An apparatus for carrying out chlorinating reactions when extracting metalsuch as titanium, zirconium or the like during the extraction of uranium and thorium during the reprocessing of burned-off fuel and/or breeder elements for core reactors and during the purification of coal and graphite. The device comprises a shaft or blast furnace which is heated by a direct flow of current and while being coaxially surrounded by a mantle or shell communicates through a connection or adapter piece with a subsequent condenser of graphite. The device according to the present invention is characterized primarily in that the shell of the furnace and the adapter piece connecting the furnace with the condenser are made of graphite. The shell of the furnace, the condenser and the adapter piece connecting the shell with the condenser are arranged within a steel casing designed in a gas-tight manner.