Integrated catalytic oxidizer with an internal bake oven

Abstract

A closed loop fluid apparatus is fluidically coupled to a container component curing apparatus (168). A catalytic oxidizer (300) is fluidically coupled to the container component curing apparatus (168). An exhaust fluid flow (208) from the container component curing apparatus (168) passes through an entry end of the catalytic oxidizer (300). A heater (312) is downstream from the entry end. A temperature (Ti) of the exhaust fluid flow (208) is increased to a reacting temperature (Tr) in the heater (312), and a heated fluid flow (320) exits the heater (312) at the reacting temperature (Tr). A catalyst (316) receives the heated fluid flow (320) from the heater (312). The heated fluid flow (320) contacts the catalyst (316) and reacts therewith, wherein at least a portion of one or more volatile organic compounds are removed from the heated fluid flow (320) to produce a reacted fluid flow (324).

Description

INTEGRATED CATALYTIC OXIDIZER WITH AN INTERNAL BAKE OVENDESCRIPTIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] N / AFEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N / ATECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to an internal bake oven which cures coatings on container surfaces; more particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses to use heat released from a catalytic oxidizer to supply a heat required for an internal bake oven to successfully cure coatings on a container surface and break down volatile organic compounds.BACKGROUND

[0004] An internal bake oven (IBO) is a type of oven used to cure inside coatings applied to an interior surface of container components in a metal, typically aluminum, beverage container manufacturing process. The IBO generally includes 2 to 5 individually natural gas heated zones which are temperature controlled to ensure heated air will correctly cure coatings. During the curing process, the coatings can release volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can be hazardous to the environment in the form of pollutants. Additionally, the heating process uses natural gas which emits CO2, a greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming.

[0005] In an existing curing and pollution control method, curing of internal coatings utilizes an oven provided with convection technology. Air is heated using natural gas burners. The hot air is forced onto the container component causing a temperature increase in the container component. The heated container component causes the coating to increase in temperature and cure. During the curing process, a coating exhaust, which contains volatile organic compounds (VOC), is produced. This exhaust exits the oven. The exhaust is transported through ducts to a thermal oxidizer. The thermal oxidizer uses medium heat, approximately 1600°F (871 °C), to breakdown the VOCs to clean air. The clean air is cooledto match an inlet temperature when passing through the medium within the thermal oxidizer and exhausted to the atmosphere.

[0006] The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior processes of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.SUMMARY

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a closed loop fluid apparatus fluidically coupled to a container component curing apparatus. A catalytic oxidizer is fluidically coupled to the container component curing apparatus. The catalytic oxidizer has an entry end through which an exhaust fluid flow from the container component curing apparatus passes. The exhaust fluid flow comprises one or more volatile organic compounds. A heater is downstream from the entry end, wherein a temperature of the exhaust fluid flow is increased to a reacting temperature and a heated fluid flow exits the heater at the reacting temperature. The reacting temperature may be between 200°F to 435°F. A catalyst may be downstream from the heater. The catalyst receives the heated fluid flow from the heater, wherein the heated fluid flow contacts the catalyst and reacts therewith. At least a portion of the one or more volatile organic compounds in the heated fluid flow react with the catalyst to produce a reacted fluid flow.

