Last updated on July 18th, 2019 at 04:28 pm

Electric heating has changed the game for industrial asphalt applications. They offer the highest energy efficiency, require minimal maintenance, and have longer lifespans. Electric heaters offer the reliable and accurate heating that is essential for asphalt applications including:

• Asphalt Heating & Storage
• Transportation of Asphalt
• Processing Bitumen

Asphalt Heating & Storage

Maintaining and process asphalt as a viable, usable product requires accurate heating and storage. As result, companies rely on electric heating for heating and storing asphalt. Electricity provides a number of advantages over fuel heating including:

• Temperature Accuracy
• Fast Heating
• Environmentally Friendly (No Emissions)

Types of Electric Heaters for Asphalt Heating & Storage

The appropriate heater type for asphalt heating and storage applications depends on the specific needs of the job. Electric heaters are suitable for a wide range of sizes, wattages, temperatures, and more. Some of the best asphalt heating and storage heaters include:

• Circulation Heaters
• Immersion Heaters
• Boiler Heaters
• Pipe Heaters

Circulation Heaters

Circulation heaters are ideal for thermally insulated vessels. They are able to operate in these environments safely and with low-energy costs. Electric circulation heaters are capable of handling high temperatures and can use heavy flanges to provide fast and even heat distribution over a large area.

Immersion Heaters

Immersion heaters require no modifications to your storage tanks – installation is easy and no new holes need to be drilled. They offer uniform temperature distribution and require little maintenance. WATTCO immersion heaters are customizable for optimal heat temperature and to withstand moisture, corrosion, and oxidation.

Pipe Heaters

Pipe heaters are used for tanks requiring low watt density. They are easy to install and have a high degree of flexibility, able to work in most tanks. Electric pipe heating elements have fast heat up times and are easy to replace.

Boiler Heaters

Boiler heaters are very energy efficient. They are resistant to moisture and contaminants. Boiler heaters are easy to install and elements are easy to replace.

Transporting Asphalt

It’s important to minimize heat loss during the transportation of asphalt. Ongoing heating and cooling change the characteristics of the substance. To maintain the integrity factors like length of transport, weather conditions, insulation, and truck temperature.

Rather than risk all these factors resulting in the potential loss of product, many asphalt suppliers make use of heating systems for transportation.

Electric Tank Trailer Heaters

The heaters used in transporting asphalt make use of heating tubes on the outside of the tank. This prevents any pollution or contamination of the product. Electric heaters for this purpose can be more expensive to install than coal or diesel alternatives, but they offer more long-term benefits.

Diesel tank trailer heaters are expensive to operate and wastes a lot of energy while having tough safety regulations. Coal is relatively safe and cost-effective, but is still inefficient. As well, it has a higher environmental impact. Electric tank trailer heaters offer the best efficiency, temperature accuracy, and produce no emissions.

Processing Bitumen for Asphalt Applications

Asphalt and bitumen are often, mistakenly, used interchangeably. The reason for the confusion is the important role bitumen plays in asphalt applications such as paving roads and roofing. Bitumen is the binding agent that holds asphalt together. It is also used as a flexible resistant sealant for asphalt.

Bitumen heating is necessary to refine the crude oil. It requires low watt density heating to take advantage of its useful properties.

Electric Bitumen Heaters

Electric heaters have surpassed fuel heaters for bitumen heating. They are better able to offer the accurate temperature readings and control required to refine and maintain the proper state. Electric bitumen heaters include:

• Electric Heat Operated Tanks
• Tubular Heaters
• Flanged Circulation Heaters

Electric Heat Operated Tanks

Heating and storing bitumen requires precision. Falling too far below or above the desired temperature can render it useless. Electric tank heating offers greater accuracy and temperature maintenance, especially with the use of thermostats, level indicators, and pumps.

Bitumen tanks also tank advantage of insulation. Insulating tanks reduces heat loss, making it easier to maintain heat and requiring less energy to do so. The result is lower operational costs, and less strain on your heater.

Tubular Heaters

Tubular heaters are commonly used in process heating. They re capable of high surface temperatures and can be customized to just about any size or shape. For asphalt and steel applications they generally use steel sheaths.

Flanged Circulation Heaters for Bitumen

Bitumen is the heaviest part of crude oil. Being thick and heavy it is unable to flow smoothly and needs to be heated for use. The low watt density of bitumen requires a slow heat up time. This prevents carbonation changes. Flanged circulation heaters are able to offer reliable low watt density heating.

Flanged circulation heaters are used in both process heating tanks and storage tanks. They are capable of a wide range of sizes, configurations, and materials.

Using WATTCO Electric Heaters for Asphalt Applications

With its high efficiency, accuracy, and reliability, electricity is rapidly becoming the industry standard for asphalt applications. Contact a WATTCO representative today for more information or to request a quote.