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.