摘要:
A method of refining a metal (e.g. titanium), comprising the following steps: (a) providing (10) an oxide of the metal having a level of impurities of at least 1.0 wt %; (b) reacting (12) the oxide of the metal to form an oxycarbide by providing an electrode comprising the oxide of the metal including calcium oxide and iron oxide. and carbon, and electrolytically reducing the electrode in a molten calcium chloride electrolyte; (c) electrolysing (14) the oxycarbide in an electrolyte, with the oxycarbide configured as an anode; and (d) recovering (16) a refined form of the metal from a cathode in the electrolyte.