Method of operating an arc furnace, and an arc furnace

Abstract

In order to avoid damage to the inner walls of the arc furnace (1) and a reduction of the electric power when material (5) to be melted has been partly burned down in an arc furnace (1), additives (10) are fed to the filling opening of a hollow electrode (7) by means of a loose-material conveyor (25) during this critical melting phase. An arc (6) between the hollow electrode (7) and a melt (4) in the arc furnace (1) is thereby shortened. A loose-material container (9) is arranged at the end of the loose-material conveyor (25) at a distance from the electrode and can easily be separated from the hollow electrode (7) in order to permit the tilting of the arc furnace (1) to empty out the melt (4). Problematic waste materials which are to be disposed of, such as for example filter dust, can be added to the additives (10).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.