Abstract: A process for recovering a metal in its elemental state from an oxide or salt of the metal comprising passing the metal oxide or salt and a reducing gas concurrently downward through a packed bed at a temperature above the melting point of the metal in its elemental state.

Abstract: Purification of cuprous chloride is accomplished by distillation wherein cuprous chloride is recovered as the overhead product, and substantially all of the silver chloride and other impurities present report to the bottoms. Typical impurities in copper ore leach liquors include chlorides of silver, calcium, arsenic, bismuth, iron, nickel, lead, antimony, selenium, tellurium, silicon, mercury, manganese, tin, aluminum, magnesium, chromium, cobalt, cadmium, molybdenum, zinc and titanium, most of which may be excluded in large part by crystallization of cuprous chloride. Measurable amounts of these impurities, however, report to the crystals, and silver tends to co-precipitate with the copper in major amounts. Distillation accomplishes a high degree of copper-silver separation and substantial elimination of other impurities from the copper.