995 / $2.86 = 2795.45 or approx. 2800 gallons
- NaOH - $7995 / $2.81 = 2845.20 or approx. 2850 gallons
5- Identify how long it'd take you to go through that many gallons of fuel
You'll now have the total time it will take to get a return on investment using a BioPro 190.