Abstract: A bottom electrode (1) for d.c. arc furnaces with metal rods (3) arranged on the base plate (2) of the bottom electrode and with conductive and nonconductive layers formed of high temperature-resistant refractory material introduced between them. An upper layer formed of conductive bricks (8), a middle layer formed of conductive, monolithic lining material (9), and a lower layer formed of a nonconductive insulating mass (10) are introduced via the circumference of the base plate (2). In the area of the bricks (8), the metal rods (3) are additionally embedded in a nonconductive mass (11). To introduce inert gases to purge the melt through the bottom electrode (1), the metal rods (3) are provided with a cored hole and, in the upper part, with a number of radial holes in order for the purging gases to be able to be discharged in the area of the bricks (8), or blind holes (13), which are connected to a second purging gas line (13a), are introduced into the lower part of the lined bottom electrode (1).

Abstract: A direct current arc furnace is described with a cathodic electrode held in the center of the melting vessel and an anodic bottom electrode arrangement in the vicinity of an electrically conductive lower vessel from the vessel wall to the melt. The current supply and removal takes place on one side via leads to a rectifier power supply set up in spaced manner alongside the furnace. The lower vessel is connected in several quadrants with leads and in the vicinity of each quadrant a connecting plate is provided on the furnace wall. Close below the arc the power supplies are led in a horizontal plane to the furnace wall. The current intensity for the quadrants of the lower vessel adjacent to the rectifier power supplies is lower than that of the power supplies to the remaining quadrants. The spacings of the connecting plates for the quadrant areas can be unequal.

Abstract: For the purposes of better cooling and improving the starting conditions of a direct current arc furnace, there is provided a hearth electrode which comprises at least one metal bar passing through the hearth wall and which is cooled by at least one cooling duct which extends along the metal bar to the inner end thereof and opens into the interior of the furnace.

Abstract: An anode for a direct current arc furnace is proposed, in which at least part of the area of the furnace receiving the melt is provided on the inside with an electrically conductive refractory lining, which is electrically connected to the conductor located on the outside and in which a cathode is positioned vertically above the melt. The electrically conductive lining (3, 4; 9) and/or the conductor (1, 8) have varying values with respect to their electrical characteristics in the circumferential direction relative to the vertical axis of the cathode (2; 11), so that there is a planned, asymmetrical current distribution on the furnace bottom.

Abstract: Direct current arc furnaces (8) have a current regulator (14) for maintaining the current of an arc (10) constant, and an electrode control (18) for affecting the position of an electrode (7) of the arc furnace (8) and thus the length of an arc (10). Control of the position of the electrode (7) is effected by means of a hydraulic electrode adjustment device (21), which is controlled as a function of the difference between a predeterminable electrode control input signal (.alpha..sub.soll) and an actual rectifier value signal (.alpha..sub.ist) at the output of the current regulator (14). In this way the length of the arc is controlled in such a way that a rectifier (5) operates with a mean control of, for example, 25.degree. el., independent of the secondary voltage of a furnace transformer (2) and of a set current reference value (i.sub.soll).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling electrode immersion depth in an electroslag remelting furnace. The phase difference of the alternating current circuit established in the furnace is calculated in real time and employed to more accurately control immersion depth than possible with voltage-swing systems.

Abstract: An anode of a direct-current arc furnace is provided in the region of the bottom of the vessel, characterized in that a metallic, broom-like element, having bristles directed towards the interior of the vessel, is positioned in a region of the furnace vessel which is free of refractory material and subsequently, at least in the region of the broom-like element, refractory gunite is applied thereto and a metallic composition is admixed during the guniting, and as the thickness of the applied gunite increases, the ratio of the metallic composition to the refractory composition is reduced, gunite only being sprayed exclusively in the region of the inner edge of the ladle.

