Abstract: In order to produce metals or ferroalloys, a mixture of metal oxides, reducing agents and possibly iron is ignited, to produce a metal melt as well as a slag melt. After the burn-out the still liquid slag is reacted with a suitable means, preferably calcium fluoride to increase its electrical conductivity. The liquid slag is then heated and simultaneously ignited by alternating current applied to water-cooled graphite electrodes. Over an emperically determined time span, the melt is reacted with an additional reducing agent, until substantially complete transformation of the metal oxide remaining in the slag and migration of the resulting metal into the metal phase.

Abstract: The pulverulent metal oxide, especially molybdenum oxide is mixed, to increase the metal conversion, with a stoichiometric quantity of finely divided ferrosilicon. This mixture is combined with about 5% by weight bentonite as a binder and agitated with about 3 weight % water and formed into briquettes with the aid of a conventional briquetting unit. To facilitate an exact metering of the additive of the metal oxide to the steel melt, the smallest caliber possible briquettes are produced.