Product Overview
A vertical bitumen storage tank with internal heating coils stores paving-grade bitumen and maintains its temperature for asphalt production, road construction, and bitumen processing. The tank capacity, heating system, insulation, and connections are configured according to material properties and project operating requirements.
Indirect Heating System
Thermal oil or steam circulates through internal heating coils to transfer heat to the stored bitumen without direct contact between the heating medium and the product.
Insulated Vertical Structure
External insulation and protective cladding help limit heat loss during storage. Insulation thickness is selected according to the required holding temperature and ambient conditions.
Project-Specific Configuration
Tank dimensions, inlet and outlet connections, heating circuits, access platforms, and instrumentation can be specified to suit plant layout and operating requirements.
Heating Options and Configuration
Thermal Oil Heating
Suitable for plants equipped with a thermal oil circulation system. Coil design is based on available oil temperature, flow rate, required heat duty, and target bitumen temperature.
Steam Heating
Suitable for facilities with an appropriate steam supply. Coil design considers steam pressure, condensate drainage, heat transfer requirements, and applicable pressure-related safety requirements.
Temperature Control
Temperature sensors, control instruments, and heating-system interfaces can be specified according to the required operating and automation strategy.
Technical Specifications
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|
Tank Type |
Vertical cylindrical bitumen storage tank |
|
Storage Capacity |
Custom gross and working volume |
|
Reference Capacity Range |
50–150 m³ and above, subject to design confirmation |
|
Stored Material |
Paving-grade bitumen; polymer-modified bitumen subject to application review |
|
Heating Method |
Internal helical or serpentine heating coils, subject to design |
|
Heating Medium |
Thermal oil or steam |
|
Tank Material |
Carbon steel; grade selected according to design requirements |
|
Insulation |
Rock wool, with thickness selected for operating conditions |
|
Outer Cladding |
Aluminum or galvanized steel, subject to specification |
|
Operating Temperature |
To be confirmed according to bitumen grade, heating medium, and approved design |
|
Inspection and Testing |
Material verification, weld inspection, and heating-coil pressure testing according to the approved inspection plan |
|
Documentation |
Drawings, material records, inspection reports, and operating documentation as agreed |
Engineering and Selection Factors
Storage Capacity
Determine working volume from daily bitumen consumption, delivery frequency, tanker capacity, and the required operating reserve. Gross tank volume should not be treated as usable storage capacity.
Heating Duty and Heat-Up Time
Heating requirements depend on the initial bitumen temperature, target temperature, stored mass, material properties, available heat input, and heat losses. Required heat-up time should be established through a project-specific thermal calculation.
Discharge and Pumping
Outlet size and position should be selected according to bitumen viscosity at the operating temperature, transfer-pump requirements, and the plant piping arrangement.
Structural and Site Conditions
Tank support, foundation loads, wind and seismic requirements, access provisions, and installation clearances should be checked against the applicable site conditions and design code.
Manufacturing and Quality Control
Material Traceability
Material certificates and identification records can be specified for the tank plates, structural components, and heating-coil piping.
Welding and Inspection
Welding procedures, welder qualifications, visual inspection, and applicable non-destructive testing methods and inspection coverage are defined by the approved design and inspection requirements.
Heating-Coil Testing
Heating circuits are pressure-tested using the specified medium, pressure, duration, and acceptance criteria before delivery, with results documented as agreed.
Surface Preparation and Coating
External surface preparation and coating systems are selected according to the installation environment and project specification. Sa 2.5 abrasive blast cleaning may be specified where required by the approved coating system.
Applications and Plant Integration
Asphalt Mixing Plants
Provides heated bitumen storage between bulk deliveries and asphalt production, with discharge connections matched to the plant's transfer system.
Bitumen Storage Terminals
Supports bulk storage and controlled transfer according to delivery schedules, tank capacity, and operating temperature requirements.
Bitumen Modification Facilities
Can be integrated into storage and transfer systems handling polymer-modified bitumen, subject to material compatibility and the process requirements.
Integration Requirements
Confirm heating-utility capacity, transfer-pump specifications, piping connections, instrumentation, foundation loads, maintenance access, and electrical or control interfaces before finalizing the tank design.
Customization and RFQ Requirements
To prepare a project-specific technical proposal and quotation, please provide:
Operating Requirements
Required gross and working capacity, bitumen grade, daily consumption, initial loading temperature, target storage temperature, and required heat-up time.
Heating System
Preferred heating medium, available thermal oil temperature and flow rate or steam pressure, and available heat-source capacity.
Mechanical and Site Requirements
Installation location, ambient design conditions, applicable design code, foundation information, connection standards, and required platform or ladder arrangements.
Quality and Documentation
Required material certificates, welding and NDT records, inspection and testing requirements, coating specifications, and any applicable conformity assessment requirements.
Drawings and Layout
Available general arrangement drawings, process flow diagrams, piping details, and site layout information help establish the required interfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I choose between thermal oil and steam heating?
A: Thermal oil is an option for plants with a compatible thermal oil circulation system. Steam may suit facilities with an appropriate boiler supply and condensate-handling arrangement. The selection should consider available utilities, required heat duty, operating temperature, and applicable safety requirements.
Q: How is the required heating capacity calculated?
A: The calculation considers the mass and properties of the bitumen, initial and target temperatures, required heat-up time, coil heat-transfer area, heat-source conditions, and heat losses. The final heating duty should be confirmed through project-specific thermal calculations.
Q: Can the tank store polymer-modified bitumen?
A: It may be configured for polymer-modified bitumen after reviewing the material grade, viscosity, storage temperature, circulation requirements, and any additional process or handling requirements.
Q: What documents can be supplied with the tank?
A: The agreed documentation package may include general arrangement drawings, foundation load information, material certificates, welding and inspection records, test reports, coating records, and installation and operating manuals. The final list should be confirmed in the purchase specification.
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