Patent ID: 6477195
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: C21B,C21C,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for melting a sponge metal in an electric-arc furnace, wherein the furnace has an interior and at least one electrode which extends down through the furnace interior into the metal melt in the furnace comprising:directing at least one jet of sponge metal from above through the furnace into the immediate vicinity of the electrode at the level of the metal bath present in the furnace; blowing oxygen into the metal melt for at least one of decarburization, intermixing the bath and charging energy into the metal melt; directing at least one jet of oxygen or a gas containing oxygen into the furnace at a low rate for a CO post combustion, directing the jet so that it hits the bath level in the region of the point of incidence of the sponge metal on the bath level, directing the jet of air to the bath and with respect to the sponge metal jet so that on the side of the jet of gas facing the electrode in the vicinity of the point of incidence of the gas on the melt, the sponge metal jet shields the gas from reaching the electrode before contacting the melt.