Evaluation of Mn2+ and Co2+ removal by electrocoagulation: A case study

In this paper, removal of Manganese (Mn2+) and Cobalt (Co2+) ions from aqueous solutions are studied using electrocoagulation (EC) with aluminium electrodes. The effect of operational parameters such as initial metal concentration, applied current density, charge loading and the presence of other metal ions on the performance of the EC process were investigated. The experimental results revealed that the removal rate of Mn2+ and Co2+ decreased by increasing the initial metal concentration. Increasing the current density accelerated the pollutant removal rate. Also, it was found that Cobalt ions were removed twice faster than Manganese ions under the same conditions. The optimum EC-post contact time was 15 min and about 10% additional removal of Mn2+ and Co2+ was observed. In addition, the obtained results showed that Mn2+ and Co2+ were effectively removed from an industrial wastewater at optimal operating conditions.

► Mn2+ and Co2+ ions were effectively removed by the EC process.
► Charge loading was the most effective parameter in determining the efficiency of the EC process.
► Co2+ ions were removed faster than Mn2+ ions under the same conditions.
► The optimum EC-post contact time was 15 min.
► Mn2+ and Co2+ ions were effectively removed from an industrial wastewater by the EC process.