Abstract: Proteins are prepared by the reaction of a hydrocarbon utilizing microbe on a low molecular weight hydrocarbon, such as methane, in an aqueous medium in the presence of oxygen and a fixable nitrogen compound in a recycle process in which unreacted hydrocarbon and oxygen are recycled to the protein manufacturing reactor. Sufficient hydrocarbon is introduced into the system to prevent the formation of a flammable mixture therein. Part or all of the hydrocarbon can be introduced into the system downstream of the protein reactor, where the propensity of forming a flammable gas mixture is greatest.

Abstract: Methane is produced from a coal seam penetrated by an injection well and a gas production well by first introducing liquefied or gaseous carbon dioxide through the injection well and into the coal seam and subsequently introducing a weakly adsorbable gas through the injection well and into the coal seam. As the weakly adsorbable gas passes through the coal seam, it forces the carbon dioxide through the seam. If the carbon dioxide is in liquefied form, it evaporates as it moves through the seam, and the carbon dioxide gas desorbs methane from the coal and sweeps it toward the production well. The methane is withdrawn from the seam through the production well.