Mechanical/thermal dewatering of lignite. Part 4: Physico-chemical properties and pore structure during an acid treatment within the MTE process

► Mechanical Thermal Expression (MTE) dewatering of lignite. ► Alkali cation removal by acid treatment. ► Pore volume reduction with increasing MTE process severity. ► Moisture holding capacity correlates with pore volume in MTE products. ► Physical properties of MTE products are not differently influenced by acid versus water treatment.