Abstract: Particulate lime is discharged from a nozzle into an electric arc furnace through an inlet port in the roof or top of the furnace. The inlet port is laterally displaced from the electrode ports in the center of the top of the furnace. Lime is supplied to the nozzle through a duct pivoted on the furnace to swing the nozzle into alignment with the inlet port for charging lime into the pot and into a retracted position where the nozzle is shielded by the top from heat produced in the furnace. The nozzle has an axial length, axial direction, and cross sectional shape and width constructed and arranged to direct the lime away from the side wall and toward the central portion of the furnace without any significant impingement of the lime directly on the electrodes.