Abstract: A method to remove a contaminant from a material comprises using a drive mechanism to provide a plurality of portions of material to a nozzle in order to generate a jet of the portions of material from the nozzle. At least some of the portions of material are at least partially coated in a contaminant. The jet of the portions of material are directed at a surface of a volume of liquid. An interaction between the jet of the portions of material and the surface of the volume of liquid causes at least some of the contaminant to detach from at least some of the portions of material.