Electrode seal for arc furnace

An electrode seal for closing a clearance between an aperture in a roof of an electric arc furnace and an axially extending electrode passing through the aperture, the electrode seal comprising:

• (a) an annular support ring defining a first aperture having an internal diameter greater than an external diameter of said electrode;
• said support ring having a radially inwardly facing surface, an upper annular sealing surface and a lower annular surface;
• (b) an annular sealing ring defining a second aperture having an internal diameter which is approximately the same as a diameter of the electrode and which is less than the diameter of the first aperture, the sealing ring further comprising a radially inwardly facing surface, an upper surface and a lower annular sealing surface, the lower annular sealing surface of the sealing ring engaging the upper annular sealing surface of the support ring such that the second aperture of the sealing ring is in substantially complete registry with the first aperture of the support ring;
• (c) sealing ring retaining means attached to the support ring and positioned radially outwardly of the upper annular sealing surface, said retaining means permitting limited sliding movement of the sealing ring along its lower annular sealing surface while maintaining the substantially complete registry between the first and second apertures, wherein the sliding movement of the sealing ring is limited by engagement with the retaining means and the sealing ring;
• and
• (d) a plurality of mounting feet attached to the support ring to secure the support ring to the furnace roof.