Abstract: A direct resistance heating electrical furnace of the type in which a bed of electrically conductive elements are located between two spaced electrodes in the furnace, and a method of controlling the operation of same, are provided. The furnace is of the type having a generally tubular heating chamber with a pair of spaced electrodes associated therewith and conveniently located one at each end of the tubular heating chamber. The furnace has feed or discharge control means and the rate of feed or discharge is controlled according to the electrical resistance or current flow between the electrodes. No temperature measurement is required to control the furnace operation.

Abstract: In a direct-current arc furnace having a bottom contact (3) which has a large area, electromagnetically produced bath agitations are influenced by an electromagnet (9) disposed underneath the vessel bottom (4) such that the natural flow in the melt bath, caused by the current flow in the melt, is reversed in direction. In this way the stability of the bottom electrode (3) is substantially increased. The electromagnet (9) is preferably integrated into the electric supply system of the furnace and serves as a smoothing choke.

Abstract: A direct current arc furnace, includes a graphite cathode; and a container forming a hearth with a hearth base surface and having a container bottom acting as anode. The container bottom includes a supporting copper-plated sheet steel base consisting of a steel sheet and a copper plating plated on the steel sheet; electrical connection means extending through the steel sheet to contact the copper plating to supply an anode current to the copper plating; and a refractory brick lining having a graphite content above the copper-plated sheet steel base with the copper-plated layer adjacent the brick lining. In a preferred embodiment the graphite content in the brick lining decreases from the vicinity of the copper-plated sheet steel base to the vicinity of the hearth base surface.

Abstract: A wall electrode includes a metal bar adapted to extend through the wall of the furnace, a water-cooled sleeve composed of a material which is a good conductor of heat and electricity, an end member composed of a material which is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and an annular member such as a ring composed of a metal which is heavy and has a low melting point surrounding the bar so that the heavy metal in the liquid state spreads in the space between the bar and the sleeve when the annular member is made to melt during use of the electrode.

Abstract: In direct-current arc furnace the arc is deflected in a direction away from the current supply means (19) through the action of the high-current lines (18) extending under the furnace vessel. This leads to the thermal overloading of a part of the furnace vessel walls. If the high-current lines (18a) are for the major part laid in a plane above the furnace bottom, on or below the furnace platform (20), and are taken downwards to the connection fittings (10) on the furnace bottom only on the side of the furnace vessel (1) opposite the current supply means, the arc will again burn symmetrically.

Abstract: A refractory is laid on a base plate provided with a connector for the connection of a power source apparatus. Many electrode pins are inserted through the refractory and fixed in the base plate at their lower ends. The base plate is made of a steel upper plate member and a copper lower plate member overlapped one on the other and the lower end portions of the many electrode pins are electrically connected to the lower plate member through the upper plate member. When a DC electric arc furnace is operated, the electric current supplied to the connector reaches all the electrode pins mainly through the lower plate member in the base plate and flows from there homogeneously through the pins into the molten metal pool in the furnace.

Abstract: Method to feed a three-phase direct-arc electric furnace with controlled current and also a three-phase electric furnace thus fed for the smelting of metals, e.g.

Abstract: Two DC electric arc furnaces are provided side by side. The both DC electric arc furnaces are connected by a duct. Each of two power source apparatuses is mounted near and associated with each of the DC electric arc furnaces. The anodes of the both power source apparatuses are mutually connected by an anode cable and the cathodes of the apparatuses by a cathode cable. The anodes and the cathodes of the both DC elecric furnaces are connected to the anode cable and the cathode cable, respectively, via a connection circuit adapted to supply electric power alternately to either of the DC electric arc furnaces. When a raw material is molten in one of the DC electric arc furnaces, electric power is supplied by the both power source apparatuses to this DC electric arc furance. The exhaust gas at a high temperature produced in this DC electric arc furnace is sent to the other DC electric arc furnace through the duct and preheats another raw material charged there beforehand.

