Hello Peter,

I'm stuck on this question of feedstock, appears to me that most of the cost associated to Titanium still happens at the ore processing stage. The most recent process I've been able to find is called Chinuka (2011) which seems to be replacing the Kroll process, neither of which use plasma but are cited as expensive and also requiring further purification as a key challenge.

Titanium Metal Production Via Oxycarbide Electrorefining

However, I also found a previous study or research from back in 1980-81, performed by Westinghouse Electric for Air Force Wright Aeronautical, the document is way over my head but it looked to me from the excerpt below that there was(is?) a good possibility to develop a plasma based process for refining the ore that could result in lower cost (less steps) and higher purity product.

excerpt:

'An initial feasibility study is described of a plasma process for the
sodium reduction of titanium tetrachloride to produce pure titanium metal
and its alloys. Theoretical, economic, and experimental studies have lead
to the conclusion that such a process is highly promising and has the
ability to replace conventional batch technology by a one-step continuous
process with the potential for a higher purity product.'

Titanium Production by Plasma Process

I think I understand that the Nexgen is getting a feedstock, possibly already processed Titanium such as wire, and in one step is increasing the purity while making the powders. What I am asking about is if that feedstock is already super expensive, would it not be feasible to consider a plasma based solution for ore processing to further reduce the cost of the feedstock?

Anyway that's my question, and yes I have considered that I probably need to do more research but I also don't want to waste my time or any more of yours on this if it's a dead end.

Thank you and as always please be safe!

Claude