The bitumen industry requires a high level of precision and the right products. Bitumen is a highly viscous material that can quickly solidify when it cools down. This makes heating especially important when working with bitumen. Not only to ensure smooth process operation, but also to prevent damage to pipelines, tanks, and other components. At Backer-Wilson, we are happy to explain which type of heat tracing is best suited for bitumen applications.
Why is heat tracing essential for bitumen?
Bitumen is widely used in road construction, the roofing industry, and various other industrial processes. Depending on its composition and application, bitumen often needs to be maintained at a high and specific temperature. This can range from 140°C to 200°C to ensure optimal performance and to keep the material sufficiently fluid for processing and transportation.
When bitumen is not maintained at the required temperature, several issues can arise. As its viscosity increases, the bitumen can become significantly thicker. This may result in higher pumping requirements, difficulties during loading and unloading operations, and, in some cases, blockages within the pipework.
Electric heat tracing helps prevent these problems by continuously supplying heat to pipelines, tanks, or other equipment where the tracing is installed. As a result, the bitumen remains at the correct temperature, significantly reducing the risk of excessive viscosity.
Which type of heat tracing is best for bitumen?
For bitumen applications, maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial. That is why Backer-Wilson offers constant wattage heat tracing cables. These cables deliver the same heat output along their entire length. The correct power output is calculated by our engineers based on the installation, the required heat load, and other relevant factors. This ensures that you always receive the most suitable heat tracing solution.
We can also supply complete tracing systems, including termination kits, control systems, and all necessary accessories. In addition, our tracing cables can easily be cut to the required length. This is often done on larger projects, where cables are adjusted on-site to match the exact installation requirements.
A major advantage of constant wattage heat tracing is the even heat distribution along the entire cable length. When installed on a pipe, the tracing ensures that the pipe maintains a nearly uniform temperature throughout. This provides a highly stable and reliable heating solution.
Heat tracing for large-scale installations
Bitumen production facilities often use large pipelines, storage tanks, and other components through which bitumen flows or is stored. These applications typically require longer tracing circuits. For bitumen, it is essential that circuit length does not negatively affect performance.
The Backer-Wilson Longline cable is an excellent solution for these applications. It has been specifically designed for longer circuits and features a robust construction. This makes it highly suitable for large-scale bitumen installations. These cables are available in power outputs ranging from 10 to 50 W/m.
Control and regulation of heat tracing cables
With constant wattage heat tracing cables, proper control and regulation are extremely important. Since these cables continuously deliver full power, they can overheat if no suitable control system is used.
At Backer-Wilson, we can supply complete heat tracing systems, including the appropriate control equipment. With these control systems, you can remotely manage the tracing cable, switch it on or off, and adjust the power output as needed. If less heat is required during certain periods, the output can easily be reduced through the controller.
Heat tracing and accessories from Backer-Wilson
Heat tracing is one of the core heating solutions offered by Backer-Wilson. We provide suitable heat tracing cables for virtually every application. Do you have questions about heat tracing for bitumen processes or any other industrial application? Feel free to contact us. Our team will be happy to help you find the right products for your project.
