Bitumen Drum Decanter
Bitumen Decanter
An Bitumen Drum Decanter (also known as a Bitumen Drum Melter, Bitumen Melting Plant, or Drum Decanting Machine) is a specialized industrial heating and recovery system engineered to melt, extract, and pump solid or highly viscous bitumen out of standard steel drums (typically 200-liter / 55-gallon barrels) into liquid asphalt storage tanks or asphalt mixing plants.
Capacity: 2 to 10tph
Bitumen Discharge Temperature: 110∘C−140∘C
Residual Bitumen in Drum: <1.0%
Share:
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Henan Shengmao Machinery Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Zhengzhou, China, with over 20 years of manufacturing heritage, ISO & CE certifications, and exports to over 100+ countries) designs and manufactures heavy-duty, energy-saving Bitumen Drum Decanting Plants.
Shengmao drum decanters are engineered specifically for road construction contractors, asphalt batching plants, and bitumen logistics terminals operating in remote regions or import-dependent markets where bitumen is delivered in 200L steel barrels.
Core Working Principle:
Hydraulic Loading: Full drums are lifted, inverted, and pushed into a sealed heating chamber using hydraulic lifters and push cylinders.
Upper Chamber (Drum Emptying): Thermal oil coils or hot flue gases heat the inverted drums. The outer bitumen layer liquefies rapidly, allowing the bulk solid bitumen block to slip out of the barrel and fall into the lower reservoir by gravity.
Lower Reservoir (Liquid Melting & Heating): Dense high-temperature thermal oil heating coils melt the bitumen blocks into pumpable liquid form (110∘C−140∘C).
Pumping & Filtration: An integrated high-temperature asphalt pump transfers the liquid bitumen through inline strainers directly into storage tanks or road construction machinery.
Key Advantages:
High Thermal Efficiency: Enclosed insulated chamber with continuous heat exchange minimizes energy loss and fuel consumption.
Near-Zero Residue: Inverted gravity drainage ensures thorough barrel emptying with less than 1% residual bitumen left in drums.
Clean & Safe Operation: Replaces dangerous open-fire barrel heating, eliminating burn hazards, fire risks, and excessive toxic smoke emissions.
PARAMETERS
Bitumen Decanter
|
Technical Parameter |
2–3 TPH Model |
4–6 TPH Model |
8–10 TPH Model |
|
Melting Capacity |
2–3 Tons/Hour (≈10–15 drums/h) |
4–6 Tons/Hour (≈20–30 drums/h) |
8–10 Tons/Hour (≈40–50 drums/h) |
|
Applicable Drum Type |
Standard 200 L200 L (55 gal55 gal) |
Standard 200 L200 L (55 gal55 gal) |
Standard 200 L200 L (55 gal55 gal) |
|
Heat Source |
Thermal Oil (External Boiler or Built-in) |
Thermal Oil Boiler |
Thermal Oil Boiler |
|
Thermal Oil Temp. |
160∘C−220∘C |
160∘C−220∘C |
160∘C−220∘C |
|
Bitumen Discharge Temp. |
110∘C−140∘C |
110∘C−140∘C |
110∘C−140∘C |
|
Residual Bitumen in Drum |
<1.0% |
<1.0% |
<1.0% |
|
Standard Packaging |
1×40ft HQ Container |
1×40ft HQ Container |
2×40ft HQ Containers |
CORE PARAMETERS
Capacity: 2 to 10tph
Bitumen Discharge Temperature: 110∘C−140∘C
Residual Bitumen in Drum: <1.0%
CORE SELLING POINT
Superior Melting Efficiency & Dual-Chamber Thermal Architecture
Fast Decanting Cycle: The upper chamber utilizes high-density thermal oil coils to rapidly warm drum walls, breaking surface adhesion so solid bitumen blocks slide out into the lower tank within minutes. Continuous Liquefaction: Submerged thermal oil serpentine heating coils in the lower reservoir quickly liquefy and heat bitumen to pumpable temperatures (110∘C−140∘C) without localized hot spots or asphalt aging.
High Bitumen Recovery Rate (>99%) with Minimal Residue
Inverted Gravity Discharge: Drums are inverted during heating, allowing gravity-assisted drainage that leaves less than 1% residual bitumen in discarded barrels, significantly saving raw material costs.
Automated Hydraulic Loading & Continuous Feeding
Labor-Saving Hydraulic Tipper: Effortlessly hoists standard 200L (55-gallon) steel drums from ground level and flips them onto internal guide rails without manual heavy lifting. Hydraulic Push Indexing: Automatic pusher cylinders advance drum rows smoothly through the heating chamber for continuous, high-throughput melting.
Eco-Friendly, Sealed & Safe Operation
Zero Open-Flame Risk: Replaces dangerous open-fire barrel heating, eliminating fire hazards, thermal burns, and toxic smoke exposure. Fugitive Fume Containment: Sealed chamber design prevents asphalt vapor leakage and easily connects to external draft/filtration systems. Heavy Thermal Insulation: 50–100 mm high-density rock wool insulation keeps outer shell temperatures safe (<50∘C) and cuts thermal radiation losses.
Multi-Stage Filtration & Heavy-Duty Pumping Station
Clean Bitumen Output: High-temperature inline strainers capture rust scales, barrel debris, and foreign particles, protecting downstream pumps, flow meters, and plant spray bars. Non-Clogging Positive Displacement Pump: High-flow asphalt gear pump ensures steady transfer to bulk storage tanks or asphalt mixing plants.
