Advanced extractive electrometallurgy

This chapter starts with a brief introduction of current technologies for metal extraction via chemical and electrochemical means. A focus is given to recent research and development of new methods for titanium extraction. The chapter is then devoted to describing the principle and methodology of the more recently proposed Fray–Farthing–Chen (FFCFray–Farthing–Chen (FFC)) Cambridge process, which is a molten salt-assisted solid-state electrochemical reduction process. Typical examples are highlighted for application of the FFC Cambridge process for extraction of titanium, silicon and other metals, and also the production of various metal alloys, and the related development of fundamental understanding of the proposed in situ reduction routes from physical, chemical, and electrochemical points of view. The unique ability of the FFC Cambridge process for near-net-shape production of metallic components directly from their metal oxide precursors is also discussed.