Fuel to feed: U of A students create animal feed from coal

University of Alberta is researching how to utilize coal to feed livestock. However, the animals wouldn’t technically be eating coal, instead the research team collects methanol from the coal being burned and then mixes it and dries it with bacteria protein.

“We can produce a higher quality product without having to make those trade-offs, while helping the environment,” said Mark Lawley, researcher at Cvictus Fermentation Group.

Lawley says it’s perfect for a carbon capture site, seeing it as a greener alternative.

“In some places, they’re cutting down the forest for story mill for animal feeds, this process especially with the reinjection of those gases back into the coal seam, ends up being a much better environmental process,” said Lawley.

Compared to other protein-based feeds like fish, this also helps sustain the oceans biodiversity.

“It’s also very cheap and the way they’re producing it is very stable production,” said David Bressler, Bioresource Technology and Fermentation professor at University of Alberta.

This protein powder would then be mixed with other feeds like corn.

The research received 1.7 million US dollars in funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.

The feed is not yet approved to be used by livestock, but Bressler expects testing and commercialization to happen soon.  

“So, we’re hoping over the next couple years we’ll have the certification and Cvictus is in the capital fundraising to build the backend of the plant,” said Bressler.