Abstract: To facilitate a trouble-free charging of scrap metal having differing constitutions, such as light and heavy scrap metal, from a lower discharge opening of a shaft-shaped charging device or a charging stock preheater (1) into a melting vessel by a pusher (13), the lateral surfaces of the pusher (13) are formed so as to converge from the upper side to the lower side and the actuating device (2) of the pusher (13) is pivotably supported in a frame structure (3) about a horizontal axis. In addition, the upper boundary of the discharge opening for the charging stock from the shaft (2) is preferably formed by a horizontal, rotatably supported roller (26), more preferably with engaging elements (30) distributed around the circumferential surface. Sections of the charging device that are severely mechanically stressed are preferably formed by steel billet sections connected to form a structural unit.

Abstract: A smelting unit having a furnace vessel (11) which is mounted on a furnace rocking cradle (13) and which can be closed by a cover (12), and bar electrodes (28) which can be lowered into the furnace vessel (11) and which can be raised and lowered by means of electrode lift devices (30), in which the electrode lift devices (30) are carried by a portal assembly (31). In a lowered position the portal assembly (31) lies on a support holder (33) of the vessel substructure (14) or the furnace rocking cradle (13) respectively and in that position can be tilted with the furnace vessel (11). It can be released from the furnace vessel (11) and pivoted to the side by a lift post (43) of a stationary lifting/pivoting mechanism (40). When the unit has two vessels which are arranged side-by-side, the bar electrodes can be associated alternately with one vessel or the other by means of the lifting/pivoting mechanism (40).

Abstract: In a smelting plant including two melting furnaces which are arranged in juxtaposed relationship and which are operated alternately, wherein the furnace gases which are produced in the melting process are respectively introduced into the other melting furnace for the purposes of preheating the charging material, associated with each melting furnace is a shaft which is loaded with charging material, and the waste gases from the furnace which is in the melting mode of operation are introduced from the shaft, after charging of the other furnace, through the cover of the other furnace, and are removed from the shaft thereof. That procedure, throughout the entire smelting operation, permits preheating of charging material and filtration of the furnace gases when they are passed through the charging material.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a smelting plant with shaft-like charging material preheater. In a smelting plant with an electric arc furnace (1) and a charging material preheater (2) of shaft configuration arranged laterally on the furnace, the outer walls of the charging material preheater in the lower region thereof are formed by the vessel wall (5) of the furnace while in the region thereabove they are formed by the walls of a shaft which is fixed in a holding structure (27). By a horizontal relative movement between the furnace vessel (3) and the holding structure (27) together with the vessel cover (6), without being impeded by the shaft (10) charging material can be charged from a scrap basket directly into the furnace vessel or through the displaced shaft into different regions of the furnace vessel (3). Charging material can be retained in the shaft by means of a blocking member (51) therein, and heated up during the refining phase.