A method of removing oxygen from a solid metal, metal compound or semi-metal
M1O
by electrolysis in a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting
electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition
occurs at an electrode surface and that oxygen dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y
and wherein, M1O is in the form of (sintered) granules or is in the form of a powder
which is continuously fed into the fused salt. Also disclosed is a method of producing
a metal foam comprising the steps of fabricating a foam-like metal oxide preform,
removing oxygen from said foam structured metal oxide preform by electrolysis in
a fused salt of M2Y or a mixture of salts, which comprises conducting electrolysis
under conditions such that reaction of oxygen rather than M2 deposition occurs
at an electrode surface. The method is advantageously applied for the production
of titanium from Ti-dioxide.
