Are asphalt and bitumen equivalent? The answer may surprise you. Reveal the fundamental distinction between these two types of construction material used in road construction, and learn how a barrels bitumen melting machine is changing the industry by being a more efficient and safer way of converting solid bitumen into the crucial liquid that binds asphalt and is used to produce high-quality and durable road construction. This will be the secret of quick, clean, and cheaper road construction.
To most people, the terms asphalt and bitumen are used interchangeably, a fact that confuses most people. It is a widespread misunderstanding, but it is an important one to be explained, particularly to people working in the road construction business.
The fundamental component is bitumen. It is a sticky black and very high viscous liquid or semi-solid of petroleum. Imagine it was the glue that is keeping it all together. Bitumen is a binder which is a by-product of crude oil. It is mainly used as an adhesive to hold the aggregates such as gravel, sand as well as crushed stone to create a stable composite material.
Asphalt on the other hand is the finished product. It is also a mixture of bitumen and aggregates. This is also referred to as asphalt concrete in other parts of the world. An analogy that comes in handy is to think of concrete. You do not construct a sidewalk using just cement and put it there instead you mix cement with sand, gravel and water to form concrete. Similarly, you do not make a road using only bitumen but you combine it with aggregates to form asphalt. The flexibility and the binding strength is offered by the bitumen and the structure and load-bearing capacity is offered by the aggregates to the pavement.
And therefore, although bitumen is a raw material and an important element, asphalt is the final product that we can see in our roads, driveways and parking lots.
Bitumen is normally a semi-solid at room temperatures. It should be in a liquid form so that it can be used as a binder in an asphalt mixture. This implies that it must be heated to a certain temperature of say 140degC to 160degC to be allowed to form a pourable, working liquid.
In the past, this heating process was slow and not very efficient and in most cases the methods used were labor intensive and had risks related to safety. Bitumen is commonly carried in steel barrels or drums and the ability to melt the contents of these barrels efficiently and consistently has been a bottleneck to the road construction companies. Unproductive melting causes delay in a project, waste of materials and high fuel prices. In addition, inappropriate heating may harm the properties of the bitumen reducing the quality of the end product, asphalt.
At this point, it is necessary to accept the role of specialized equipment as being not only convenient but also essential in building roads today.
The Barrels Bitumen Melting Machine that we have designed is aimed at countering these challenges. It is not a heater, but a system, a system that is fully integrated to give optimal efficiency and safety in addition to being environmentally responsible. We have technology that will change the mindless process of bitumen decanting into a neat and automated process to save time, money or resources.
We construct our machines with a very efficient heating mechanism, normally with thermal oil. The process can be divided into several steps:
The barrels are loaded with solid bitumen onto an automated feeding system usually with the aid of an electric hoist or a forklift. The barrels are arranged on a rail or a plate which is prepared to be transferred to the melting chamber.
The barrels are forced into an insulated and open melting chamber. The system used inside contains a coil system of hot thermal oil and hot air flowing out of the heating furnace that will heat the barrels on all sides. This is a dual-heating process that ensures fast and complete melting.
The dripping bitumen is collected in a lower and heated pool as the bitumen is dripping out of the barrels. This pool is also fitted with a heating system so that the bitumen remains at the best temperature possible.
When a good quantity of liquid bitumen has been collected, a high-duty bitumen pump pumps the hot liquid into a storage tank or directly onto the asphalt mixing plant. A filter system is automated to eliminate impurities making the final product clean and quality.
This machine is developed with a closed loop system whereby the hot exhaust gases are recaptured and therefore the practice is used to recycle the waste heat that helps in the melting process even more. This does not only accelerate the decanting process but also saves a lot of energy and emissions which is an environmentally friendly option.
Our Barrels Bitumen Melting Machine is available in a package of features that gives it a competitive edge:
Our machines will be able to melt a high number of barrels within an hour and with the help of the automated feeding system and dual-heating feature, there will be constant supply of liquid bitumen even to the most challenging projects.
The automated system will reduce the amount of time spent using our manual system to handle the work, and the rest of the workforce can be utilized to perform other important tasks, as well as the possibility of the human error.
The closed, built-in design and the accuracy of the temperature control will significantly decrease the chance of leaks, spills, and burns. The machine has an automatic shutoff system and safety interlocks that make sure that the machine only runs when its working conditions are safe.
The developed design also consists of dripping collection system to collect all the remaining bunch of bitumen thus eliminating wastages and contamination of the site. With the high efficiency melting, there is little residue left in the barrels so you get the best out of every purchase.
We have a variety of models such as mobile units which are easily transported to various job locations. Machinery can also be fitted to suit various barrel sizes and type hence can easily serve international operations.
Our machines are made of high-quality and strong material and are designed to handle the hardworking environment. The combined construction makes it easier to maintain, and less complex repairs are required.
The road construction industry continues to evolve; efficiency, safety and environmental stewardship are currently becoming important. In other words, the use of obsolete, ineffective technologies in managing such materials as bitumen cannot be sustained any longer.
A barrels bitumen melting machine is an investment into the future of your company. It is not just about melting bitumen but it is about streamlining your whole process, your carbon footprint, and the fact that your business is at the forefront of responsible construction in the modern era. With a steady and consistent supply of quality liquid bitumen, you will have the ability to achieve goals in shorter durations, cut expenses, and give high quality results.
It can be a new highway being constructed or commercial parking lot as well as necessary road repairs, either way, our melting machines will be the missing component that will make your operation a success.
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