Mechanism of the interaction of slimes of alumina production with carbonate solutions

In the course of laboratory investigations, it is established that slimes of desiliconization of alumina production possess selective properties with respect to alkali metals during interaction with carbonate solutions. By the magnitude of sorption by slimes, cations of alkali metals are arranged in the series Li > K > Rb > Cs. In general, selectivity of slimes is determined both by the ion-exchange properties and by the formation of binary and ternary carbonates of alkali metals and calcium.