It is important to conserve and utilize valuable constituents in animal waste and implement environmentally superior technologies that are economically feasible. The economically feasibility of environmentally superior technologies being developed has become a major concern and thus emphasis is being directed to the development of marketable products that can offset their increased cost. Digester methane can be used to produce profitable products such as methanol. The current method to convert methane to methanol requires high temperature and pressure during processing. A direct conversion system utilizing light at different wavelengths was evaluated in this study. Conversions above 40% (higher than the 10% suggested for commercialization) were obtained for most reactions however the methanol produced could not be quantified due to small volumes produced. Optimization and scale up of the promising reaction conditions obtained in this study such as methane to air ratio, flow rate, and source of light can provide an economically feasible and environmentally superior technology to meet the increasing need to conserve and utilize valuable waste constituents as well as reduce odor, ammonia volatilization and greenhouse gas emissions. The end goal is to optimize and implement full-scale technology that shows the greatest potential to demonstrate the leadership of the swine industry to implement economically feasible environmentally superior technologies that conserve natural resources for future generations, meet social and regulatory goals, and protect environmental quality. Contact information: Ratna Sharma-Shivappa, 919-515-6746"", [email protected]