A detailed experimental study was devoted to the anodic oxidation of oxalic acid using manganese dioxide rotating cylinder anode with the objective to evaluate in a systematic way the effect on the oxalic acid oxidation process of several relevant parameters, including the presence of sodium chloride, the current density (J), the rotation speed, the temperature, and the initial concentration of oxalic acid. Thin manganese dioxide film on graphite substrate has been prepared by electrochemical oxidation from MnSO4-H2SO4 electrolyte. The morphology of this electrode was investigated by XRD, SEM, EDS and AFM techniques. The results show that a firm γ-structure of MnO2 film on graphite rod can be obtained successfully. The results indicate that the presence of NaCl has a vital role on the performance of the oxalic acid incineration process. Also current density has the major effect on the removal and current efficiencies. Positive effect of temperature on the removal and current efficiencies and negative effect of rotation speed were observed. The best adopted operative conditions were T = 50°C, J = 40 mA/cm2 and 200 rpm in the presence of 1g/l NaCl where a conversion of about 97% and a current efficiency close to 55% with energy consumption less than 28 kWh(kg of COD)−1 were obtained after four hours of electrolysis time. The findings of the present research validate that incineration of oxalic acid can be carried out successfully on MnO2 anode.
