Abstract: A new method of making an electrically conductive hearth in a d.c. furnace is effected by first heating bricks such as magnesite-graphite bricks and the like, from their new commercially available form to high temperatures decresing the normal resistivity of the bricks and thereafter laying the bricks to form the hearth from top to bottom with the heat treated bricks.

Abstract: Electrically conductive refractory bricks, containing particles (e.g. flakes) of graphite or other electrically conductive material are pressed into the desired final shape but include a plurality of passages, none of which passes completely through the brick. The passages each extend substantially perpendicularly to the predominant direction of the conducting particles.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace having an electrically conductive hearth adapted to contain a melt, and at least one arcing electrode above the hearth and adapted to form a heating arc with the melt when the hearth and electrode are supplied with DC power; the hearth having a wear lining directly contacted by the melt and formed by refractory material through which electrical conductors extend from the bottom of the wear lining to its top. A metal plate under the wear lining electrically connects with the conductors and is supported by one or more electrically non-conductive layers of refractory. Power connection to the wear lining is via the plate and a connection with the periphery of the plate.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace has an electrically conductive hearth adapted to contain a melt, and at least one arcing electrode above the hearth and adapted to form a heating arc with the melt when the hearth and electrode are supplied with DC power. The hearth has a wear lining directly contacted by the melt through which electrical conductors extend from the bottom of the wear lining to its top. Layers of electrically conductive bricks are under the wear lining and have a top layer electrically connecting with the electrical conductors, and a melt plate under the layers of the electrically conductive bricks is connected to DC power. The layers of conductive bricks have a bottom layer in electrical connection with the melt plate. The improvement comprises a layer of mixed bricks between the top and bottom layers of the electrically conductive bricks and formed by alternating electrically conductive and non-conductive bricks.

Abstract: An electric arc furnace has an electrically conductive roof with an electrode opening through which an arcing electrode depends with the opening closed around the electrode by an upstanding tubular electrically insulating refractory column surrounding the electrode and mounting on its top an electrically conductive electrode seal.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace hearth is formed by brickwork having electric conductors extending through it, the conductors at their bottoms connecting with an electrically conductive layer on which the brickwork is layed and having top ends contacted by a melt contained by the brickwork. Arcing power can be transmitted via the conductive layer and conductors to the melt.