Enhanced removal of organics by permanganate preoxidation using tannic acid as a model compound – Role of in situ formed manganese dioxide

The effect of permanganate preoxidation on organic matter removal during the coagulation with aluminum chloride was investigated using tannic acid as a model compound. Results showed that a small amount of KMnO4 (0.75 mg/L) increased the removal eficiency of tannic acid up to 20%, as compared to the process of coagulation by aluminum chloride alone. The key factor enhancing the removal eficiency of tannic acid in preoxidation process was the in situ formation of a reductant manganese dioxide. The complexation model was used to describe the reaction between MnO2 and tannic acid. Under weak pH condition, tannic acid was dificult to be adsorbed by MnO2 due to the static electrical repulsive forces. The presence of Ca2+ served as a bridge to hold the negative charged MnO2 and tannic acid together, which could be a crucial factor influencing tannic acid adsorption by in-situ manganese dioxide.