A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO.sub.2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO.sub.2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

This invention relates broadly to the production of titanium alloys by electrolytic reduction processes, and is concerned in one or more aspects with the preparation of a feedstock for such processes. In other aspects, the invention relates to a novel synthetic rutile (SR) product and to methods of producing titanium alloy from titaniferous material.

This invention relates broadly to the production of titanium alloys by electrolytic reduction processes, and is concerned in one or more aspects with the preparation of a feedstock for such processes. In other aspects, the invention relates to a novel synthetic rutile (SR) product and to methods of producing titanium alloy from titaniferous material.

A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO.sub.2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO.sub.2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO.sub.2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

A method to extract and refine metal products from metal-bearing ores, including a method to extract and refine titanium products. Titanium products can be extracted from titanium-bearing ores with TiO.sub.2 and impurity levels unsuitable for conventional methods.

A process of producing metal that includes adding a quantity of a alkoxide (M(OR).sub.x) or another metal salt to a cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell and electrolyzing the cell. This electrolyzing causes a quantity of alkali metal ions to migrate into the cathode compartment and react with the metal alkoxide, thereby producing metal and an alkali metal alkoxide. In some embodiments, the alkali metal is sodium such that the sodium ions will pass through a sodium ion selective membrane, such as a NaSICON membrane, into the cathode compartment.

A process of producing metal that includes adding a quantity of a alkoxide (M(OR).sub.x) or another metal salt to a cathode compartment of an electrolytic cell and electrolyzing the cell. This electrolyzing causes a quantity of alkali metal ions to migrate into the cathode compartment and react with the metal alkoxide, thereby producing metal and an alkali metal alkoxide. In some embodiments, the alkali metal is sodium such that the sodium ions will pass through a sodium ion selective membrane, such as a NaSICON membrane, into the cathode compartment.