Bitumen Tanks

What Is a Bitumen Tank?

A bitumen tank is a heated and insulated steel storage tank that stores bitumen and bituminous products at a pumpable temperature. Bitumen is solid at room temperature; to stay pumpable, paving grade bitumen is generally kept at 140 – 165 °C and polymer modified bitumen at a higher temperature. Paving grade bitumen is not stored above 200 °C. A bitumen tank is therefore designed together with a heating system, high-density insulation that reduces heat loss, and temperature and level measurement.

Besides neat bitumen, bitumen tanks also store polymer modified bitumen (PMB),bitumen emulsion and cutback (fluxed) bitumen. For products prone to separation, such as polymer modified bitumen, the tank is fitted with an agitator.

Vimpo VBT Bitumen Storage Tanks

The Vimpo VBT series are bitumen storage tanks of 15 – 110 m³ gross volume, configured to the needs of each operation. The tank is chosen in vertical (VBT-V), horizontal (VBT-H) or container (VBTC) form, with electric (E), thermal oil (T) or, on horizontal and container tanks, burner heating. Insulation thickness, agitator, two compartments, control panel and gas displacement system are also custom options. In electric tanks the temperature is managed by PID control and PT100 sensors; in thermal oil tanks the heat is transferred through a P235GH steel coil inside the tank.

VBT tanks are manufactured at our Ankara factory and shipped by road or as a container with insulation and cladding already completed; on site they are set on the foundation, connected and commissioned in a short time. Tanks above 110 m³ and multi-tank terminals are built on site: bitumen storage tanks and terminals. For tanks that can be transported on a trailer, see our mobile bitumen tanks page.

Why Vimpo Bitumen Tanks?

• Custom configuration: tank form, volume, heating type, insulation thickness, agitator and control options are chosen to suit your needs
• High-density insulation: 70 kg/m³ rock wool with galvanised and painted sheet cladding; low heat loss with 200 – 300 mm thickness on electric tanks
• Certified manufacturing: ISO 3834-2 welding quality requirements; EN 1090-2 for platform, ladder and steel structure; CE marked, compliant with the 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive
• An integrated system with our own equipment: a single-supplier solution with Vimpo bitumen pumps, VTH thermal oil heaters and loading units
• Experience in asphalt and bitumen processing solutions since 1997; Vimpo equipment operating in more than 40 countries
• Our own design office and factory in Ankara — 10,000 m² of covered production area
• ISO 9001 · ISO 14001 · ISO 45001
• Commissioning and spare parts support from Ankara, Herford (Germany) and Pune (India)

How Does a Bitumen Tank Work?

Bitumen is filled through the tank's DN80 inlet flange; the overflow line and the VEGASWING maximum level sensor prevent the tank from overfilling. The product in the tank is kept at storage temperature by the selected heating system. Temperature is monitored by two PT100 sensors and a mechanical thermometer, and level by a VEGABAR continuous level transmitter. In tanks fitted with an agitator, the agitator keeps the product homogeneous and prevents separation. The product is sent by pump through the DN80 outlet flange to the plant, to tanker loading or to another tank.

Heating Options

• Electric (E): heating elements in the tank bottom work together with the main heater; on vertical tanks the heating power is 12 – 36 kW depending on volume. Temperature is controlled by a digital PID thermostat using measurements from the PT100 sensors; a manual-reset safety thermostat cuts the heating in case of overheating. No thermal oil heater is needed on site; a 380 V / 3-phase / 50 Hz supply is sufficient.
• Thermal oil (T): heat is transferred by a P235GH DN50 steel coil running through the tank. A Vimpo VTH thermal oil heater can be used as the heat source; several tanks and lines can be heated from a single heater. Suitable for asphalt plants, emulsion plants and PMB plants that already have a thermal oil system on site.
• Burner: a burner heating option is offered on horizontal and container tanks; suitable for job sites and temporary works without energy infrastructure. Burner heating is not used for bitumen emulsion.