Abstract: A direct current electric furnace for melting metal raw material, especially scrap iron, comprises two consumable electrodes separated from one another and both offset laterally on the side of the median plane P1 of the vessel turned towards the current source. At least four fixed electrodes are distributed on either side of the median plane and arranged substantially at the vertices of a regular polygon symmetrical with respect to the median plane and placed between the vertical projections of the consumable electrodes, the conductors of the electrodes placed towards the source being orientated directly towards the latter, parallel to the conductors of the consumable electrodes and the conductors of the electrodes placed on the side opposite to the source each comprising a first branch passing around the vertical projection of the corresponding consumable electrode and a second branch orientated towards the source parallel to the conductors connected to the consumable electrodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a direct current electric arc furnace which is composed of a feeding system of direct current to the furnace, a movable electrode at the roof of the furnace, and a bottom electrode attached to the bottom of the furnace at the position deviated from the center of the bottom of the furnace, the deviated distance from the center being determined by a magnetic field, generated by a current in the steel bath of the furnace, from under an arc generated by the movable electrode to the bottom electrode, which can cancel a second magnetic field generated by the current of the feeding system.

Abstract: In a direct-current electric-arc furnace, the bottom contact, that is the hearth electrode, must be insulated from the metallic shell of the furnace vessel by insulating material. For this purpose, the bottom plate carrying the bottom contact essentially forms the bottom of the furnace vessel. This bottom contact, with an insulating material, or a material which is at least a poor electrical conductor, inbetween, rests on a part, projecting radially inward, of the metallic vessel shell.

Abstract: A flicker compensating apparatus for compensating for flickering due to a variation in the reactive power generated from a DC arc furnace connected by an AC/DC converter to an AC power system, comprises: a current detector for detecting a DC current flowing in the DC arc furnace; a controller for determining the phase control angle of a thyristor included in the AC/DC converter in accordance with the difference between the detected DC current and a predetermined reference current; a calculator for calculating reactive power to be generated by the DC arc furnace, from the detected DC current, the determined phase control angle, and a no-load DC voltage; a compensator including a reactive load connected via thyristor to the power system; and a controller for controlling the phase control angle of the thyristor of the compensator in accordance with the calculated reactive power, for controlling a current flowing across the reactive load, and for permitting the compensator to generate such reactive power as to co

Abstract: A direct current electric arc furnace comprises a main body, a moving electrode attached at the center of a roof of the furnace which generates an arc under the moving electrode, a bottom electrode attached at the center of the bottom, conductors which are connected to the bottom electrode, so that the deviation of the arc caused by a magnetic field originated at the outside of the main body is cancelled by another magnetic field caused by the conductors when electric currents are fed to the conductors and means of feeding direct currents to the conductors.

Abstract: The invention provides a direct current electric arc furnace which is composed of a feeding system of direct current to the furnace, a movable electrode at the roof of the furnace, and a bottom electrode attached to the bottom of the furnace at the position deviated from the center of the bottom of the furnace, the deviated distance from the center being determined by a magnetic field, generated by a current in the steel bath of the furnace, from under an arc generated by the movable electrode to the bottom electrode, which can cancel a second magnetic field generated by the current of the feeding system.

Abstract: In a direct-current arc furnace having a bottom electrode (2), electromagnetically and/or chemically induced bath agitations are substantially eliminated by an electromagnet (9) arranged under the vessel bottom (7). In this way the stability of the bottom electrode (2) is considerably increased. The electromagnet (9) is preferably integrated into the electrical supply of the furnace and serves as a smoothing choke.

Abstract: An anode for a d.c. arc furnace is described. The furnace area receiving the melt (2) is provided on the inside with an electrically conductive, refractory lining (8,9,11). The latter is electrically connected to a conductor (12) located on the outside and which has a cylindrical construction and is placed around the electrically conductive lining. The conductor is advantageously fixed to the inside of the steel jacket (3) of the furnace.

Abstract: A wall electrode for a D.C. powered electric arc furnace for the processing of metals in a liquid state, especially steel. The electrode is constituted mainly (a) by a metallic bar (4) one of whose ends comes into contact with the metallic bath (6), while a portion (7) of its other end extends to the exterior of the furnace; (b) by a sleeve (8) of thermally and electrically conductive material, energy-cooled by a flow of cooling fluid, surrounding the portion (7) of the other end of the bar at a distance therefrom; (c) by a nipple (9) of good electrically conductive material extending the aforementioned portion (7) of the other end of the bar; and (d) by a connection of the nipple and the sleeve to the same bar of an electrical supply.

