Patent-family-84537260

The disclosure relates to a system and a method for optimizing the bacterial methanotrophy conditions inside covered manure tanks. One embodiment relates to a method for automatically controlling aerobic microbial methanotrophy in an upper crust of a ventilated livestock manure storage tank (A) having an airtight cover above the upper crust defining a headspace between the upper crust and the airtight cover, the method comprising the steps of continuously measuring a concentration of methane representing a concentration of methane in the headspace of the livestock manure tank, continuously monitoring a rate of change in the concentration of methane in the headspace of the livestock manure tank, and automatically adjusting a flow of ventilating air to the manure tank based on said monitored rate of change, said flow of ventilating air fluidly connecting the headspace of the livestock manure tank with outside atmospheric conditions, thereby optimizing conditions for aerobic microbial methanotrophy in the upper crust to reduce emission of methane from the manure storage tank.