This article explores the Fray Farthing Chen (FFC) Cambridge process, a novel method for the electrochemical de-oxidation of metal oxides in molten salt, discovered at the University of Cambridge in 1997. The process was hailed as a highly promising, potentially low cost, novel method for the production of titanium metal direct from its oxides. The author, former senior process engineer at British Titanium Plc, the company originally tasked with commercializing titanium production via the FFC Cambridge process explores the history of the process, attempts at commercialization, NASA's alternative application, and present status of the process.

The toughest challenge facing refiners today is how to optimize the production of cleaner products from a broad range of feeds. Refiners tend to choose technologies that deliver higher conversion to lighter products and have fewer operating problems, regardless of feed quality. Chevron, a leading refiner and innovator of hydroprocessing technologies, combined resources with Lummus Technology, a leading technology and engineering company, and formed Chevron Lummus Global (CLG). CLG has a depth of experience in designing, building and operating hydroprocessing units.

Today, the company offers a full suite of technologies and catalysts designed for optimizing production of the cleanest products from all types of feeds. CLG has designed thousands of projects in more than 70 countries. In fact, the company says that more than half of the world's hydroprocessing capacity uses its technologies.