Abstract: An upper electrode is mounted in the upper portion of a furnace and a bottom electrode is mounted in a bottom of the furnace. An electric arc is generated by introducing electric current to the upper and bottom electrodes and the raw materials charged in the furnace is melted. In the process of melting the materials, a mist of cooling water is sprayed by spray nozzles directly against the lower portion of the bottom electrode extruding downwards and the bottom electrode is cooled by the mist.

Abstract: An electric direct-current metal-melting furnace, comprising a vessel (1) having a bottom (11), at least one consumable electrode (2) and at least one fixed electrode (3) which are fed by respective conductors (22; 5). A magnetic screen is interposed between the batch and a part of the conductors connected to the current source (4), so as to master the deflection effects on the arcs attributable to the magnetic fields generated by the conductors. The magnetic screen is arranged along the bottom (11) of the vessel (1), so as to cover at least that part of the bottom which surrounds each connection of a hearth electrode (3) and at least part of the corresponding return conductor (5).

Abstract: An electrical metallurgical furnace including a vessel and a bottom electrode positioned in the bottom of the vessel. At least one counter contact is provided connected to the bottom electrode. A support is anchored to the vessel connected to the insulation mounting unit. A tension frame is held by the insulation mounting unit. At least one current cable is provided for engagement with a side of the counter contact. A pivot element is provided for supporting the current cable. A biasing apparatus is provided for urging the pivotally supported current cable into contact with the counter contact.

Abstract: A set of conductors comprising at least two return conductors (5) connected to a hearth electrode (3) is arranged along the outer face (11) of the furnace vessel in direct proximity thereto, and the profile and orientation of at least two conductors of the set are determined, in order, as a result of the passage of a direct current of controlled intensity, to generate magnetic fields of which the mutual deflection effects on the arcs, taking into account all the magnetic influences exerted by the other conductors and the various parts of the installation during operation, are such that the arcs are directed towards a specific zone of the molten-metal bath.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the continuous melting of scrap in an electric D.C. furnace, in which the D.C. source (23) supplies vault electrodes (4) and hearth electrodes (8) by means of respective feed conductors (7) and return conductors (9). The scrap is fed through an orifice (12). The vault electrode or electrodes (4) are arranged on the other side of the axis of the shaft (1) in relation to the orifice (12). The hearth electrode or electrodes (8) are offset towards the orifice (12), and the return conductor or conductors (9) connected to the hearth electrode or electrodes (8) are led under the bottom (2) of the shaft (1) and as near as possible to the latter, being directed towards the opposite zone of the furnace where the vault electrodes (4) are located, as to generate magnetic fields capable of deflecting the arc or arcs towards a zone set apart from the vault electrodes (4) and located substantially below the scrap feed orifice (12 ).

Abstract: A DC arc furnace for steelmaking in which horizontal steel anodes without internal water cooling are used. The front portion of the anodes enters through holes in the walls into the furnace space and the lower level of the anodes reaches the furnace space in a level which is lower than the door threshold. The rear portion of the anodes is disposed in horizontal ducts outside the furnace hood, these ducts being lined with refractory material. The horizontal components of the anodes are connected to vertical steel components for current supply. The cooling of the horizontal and the vertical components is effected outside the furnace hood by means of components for indirect water cooling, these components being arranged in levels higher than the door threshold.

Abstract: Electric arc furnace and method suitable for use in the decomposition of hazardous materials such as polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and the like. The furnace has an electrically conductive hearth which is connected electrically to the bottom wall of the furnace shell. The arc producing potential is applied to the upper portions of a central electrode and the outer shell of the furnace, and the arc current flows in a coaxial manner in the central electrode and the side wall of the outer shell. The electrical connection between the hearth and the bottom wall of the outer shell is made by a plurality of electrode plates which extend upwardly from the bottom wall into the hearth. The electrode plates are arranged in a circular pattern of slightly greater diameter than the lower tip of the electrode, and the arc has a radial field component which causes it to rotate about the lower tip of the electrode.

