Прямий нагрів проти непрямого нагріву: найкращий посібник з вибору резервуара для зберігання бітуму

When selecting a bitumen storage tank for your road construction project, the first question on the spec sheet is often the most confusing: “How should we heat it?”

For decades, contractors have debated between the low upfront cost of Direct Fire (Diesel Burner) systems and the long-term stability of Indirect Heating (Thermal Oil/Electric) systems.

За адресою Дорожньо-будівельна техніка Feiteng, we manufacture both types. However, as engineers, we believe you should know exactly what happens inside your tank when you turn up the heat. Choosing the wrong system can lead to “Bitumen Aging”—silently ruining your road quality before the paving even begins.

1. The “Direct Fire” Method: Fast, Cheap, but Risky?

Direct heating involves shooting a flame (from a diesel or gas burner) directly into a large tube inside the bitumen tank.

• The Pros: It is simple. It heats up fast. The initial equipment cost is low because you don’t need pumps or thermal oil.

• The Hidden Cost (The “Hot Spot” Problem): The surface temperature of a direct fire flame tube can exceed 300°C. While the bitumen thermometer might read 160°C, the bitumen touching that scorching tube is being “cooked.” This causes aging (oxidation), making the bitumen brittle. Worse, it creates carbon buildup (coking) on the tube. This carbon acts as an insulator, meaning you’ll burn more diesel next month just to get the same heat.

2. The “Indirect Heating” Method: The Professional’s Choice

Indirect heating uses a medium (Thermal Oil) or low-density Electric Elements to transfer heat gently.

• Thermal Oil Systems (Feiteng YZSL Series): Hot oil circulates through coils inside the tank. The oil temperature is controlled (usually around 200°C), so it is physically impossible to burn the bitumen.

• Electric Heating (Feiteng DZL Series): We use specialized “Low Watt Density” heating elements. This ensures the heat is spread over a large surface area, preventing any single point from getting too hot.

3. The Science of “Coking”: Why Efficiency Drops

Have you ever noticed your heating system taking longer to reach working temperature? That is likely due to Coking.

When bitumen is overheated (common in Direct Fire systems), it leaves a hard, black carbon residue on the heater.

• 1mm of carbon buildup = 10% loss in thermal efficiency.

• Feiteng’s Solution: By using Indirect Heating, we keep the surface temperature below the “cracking point” of bitumen. This keeps your coils clean and your fuel bills low for years, not just months.

4. Feiteng’s Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

• Choose Direct Fire IF: You are on a very tight budget, the project is short-term (mobile sites), and you plan to use the bitumen very quickly (high turnover) so it doesn’t sit and age.

• Choose Indirect Heating (Thermal Oil/Electric) IF: You care about the quality of your asphalt mix, you need to store bitumen for days or weeks, or you want to minimize maintenance headaches.

Conclusion: Don’t Burn Your Asset

Bitumen is expensive. Don’t let a cheap heating system ruin it. Whether you need the robust simplicity of a direct burner or the precision of a thermal oil system, Feiteng has the solution. However, for 90% of modern stationary plants, we recommend Indirect Heating to protect your investment.

Need a quote for a High-Efficiency Bitumen Tank? [Contact Feiteng Sales Team] to discuss your project requirements today.