Abstract: A metallurgical container of the type having a vessel having a bottom wall and an inner refractory lining includes a hearth bottom electrode extending through the bottom wall and the lining and including, in a superposed condition, a bar and a connector. The bar is flush with the surface of the refractory lining. The connector is fastened to a lower surface of the bar, is internally cooled, has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bar, and is attached to the bar at its upper front face at a level within the thickness of the refractory lining. A ring is interlocked to the vessel wall, surrounds the connector, and has an upper face located below the bar so as to be capable of carrying the bar. In order to prevent liquid materials from penetrating by infiltration between the bar and the ring, the bar is prolonged or elongated toward the bottom wall by a skirt which surround the connector laterally. The invention is particularly applicable to direct current operated steel plant arc furnaces.

Abstract: The method relates to the operation of a D.C. electric-arc furnace provided with at least one bottom electrode including an elongated metal current-supply body passing through the hearth of the furnace and surrounded by a casing made of dense refractory substance, comprising at least one shell ring whose upper end comes into contact with the molten metal in the furnace. During restarting of the furnace after shut-downs, a free expendable annular part made of refractory material, of flattened general shape, is placed on the upper end of the shell ring, which part extends it upwards and is intended to come into contact with the molten metal instead of said shell ring. The method applies in particular to D.C. electric-arc furnaces for the manufacture of steel, and is intended to reduce wear on the refractory parts surrounding the bottom electrode.