Abstract: A DC arc or resistance melting furnace has a current supply line and a coolant supply line located in the furnace heart in the connection is constructed so that a point of separation is provided between an attachment assembly for the current and cooling lines and the vessel. The attachment assembly is formed at the terminal and fastened to the furnace vessel at a contact point. When changing the contact electrodes, it is a simple matter to undo the point of separation of the electrodes from the assembly without removing the coolant lines or the whole assembly may be removed.

Abstract: In a direct-current arc furnace, the service life of the bottom electrode can be extended substantially, if the cooling unit cooling the bottom electrode during the melting operations is not switched off during longer stoppages, as has been customary thus far, but continues to be operated at a reduced cooling output during at least a part of the stoppage. The cooling unit is preferably controlled during the stoppage according to such a program and in dependence of the respective measured temperature of the bottom electrode, so that the temperature of the bottom electrode is maintained within a preset range.

Abstract: A system for supply of direct current to at least two electrical loads having a common polarity, especially for power supply to an arc furnace with several electrodes or to plasma generators, comprises a set of load-controlled rectifiers (7) arranged in a Graetz bridge (A, B, C), in parallel upon a common alternating current power supply (5, 6). The half-bridges (A.sub.2, B.sub.2, C.sub.2) situated on the common-polarity side have a common dephasing control voltage, while the half-bridges (A.sub.1, B.sub.1, C.sub.1) situated on the other side are each controlled individually. This mechanism can be used in particular for power supply to arc furnaces or plasma torches.

Abstract: To assure a high degree of operating reliability during operation of pot furnaces, their bath electrode (2, 14, 17, 20) in the pot (1) must be cooled intensively by external cooling. If the pot (1) is in the pot furnace station, cooling of the bath electrode (2, 14, 17, 20) is not a problem. But the case is different when the pot (1) is transported to various stations which can be geographically far apart--e.g., on the one hand, to a melting furnace and, on the other hand, to a continuous casting machine. In the latter case, feed and removal devices for a coolant have been constantly carried with the pot (1). However, this makes a considerable expense necessary. By the dimensioning according to the invention of the bath electrode (1, 14, 17, 20) and/or by attachment of additional cooling bodies (15, 18, 22, 14), the bath electrode (2, 14, 17, 20) can be successfully uncoupled from external cooling (8, 9, 10) over the relatively long handling period that is necessary for operational requirements.

Abstract: The electrode structure, embedded in a refractory lining (1) covering the wall (2) of a vessel containing the bath (5) of metal, flush at one (4) of its ends with the inner surface of the refractory lining and projecting at its other end (6) out of the vessel, is of the type comprising an electrically conductive central core (3) extending through the wall (3) of the vessel and a cooling jacket (11) disposed around the central core (3) and in close contact therewith. The feature of the electrode structure is that the central core (3) is connected by its end (6) outside the vessel to an electric supply terminal (7), the zone of the central core (3) adjacent to the outer end (6) and in facing relation to the cooling jacket (11) being electrically insulated from the cooling jacket.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control apparatus for an arc furnace (1) comprising at least one electrode (2), and powered with direct current from an alternating current electric power source (4), through the intermediary of a controlled-rectifier converter (3).According to the invention, this apparatus includes a loop (24) for rapid control of the reactive energy drawn from the alternating current power source (4), and a circuit (15) for limitation of the maximum intensity of the direct current flowing in the electrode (2). Preferably, the rapid control of the reactive energy is obtained by holding essentially constant the product of the intensity in the source (4) and the sine of the dephasing angle. It includes in addition a loop (13) for slow control generating a reference signal of the reactive energy applied to the said rapid control loop (24), and limiting the variation of the reactive energy.

