Patent ID: 6982161

Claim:
A method for producing methane-utilizing microorganisms in a confined apparatus comprising using the methane exhaled through ruminant animal exhalation as a source of carbon and/or energy for the growth of said microorganisms, comprising: a. collecting methane gas that has been exhaled through ruminant animal exhalation, b. providing methane-utilizing microorganisms which can use said methane as a source of carbon and/or energy for growth, c. providing a growth-culture medium which promotes the growth of said microorganisms, including a nutrient substrate and/or a microorganism immobilization means, d. providing a means for the directed mutual-exposure of said methane, said microorganisms, and said growth-culture medium, including a means for the capture and conveyance of said methane and a means for confining said microorganisms, said growth-culture medium, and said methane to a specified apparatus existing outside of the digestive tract of a ruminant animal, e. mutually-exposing said methane, said microorganisms, and said growth-culture medium to cause said microorganisms to grow in said apparatus using said methane and said growth-culture medium, whereby said methane contained within said ruminant animal exhalation is utilized for the sustained growth of said microorganisms in a specified apparatus, whereby said methane, an environmentally-destructive material and previously unusable source of energy, is used to produce a useful end-product, and whereby said microorganisms can be harvested and utilized following growth, adding economic incentive to a ruminant animal methane emissions reduction effort.