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Producing Biodiesel through a Chemical Reaction

Washakie Renewable Energy

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Established more than a decade ago, Washakie Renewable Energy (WRE) Group maintains a focus on supplying clients throughout the Intermountain West region with high-quality biofuels. At the core of Washakie Renewable Energy’s value proposition is a fuel that is produced from crop waste and stands at the vanguard of sustainability.

Making biodiesel centers on a chemical reaction through which vegetable oil or animal fat is combined with a catalyst such as methanol and converted into biodiesel and glycerin. Known as “transesterification,” this process relies on oils and fats that form the chemical compound ester and contain triglycerides.
Common inputs in making biodiesel include canola and soybean oil, as well as lard and tallow from pork and beef. The product can also be made from exotic sources such as walnut and avocado oils. The biodiesel output is lighter in color than the crude glycerin that separates and settles at the bottom. The quality of the final biodiesel product is certified by testing bodies such as the American Society for Testing and Materials.