Abstract: The device according to the invention consists mainly of:an inner part passing through the wall of the furnace and comprising a metal core 7 extended by a cooled plug 10, the free end of the core opposite to the plug being in contact with the molten mass of metal present in the furnace,a sleeve 11 made of thermally conductive material, which is cooled as a result of the circulation of a cooling fluid and which surrounds the core 7,and means 29 of connecting the metal core 7 to an electrical supply.The device according to the invention is characterized in that it also presents a separation space 12, formed between the sleeve 11 and the metal core 7, and an elastic fastening system 33, 34, 35 tending to return the said core 7 to its initial position given by assemblage.The device according to the invention is advantageously used as a hearth electrode in direct-current arc furnaces, specially for the iron and steel industry.

Abstract: A direct current arc furnace has at least one anode movable into the furnace interior and at least one cathode also movable from above into the furnace interior, between which cathode and the inserted material or the melt an arc is produced. The anode contains a cooling system in its interior having a controller which cools at least the immersion region of the anode to a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the melt.This furnace device and the anode are utilized in methods for melting and heating of materials with advantage, at least the immersion region of the anode being maintained at a temperature which lies below the temperature of the melt.

Abstract: Bottom electrodes (6) of direct current arc furnaces, especially during the overheating phase of the melting process, are subjected to very high thermal stresses. As a result of a melting bath flow brought about by electromagnetic forces, the heat supply from the overheated melting bath (13) to the bottom of the electrode(s) (6) is increased still further. This is manifested in a melting back of the metallic component (6') of the bottom electrode in the direction of the furnace crucible base (4). When both the metallic component (6') and the non-metallic refractory component (7') of the bottom electrode (6) are arranged in the direction of the electromagnetic field, that is, in the peripheral direction of the bottom electrode (6), the length (l) of the electrode component is greater than its width (b).

Abstract: A DC arc furnace having an electrically conductive hearth adapted to contain a melt, and at least one arcing electrode above the hearth and adapted to form a heating arc with the melt when the hearth and electrode are supplied with DC power; the hearth having a wear lining directly contacted by the melt and formed by refractory material through which electrical conductors extend from the bottom of the wear lining to its top. A metal plate under the wear lining electrically connects with the conductors and is supported by one or more electrically non-conductive layers of refractory. Power connection to the wear lining is via the plate and a connection with the periphery of the plate.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace comprising a furnace vessel having a hearth and a side wall extending upwardly from the hearth, conductive means for conducting DC through the hearth from its outside to a melt in the hearth, an arcing electrode, a substantially horizontal arm having a holder holding the electrode substantially vertically above the hearth, a substantially vertical mast from which the arm extends, and means for connecting DC positively to the conductive means and negatively to the electrode so as to form an arc between the electrode and the melt and producing an arc flare to which the side wall is exposed; wherein the improvement comprises means for connecting the arm to the mast so as to permit the arm to be adjustably moved longitudinally to different positions and means for mounting the mast so it can be adjustably rotated to different positions about its axis, whereby the electrode and its arc can be located at different positions horizontally to the side wall.

Abstract: A control system for a DC arc furnace having a hearth adapted to contain a scrap or metal charge, an arcing electrode, a thyristor converter having a connection with the electrode and charge to form a circuit, current comparing comparator for comparing current in the circuit with a set-point current of fixed value and controlling the thyristor in response to the comparison so as to cause the current in the circuit to substantially equal the set-point current value, electrode positioning apparatus for moving the electrode up and down relative to a charge in the hearth, and a voltage comparison comparator for comparing the voltage in the circuit with a set-point voltage of fixed value and controlling the electrode positioning apparatus in response to the voltage comparison so as to keep the voltage in the circuit substantially equal to the set-point voltage.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace including a hearth adapted to contain a melt and having a melt electrode which is only effective when covered by the melt, an enclosure for the hearth including a roof over the hearth, at least one arcing electrode depending downwardly through the roof and adapted to initially melt a charge of solid metal on the hearth and thereafter the resulting melt, and at least one starting electrode through which electric power is transmitted to the charge of solid metal until it is melted down by the arcing electrode to enough melt to cover the melt electrode; the starting electrode or electrodes depending downwardly through the roof at a position horizontally offset from the arcing electrode and being adapted to be moved downwardly so as to press on the charge of solid scrap on the hearth until the charge is melted down by the arcing electrode so as to cover the melt electrode and thereafter to be moved upwardly free from the charge.

