Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of passivating direct process solids and to passivated and quenched compositions resulting from said method. The method of passivating direct process solids according to the invention comprises combining direct process solids with a passivating composition comprising clay, base, and water. The passivated composition of the invention comprises direct process solids and a passivating composition comprising clay, base, and water. The quenched composition of the invention comprises the passivated composition, wherein the passivated composition has been held for a sufficient period of time for the reactive species from the direct process solids to be substantially quenched and/or oxidized.

Abstract: An electrode case used to make a self-baking electrode that is consumed in a reducing arc furnace and the electrode made therefrom is described. The electrode case comprises an outer sleeve and a plurality of fins. The outer sleeve is divided into multiple sleeve sections made from a first metal, such that each sleeve section has an outer and inner surface, the multiple sleeve sections capable of being stacked together to form the outer sleeve. The plurality of fins is divided into multiple fin sections made from a second metal, such that each fin section is mechanically coupled to the inner surface of one sleeve section along its length and project radially therefrom along its width. Each fin section has an upper interface region, a central support region, and a lower interface region; the upper, central, and lower support regions having a lattice structure with at least 10% open area.