[0008] The first aspect of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features alone or in any reasonable combination. The closed loop fluid apparatus may further comprise one or more recycle ducts fluidically coupling the catalytic oxidizer reacted fluid flow with the container component curing apparatus, wherein the reacted fluid flow is recycled back to the container component curing apparatus via the one or more recycle ducts. The closed loop fluid apparatus may further comprise an exhaust duct fluidically coupled between the container component curing apparatus and the catalytic oxidizer to receive the exhaust fluid flow from the container component curing apparatus and pass the exhaust fluid flow to the catalytic oxidizer. The one or more recycle ducts may include a flow control to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow from the catalytic oxidizer to the container component curing apparatus. Adjustment of the flow control may vary a temperature of the container component curing apparatus. The exhaust duct may comprise a plurality of openings located within the container component curing apparatus. The container component curing apparatus may have a plurality of zones wherein at least one of the plurality ofopenings is located within each of the plurality of zones. Each of the plurality of zones may have a temperature associated therewith, wherein a first temperature in a first zone of the plurality of zones is less than a second temperature in a second zone of the plurality of zones. The one or more recycle ducts may comprise a first recycle duct fluidically coupled to the first zone and a second recycle duct fluidically coupled to the second zone. The flow control may comprise a first damper configured to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow through the first recycle duct and a second damper configured to adjust a volume of the fluid flow through the second recycle duct. Adjustment of the first damper and the second damper may vary a first temperature in the first zone and a second temperature in the second zone, respectively. The closed loop fluid apparatus may further comprise a controller in communication with the flow control to volumetrically adjust fluid flow through the one or more recycle ducts. The controller may be a computer. Each zone of the plurality of zones may have a zone heater therein. Each heater may be a fossil fuel combustion heater. The fossil fuel may be natural gas. The catalyst may be selected from the group consisting of platinum and redox-active oxides of iron, vanadium, and molybdenum. The container component curing apparatus may be an internal bake oven. The internal bake oven may cure a coating on an interior surface of a container body. The heater may comprise electric coil heating elements. The heater may comprise induction heating elements. Heated fluid flow may exit the heater at a reacting temperature, wherein the reacting temperature is less than 400°C.

[0009] A second aspect of the disclosure is directed to a container body manufacturing system comprising any of the closed loop fluid apparatuses disclosed above.

[0010] A third aspect of the present disclosure is directed a container body manufacturing system. The system has one or more bodymaker stations. Each bodymaker station includes tooling for forming container bodies. A washer station removes forming lubricants from each container body. A decorative coating station applies a decorative layer of coating to an outer surface of each container body. A decorator coating curing apparatus station dries the decorative layer of coating. A bank of spray machines sprays an interior surface of each container body a protective coating. A protective coating curing apparatus station comprises a protective coating curing apparatus a catalytic oxidizer fluidically coupled to the protective coating curing apparatus.

[0011] The fourth aspect of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features alone or in any reasonable combination. The container body manufacturing system may further comprise a necker / fl anger station, wherein thenecker / fl anger station reduces a diameter of an open end of each container body. The container body manufacturing system may include any of the catalytic oxidizers described above.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a manufacturing process for forming container bodies;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic of an internal bake oven fluidly coupled to catalytic oxidizer of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an internal bake oven fluidly coupled to catalytic oxidizer of the present disclosure featuring elimination of internal bake oven internal fossil fuel burning heaters and heat exchangers for regulating temperature of an input of a fluid flow to a catalytic oxidizer heater and a temperature of a reacted fluid flow from a catalyst in the catalytic oxidizer; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a container body with a protective coating deposited on an interior surface and a decorative coating deposited on an external surface.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0019] An internal bake oven (IBO) is a type of oven used to cure inside coatings applied in the metal beverage container manufacturing process. The IBO generally has one or more, typically 2 to 5, individually natural gas heated zones which are temperature controlled to ensure a heated air will cure a coating deposited on interior surfaces of beverage container component parts. During the curing process, the coatings may release volatile organic compounds (VOC) which are hazardous to the environment in the form of pollutants.Typical VOCs released during this process include dibutyl aminoethanol, glycol ether(ethylene glycol), butanol, butyl cellosolve, dimethylethanolamine, hexyl cellosolve, and formaldehyde.

[0020] Additionally, the IBO uses natural gas which emits CO2, a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.

[0021] Further according to the present disclosure, a catalytic oxidizer is fluidically coupled with an IBO. The catalytic oxidizer is attached to or in close proximity to the IBO. An exhaust fluid flow from the IBO is piped directly into an inlet of the catalytic oxidizer. The catalytic oxidizer heats the IBO exhaust air using a heater such as a fossil fuel burner, but more preferable using electric coils, to a temperature required by the catalyst to have an appropriate VOC reaction.

[0022] Further according to the present disclosure, a size of the catalytic oxidizer can be varied to accept exhaust air from other processes. These other processes can include but are not limited to: IC cold source exhaust air from a concentration device and / or electrified pin oven exhaust.

[0023] Further according to the present disclosure, a reduction in CO2 emissions is achieved.

[0024] As used herein, the term “container” is used generically to broadly refer to any vessel configured or intended to hold a liquid, solid, gas, or combinations thereof. The concepts of the present disclosure can be applied to any of the particular container described, as well as other containers. Examples of such containers include threaded metallic bottles, metallic containers for aerosols, metallic drinking cups, two-piece beverage cans, etc.

