Abstract: A furnace vessel (301) of a metallurgical furnace, in particular an electric arc furnace, in which the tap hole (305) is arranged within a lower vessel (303) which is oval or circular in plan view, in the vicinity of the wall of the vessel, and the upper vessel (309), above the tap hole (305), includes a vessel portion (320) which is displaced or is displaceable relative to the lower vessel towards the center of the vessel and in which there is provided a maintenance opening (327) for the tap hole (305) (FIG. 11).

Abstract: In a fluid-cooled clamp member (1) of a composite electrode (2) of an electric arc furnace, disposed in the flow path (13) for the coolant is a shut-off device (14) which is biassed in the closure direction, having an actuating member (15) by means of which the shut-off device (14) is put into the open condition in opposition to the biassing force, when a replaceable lower portion (2) of the composite electrode, which is subject to burning away, is screwed on. In the event of fracture of the lower portion in the region of the nipple (5), the flow path (13) is closed off by the actuating member (15) being released. The screwthreaded nipple is additionally protected by means of a protective cap which is screwed on to the screwthreaded nipple, the cap having an external screwthread corresponding to the internal screwthread of the lower portion (2).