A hierarchical catalyst composition comprising a continuous or particulate macroporous scaffold in which is incorporated mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles, wherein an enzyme is embedded in mesopores of the mesoporous aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles. Methods for synthesizing the hierarchical catalyst composition are also described. Also described are processes that use the recoverable hierarchical catalyst composition for depolymerizing lignin, remediation of water contaminated with aromatic substances, polymerizing monomers by a free-radical mechanism, epoxidation of alkenes, halogenation of phenols, inhibiting growth and function of microorganisms in a solution, and carbon dioxide conversion to methanol. Further described are methods for increasing the space time yield and/or total turnover number of a liquid-phase chemical reaction that includes magnetic particles to facilitate the chemical reaction, the method comprising subjecting the chemical reaction to a plurality of magnetic fields of selected magnetic strength, relative position in the chemical reaction, and relative motion.

In one embodiment, a treatment system for removing dissolved contaminants (e.g., arsenic) from a contaminated fluid (e.g., water) utilizes in-situ generation of adsorption filtration media or reactive components. Corrosion materials (e.g., iron oxide complexes) that serve as the adsorption filtration media or reactive components are generated by supplying a flow of contaminated fluid, and injecting air, into a generator vessel containing pieces of an oxidizable source (e.g., zero-valent iron spheres). The pieces of the oxidizable source are agitated to release particulates of corrosion materials from their surface into solution with the contaminated fluid. Simultaneous to the ongoing generation of corrosion materials, dissolved contaminants in the contaminated fluid are adsorbed on the corrosion materials. New particulate compounds generated by adsorption of the dissolved contaminants on the corrosion materials precipitate from the solution, and are filtered out, thereby removing the contaminants, and yielding treated fluid (e.g., potable water).

In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions, solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and fracking fluids.

In alternative aspects, the invention provides process for the use of ionic liquids in the remediation and amelioration of oilsand materials, including treatment of tailings products including but not limited to mature fine tailings (MFT), separation of bitumen from oilsand, bitumen transportation, remediation of spilled bitumen and dilbit, treatment (breakage) of steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and heavy oil emulsions, solids removal from oil processing streams, in-situ bitumen recovery, in-situ extraction from mineral reservoirs, production well chemicals, CO2 sequestration and fracking fluids.

Devices and methods are provided for in-line water treatment using strong magnetic fields to influence corrosion, separate toxins, suppress bacteria and bio-fouling, as well as inhibit or greatly reduce mineral scaling due to fluid flow in or around equipment components. For example, a device is provided for applying a magnetic field to a portion of tubing through which a fluid flow, such as water, is conveyed. The device includes a number of links joined together via detachable pivoting connections, such that links may be removed and/or links may be added, thereby allowing a diameter of the device to be adjusted so as to accommodate larger or smaller piping, as necessary, for retrofitting applications. The use of magnetic treatment of fluids such as water may allow extended cycles of operation with higher concentration of mineral salts without the use of chemical scaling suppressants.

An electromagnetic resonance apparatus for molecular, atomic, and chemical modification of water is provided. The apparatus includes a water container, a resonance induction cell tower, an electronic control unit, a 12-volt power source, a DC to AC power inverter, and a pressure vessel for storing produced hydrogen gas. An electronic control unit is used to provide vibrational energy to the cell tower to facilitate water decomposition.

A water treatment device and methods of treating water such as cooling tower water, swimming pool water, and hot tub or spa water, are described. The water treatment device utilizes ultraviolet radiation, a magnetic field, and ozone fortified air to treat the water, typically resulting in reduced microbial contamination and reduced alkalinity in cooling tower water. Cooling tower water may consequently be run at higher cycles of concentration while reducing or eliminating deposition of minerals on cooling tower components. Swimming pool water and hot tub water treated with the water treatment device typically requires less chlorine, and chlorine levels are typically more stable than without the device.

A water treatment device and methods of treating water such as cooling tower water, swimming pool water, and hot tub or spa water, are described. The water treatment device utilizes ultraviolet radiation, a magnetic field, and ozone fortified air to treat the water, typically resulting in reduced microbial contamination and reduced alkalinity in cooling tower water. Cooling tower water may consequently be run at higher cycles of concentration while reducing or eliminating deposition of minerals on cooling tower components. Swimming pool water and hot tub water treated with the water treatment device typically requires less chlorine, and chlorine levels are typically more stable than without the device.

A method for increasing the quantity of dissolved oxygen in water includes addition of an oxidant to the water to increase the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the water to between about 400 and 850 mV, followed by electrolysis to generate oxygen gas. The voltage applied to the electrolytic cells during electrolysis is less than 300 mV. The dissolved oxygen content of the water exiting the electrolytic cell is about 90% of saturation to super saturation.

A method and apparatus is described that uses a device that presents a surface of a dielectric material to a flowing or circulating fluid that results in charge being created at a boundary layer of the dielectric where it contacts the fluid by ion exchange and charging of compounds, for example insoluble dielectric particles such as colloids, and using at least one control impedance to control an impressed current in the fluid caused by the fluid flowing through the device and to cause suspended particles in the fluid to be charged, whereby the charge of the suspended particles is then neutralised causing coagulation of the particles as suspended insoluble particles.