According to a graphite production method for producing graphite of higher quality, a maximum temperature inside a heating furnace of not less than 2900° C. causes an electrical discharge between a heater and a graphite container, and thus leads to a failure to efficiently convert electrical power into heat of the electrical heater. A graphite production method for producing graphite of higher quality is provided. Graphite having a higher heat diffusivity is obtained by carrying out a graphitization step such that a distance between a graphite container and the heater falls within a particular range of length, an atmosphere of a gas inside the heating furnace is set to contain a helium gas, and heating is carried out so that a maximum temperature inside the heating furnace is not less than 2900° C.

A sealing system for isolating the environment inside a vitrification container from the outside environment comprises a vitrification container with a lid. The lid comprises two or more electrode seal assemblies through which two or more electrodes may be operatively positioned and extend down through the lid into the vitrification container. The electrodes may move axially up and down through the electrode seal assemblies or lock into place. The electrode seal assemblies each comprise a housing having two halves with recessed ring grooves. Sealing rings with a split may be placed into the grooves. Gas galleries may be machined or cast into the housing such that they are adjacent to the ring grooves. The gas galleries distribute gas onto the external faces of the sealing rings causing a change in pressure resulting in the sealing rings compressing onto the electrodes and forming a seal.

Melting furnace (1), in particular for the production of metal alloys by melting alloying constituents, with a melting crucible (10), a cylindrical electrode rod (40) with a consumable electrode (41) attached thereto and a power supply (50) that is configured to supply the electrode (41) with power via the electrode rod (40), wherein the electrode rod (40) can be rotated about its own axis and moved along its own axis during the melting process.

An enclosure of a steel-making furnace system includes a support structure including a frame that defines an interior, a supply line for supplying a cooling liquid from a reservoir, and a return line fluidly coupled to the supply line and the reservoir. A plurality of panels includes sinuously winding piping having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly coupled to the supply line and the outlet is fluidly coupled to the return line. The frame includes a plurality of support members spaced from one another, where each of the plurality of support members defines a slot. Each of the plurality of panels is removably and slidably received with the slot for coupling to the frame.

A heating element for use in a system for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material is disclosed. A method for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material is also disclosed. The heating element comprises a first coupling member configured to couple to a first side of the interior of a melt tank; a second coupling member configured to couple to a second side of the interior of the melt tank; and at least one elongate strip extending between the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The at least one elongate strip is integral with the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The heating element is configured such that during a heating operation, current flows between the first coupling member and the second coupling member of the heating element, along the at least one elongate strip to thereby radiate heat to materials located within the interior of the melt tank.

A heating element for use in a system for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material is disclosed. A method for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material is also disclosed. The heating element comprises a first coupling member configured to couple to a first side of the interior of a melt tank; a second coupling member configured to couple to a second side of the interior of the melt tank; and at least one elongate strip extending between the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The at least one elongate strip is integral with the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The heating element is configured such that during a heating operation, current flows between the first coupling member and the second coupling member of the heating element, along the at least one elongate strip to thereby radiate heat to materials located within the interior of the melt tank.

Disclosed is the use of electric arc furnace flue dust and materials that are recovered from the flue dust of electric arc furnaces (EAF) used in the production of ferroalloys or steel from scrap metals, as electrode materials in electrochemical applications such as energy storage.

A melting method including a step of loading solid metal material into an electric furnace, a step of generating an electric arc between at least one electrode and the metal material, a step of perforating the metal material during which the electrode is moved through the metal material, a step of melting the solid metal material in order to obtain a molten material, and a step of refining the molten material by adding reaction compounds. At least one of the steps includes regulating the electric parameters of the electric arc.

Sensors measure magnetic field components, and the measured fields are used to calculate and estimated transverse position of a longitudinal electric current flowing as an electric discharge across a discharge gap. Based on the estimated position, and according to a selected transverse trajectory or distribution of the estimated discharge position, magnetic fields are applied transversely across the discharge gap so as to control or alter the estimated discharge position. Inventive apparatus and methods can be employed, inter alia, during operation of a vacuum arc furnace.

An electric power method for an electric arc furnace includes regulating the electric power frequency of a power voltage and a power current of the electrodes, independently from the mains frequency.