Bitumen tank heating requirments 4

[Greenedge]

Please i need urgent assistance on how to design Mechanical bitumen heating system. although i have designed the electrical coil heating system but considering the bad power supply problem in my country that is really not an option at the moment hence the need to find alternative heating system for the bitumen tank and pipe work.

tank diameter = 22.27
tank height = 16.50
gross capacity= 6400 cubic m
roof area = 506 cubic m

Please i need suggestions . thanks

 

[fegenbush]

I would suggest using steam tank heating and pipe tracing. This would require the purchase of a boiler in order to supply the necessary steam, but the boiler could be fired by readily accessible materials.

 

[IFRs]

Hot oil heating is often used for asphalt tanks in the US where the desired temperature is 350 degrees F and steam is less efficient, more expensive or not appropriate. It depends a lot on your temperature requirements.

 

[TD2K]

As suggested by Fegenbush, steam is commonly used for bitumen tanks. I've also seen direct directed heaters used on tanks, sort of a firetube looping inside the tank and then connected to a stack. Since you've designed an electrical system, you know your heat losses.

What temperature do you need to target? What heating sources do you have? Have you considered a backup electric generator?

 

[MJCronin]

I agree...steam is most often used for heating asphalt and bitumens.

Steam can serve as a primary source of heat, and if multiple fuels can be used (say Natural gas and fuel oil) a very reliable system is possible. A 150 lb rated boiler is usually suitable.

The steam should feed either coils or specialty designed finned tube, base-mounted heaters located inside of the tank. You should understand that the operating level of the liquid can never goi below the top of the heating devices. You will lose operating capacity of the tank.

You will need to collect condensate, deaerate it, add make-up and run it back to the boiler.

These US vendors have been supplying this kind of heater for many decades..... Go with experience...

http://www.armstronginternational.com/tank-heaters-all-models

 

[Greenedge]

@TD2K: i am targeting 1,200kw(total heat required)..i plan on designing a steam tank heating and piping system.

@PostMJCronin and Postfegenbush.. the idea is to use coil as a medium for heating the tank and pipes using the below parameter
roof heat loss=73,370w
bottom heat loss=9,340w
shell heat loss=316,600w

total heat loss =399,310w

thanks alot for your input, it really helping.
hoping to hearing from you guys soon.