Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for preheating scrap before charging in an electric furnace and for preventing the release of malodorous or noxious gas. The system includes a first duct leading from the furnace exhaust gas outlet to a chimney; a branching duct is connected in the first line for passing part of the gas to the chimney and for diverting the remainder of the gas to a scrap preheater. After preheating the scrap, the diverted gas is recirculated back to the first line at a junction which is adjacent the furnace outlet. The system further includes gas combustion means connected in the first line between the junction and the branching duct, and a heat equalizer-accumulator in the first line between the combustion means and the chimney. The system may further include a heat exchanger connected in the first line downstream of the branching duct and a second line for passing the diverted gas through the heat exchanger after it leaves the scrap preheater.