Chris Maher

Title: Innovations by Chris Maher in Waste Treatment Technology

Introduction

Chris Maher is an innovative inventor based in Hillsboro, Oregon. He has made significant contributions to the field of waste treatment technology, particularly through his patented method for treating waste activated sludge. His work focuses on improving the efficiency of phosphorus and magnesium removal from wastewater.

Latest Patents

Chris Maher holds a patent for a method titled "Emancipative waste activated sludge stripping to remove internal phosphorus" (eWASSTRIP). This innovative process involves treating a mixture of microorganisms that contain phosphorus and magnesium. The method begins by inducing the microorganisms to release these elements. Following this, an emancipation or elutriation process is performed. The phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid is then extracted as the mixture is thickened, resulting in both a phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and a treated mixture with reduced concentrations of these elements. The treated mixture is subsequently placed in an anaerobic digester, where ammonia is formed but combines minimally with phosphorus or magnesium due to their reduced concentrations. The high-ammonia mixture is then dewatered to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid. In one preferred example, a usable struvite product is harvested from this combination. Additionally, this method reduces the production of nuisance struvite in the anaerobic digester compared to previous waste treatment methods.

Career Highlights

Chris Maher is currently employed at Clean Water Services, where he continues to develop and refine innovative waste treatment technologies. His work has garnered attention for its potential to enhance the efficiency of wastewater treatment processes.

Collaborations

Chris collaborates with several colleagues, including Mike Gates and Robert James Baur, who contribute to the advancement of their projects and initiatives within the company.

Conclusion

Chris Maher's contributions to waste treatment technology through his innovative patent demonstrate his commitment to improving environmental sustainability. His work not only addresses critical issues in wastewater management but also paves the way for future advancements in the field.