Patent ID: 8043402

Claim:
A method for producing a foamed slag ( 1 ) in a metal bath ( 2 ) in a metallurgical furnace ( 3 ), in which a mixture ( 4 ) that contains at least a metal oxide and carbon is introduced into the furnace ( 3 ), where below the slag ( 1 ) present in the furnace, the metal oxide is reduced by the carbon, where the gases formed during the reduction form bubbles in the slag, thereby foaming the slag, and where the mixture ( 4 ) is introduced into the furnace ( 3 ) in such a way that a desired height (h) or a desired range of heights (h) of the layer of foamed slag ( 1 ) develops and is systematically maintained, wherein an electric arc furnace or melting unit with electrodes is used as the metallurgical furnace ( 3 ), where, with a wall ( 5 ) of the furnace ( 3 ) with an essentially circular design as viewed from above and with an essentially central arrangement of at least one electrode ( 6 ) of the furnace ( 3 ), the mixture ( 4 ) is added to an annular area between the electrodes ( 6 ) and the wall ( 5 ) from above at a plurality of positions uniformly spaced along a circle substantially at the radial center of the annular area.