An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.

An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.

A self-baking electrode includes a cylindrical shroud having a longitudinal central axis A. The shroud is made of an electrically-conductive material and disposed vertically on top of a vat of the furnace over one length of the self-baking electrode. The electrode includes a central column disposed within the shroud, substantially aligned on the longitudinal axis A. The central column is suspended from a device independent of the shroud such that the central column is adapted to slip in vertical translation within the shroud and a crude carbonaceous paste disposed around the central column in a top portion of the shroud. The paste is softened and baked under an effect of heat into a stiff carbonaceous paste sticking to the central column in a bottom portion of the shroud. The central column includes a series of electrically-conductive carbonaceous elongate elements. The carbonaceous elongate elements are flexible.

A self-baking electrode includes a cylindrical shroud having a longitudinal central axis A. The shroud is made of an electrically-conductive material and disposed vertically on top of a vat of the furnace over one length of the self-baking electrode. The electrode includes a central column disposed within the shroud, substantially aligned on the longitudinal axis A. The central column is suspended from a device independent of the shroud such that the central column is adapted to slip in vertical translation within the shroud and a crude carbonaceous paste disposed around the central column in a top portion of the shroud. The paste is softened and baked under an effect of heat into a stiff carbonaceous paste sticking to the central column in a bottom portion of the shroud. The central column includes a series of electrically-conductive carbonaceous elongate elements. The carbonaceous elongate elements are flexible.

A device for welding together cylindrical sections of a casing. The device comprises a clamping ring configured to surround and attach to a section of the casing and a robot provided with a welding gun and at least one joint, wherein the robot is movably attached to the clamping ring by cooperating means. A method for welding cylindrical sections of a casing by using such a device includes the steps of a) positioning and clamping the clamping ring at the correct position, b) moving the robot along the clamping ring to the correct position for welding, c) welding the sections to each other by the welding gun of the robot, and d) releasing the clamping ring.

An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.

An apparatus for a self-baking electrode includes an electrode having at least three zones, a first zone containing uncarbonized carbon-containing composition, a second zone which adjoins the first zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in a paste-like or liquid form, a third zone which adjoins the second zone and in which the carbon-containing composition is present in carbonized form, and a cylindrical housing which encloses at least the first and second zones. A tube can be lifted and lowered in a vertical direction at least partly within the zones and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces runs partly within the tube and partly outside the tube where a first end of the holding element (101) can be detachably connected to a fastening element, a second end of the holding element enters the third zone and is anchored there.

An electrode slipping device comprises an upper holder and a lower holder, both holders containing one or more clamping shoes and one or more clamping cylinders in co-operation with the clamping shoes. The clamping shoes are operable between a position where the electrode is clamped and a position where the electrode is unclamped. The clamping cylinder is connected to the electrode holder by first fastening means and to the clamping shoe by second fastening means such that the clamping cylinder can be released from engagement with the holder by unlocking both sets of fastening means.

An electrode slipping device comprises an upper holder and a lower holder, both holders containing one or more clamping shoes and one or more clamping cylinders in co-operation with the clamping shoes. The clamping shoes are operable between a position where the electrode is clamped and a position where the electrode is unclamped. The clamping cylinder is connected to the electrode holder by first fastening means and to the clamping shoe by second fastening means such that the clamping cylinder can be released from engagement with the holder by unlocking both sets of fastening means.

A method and a system for monitoring clamping pressure exerted by a clamping cylinder to an electrode in an electrode slipping device which comprises an upper annular holder ring and a lower annular holder ring, each comprising at least one clamping assembly including a clamping shoe and clamping cylinder arranged in co-operation so that the clamping shoe is forced into pressure contact with the electrode and released from pressure contact with the electrode by the action of the clamping cylinder. The measuring system comprises a force sensor (30) mounted in connection with a pressing piece (22) that transmits the force created by the clamping cylinder to the clamping shoe. The force sensor can be a strain gage (30) mounted in a cavity (25) provided in the pressing piece (22) or a load cell mounted between the pressing piece (22) and the clamping cylinder.