Abstract: A process for minimising reoxidation of reduced material is disclosed. The process applies to reduced material that has been formed by a process of electrochemically reducing a metal oxide feed material, such as titania, in a solid state in an electrolytic cell containing a molten electrolyte. The process for minimising reoxidation includes applying an electrical potential to reduced material at least while the reduced material remains immersed in the molten electrolyte.

Abstract: A metal oxide feed material for an electrochemical reduction process is disclosed. The feed material is in the form of powders and/or pellets that have sufficient porosity, typically 35-60%, to enable penetration of molten electrolyte into the powders and/or pellets during the course of an electrochemical reduction process in an electrolytic cell and subsequent washing of electrolyte from the powders and/or pellets after the powders and/or pellets are discharged from the cell. A process for preparing the metal oxide feed material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for electrochemically reducing metal oxide feed material in a solid state is disclosed. The process includes the steps of agitating an electrolyte and metal oxide powders in the electrolyte and applying an electrical potential across a cathode in contact with the electrolyte and an anode and electrochemically reducing the metal oxides.