Abstract: Apparatus for chlorinating metal-bearing materials, e.g., titaniferous ores, to produce metal halide, e.g., titanium tetrachloride. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical furnace having an interior portion providing a chlorination zone and a floor adjacent the lower portion of the chlorination zone. The floor contains a plurality of perforations extending the thickness of the floor, which perforations define a gas channel extending from a chlorine chamber located below the floor to a point of discharge in the chlorination zone. The perforations preferably contain gas distributor tubes having a gas bore in open gas communication with the perforations in the floor. The opening in the perforation or gas distributor tube is a single vertical opening, at least one principal linear dimension of the vertical opening, measured across the opening, being not greater than 7/32 inch. Means for introducing chlorine into the chlorine chamber and means for withdrawing reaction products from the shaft furnace are provided.