Standard Containerized Modular Design
Low Ocean Freight: Engineered to fit inside standard 40ft High Cube (40HQ) shipping containers, allowing fast, plug-and-play assembly on-site within 1 to 2 days.
RECOMMENDED USAGE SCENARIOS
Asphalt Mixing Plants (Stationary & Mobile Batching Plants)
Target Users: Operators of stationary (LB series) or mobile (YLB/MDHB series) asphalt mixing plants in regions where bulk liquid bitumen delivery is unavailable or unreliable.
Key Fit: Provides continuous, on-demand hot liquid bitumen supply to maintain uninterrupted hot mix asphalt (HMA) production schedules.
Remote & Island Road Construction Contracts
Target Projects: Highway paving in landlocked countries, remote mining access roads, desert highways, and island infrastructure where bitumen is shipped in 200L drums via ocean containers.
Key Fit: Containerized mobile setup allows easy transport and operation directly at remote construction base camps.
Bitumen Import Terminals & Regional Distribution Depots
Target Facilities: Bulk bitumen storage depots and logistics hubs that import barreled bitumen in large quantities and need to decant it into bulk vertical storage tanks or road tanker trucks.
Key Fit: High-capacity models (4–10 TPH) enable rapid fleet turnaround and bulk decanting with near-zero material wastage.
Pavement Preservation, Emulsion & Modified Bitumen Factories
Target Plants: Bitumen emulsion manufacturing plants, polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) blending workshops, and waterproof membrane production lines.
Key Fit: Clean filtration prevents nozzle clogging, while precise temperature control preserves the chemical and physical properties of the base binder.
Municipal Road Maintenance & Spraying Operations
Target Applications: Asphalt distributor trucks, chip sealers, tack coat sprayers, and pothole patching maintenance crews requiring daily replenishment of liquid bitumen.
Key Fit: Rapid heating cycle ensures road maintenance crews have ready-to-use liquid binder at the start of every shift.
FAQ
Q1:What drum types and sizes can Shengmao Bitumen Decanters handle?
A1:
A: Shengmao decanters are standardized for all international 200-liter / 55-gallon steel drums (open-head or tight-head steel barrels). The internal guide rails and hydraulic tippers accommodate slight barrel deformations commonly caused by international shipping.
Q2:What heat sources can be used with this equipment?
A2:
A: Shengmao decanters primarily use circulating thermal oil as the heat transfer medium (160∘C−220∘C):
External Thermal Oil Boiler: Can connect directly to an existing thermal oil system at your asphalt batching plant.
Integrated / Dedicated Boiler Package: Shengmao can supply a dedicated thermal oil boiler fired by Diesel, Heavy Oil, Natural Gas, LPG, or Coal.
Q3:How is residual bitumen minimized in emptied barrels?
A3:
A: Emptying efficiency is maximized through inverted gravity drainage and uniform thermal oil radiation. The barrel is heated while suspended upside-down; once the outer layer melts, the entire solid bitumen core slides out into the lower tank. The residual bitumen remaining inside the drum is verified to be less than 1.0% by weight.
Q4:How is liquid bitumen transferred from the decanter to storage tanks?
A4:
A: Each Shengmao decanter is equipped with an integrated high-temperature asphalt gear pump and multi-stage mesh filter. As bitumen accumulates in the lower reservoir and reaches 110∘C−140∘C, the pump automatically or manually transfers the clean liquid bitumen to storage tanks via insulated pipes.
Q5:How does the system handle barrel rust, scale, and impurities?
A5:
A: A heavy-duty, cleanable multi-stage inline stainless steel strainer is installed before the asphalt pump suction port. It captures rust flakes, internal barrel coatings, and packaging debris, preventing pump jamming and protecting downstream asphalt plant injection nozzles.
Q6:What safety protections are built into the decanter?
A6:
A: No Open Flames: Thermal oil indirect heating eliminates explosion and fire risks.
Liquid Level Interlock: High/low level sensors prevent bitumen tank overflow and protect the asphalt pump from dry-running.
Over-Temperature Protection: Automatic thermal cutoffs prevent bitumen overheating and thermal oil degradation.
Hydraulic Safety Valves: Prevents barrel dropping in case of hydraulic pressure loss.
Q7:How long does on-site installation and commissioning take?
A7:
A: Because Shengmao decanters are shipped as fully assembled, container-sized modular units, on-site erection requires only positioning on flat compacted ground, connecting thermal oil and asphalt piping, and electrical hookup. Complete installation and test commissioning typically take only 1 to 2 days.
Q8:Can the equipment operate reliably in cold or sub-zero climates?
A8:
A: Yes. With 50–100 mm high-density rock wool thermal insulation, insulated piping manifolds, and high-temperature thermal oil circulation, Shengmao decanters operate reliably in cold-climate regions (including Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Northern China) with minimal heat loss.
Q9:What warranty and after-sales support does Shengmao provide?
A9:
A: Warranty: 12 months comprehensive warranty on all structural, mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components.
Technical Support: 24/7 video diagnostics, complete English operation and maintenance manuals, piping/wiring schematics, and lifetime spare parts supply.
Field Service: Overseas dispatch of service engineers for turnkey site installation, system integration, and operator training upon request.
View More
Pack up
Get In Touch!
Accurately Match Needs and Create Exclusive Solutions Your Needs, Our Expertise
Please fill in the following information to obtain a free product quotation
Concrete Batching Plant
