The 100-ton horizontal bitumen tank is a medium-sized, specially designed storage unit meant to hold and manage bitumen, one of the by-products from the refining of crude oil. The tanks are designed to store significant volumes of bitumen and are therefore crucial in industries that require volumes of the same material, such as asphalt production and road construction, among other industrial processes. The horizontal design of the tank provides efficient storage and easy access, thereby allowing heating, handling, and transfer of bitumen.
A 100-ton horizontal bitumen tank is fabricated from high-grade raw materials, including steel, for storing a medium that represents some of the toughest conditions of any storage process: the corrosiveness of the product and the high temperatures needed to keep it in a workable state. In this respect, the design will ensure that the tank remains intact for years to come, providing a safe and reliable solution for the storage of this important material.
Where is a 100-Ton Horizontal Bitumen Tank Applied?
The 100-ton horizontal bitumen tank applies very broadly to many industries that have huge, constant needs for bitumen to be supplied to them to sustain operations. One of the main customers is asphalt production plants. Such plants need a great amount of bitumen to produce asphalt mixes for road surfacing and other construction works. Large tanks ensure that an adequate supply of bitumen is maintained within asphalt plants, ensuring refills are kept to a minimum and the continued running of production is supported.
Except for asphalt plants, such tanks can typically be found at road construction sites, serving as on-site storage intended for bitumen used in tamping, repairing, and maintaining the road surface. This horizontal design of the tank can also make it easier to heat and maintain the temperature of the bitumen to the right temperature so that it stays in a workable state for application. Furthermore, industries involved in making applications that waterproof, such as roof and infrastructure building projects, require these tanks to store bitumen-based material used to create a waterproof barrier. This capacity is particularly useful in large projects that may require huge and uninterruptible supplies of bitumen.
What Comprises a 100-Ton Horizontal Bitumen Tank?
Tank Shell:
The tank shell forms the basic framework of the 100-ton horizontal bitumen tank, typically made of resilient steel to give it the required strength and support. This shell is designed to hold securely the bitumen while resisting high temperatures and the corrosive nature of the contents. Its steel construction ensures that the tank faces all kinds of stresses resulting from large volumes of bitumen stored therein, keeping its integrity intact over long periods.
Insulation:
This forms a very important part of the tank, as it maintains the temperature of the bitumen at its optimum storage and working temperature. A thermal barrier is created to stop heat dissipation using top-quality insulation materials such as rock wool or polyurethane foam. This insulation aids in the retention of viscosity of the bitumen so that it remains fluid and handleable for effective handling and application. It also aids energy efficiency due to reduced requirements of extra heating.
Heating System:
Bitumen has to be kept warm to remain in liquid form. The heating system is, therefore, another requirement in the tank. Most heating systems in a horizontal 100-ton bitumen tank include electric heaters, thermal oil coils, or steam heating coils, which are installed at strategic positions in the tank to ensure that the heating is uniformly spread throughout it. This system will allow for the heating of bitumen up to the desired temperature, so that it is ready to either transport or for various applications.
Manhole:
The manhole is an entry point into the tank for inspection, maintenance, and filling. Located atop the tank, it is that very necessary attribute that makes entry into the tank safe for periodic checks regarding cleaning or repairs. This access is designed relative to the standards of safety, making it possible to execute the tasks of maintenance efficiently without hazardous exposure to the integrity of the tank.
Outlet Valve:
The outlet valve, located at the bottom of the tank, serves to regulate and control the flow of bitumen out of the tank and into external pipelines or vessels for conveyance. The valve is quite instrumental in ensuring that bitumen is discharged easily and safely without spills and also in enhancing the efficiency of transfer operations. The accuracy of such control by the outlet valve is very vital to the productivity of the operation, particularly when high volumes of bitumen are being handled.
Safety Features:
The 100-ton horizontal bitumen tank is designed with safety in mind. Such safety features used in these tanks include a combination of safety valves, emergency vents, and pressure relief systems. It also incorporates temperature monitoring devices that ensure the temperature conditions for the handling of bitumen remain within safe operating temperatures. These features work in partnership to avert accidents and offer protection to the equipment as well as the personnel working around it, thereby ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the tank under all conditions.
