What is a 75-Ton Horizontal Bitumen Tank?
A 75-ton horizontal bitumen tank is an extra special storage vessel designed to hold a thick, tacky material that is derived from the refining process of crude oil. Such tanks find very broad applications in asphalt plants, road works, and any other industry that requires continuous and dependable supply of bitumen. A 75-ton tank has a bigger capacity, therefore making it better suited for large projects that need considerable quantities of bitumen for continuous production and application.
Some practical advantages are encompassed by the horizontal design of these tanks. It allows easy access during maintenance, cleaning, and inspection necessary for ascertaining the life expectancy and efficiency of a tank. Equipped with heating systems, insulation, and safety features, these tanks maintain the right temperature and viscosity for keeping the bitumen in workable condition for the binder to be used in their respective uses. The provision of a controlled environment in carrying this very important material makes a 75-ton horizontal bitumen tank quite critical to the smooth running of various processes.
Applications of a 75-Ton Horizontal Bitumen Tank
A 75-ton horizontal bitumen tank would form a critical component of industries that consume bitumen. It is normally found in asphalt manufacturing plants, acting as storage facilities for bitumen used to produce asphalt mixes. Its large capacity allows it to hold huge volumes of bitumen to ensure a steady supply to the plant for meeting asphalt demands in road construction and surfacing projects. Lying horizontally, it allows for efficient heating and insulation, very important in keeping the bitumen at the right temperature for mixing and application.
Apart from asphalt production, their widest application is in the construction sites of roadways. They provide on-site storage of bitumen, which is required to lay down, repair, and maintain the surface of roadways. Having a 75-ton tank on-site ensures that there will always be enough volumes of bitumen available to keep the project moving along without delays. Beyond asphalt road laying, industries related to waterproofing applications, such as roofing and infrastructure developments, also utilize such tanks for the storage of bitumen-based products. A steady supply of bitumen from a 75-ton tank guarantees projects that need high-quality waterproofing materials are not disrupted.
Parts of a 75-Ton Horizontal Bitumen Tank
Tank Shell:
This is the primary makeup of the bitumen tank and is usually fabricated from strong steel. This robust construction is necessary for resisting the corrosive action of bitumen and ensuring the structural integrity of the tank. Further, the tank shell has to be strong enough to hold the weight of the bitumen, sometimes substantially heavy because of the capacity of 75 tons in the tank. It also seals off the bitumen from the external environment through a strong exterior to ensure it remains safe and fully contained throughout the life of the tank.
Insulation:
It is one of the integral parts of a 75-ton horizontal bitumen tank. Its primary function is to retain the temperature of the stored bitumen in the tank. High-quality insulation materials are used to create an effective thermal barrier, with low thermal conductivity, such as rock wool or polyurethane foam. This insulation is very important in keeping the bitumen at a constant temperature for maintaining its viscosity, so that it remains in a fluid condition, pumpable, and easily stirrable. Good insulation will also save energy by reducing the need for extra heating.
Heating System:
Bitumen, being highly viscous at lower temperatures, cannot be handled without heating. A 75-ton horizontal bitumen tank features a heating system to raise the bitumen up to temperature. These include electric heaters, thermal oil coils, and steam heating coils; all of this is to be installed inside the tank in strategically selected positions to ensure even heat spread inside the tank. This will ensure that the bitumen shall always be at the right temperature to remain liquid and ready for intended applications.
Manhole:
The manhole is an integral part of the tank, as it provides an opening for inspection purposes, maintenance, and filling. Concerning location, the manhole usually is on top of the tank, which gives people entry to the tank safely as they do their work in checks, cleaning, or repairing a faulty piece. This accessibility is important to ensure that the tank works well and any problem that arises will be detected on time. The manhole does meet the standards of safety by ensuring that any entry or exit of the workers is secure.
Outlet Valve:
This is located at the base of the tank and controls the flow of bitumen from the tank to external pipelines/transport vehicles. The valve facilitates full control over the release of the bitumen and allows for its smooth and efficient transfer without spillage. The design of the outlet valve is critical in maintaining the operational efficiency of the tank during large-scale handling processes for bitumen.
Safety Features:
Any design of the 75-ton horizontal bitumen tank will have safety as its top priority. Many safety mechanisms are fitted to such tanks, which include safety valves, emergency vents, pressure relief systems, and temperature monitoring devices. All these features allow the safe and reliable operation of the tank, protecting equipment and personnel from possible dangers. These safety features ensure the smooth and effective running of the tank by preventing mishaps and maintaining safe operating conditions in every respect.