Abstract: An electric direct-current metal-melting furnace, comprising a vessel (1) having a bottom (11), at least one consumable electrode (2) and at least one fixed electrode (3) which are fed by respective conductors (22; 5). A magnetic screen is interposed between the batch and a part of the conductors connected to the current source (4), so as to master the deflection effects on the arcs attributable to the magnetic fields generated by the conductors. The magnetic screen is arranged along the bottom (11) of the vessel (1), so as to cover at least that part of the bottom which surrounds each connection of a hearth electrode (3) and at least part of the corresponding return conductor (5).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the continuous melting of scrap in an electric D.C. furnace, in which the D.C. source (23) supplies vault electrodes (4) and hearth electrodes (8) by means of respective feed conductors (7) and return conductors (9). The scrap is fed through an orifice (12). The vault electrode or electrodes (4) are arranged on the other side of the axis of the shaft (1) in relation to the orifice (12). The hearth electrode or electrodes (8) are offset towards the orifice (12), and the return conductor or conductors (9) connected to the hearth electrode or electrodes (8) are led under the bottom (2) of the shaft (1) and as near as possible to the latter, being directed towards the opposite zone of the furnace where the vault electrodes (4) are located, as to generate magnetic fields capable of deflecting the arc or arcs towards a zone set apart from the vault electrodes (4) and located substantially below the scrap feed orifice (12 ).