[0025] One type of container particularly suited to the principles disclosed herein is a beverage container. Referring to FIG. 1, a typical system 100 for producing metallic beverage container bodies 14 is illustrated. The system 100 includes a cupper station 116 which deforms a flat metal blank in a drawing process to form a shallow cup 120. Once complete, the shallow cups 120 drop from the cupper station 116 onto a cup conveyor for transfer to the next station.

[0026] The shallow cups 120 are transferred continuously to one or more bodymaker stations 124. Each bodymaker station 124 includes tooling for drawing and thinning the shallow cups 120 to form thin-walled tubular container bodies 14 having an open end and an opposing closed end, which are joined by a cylindrical side wall. Each bodymaker station 124 contains a tool called a punch, which forms the shape of the container body 14 by forcing the cup 120 through a series of progressively smaller circular ironing rings. This action draws the metal up the sides of the punch, ironing it into a container body 14. As the cup 120is forced through the rings, its diameter is reduced, its walls are thinned and its height is increased. At the end of the punch stroke, the bottom is formed into a dome shape that strengthens the bottom of the container body 14. During this process, referred to as wall ironing, the metal must be lubricated to reduce frictional heat.

[0027] The thin-walled, tubular container bodies 14 are transferred from the bodymakers 124 to trimmer stations. Each trimmer station includes a knife for shearing excess material about the open ends of the tubular container bodies 14. This process adapts the container bodies 14 to a uniform, predetermined height.

[0028] The container bodies 14 are then continuously transferred to a washer station 144. The washer removes the forming lubricants before the application of outside decoration (or label) and inside protective coating. The washed container bodies 14 are discharged through a dryer station (not shown) where the container bodies 14 are dried with forced hot air.

[0029] Depending on end user requirements, a base layer of coating can be applied to the outer surface of the container bodies 14 at a base coater station. The base coating layer is generally a white or clear base coat. The container bodies 14 are then continuously transferred to a decorative coating station 156, which includes a decorating apparatus, such as the dry offset rotary decorating apparatus 10. The decorative coating station 156 applies a decorative layer of coating (ink) 16 to the outer surface of the thin-walled tubular container bodies 14. The inked container bodies 14 move to a rotating varnish application roll that applies a clear coating over the entire outer sidewall. The clear coating protects the ink from scratching and contains lubricants that facilitate can conveying.

[0030] The container bodies 14 are transferred from the decorator 156 onto a pin of a chain (so that only the inside surface is contacted) and is conveyed through a container component curing apparatus, such as a decorator coating, or “pin,” curing apparatus 160 where the ink is cured with forced hot air.

[0031] Following application and curing of the exterior decorative layer, the container bodies 14 are conveyed to an interior surface coater station 162. This station includes a bank of spray machines 164 that spray the interior surfaces of the container bodies 14 with an epoxy -based organic protective coating 18, alternatively the protective coating 18 could be non-epoxy-based, for example, Bisphenol-A non-intent. The inside coating is also cured in a container component curing apparatus by forced hot air. The container component curing apparatus is preferably a protective coating curing apparatus station, more preferably an internal bake oven (IBO) 168; however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these principles can be applied to the pin curing apparatus 160. The protective coating 18prevents the beverage from contacting or reacting with the metal of the interior surface of the container body 14.

