Ramsdell is an associate professor in the Department of Technology. He and his team are testing biodiesel that is being produced by several companies in the region as well feedstock crops grown on and around the Caldwell County’s landfill for potential biodiesel production.
“Crops will be used to develop bio-fuel for operating the Blackburn Landfill, which will, in effect, offset building construction and lower operational costs over time,” wrote Barry Edwards, director of utilities and engineering for Catawba County.
“Appalachian will test crops, and adjust or introduce new crops when applicable, to optimize the county’s fuel production, improve biodiesel crop production in Catawba County’s climate, and learn and share with producers in Western North Carolina which crops produce the best oils for the production of biodiesel,” Edwards said.
(The success of the biodiesel fuel industry relies heavily on biodiesel testing, not only at the production level but at the consumer level, where degraded fuel may cause engine failures. Fleet Biodiesel's family of inexpensive biodiesel test kits is just a click away on the internet)