Abstract: The electrode pins for an arc furnace are individually and separately mounted in the bottom of the furnace vessel in that the refractory lining of the vessel is provided with apertures receiving individual refractory perforated bricks traversed individually by an electrode pin, the electrode pin is secured in an insulated fashion to the metal jacket of the vessel and traverses the perforations of the bricks, moreover the pin is connected through appropriate clamping facilities to the cooled anode current feed mounted insulatedly underneath the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A direct-current arc furnace has a vessel with a floor and a cover, at least two vault electrodes projecting down into the vessel through the cover, and a hearth electrode exposed in the vessel generally in the floor below the vault electrodes. A scrap-metal charge is melted in this furnace by first energizing the vault electrodes with direct-current voltage of opposite polarity while displacing them downward through the charge from an upper position spaced relatively far from the hearth electrode to a lower position spaced relatively close to the hearth electrode and thereby passing an electric current through the charge to melt the charge and form a puddle of molten metal on the floor of the vessel at the hearth electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting an arc furnace installation from three-phase operation to d.c. operation wherein in order to ensure optimum d.c. operation after converting the three-phase arc furnace installation to d.c. operation, while retaining the three-phase furnace transformer and the high-voltage switchgear, there is connected an adaptation member (2, 7) for adjusting the arc voltage and/or for increasing the inductive reactance, in addition to the actual rectifier arrangement. This adaptation member is formed of a transformer, preferably an autotransformer, and/or a choke circuit.

Abstract: A DC arc furnace having a vertical arcing electrode adapted to be connected with a negative current lead and a hearth adapted to contain a melt below the electrode and having a hearth electrode, the hearth electrode extending laterally from the axis of the arcing electrode symmetrically with respect to the axis and having a plurality of electrical connections extending to the outside of the hearth and spaced laterally from the arcing electrode's axis symmetrically with respect to the axis, the connections being adapted for connection with a positive current lead and application of DC to the electrodes powering an arc between the arcing electrode and melt; wherein the improvement comprises a positive current lead below the bottom of the hearth and having an upper end positioned on the arcing electrode's axis below the hearth's bottom and extending from the positive current lead's upper end vertically downwardly on the axis to a low position where the magnetic field of the positive current lead cannot appreciab

Abstract: A direct-current electric arc furnace for melting metals, including a furnace vessel and at least a pair of electrodes, wherein a bottom electrode is mounted in the bottom of the furnace vessel. In order to be able to remove the bottom electrode, the cross-section of which tapers towards the interior of the furnace vessel, from the outside in the direction of the furnace vessel interior, the bottom electrode is provided with a molded body of a refractory material. The molded body envelopes the bottom electrode and in combination therewith forms an electrode unit. This electrode unit in turn has a cross-section which expands in the direction of the furnace vessel interior or at the most remains the same. In this way, extensive work can be saved by removing the bottom electrode from outside into the interior of the furnace.

Abstract: A direct-current electric arc furnace for melting metals, including a furnace vessel and a bottom electrode mounted in the bottom of the furnace vessel. To prevent molten metal from contacting with current-carrying and liquid-cooled parts of the bottom electrode in the event of an unforeseen break-out of the furnace vessel bottom of the electric furnace, a shielding roof is provided as a guard between the furnace vessel bottom and the current-carrying and liquid-cooled parts. The shielding roof is formed in the shape of a truncated cone and is open downwards. The shielding roof is preferably rigidly joined to the furnace vessel bottom and is formed at least in part with a roof made of refractory material.