US 6,982,161 B1
Process for the utilization of ruminant animal methane emissions
Markus Donald Herrema, 3 Hancock St., Laguna Niguel, Calif. 92677 (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/687,272.
Int. Cl. C12N 1/30 (2006.01); A61K 35/42 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 435—250 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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, andwhereby said microorganisms can be harvested and utilized following growth, adding economic incentive to a ruminant animal methane emissions reduction effort.