The BioPro 190 –Man, this is cool!

During my time playing with biodiesel in the last three years I’ve seen a lot of equipment, lot’s of “interesting” creations, and talked about everything imaginable under the sun.

As part of my adventure in Biodiesel I’ve also run across a lot of very cool people, Jack Jones being way up there on my list (he’s the one that introduced me to Biodiesel in the first place).

Biodiesel in general has alway’s amazed me at how easy it is to make (relatively) and how well it works in diesels. I still get this big grin on my face every time I fill up my Isuzu w/ Biodiesel and drive down the highway & realize how quiet the engine runs on Bio. It also runs sooo much better with Bio as well. Just amazing!

One of the big stumbling blocks though for a lot of people is the “intimidation factor” that comes with making biodiesel sometimes. There’s also a fairly steep learning curve during the first few batches. Titration can just be an all out nightmare for some people to get a grasp on (some people I’ve decided just will never get it no matter how much I “dumb it down”).

There’s also a really big time committment that goes with making bio. Collecting oil, dragging it home, filtering it, de-watering it, putting it in the processor, mixing the methanol, metering it in, running the pumps, praying you’ve got the right valves closed and the other ones open (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve missed a valve and put oil all over the floor). And just on & on & on….

It also is incredibly messy. Especially when you’re transferring stuff around.

Enter the BioPro 190 machine.

Today we did a demo with an Appleseed processor (the big kahuna 100 Gallon processor that I built) and then afterwards I did a demo with the BioPro.

The difference between the two is amazing!

With the big kahuna you go through all the normal steps about collecting, titrating, and all of that but then peoples eyes glaze over when you talk about all the valves you have to turn (and the 100 gallon thing I built admitedly wins the price for the most ball valves on a processor–we’re working on cutting out a bunch of them).

Anyway, needless to say, it’s a lot of work to run one. Not hard work, but still work.

Well, then after the 3 hour demo I wandered home & got the BioPro ready to show.

The difference in the demo’s are incredibly amazing. Lot’s less time.

Here’s how the BioPro works.
1- Pump 50 gallons of filtered, dewatered oil into the processor.
–It’s got this huge opening on the top so you can dump it in, pump it in, whatever you’d like
2- Pour in a pre-determined amount of catalyst into the Catalyst tube.
3- Pour 4 gallons of methanol in one tank opening
4- Pour 6 gallons into the catalyst opening.
5- Push the big green button
6- Pour 190 mL of Sulfuric Acid down the acid tube
7- Put the lid on & watch.

And, well, that’s it folks…..
Then you get to hear it whirr, hum, & mix.
Instead of metering in methoxide or any of that stuff, you just walk away from it.

It was just amazing how different it is to use over the 100 gallon processor. It’s so much less intimidating. It’s damn expensive but man is it amazing!

In fact, I had one guy put in the oil, methanol, & catalyst & I had his boy push the big green button & I said, “Well, that’s all folks…that’s it. Come back in 24 hours & we’ll drain the glycerin off & then start the wash cycle”.

Washing is a dream too!
You drain off the glycerin from the bottom, and then–get this–you just push the Blue Button. The wash starts up & you come back in another 24 hours.

No transferring liquid from a processor to a wash tank, no turning on water & praying it doesn’t leak, none of that. Just press the blue button & come back in 24 hours.

DAMN THIS THING IS COOL!!!!

So, as I write this, instead of watching the methoxide go in the BioPro is just a churnin’ away on the oil.

You know, I’ve alway’s loved Appleseed Processors & still do. There really isn’t anything out there for the money that you can get yourself into that quick & be up & running making fuel. They’re simple. They’re easy to operate (somewhat time consuming at times), and they work.

However, the BioPro is just an amazing peice of machinery! It’s just as easy to operate, and in some way’s even easier, and it just takes it so much less time to use it.

There’s only one ball valve to worry about (the one at the bottom) and the rest of the stuff is just straight forward. While, they’re not the best option for everyone, they do an amazing job for those they fit.

So, while I still love the Appleseeds and alway’s will, the BioPro has gained a big spot in my heart too. Man their cool! To watch em work is just sheerly amazing!

And, hey, c’mon, it’s Stainless Steel! That’s just cool!

Someone called it the Stainless Steel Trash can once. I got a kick out of that…Takes Trash & Turns it into fuel!

Someone else called it Robbie The Robot, & I liked that too. All the nifty lights & switches. It really does look cool!

I’ve been thrilled with it. It’s like a new kid to me too. If you’ve ever seen a new dad with his new baby, you never ask about the baby. You’ll be there for a good hour hearing about the kid & how cool it is. Well, the BioPro’s the same way to me.

Ask me about what I think about it & you’ll be there a while. It’s my new “baby” & damn am I proud of it!

Anyway, that’s the report from me today…..

-Graydon
The Rabid Biodiesel Nut
& Daddy Of A New BioPro

About Utah Biodiesel Supply

Utah Biodiesel Supply is an industry leader in offering innovative ways to empower our customers to produce Biodiesel. From free online instructional videos on how to get started making this great renewable fuel to promotional items to help our customers proclaim their energy independence, Utah Biodiesel Supply has it covered. With the widest selection available of Biodiesel equipment, supplies, and promotional items, you're sure to learn something new about Biodiesel every time you visit.

5 comments on “The BioPro 190 –Man, this is cool!

  1. hello, I’m very interested on this machine, I just have a bunch of questions, like, -how do you filtrate dirty oil?, I mean what do you use?-
    -at the end of the proccess, where does the “waste” goes? I mean If I have this machine in my garage, go I need to have some sort of waste line piping that goes to the sewer?
    -how long can the final product remain in the machine?, I heard that it can decompose, is it true?
    -does this machine complies with federal regulations or something of that nature?
    – are you a dealer? if so have you considered selling this “baby” overseas?, let’s say Costa Rica?.
    – do you sell biodiesel to others? if so, have you or any customer had any problems?
    – how do you deal with cold temperatures?
    – can B20 or B100 be use in a 2006 vw jetta without any changes to the engine? is there special hoses or anything I should consider?.
    my email: lfzamora2002@yahoo.com

    thank you for your response.

  2. well i’ve tried to read all i could find on biodiesel and have been impressed. but so far i still have a lot of questions my self.
    i have an 1981 tyota diesel truck and paying $3.50 a gallon is killing me I am on a fixed income because i can’t work its because i cant stand very long. i worked for over 20 years as a maintance Tech over 10 years in electronics. but now because of my feet i can not work. i need to find ways to cut cost. about how much would it cost to build something to make biodiesel or do you sell the units already made?
    i live in salt lake and if what you say about renagade is that bad is there a place in salt lake that i can buy biodiesel under the high prices.

  3. Very interesting in the biopro. Have a few questions….
    I take it you still need a still to remove the excess methanol from the glycerol?
    The unit washes automatically… ie does it drain the wash water automatically or you have to do that manually like draining the glyerol?
    The two stage process… acid, then KOH. Does it actually meter out what it needs or does the machine use everything you put into it… ie. uses all 4gal/6gal methanol, KOH, and sulfuric acid? In other words, can you run the two step process in a conventional processor adding exactly the same ingredients by weight that goes into the biopro?
    The sulfuric acid and first 4gal of methanol are added in first stage at once or sulfuric to unheated oil, then methanol goes in once oil reaches temp? Any idea how long before methoxide is added in second stage?
    Thanks,
    Peter
    westvandude@gmail.com