The present invention relates to compositions for encapsulation of biomaterials in a silica-matrix. The present invention includes a composition for formation of a silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterial. The composition includes a reactive silicon compound and a biomaterial with a catalytic activity. When encapsulated in the silica-matrix, the biomaterial at least partially retains its catalytic activity. The present invention also relates to methods of making silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials, and to methods of using silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials, including methods of treating water or gas using the silica-matrix encapsulated biomaterials.

The present invention relates to a method of treating aqueous fluid and apparatus therefor. The method comprises adding an organic compound to a mass of aqueous fluid comprising at least one Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI). The organic compound comprises a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail comprises at least one C—H bond and the hydrophilic head comprises at least one of: a hydroxyl (—OH) group; and a carboxyl (—COOH) group.

In an embodiment, a circuit includes: a transformer defining an inductive footprint within a first layer; a grounded shield bounded by the inductive footprint within a second layer separate from the first layer; and a circuit component bounded by the inductive footprint within a third layer separate from the second layer, wherein: the circuit component is coupled with the transformer through the second layer, and the third layer is separated from the first layer by the second layer.

A filtration device selectively removes hydrophobic waste from wastewater while leaving other water and surfactant components, which may then be recycled to a point of use. The wastewater treatment system may comprise a filtration unit and filtration media. The filtration unit may comprise a housing having an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet of a point of use and configured to receive a wastewater stream from the point of use for treatment, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the point of use and configured to deliver filtrate to the point of use. The filtration media may be positioned within the housing. The filtration media may comprise an oleophilic foam substrate and a hydrophobic coating on the oleophilic foam substrate. The filtration media may be configured to separate a hydrophobic component from the wastewater stream to produce filtrate comprising water and surfactant.

A method for preparing a supported two-component metal oxide ozone catalytic oxidation catalyst for an advanced treatment of a petrochemical wastewater is provided. The supported two-component metal-oxide ozone catalytic oxidation catalyst is prepared from commercially-available active alumina balls by the steps of carrier activation, impregnating liquid preparation, carrier impregnation, catalyst roasting, and catalyst cleaning. The supported two-component metal oxide ozone catalytic oxidation catalyst has product stability, is reusable, and is of significance in application of ozone catalytic oxidation technologies as well as energy conservation and consumption reduction for petrochemical wastewater treatment plants.

A process for treating sour water includes combining the sour water with an alkali or alkaline metal hydroxide to produce a sour water mixture, the sour water comprising sulfides, passing an electric current through the sour water mixture, where passing the electric current through the sour water mixture causes at least a portion of the sulfides to react to produce a treated sour water comprising sulfates and having a pH of 7.1 to 9.8, saturating the at least a portion of the sulfates in an aqueous sulfate solution, and separating at least a portion of saturated sulfates from a saturated aqueous sulfate solution.

Systems and methods for treating a stream comprising hydrocarbons and an aqueous-based liquid are provided. The systems and methods may utilize a media composite comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. In certain systems and methods, the media composite is capable of being backwashed. The stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be separated by contacting the stream with the media composite. In certain system and methods, the stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be coalesced by contacting the stream with the media composite.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for recovering mature fine tailings (MFT) from oil sands tailings ponds. Some examples include a hollow, fully enclosed around its perimeter, ideally of cylindrical form, open bottom structure (a hollow conduit), of predetermined geometry, which is placed at the pond surface. The hollow conduit can penetrate MFT deposits to or below a level at which MFT of required density is located. A width or diameter of the hollow conduit can be determined with respect to the MFT inflow velocity and the corresponding shear rate, so as to enable MFT flow into the hollow conduit at a rate matching a rate at which the MFT is removed from the pond (e.g., a recovery rate). An MFT fill level inside the hollow conduit can be kept constant and equal to a required fill level throughout MFT recovery operations. MFT can enter the hollow conduit during MFT recovery operations solely under action of hydraulic head pressure. MFT can be transferred from within the hollow conduit utilizing a mechanical device such as a pump or a siphon, for transfer to shore based facilities and further processing.

Unconventional hydrocarbons production from shale and tight-sand formations unlocks vast new energy sources to the nation. However, public perception about excessive potable water use in hydro-fracturing and possible pollution routes in discharging and reusing produced water (flow-back water) promotes state's stringent regulations and opens the door to develop effective produced water treatment methods. This invention is therefore aimed at properly treating produced water to avert health and environmental liabilities and convert economic losses to useful by-products using innovative methods to de-oil, de-scale, and de-salt produced water.

The present invention relates to a method for flocculating and dewatering oil sands fine tailings. Said method comprises mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer to form a dough-like material. The material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor to break down the dough-like material to form microflocs having an average size of 1 to 500 microns, and to release water. The internal diameter of the in-line reactor is at most five times the internal diameter of the inlet pipe of the reactor. The suspension of microflocs has a viscosity of at most 1000 cP and a yield stress of at most 300 Pa.