ELECTRIC INSTALLATION FOR HEATING OF MOLTEN METALS AND/OR SALTS AND SOLUTIONS

Electric installation for direct heating of a charge, such as a bath of metals and/or salts in melted state and solutions, comprising: at least one heating element for heating the charge, each heating element being in the form of a vessel or partition made of at least two parts of different physico-chemical properties, these parts being firmly joined to each other and having a portion immersed in the heated bath. Contact materials are in contact with a first surface of the heating element, a first electrode is dipped at least partially into the contact materials, and means are provided for applying an electric potential difference between the electrode and a second electrode located at least partially in the bath. An electric circuit is connected to the heating element and includes current supply means to the electrodes. The bath is in contact with a second surface of the heating element, and the contact materials are included in the electric circuit of the heating element.