[0032] After the container bodies 14 leave the IBO 168, they pass through a lubricator station that applies a thin film of lubricant to the exterior of the top (open end) where a neck and a flange will be formed. A necker / fl anger station 176 reduces the diameter of the open ends of the container bodies 14 and gives the cans the characteristic neck shape. Here the diameter of the top of the can is reduced or “necked-in.” The top of the can is flanged outwards to enable the end to be seamed on after the cans are filled with a beverage. Following this step, a finished or substantially finished, as in suitable for use by a beverage manufacturer, container body is produced.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, according to the present disclosure, a closed loop fluid system between an IBO 168 and a catalytic oxidizer 300 is created. A source of heat is centralized to a single component. Electric heating is preferably used to reduce CO2 emissions, preferably substantially eliminate CO2 emissions, more preferably eliminate all CO2 emissions. However, it is contemplated that some of the off gas from catalytic oxidation will be CO2. The fluid is typically air. Here, the term “substantially” is intended to encompass a range of CO2 emissions greater than 90% and less than 100%.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the IBO 168 comprises one or more zones 200a, b,c, typically between 2 and 5 zones. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the IBO has 3 zones 200a, b,c. Each zone 200a, b,c has a zone heater 204a, b,c, typically a fossil fuel zone heater, such as a natural gas zone heater. Thus, each zone 200a, b,c can be operated at different predetermined operating temperature Ta,b,c. The operating temperatures Ta,b,c generally range from 235°F (113°C ) to 400°F (204°C). For example, a first zone 200a typically has an operating temperature Ta of about 235°F (113°C); a second zone 200b has an operating temperature Tb of about 350°F (177°C); and a third zone 200c has an operating temperature Tc of about 400°F (204°C). With this structure being understood, in a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, zone heaters 204a, b,c are eliminated as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0035] An exhaust fluid flow 208 comprising VOCs exits the IBO 168 via an exhaust duct 212. The exhaust duct 212 has one or more openings 216a, b,c configured to accept a fluid flow exhausted from the zones 200a, b,c, at least one of the openings 216a,b,c is located within each of the plurality of zones 200a, b,c. Thus, the exhaust fluid flow 208 comprises separate fluid flows 216a,b,c exiting each zone 200a, b,c, respectively. In other words, eachzone 200a, b,c is fluidically coupled to the duct 212 such that an exhaust fluid flow exits the IBO 168.

[0036] The exhaust duct 212 has one or more outlets 220. At least one outlet 220 is fluidically coupled to an entry end of the catalytic oxidizer 300. The exhaust fluid flow 208 from the IBO 168 enters the catalytic oxidizer 300 via an inlet 308 at the entry and becomes an initial fluid flow 304 at an initial temperature Ti of about 200°F (93°C) to 435°F (224°C), preferably 325°F (163°C).

[0037] Catalytic oxidation is one method of controlling VOC’s by chemically changing the organics into more desirable clean compounds. By increasing a temperature of VOC contaminated exhaust air, the catalyst introduces oxygen into organic and inorganic compounds and mineralizes VOCs to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) instead of transforming them to by-products with high toxicity. Heating of the exhaust air can be accomplished by any known method, preferably by gas burners or, more preferably one or more electric resistance heaters having a heating coil.

[0038] A heater 312 is located downstream within the catalytic oxidizer 300 between the inlet 308 at the entry end and a catalyst 316. The fluid flow 304 is in fluidic communication with the heater 312 such that the entry end initial temperature Ti is increased to a reacting temperature Tr. The reacting temperature Tr is catalyst dependent, preferably 752°F (400°C) or less, more preferably, 675°F (357°C) or less, still more preferably 650°F (343°C) or less, and most between 650°F (343°C) and 752°F (400°C). The heater 312 may comprise gas burners, such as natural gas burners, or, more preferably, electric resistance heater having electric heating elements. Induction heating elements and the like can also be employed.

[0039] A heated fluid flow 320 at the reacting temperature Tr exits the heater 312 and flows to the catalyst 316. The catalyst 316 may comprise platinum and / or redox-active oxides of iron, vanadium, and molybdenum. The heated flow 320 reacts with the catalyst 316, and a reaction introduces oxygen into organic and inorganic compounds and mineralizes the VOCs to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) rather than transforming the VOCs to byproducts having high toxicity. Typical catalysts are platinum and redox-active oxides of iron, vanadium, and molybdenum. Preferably, the reaction substantially completely mineralizes the VOCs to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), and most preferably completely mineralizes the VOCs to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Here, the term “substantially” is intended to encompass amounts of VOCs not more than the maximum concentration recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, OSHA, and WHO.

[0040] Using a catalyst 316 to chemically change VOCs allows for a lower operating temperature. The operating temperatures can be reduced from 1600°F (871 °C), which is required by a thermal oxidizer, to 650°F (343°C), which is needed by the catalytic oxidizer 300, roughly a reduction of 950°F (510°C). This reduces natural gas consumption, preferably by 60%, and reduces CO2 emission.

[0041] It follows that the catalyst 316 allows for a lower operating temperature to reach a necessary reactive temperature. As a result, less heat and, therefore, less external energy are needed to convert the VOCs compared to thermal oxidation where temperatures in a combustion chamber can be 1600°F (871 °C). The present disclosure relies on a catalytic oxidizer 300 which operates below 700°F (371°C).

