Mike Gates

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Mike Gates

Introduction

Mike Gates is an accomplished inventor based in Hillsboro, Oregon. He has made significant strides in the field of wastewater treatment through his innovative patent. His work focuses on improving the efficiency of phosphorus and magnesium removal from wastewater, which is crucial for environmental sustainability.

Latest Patents

Gates holds a patent for a method titled "Emancipative waste activated sludge stripping to remove internal phosphorus" (eWASSTRIP). This method involves treating a mixture of microorganisms that contain phosphorus and magnesium. The process 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

Mike Gates is currently employed at Clean Water Services, where he continues to develop innovative solutions for wastewater treatment. His work has garnered attention for its potential to enhance environmental sustainability and improve water quality.

Collaborations

Gates collaborates with notable colleagues, including Chris Maher and Robert James Baur. Their combined expertise contributes to the advancement of innovative wastewater treatment technologies.

Conclusion

Mike Gates is a pioneering inventor whose work in wastewater treatment exemplifies the importance of innovation in addressing environmental challenges. His patented method for phosphorus and magnesium removal represents a significant advancement in the field.