With added fuel, it is possible that a scrap content of up to 50 percent could be achieved for BOF operations. For BOFs, air emissions are proportional to the amount of time the metal spends at high temperatures. Typically, a tiny sample of hot metal must be removed for analysis of its chemical composition during the heating process. New analytical techniques such as laser plasma spectrophotometry can reduce the time required to determine when the steel is ready to be cast. These methods can decrease total BOF cycle time by 10 percent, or approximately two minutes, which would reduce the amount of dust particles generated.
Similar options are available for mini mills .
The incorporation of more zinc into steel products is another potential pollution prevention strategy. Zinc contained in iron ore either goes into products or is removed as waste. Redesign of customer products or of purchasing specifications may allow for increased zinc content, which would result in decreased dust particle toxicity. A similar option is available for mini mills . BOF dust particle recycling is not a pollution prevention strategy, but can make a difference in the generation of pollution.