Abstract: A process for increasing the rate of biocatalysis reactions, which comprises applying a direct current electric field to a reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture and the electrodes used to apply said electric field are separated such that the reaction mixture does not come into contact with said electrodes.

Abstract: A method is provided for the electrokinetic decontamination of land or other material comprising soil in which a direct current is applied between at least one cathode (2) and at least one anode (4) positioned in or on said soil. The anode (4) is a carbon felt wrapped around current (10) and electrolyte feeders and the cathode (2) is contained in a porous housing (6) through which electrolyte is able to pass. On application of current there is electrokinetic movement of cations and other soil contaminants towards the cathode which pass through the porous housing and into the catholyte. The thus loaded catholyte is circulated through a treatment plant.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided for removal of metals such as copper, lead, silver, tellurium, platinum, palladium or nickel from dilute solutions of the metal. The cell comprises a porous tubular support (18) which is provided with a cathode comprising a porous carbon fiber material (19), a current feeder (15) for the cathode, a tubular anode (12) spaced from said cathode, a current feeder (16) for the anode, the anode and the cathode being enclosed by a non-porous outer casing (11). In use the dilute solution from which the metal is to be removed is introduced into the cell through an inlet (13) and flows through the porous carbon fiber cathode to an outlet (14). The cell is useful for removing harmful metals from wastes so that they are environmentally acceptable for disposal and for recovery of valuable metals.