abstract |
The invention relates to a method for extracting metal from metal-containing raw material in a batch process by using a direct current electric arc furnace (100) having one or more than one top electrode (125) and at least one bottom electrode (115), wherein the method comprises the following steps: adding the metal-containing raw material to the furnace (100), thereby obtaining a loaded bath, moving the top electrode(s) (125) onto the raw material, heating the loaded bath in a heating step by applying direct current through the top electrode(s) to provide an arc to melt the raw material, thereby obtaining molten metal (202), wherein an average voltage during the heating step is from 20 V to 110 V, and forming solid metal from the molten metal (202). The invention further relates to a direct current electric arc furnace, a system comprising a direct current electric arc furnace, and a solid metal obtainable by the method. |