[0042] Upon exiting the catalyst 316, the air is clean and hot. A reacted fluid flow 324 exits the catalyst 316 at an exhaust temperature Te of about 675°F (357°C). Due to a minimum temperature loss through the catalyst 316, the reacted fluid flow 324 is piped back into the IBO 168 and used as a heat source of IBO 168. Each IBO zone 200a, b,c has its own recycle duct 326,328,332 from the catalytic oxidizer 300. Each recycle duct 326,328,332 has flow controls to ensure the heat from the catalytic oxidizer 300 maintains a required temperature required for a given zone 200a, b,c of the IBO 168. Typically, the IBO 168 is always under a small negative pressure such that some ambient air is pulled in at the entry and exit ends of the IBO 168.

[0043] The reacted fluid flow 324 is recycled back to the IBO 168 via the separate recycle ducts 326,328,332 exiting the catalytic oxidizer 300 and entering the first zone 200a, the second zone 200b, and the third zone 200c of the IBO 168, respectively. The recycle ducts 326,328,332 are preferably outfitted with flow controls to selectively restrict flow from the catalytic oxidizer 300 to the zones 200a, b,c of the IBO 168. The flow controls are preferably valves 336,340,344, such as adjustable dampers.

[0044] A volume of the reacted fluid flow 324 recycled to the IBO 168 can be controlled by adjusting the valves 336,340,344. Damper opening levels can be controlled by a controller such as a computer 400 having a non-transitory memory and a processor. This adjustment of the flow control varies a temperature of the IBO 168, preferably each zone 200a, b,c of the IBO 168. Thus, the controller is in communication with the flow control to volumetrically adjust fluid flow through the one or more recycle ducts 326,328,332.

[0045] By using the reacted fluid flow 324 flow from the catalytic oxidizer 300 to input a hot fluid flow supply of hot air to the IBO 168, one or more natural gas burners can be removed from the IBO 168, essentially creating a closed loop fluid flow system. Due to alower temperature requirement of the catalyst 316, using electricity to heat the IBO exhaust 304, preferably no greater than 325°F (163°C), to a catalytic oxidizer temperature of 650°F (343°C) increases efficiency compared to a process of utilizing a thermal oxidizer. This creates a system that will cure coatings, clean air, and replenish the IBO 168 with required hot air at a required temperature, all with only one heat source without releasing any created hot air energy to the atmosphere.

[0046] In one embodiment, the catalytic oxidizer 300 will produce a reacted fluid flow 324 having a consistent exhaust temperature Te averaging 650°F (343°C). This reacted fluid flow 324 is sent into the IBO 168 for use in heating and curing an inside coating of the container within the IBO 168. The temperatures Ta,b,c within the IBO 168 are monitored by the computer 400 to ensure the temperatures Ta,b,c are maintained at the appropriate levels. If the temperatures Ta,b,c in the IBO 168 increase above a desired, predetermined, or required temperature, a valve system 362, preferably comprising adjustable dampers, controlled by the computer 400 will redirect some or all of the reacted fluid flow 324 through a heat exchanger 364 within the catalytic oxidizer 300 to decrease the exhaust temperature Te and reduce any overheating inside the IBO 168. Likewise, another valve system 368, again, preferably comprising adjustable dampers, controlled by the computer 400 can be used control to the entry end fluid flow 304 through the heat exchanger 364 to increase the initial temperature Ti of the fluid flow 304 which enters the heater 312 of the catalytic oxidizer 300. For example, the exhaust temperature Te of the reacted fluid flow 324 can be decreased from between 650°F (343°C) and 675°F (357°C) to 525°F (274°C), and the entry end fluid flow 304 temperature Ti can be increased from no greater than 325°F (163°C) to 400°F (204°C).

