This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 5 of this Preprint.
Stranded methane to food: techno-economic analysis of methanotrophic protein production
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Authors
Sahar Head El Abbadi,
Evan D Sherwin 
,
Adam R Brandt ,
Stephen P. Luby,
Craig S. Criddle
Abstract
Methane is emitted and flared from industrial sources across the United States, contributing to global climate change. This need not be the case. Methanotrophic (methane-oxidizing) bacteria can transform methane into useful protein-rich biomass (e.g., to replace fishmeal in animal feeds). Here, we analyze the economic potential of producing methanotrophic microbial protein from methane emitted and flared from wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and oil and gas facilities. Our results show that current technology can enable production equivalent to nearly 15% of the global fishmeal market at prices at or below the current cost of fishmeal of roughly $1,600 per metric ton. We find that methanotroph production is most sensitive to electricity costs, which can be reduced through lower prices or reducing electricity demand. Bioreactor cooling and biomass drying are the most energy intensive processes, and additional price savings can be achieved by reducing labor requirements.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31223/X5PP5D
Subjects
Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Keywords
methane, single cell protein, methanotroph, fishmeal
Dates
Published: 2021-02-23 04:41
Last Updated: 2021-02-25 01:15
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License
CC BY Attribution 4.0 International
Additional Metadata
Conflict of interest statement:
None
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