Date of Award
2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Specialization
Environmental Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
First Advisor
Joseph Goodwill
Abstract
Elevated manganese (Mn) levels in drinking water pose aesthetic, health, and operational concerns. One common treatment method involves adsorbing soluble Mn(II) onto manganese (III/IV) oxide (MnOx)-coated media, but this approach typically relies on chemical reagents for surface regeneration. In remote systems lacking chemical storage and containment, such methods may be impractical. This study explores an alternative regeneration technique using an electrochemical reactor for in-situ oxidant generation. Across batch-scale recirculating, intermittent regeneration, and single-pass continuous regeneration experiments, electrochemically regenerated MnOx-coated media achieved up to a roughly 90 percent removal, as seen in a decrease in concentration from 0.1 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L. This removal is within the common Mn treatment goal of 0.02 mg/L. Performance depended on several factors, such as raw water Mn concentration and applied voltage. The process generated chlorine which increased the pH of the applied water. Although modeling and Mn fractionation suggested limited homogenous oxidation of Mn, the formation of some colloidal MnOx likely confounded results in some experimental situations. Regeneration was confirmed by analyzing changes in Mn oxidation states on the media surface. These findings highlight a promising, reagent-free strategy for regenerating MnOx-coated media - expanding its applicability for water treatment in isolated systems and point-of-use applications.
Recommended Citation
Ellis, Carrie, "ELECTROCHEMICAL REGENERATION OF MANGANESE OXIDE (MnOx)- COATED MEDIA" (2025). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 2618.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/2618