Abstract: In a method and a device for melting down metal-containing material, preferably fine-particulate metal-containing material, such as sponge iron, in a metallurgical melting furnace (1), wherein, in an interior space (11) of the melting furnace (1), a metal melt (5) and a slag layer (6) floating on top of the metal melt (5) are maintained, the metal-containing material is added by means of a supply means dipping into the slag layer (6) and energy is added in the form of electric arcs (14), the metal-containing material is charged directly into the central region (Z) of the melting furnace (1) by means of at least one charging tube (8) exclusively serving for conveying material via the charging tube outlet (9) of the same, the electric arcs (14) are directed obliquely towards the metal melt (5) against the central region (Z) of the melting furnace (1) and the metal-containing material is melted in the slag layer (6) and a mixed process slag-metal melt is maintained in the region of the charging tube outlet (9).

Abstract: In a method and a device for melting down metal-containing material, preferably fine-particulate metal-containing material, such as sponge iron, in a metallurgical melting furnace (1), wherein, in an interior space (11) of the melting furnace (1), a metal melt (5) and a slag layer (6) floating on top of the metal melt (5) are maintained, the metal-containing material is added by means of a supply means dipping into the slag layer (6) and energy is added in the form of electric arcs (14), the metal-containing material is charged directly into the central region (Z) of the melting furnace (1) by means of at least one charging tube (8) exclusively serving for conveying material via the charging tube outlet (9) of the same, the electric arcs (14) are directed obliquely towards the metal melt (5) against the central region (Z) of the melting furnace (1) and the metal-containing material is melted in the slag layer (6) and a mixed process slag-metal melt is maintained in the region of the charging tube outlet (9).

Abstract: In a method and a device for melting down metal-containing material, preferably fine-particulate metal-containing material, such as sponge iron, in a metallurgical melting furnace (1), wherein, in an interior space (11) of the melting furnace (1), a metal melt (5) and a slag layer (6) floating on top of the metal melt (5) are maintained, the metal-containing material is added by means of a supply means dipping into the slag layer (6) and energy is added in the form of electric arcs (14), the metal-containing material is charged directly into the central region (Z) of the melting furnace (1) by means of at least one charging tube (8) exclusively serving for conveying material via the charging tube outlet (9) of the same, the electric arcs (14) are directed obliquely towards the metal melt (5) against the central region (Z) of the melting furnace (1) and the metal-containing material is melted in the slag layer (6) and a mixed process slag-metal melt is maintained in the region of the charging tube outlet (9).

Abstract: A plant for producing metal includes a electricity supply system and a direct-current electric arc furnace connected thereto, where in order to make do with an electricity supply system possessing a relatively small short-circuit capacity, the direct-current electric arc furnace has at least two electrodes and the electricity supply system has a system short-circuit capacity S.sub.k which is at least equal to ##EQU1## wherein S.sub.i is the nominal power per electrode and i represents an index for the electrodes that varies from 1 up to the maximum number of electrodes in the direct-current electric arc furnace.

Abstract: A d.c. arc furnace for metallurgical purposes includes two or more electrodes arranged on the furnace vessel and projecting into the furnace vessel. To avoid actions of forces departing from the magnetic fields derived form the currents conducted to the electrodes and effecting deflections of the electric arcs, the electric supply means provided for each of the electrodes are each arranged in the immediate vicinity of the electrode to be supplied, the electric supply means of one electrode being arranged so as to be spacially separated from the electric supply means of the remaining electrodes, viewed in the peripheral direction of the furnace vessel.