FFC Cambridge process

[1] A process for electrochemical production of titanium through the reduction of titanium oxide in a calcium chloride solution was first described in a 1904 German patent,[1][2][3] and in 1954 U.S. patent 2845386A was awarded to Carl Marcus Olson for the production of metals like titanium by reduction of the metal oxide by a molten salt reducing agent in a specific gravity apparatus.

[5] The intellectual property relating to the technology has been acquired by Metalysis, (Sheffield, UK).

The calcium oxide produced is then electrolyzed: and Reaction (2b) describes the production of Ca metal from Ca2+ ions within the salt, at the cathode.

Firstly, when the concentration of CaO is low, Cl2 evolution at the anode becomes more favourable.

In addition, when compared to a carbon anode, more energy is required to achieve the same reduced phase at the cathode.