Methane Experiment

Since before we moved here I have been thinking of trying an experiment I read in a magazine once. It was in an article that explained how to generate methane and capture it for some useful purpose. After reading several other articles and churning them around in my head I decided how I would do it and just last week I began. I have a 55 gallon drum, and last Wednesday I put in it a mixture of water, cow manure, grass, bark leaves, and sticks. Exactly one week later I came back and opened the valve I had installed on the top of the barrel and it was evident that there was pressure built up inside. With a lighter held in front of it I was able to determine that it was a flamable gas. Knowing what is in the barrel I can conclude that it is Methane. The picture here is of the lighter igniting the methane as it is expelled from the valve. And here is a 30 second video of the gas being burnt.

This may not be as exciting as pictures of the babies and such, but I was very excited that this worked I just had to share it with the world. For those of you who are interested, Methane is one of the major components of the natural gas that is in your house. Natural gas also has propane, butane, and a few other 'anes.