Wastewater biosolids are fertilizing sunflower for biodiesel in Raleigh pilot trial

In North Carolina, biosolids from a wastewater plant outside Raleigh are spread upon a nearby 50-acre field where sunflower is grown for biodiesel production. Using the nitrogen-hungry plants reduces runoff into the watershed that can lead to algae blooms and eventually fish kill. In the second year of the pilot, the City will crush the sunflower itself onsite using a purpose-built portable unit from New Earth Fabricators. The biodiesel is then blended at 20% to operate the farm equipment.