Product Overview
A horizontal thermal oil heated bitumen tank stores paving bitumen at a controlled temperature for asphalt production and bitumen handling. An external thermal oil system circulates heat-transfer oil through internal coils, heating the stored material without direct flame contact.
Indirect Thermal Oil Heating
Internal heating coils transfer heat to the bitumen. Coil layout, heating surface area and oil circulation conditions are selected according to the required heating duty.
Insulated Storage
Mineral wool insulation and protective metal cladding help limit heat loss during storage. Insulation thickness and cladding material can be specified according to ambient conditions and project requirements.
Horizontal Installation
The horizontal configuration suits sites where installation height, access and equipment layout influence tank selection. Foundation loads, lifting arrangements and installation clearances require project-specific review.
Plant Integration
Thermal oil connections, bitumen outlets, temperature instruments and control interfaces can be configured to match the existing heating system and plant piping layout.
Technical Specifications
The following values are preliminary reference ranges. Final specifications depend on the approved design, operating conditions and applicable regulations.
|
Parameter |
Reference Specification |
|
Tank Type |
Horizontal thermal oil heated bitumen tank |
|
Nominal Capacity |
30–100 m³, subject to confirmation |
|
Tank Material |
Carbon steel; grade to be specified |
|
Heating Method |
Indirect heating through internal thermal oil coils |
|
Thermal Oil Supply Temperature |
180–230°C, subject to system design |
|
Bitumen Storage Temperature |
140–180°C, subject to bitumen grade and process requirements |
|
Insulation |
Mineral wool, reference thickness 75–100 mm |
|
External Cladding |
Galvanized steel, aluminum or coated steel |
|
Temperature Monitoring |
Local gauge and/or temperature sensors |
|
Process Connections |
Sizes and flange standards to be confirmed |
|
Surface Protection |
External surface preparation and coating system to be specified |
|
Tank Configuration |
Single tank or project-specific compartment arrangement |
|
Design Code |
To be confirmed according to tank classification and destination-market requirements |
Key Design Considerations
Usable Capacity
Nominal capacity and usable storage volume should be specified separately, allowing for thermal expansion, operating liquid level and required free space.
Heating Duty
Heating capacity depends on storage volume, initial and target temperatures, required heating time, thermal oil conditions, coil design and ambient temperature.
Installation and Transport
Overall dimensions, operating weight, foundation loads, lifting points and transport envelope should be confirmed on the approved general arrangement (GA) drawing.
Heating System and Configuration Options
Internal Heating Coils
Coil dimensions, pipe specifications, layout and heating surface area should be determined from the required heat duty and thermal oil circuit conditions.
Insulation and Cladding
Insulation thickness and cladding material can be selected according to outdoor exposure, ambient temperature, maintenance access and project specifications.
Temperature Monitoring and Control
Local gauges, temperature sensors, high- and low-temperature alarms and control-panel interfaces can be specified according to the required monitoring and automation functions.
Bitumen Transfer Connections
Inlet, outlet, drain, vent and other process connections should be positioned according to the plant piping arrangement and operating requirements.
Optional Equipment
Thermal oil heating units, bitumen transfer pumps, valve assemblies, access platforms and control panels may be included in the supply scope following technical review.
Manufacturing and Quality Control
Inspection and testing requirements should be defined in the project quality plan and aligned with the applicable construction code and purchase order.
Material Verification
Material grades and traceability documents should be agreed before production. EN 10204 Type 3.1 material certificates can be specified for applicable materials where required.
Welding Inspection
Welding procedures, welder qualifications, visual inspection and applicable non-destructive testing (NDT) should follow the approved inspection plan and governing code.
Heating Coil Testing
The internal thermal oil circuit should be inspected and pressure-tested using the specified method, test pressure and acceptance criteria established by the approved design and applicable requirements.
Dimensional and Coating Inspection
Tank dimensions, nozzle positions, external coating condition and coating thickness should be checked against the approved drawings and project specifications.
Quality Documentation
The agreed documentation package may include material certificates, welding and NDT records, pressure-test reports, coating inspection records, approved drawings and operation and maintenance manuals.
Applications
Asphalt Mixing Plants
Provides heated bitumen storage upstream of the plant's transfer and mixing systems. Required capacity depends on production demand, delivery frequency and operating schedules.
Road Construction Projects
Supports heated bitumen storage at project sites where fixed or relocatable equipment is required. Transport suitability depends on tank dimensions, weight and lifting arrangements.
Bitumen Terminals and Depots
Multiple tanks can be integrated into a bulk storage system with shared thermal oil heating and transfer piping, subject to process design.
Polymer-Modified Bitumen (PMB) Handling
PMB applications require consideration of binder formulation, storage temperature, storage duration and circulation or agitation requirements before the tank configuration is finalized.
Customization and RFQ Requirements
Provide the following information to support technical evaluation, GA drawing preparation and quotation.
Storage Requirements
Required nominal and usable capacity, bitumen grade, expected consumption and target storage temperature.
Heating Conditions
Thermal oil supply and return temperatures, available heating capacity, initial bitumen temperature and required heating time.
Site and Installation
Project location, ambient temperature range, indoor or outdoor installation, available foundation space, access conditions and transport restrictions.
Connections and Controls
Required nozzle sizes, flange standards, piping arrangement, temperature instruments, alarm functions, power supply and control-system interfaces.
Design and Inspection Requirements
Applicable construction code, destination-market regulations, material certification, welding inspection, NDT scope and testing documentation.
Supply Scope and Delivery
Tank only or a complete package including pumps, valves, heating equipment and controls; destination port; unloading arrangements; and required delivery dimensions.
Drawings, process flow diagrams, existing equipment specifications and project technical requirements can be submitted for engineering review before final configuration and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a thermal oil heated bitumen tank work?
A: A separate heating system circulates thermal oil through internal coils. Heat passes through the coil walls into the bitumen without direct flame contact. The heating rate depends on the heat-transfer conditions, coil arrangement and bitumen properties.
Q: How should the bitumen storage temperature be selected?
A: The target temperature should be based on the bitumen grade, required pumping viscosity and downstream process requirements. PMB grades may require additional consideration of storage duration and circulation conditions.
Q: How do I determine the required tank capacity?
A: Consider daily bitumen consumption, delivery frequency, operating hours and reserve requirements. The usable volume should account for thermal expansion and the required free space above the stored material.
Q: Can the tank connect to an existing asphalt plant?
A: Yes, subject to interface verification. Thermal oil conditions, bitumen piping, nozzle positions, pump requirements, instrumentation and control signals must be checked against the existing plant specifications.
Q: What information is needed for an accurate quotation?
A: Provide the required capacity, bitumen grade, target temperature, thermal oil conditions, site location, applicable design code, connection requirements, inspection scope and delivery destination.
Request a Technical Proposal
Submit your storage capacity, bitumen grade, heating conditions and project requirements to request a preliminary configuration review and quotation.
The final heating duty, tank dimensions, connection layout, inspection scope and transport arrangements should be confirmed before order placement.
Hot Tags: horizontal thermal oil heated bitumen tank, China horizontal thermal oil heated bitumen tank manufacturers, suppliers, factory