Abstract: An electric furnace, in particular a plasma furnace, includes an electrode axially displaceable and pivotable in an electrode retaining device. In order to provide for a freedom of motion as large as possible to the electrode, thereby reliably preventing local overheatings of the material to be heated and melted, the electrode is mounted on the electrode retaining device by a spherical bearing so as to be universally movable. The electrode is axially displaceably guided in the bearing and is movable relative to the bearing by at least one adjustment device engaging at the bearing with one end and at the electrode with the other end. At least two adjustment devices, which are directed at an angle to each other, seen in the axial direction of the electrode, are each hinged to the electrode retaining device with one end and to the bearing with the other end.

Abstract: In a method of producing metals or metal alloys by reducing their halides in a hydrogen plasma, a plasma jet reaction zone is built up from the vaporized metal halides contained in the plasma gas together with hydrogen, and the molten metal formed jets from the plasma jet reaction zone into a mould arranged therebelow. An arrangement for carrying out this method includes a reaction vessel whose upper part has a reaction space for the metal halide to be reduced and hydrogen-containing plasma gas, and a plasma lance arranged centrally in the reaction vessel, the metal formed getting into the lower part of the reaction vessel forming a metal sump therein.