Abstract: The device for charging metalliferous materials 7 into a furnace 3 compri a charging tube 1, inside which are arranged supports 8 distributed over an entire non-straight section of this, for example similarly to the stairs of a flight of stairs descending towards the furnace. Passages are provided between the supports 8, and means 10 for the vibration of the supports are provided.The materials progressively descend on the supports 8 towards the furnace and are simultaneously preheated by the hot gases introduced into the tube, circulating through the materials and via the passages 9 and extracted via the outlet orifice 5.

Abstract: The metallurgical vessel, such as a direct-current arc furnace, comprises a metal housing (1) lined on its inside with refractory material (2), at least one electrode (3) passing through the bottom of the vessel and connected to a terminal of an electrical power supply, the electrode being fastened to the metal housing by a mechanical fastening arrangement and insulated electrically from the housing. A leaktight wall (20) surrounding the fastening zone of the electrode prevents a liquid flowing over the inner surface of the housing from coming into contact with the electrode fastening arrangement, and orifices (26) are provided for discharging the liquid collected out of the housing. The invention is particularly applicable to direct-current arc furnaces and prevents the molten lead originating from the scrap metal of the charge and infiltrating through the refractory from damaging the electrical insulation of the fastening of the electrode.