Bottom for a metallurgical vessel with a direct current electric arc device

A base of a metallurgical vessel having a direct-current arc device with a cathode that projects into the vessel and a fire-resistant lining on the base in which at least one anode is arranged, one end of the anode passing through the vessel wall and touching metallic melt located in the vessel, and another end of the anode is connectable to cooling fluid supply sources and is attached in an electrically insulated manner to the vessel wall via holding elements, the base comprising a sleeve, which does not conduct electric current, provided so as to sheath a part of the anode which projects into the metallurgical vessel and form an outlet channel, the sleeve being arranged at a distance (Δr) sufficiently far away from the anode so that low-melting-point metals can flow out of the vessel without being impeded, the distance Δr being Δr=RH−RA=0.5 to 2 mm

• where
• RH=internal radius of the sleeve;
• and
• RA=external radius of the anode and the holding element holding the anode.