Abstract: Tricalcium silicate materials useful in the production of Portland and other cements are prepared by melting a mixture of materials comprising basically line and silica in an electric furnace. The voltage between the electrodes and the conductivity of the melt are controlled so that a predetermined separation will be maintained between the lower end of the carbon electrode and the melt.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining useful products from cement kiln waste dust. The dust is collected and added to an electric arc furnace where it is melted. The temperatures required to melt the dust are sufficiently high that alkali sulfates present in the dust are volatilized, leaving a melt which has a composition acceptable for the production of cement clinker. The volatilized components are collected to form a second useful product; i.e., a potassium rich material suitable for the production of potassium bearing chemicals, such as fertilizers.

Abstract: Bus bars for connecting arc furnance electrodes to a transformer include pairs of flat, rectangular, hollow, conductive members having side surfaces substantially greater in length than the end surfaces. One side surfaces of the bus bar of each pair are disposed in a parallel, closely proximate relation with respect to the other and a sheet of insulating material disposed between said surfaces. The bus bars of each pair are connected to transformer terminals having different polarities. The bus bar pairs are arranged in a closely spaced parallel relation.