Bitumen is a cementitious material that has been used for construction for more than a dozen years. Due to its unique properties and low cost, the material is indispensable for many works.
Bitumen is produced by thermal oil refining. The quality of the finished product depends on the raw materials, temperature and the duration of the processing process, as well as the equipment used in this.
Bitumen Production Technology
The raw material for the production of bitumen is not only oil, but also combustible solid minerals. Its production is most often carried out by oil refineries. In order to improve the quality of the material, various types of additives are used.
The basis of the production technology of the product is its heating to a very high temperature, as a result of which the material melts. After this, the necessary fillers are added, and the heating of the product continues.
Methods for the production of bitumen
- Product Oxidation oil refining after heating to high temperature.
- Vacuum distillation.
- Mixing oxidized bitumen and residual.
Depending on the manufacturing method, various equipment for the production of bitumen is used. It can be boilers, stoves, bitumen cookers and much more. But what equipment should be purchased so that production generates the greatest income?
Bitumen melting equipment
To avoid problems with the transportation of bitumen, it is stored in solid form.
Therefore, for the implementation of industrial processing, bitumen must be heated to a high temperature so that it passes into a liquid state.
A bitumen smelter not only melts the material, but also maintains it in this state.
Distinguish between mobile and stationary installations for melting. The mobile unit is equipped with wheels and can be towed by car. The stationary has a permanent place. Fixed installation performance is slightly higher.
When choosing equipment for the melting of solid bitumen, attention should be paid to the performance of the apparatus. The higher it is, the more expensive and bulky the equipment will be. It is recommended to purchase equipment that has a capacity of 3-4 t / h.
Equipment selection
When choosing equipment that is used in the production of bitumen, you should evaluate indicators such as the heating method, the location of the heating elements, as well as the loading method.
Melting equipment differs in the way of heating. It is possible to choose direct heating, indirect heating with a circulating coolant, as well as combined heating.
In addition, it is necessary to choose equipment by the location of the heat exchanger registers in the installation. On this basis, equipment for the production of bitumen is divided into the one in which the pipes are located around the entire perimeter, and where they are located only in the receiving pool of the chamber. The installation, in which the heating of bitumen occurs throughout the parameter, is much more convenient and efficient, because the raw materials are heated evenly.
By the method of loading bitumen, the equipment is divided into installations with side and top loads. When the side product can be served not only with a loader, but also manually.
Additional equipment for bitumen production
- Forklift truck. It is used to serve raw materials, as well as to empty empty containers.
- Thermometer. Needed to maintain optimal melting point.
- Sensors Necessary to determine the level of capacity loading.
- A pump for transferring bitumen from smelting equipment to receiving tanks.