[0047] While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A closed loop fluid apparatus fluidically coupled to a container component curing apparatus (168) comprising: a catalytic oxidizer (300) fluidically coupled to the container component curing apparatus (168), the catalytic oxidizer (300) comprising: an entry end through which an exhaust fluid flow (208) from the container component curing apparatus (168) passes, the exhaust fluid flow (208) comprising one or more volatile organic compounds; a heater (312) downstream from the entry end, wherein a temperature (Ti) of the exhaust fluid flow (208) is increased to a reacting temperature (Tr) and a heated fluid flow (320) exits the heater (312) at the reacting temperature (Tr); and a catalyst (316) downstream from the heater (312), the catalyst (316) receiving the heated fluid flow (320) from the heater (312), wherein the heated fluid flow (320) contacts the catalyst (316) and reacts therewith, wherein at least a portion of the one or more volatile organic compounds in the heated fluid flow (320) react with the catalyst (316) to produce a reacted fluid flow (324).

2. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332) fluidically coupling the reacted fluid flow (324) with the container component curing apparatus (168), wherein the reacted fluid flow (324) is recycled back to the container component curing apparatus (168) via the one or more recycle ducts(326.328.332).

3. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 2 further comprising an exhaust duct (212) fluidically coupled between the container component curing apparatus (168) and the catalytic oxidizer (300) to receive the exhaust fluid flow (208) from the container component curing apparatus (168) and pass the exhaust fluid flow (208) to the catalytic oxidizer (300).

4. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the one or more recycle ducts(326.328.332) includes a flow control (336,340,344) to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow (324) from the catalytic oxidizer (300) to the container component curing apparatus (168).

5. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 4 wherein adjustment of the flow control (336,340,344) varies a temperature of the container component curing apparatus (168).

6. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 5 wherein the exhaust duct (212) comprises a plurality of openings (216a,b,c) located within the container component curing apparatus (168).

7. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the container component curing apparatus (168) has a plurality of zones (200a, b,c) wherein at least one of the plurality of openings (216a,b,c) is located within each of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c).

8. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 7 wherein each of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c) has a temperature (Ta,Tb,Tc) associated therewith, wherein a first temperature (Ta) in a first zone of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c) is less than a second temperature (Tb) in a second zone (200b) of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c).

9. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 8 wherein the one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332) comprises a first recycle duct (326) fluidically coupled to the first zone (200a) and a second recycle duct (328) fluidically coupled to the second zone (200b).

10. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 9 wherein the flow control (336,340,344) comprises a first damper configured to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow (324) through the first recycle duct (326) and a second damper configured to adjust a volume of the fluid flow (324) through the second recycle duct (328).

11. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 10 wherein adjustment of the first damper and the second damper varies a first temperature (Ta) in the first zone (200a) and a second temperature (Tb) in the second zone (200b), respectively.

12. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 11 further comprising a controller in communication with the flow control (336,340,344) to volumetrically adjust fluid flow through the one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332).

13. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim.12 wherein the controller is a computer (400).

14. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 13 wherein each zone of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c) has a zone heater (204a, b,c) therein.

15. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 14 wherein each zone heater (204a, b,c) is a fossil fuel combustion heater.

16. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 15 wherein the fossil fuel is natural gas.

17. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim 16 wherein the catalyst (316) is selected from the group consisting of platinum and redox-active oxides of iron, vanadium, and molybdenum.

18. The closed loop fluid apparatus of any preceding claim wherein container component curing apparatus (168) is an internal bake oven.

19. The closed loop fluid apparatus of Claim.18 wherein the internal bake oven (168) cures a coating (18) on an interior surface of a container body (14).

20. The closed loop fluid apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the heater (312) comprises electric coil heating elements.

21. The closed loop fluid apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the heater (312) comprises induction heating elements.

22. The closed loop fluid apparatus of any preceding claim wherein heated fluid flow (320) exits the heater (312) at the reacting temperature (Tr), wherein the reacting temperature (Tr) is less than 371°C.

23. A container body manufacturing system (100) comprising the closed loop fluid apparatus of any preceding claim.

24. A container body manufacturing system (100) comprising: a container component coating curing apparatus station comprising: a container component coating curing apparatus (168); and a catalytic oxidizer (300) fluidically coupled to the container component coating curing apparatus (168).

25. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 24 wherein the catalytic oxidizer (300) comprises: an entry end through which an exhaust fluid flow (208) from the container component curing apparatus (168) passes, the exhaust fluid flow (208) comprising one or more volatile organic compounds; a catalyst (316) downstream from the entry end, the catalyst (316) receiving a heated fluid flow (320), wherein the heated fluid flow (320) contacts the catalyst (316) and reacts therewith, wherein at least a portion of the one or more volatile organic compounds are removed from the heated fluid flow (320) to produce a reacted fluid flow (324).

26. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 25 wherein the catalytic oxidizer (300) comprises: a heater (312) downstream from the entry end, wherein a temperature (Ti) of the exhaust fluid flow (208) is increased to a reacting temperature (Tr) and a heated fluid flow (320) exits the heater (312) at the reacting temperature (Tr).

27. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 26 further comprising one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332) fluidically coupling the catalytic oxidizer (300) reacted fluid flow (324) with the protective coating curing apparatus (168), wherein the reacted fluid flow (324) is recycled back to the protective coating curing apparatus (168) via the one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332).

28. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 27 further comprising an exhaust duct (212) fluidically coupled between the protective coating curing apparatus (168) and the catalytic oxidizer (300) to receive the exhaust fluid flow (208) from the protective coating curing apparatus (168) and pass the exhaust fluid flow (208) to the catalytic oxidizer (300).

29. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 28 wherein the one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332) include a flow control (336,340,344) to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow (324) from the catalytic oxidizer (300) to the container component coating curing apparatus (168).

30. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 29 wherein adjustment of the flow control (336,340,344) varies a temperature of the container component coating curing apparatus (168).

31. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 30 wherein the exhaust duct (212) comprises a plurality of openings (216a, b,c) located within the container component coating curing apparatus (168).

32. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 31 wherein the container component coating curing apparatus (168) has a plurality of zones (200a, b,c) wherein at least one of the plurality of openings (216a,b,c) is located within each of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c).

33. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 32 wherein each of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c) has a temperature (Ta,Tb,Tc) associated therewith, wherein a first temperature (Ta) in a first zone (200a) of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c) is less than a second temperature (Tb) in a second zone (200b) of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c).

34. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 33 wherein the one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332) comprises a first recycle duct (326) fluidically coupled to the first zone (200a) and a second recycle duct (328) fluidically coupled to the second zone (200b).

35. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 34 wherein the flow control (336,340,344) comprises a first damper configured to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow (324) through the first recycle duct (326) and a second damper configured to adjust a volume of the reacted fluid flow (324) through the second recycle duct (328).

36. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 35 wherein adjustment of the first damper and the second damper varies the first temperature (Ta) in the first zone (200a) and the second temperature (Tb) in the second zone (200b), respectively.

37. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 36 further comprising a controller in communication with the flow control (336,340,344) to adjust volumetrically adjust fluid flow through the one or more recycle ducts (326,328,332).

38. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 37 wherein the controller is a computer (400).

39. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 38 wherein each zone of the plurality of zones (200a, b,c) has a zone heater (204a, 204b, 204c) therein.

40. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 39 wherein each zone heater (204a, 204b, 204c) is a fossil fuel combustion heater.

41. The container body manufacturing system (100) of Claim 40 wherein the fossil fuel is natural gas.

42. The container body manufacturing system (100) of any of Claims 24-41 wherein the catalyst (316) is selected from the group consisting of platinum and redox-active oxides of iron, vanadium, and molybdenum.

43. The container body manufacturing system (100) of any of Claims 24-42 wherein the container component curing apparatus (168) is an internal bake oven.

44. The container body manufacturing system (100) of any of Claims 24-43 wherein the internal bake oven cures a coating (18) on an interior surface of a container body (14).

45. The container body manufacturing system (100) of any of Claims 24-44 wherein the heater (312) comprises electric coil heating elements.

46. The container body manufacturing system (100) of any of Claims 24-45 wherein the heater (312) comprises induction heating elements.

47. The container body manufacturing system (100) of any of Claims 24-46 further comprising: one or more bodymaker stations (124), each bodymaker station (124) including tooling for forming container bodies (14); a washer station (144), wherein the washer station (144) removes the forming lubricants from each container body (14); a decorative coating station (156) , wherein the decorative coating station (156) applies a decorative layer of coating (16) to an outer surface of each container body (14);a decorator coating curing apparatus station (160), wherein the decorator coating curing apparatus station (160) dries the decorative layer of coating (16); a bank of spray machines (162) that spray an interior surface of each container body(14) with a protective coating (18); and a necker / fl anger station (176), wherein the necker / fl anger station (176) reduces a diameter of an open end of each container body (14).

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