Abstract: A consumable electrode is positioned in a furnace under utilization of radially outwardly projecting ribs, at least one wheel with projection engages one of the longitudinal ribs and provides a deformation thereof in terms of indentation and thereby is and remains briefly in engagement with the rib such that the wheel with and through its projection holds and advances that electrode. The wheel has prongs, serrations or teeth and preferably cooperates with a counterwheel on the other side of the rib.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for passing into an electroarc or reducing furnace includes a plurality of cooling jacket capsules each surrounding an electrode and having at least two longitudinal openings each of angular width about 40 degrees; wearproofed current feeders are inserted, possibly insulatively embedded in the openings; one of the openings of each capsule facing the opening of another of the capsules.

Abstract: A current feed for an electrode of an electric smelting furnace. The current feed conductors lead to the electrode above the furnace hearth, and a current feed element surrounds the electrode and is arranged coaxially to the electrode and concentrically to the current feed conductors. Contact jaws are arranged concentrically to the electrode. The current-conducting cross section of the current feed element varies continuously from a maximum on the side away from the furnace axis to a minimum on the side adjacent to the furnace axis.

Abstract: Sponge iron is produced by a direct reduction with solid carbonaceous reducing agents. In order to permit a melting of the sponge iron, particularly of that part thereof which is inferior in metallurgical properties, in a process which is as simple and economical as possible, the exhaust gas from the direct reduction process is used to produce electrical energy, which is supplied to the electric reducing furnace, and sponge iron at a rate corresponding to the electrical energy that is produced is charged to the electrical reducing furnace and comprises at least part of the sponge iron which is inferior in metallurgical properties.

Abstract: Sponge iron produced by direct reduction is melted in an electric arc furnace, in which a pool of liquid metal is maintained. To ensure that liquid carbon-containing iron for forming the pool is available in adequate quantities and that the process can be carried out with the highest possible economy, the sponge iron is reacted in an electric arc furnace on a bath of liquid carbon-containing iron (hot metal), which has been produced from sponge iron or from partly reduced ore in an electric reducing furnace, and in dependence on the electric load changes which are due to the operation of the electric arc furnace the operation of the electric reducing furnace is so controlled that a virtually constant load on the electric power supply system is maintained.