Abstract: A method for purifying metal M1 particles manufactured by an electrochemical reduction process, the method comprising the steps of introducing the metal M1 particles into a heat source (13) at a temperature substantially equal to or higher than the melting point of M1 so as to cause vaporisation of some or substantially all of the contaminating impurities present, removing the vaporised Impurities from the vicinity of the particles, and cooling the purified metal M1 particles. The purified particles can be used directly in lower temperature powder metallurgy processes and have fully dense spherical particle morphology, imparting good flowability. The purification process can also be incorporated as an integral stage of sheet or stock production processes based on particle feedstock's that have been produced by electrochemical reduction.

Abstract: A method of removing oxygen from a solid metal, metal compound or semi-metal M1O by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface and that oxygen dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y and wherein, M1O is in the form of (sintered) granules or is in the form of a powder which is continuously fed into the fused salt. Also disclosed is a method of producing a metal foam comprising the steps of fabricating a foam-like metal oxide perform, removing oxygen from said foam structured metal oxide prefrom by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs at an electrode surface. The method is advantageously applied for the production of titanium from Ti-dioxide.