Custom Tank Options

VBT tanks are not a fixed catalogue product; they are configured to the operator's site, product and energy infrastructure. Tank form is the first step of that choice:

Vertical Bitumen Tank (VBT-V)

Vertical tanks provide a large volume on a small footprint and are preferred to save space on plant and facility sites. The VBT-V series is built in 15 – 110 m³ gross volume with electric or thermal oil heating. Shell plates are 6 – 8 mm and bottom plates 6 – 10 mm S235 steel; plate thicknesses can be increased according to the seismic zone of the installation site. On tanks with an agitator, a galvanised platform and ladder are standard.

Horizontal Bitumen Tank (VBT-H)

Thanks to their low height, horizontal tanks are easy to ship by road and quick to install on site. The VBT-H series is built in 50 – 80 m³ gross volume with electric, thermal oil or burner heating. For products that need mixing, three 7.5 kW agitators placed along the tank can be selected. A maintenance hatch is standard on horizontal tanks.

Container Bitumen Tank (VBTC)

Container tanks are built into an ISO 20 ft (VBTC20, 25 m³) or ISO 40 ft (VBTC40, 50 m³) container frame. Thanks to their corner fittings they travel by road, rail and sea like a standard container; on site they are put into service with minimal assembly once the power and pipe connections are made. Heating is selected as electric, thermal oil or burner. Container tanks have no agitator; the product is mixed by circulation with the pump. Suitable for temporary job sites, export projects and operations that relocate. The VBTC40 has a 6 mm double-wall shell, 100 mm (optional 200 mm) insulation and a flue-type vent.

Vimpo VBT Bitumen Tank Features

High-Density Insulation

All VBT tanks use 70 kg/m³ density rock wool insulation, clad with galvanised and painted sheet. Insulation thickness is selected as 50, 100, 200 or 300 mm. 200 – 300 mm is recommended for electric tanks and continuous hot storage; when the insulation thickness is halved, standing heat loss doubles. 50 – 100 mm insulation is for short-term storage and thermal oil heated tanks.

Agitator

For polymer modified bitumen and products prone to separation, an agitator is added to the tank (AG in the model code). PMB stocks need regular agitation to prevent separation; duration and frequency are set according to the PMB supplier's recommendation. The vertical 30 m³ tank uses a 7.5 kW – 57 rpm agitator, vertical 60 – 110 m³ tanks an 11 kW – 90 rpm agitator and horizontal tanks 3 × 7.5 kW – 57 rpm agitators.

Level and Temperature Measurement

Temperature is measured by 2 PT100 sensors and a mechanical thermometer. Level is monitored by a VEGABAR continuous level transmitter and a VEGASWING maximum level sensor; an alarm is given at maximum level.

Connections and Accessories

The standard tank has DN80 inlet and outlet flanges, an overflow line, a manhole with lockable cover and a sampling point. A two-compartment (2C) tank, a stainless steel gas displacement system and a rupture disc against overpressure and vacuum can also be selected.

Optional Control Panel

A push-button manual control panel is offered for electric tanks: digital PID thermostat, manual-reset safety thermostat, digital PT100 indicators, level indicator and high-level warning lamp, heating and agitator controls, and a locking emergency stop. Eaton and Schneider Electric switchgear and Weidmüller terminals are used; the panel is IP54 protected with a lockable door, and the cabling is UV resistant and EMC compliant.

Certified Manufacturing

VBT tanks are manufactured to ISO 3834-2 welding quality requirements; platform, ladder and steel structure comply with EN 1090-2. CE marked tanks comply with the 2006/42/EC Machinery Directive and the 2014/30/EU EMC Directive, and the electrical equipment with EN IEC 60204-1 and EN IEC 61439.

Bitumen Emulsion Storage

VBT tanks can also store bitumen emulsion. Emulsion is not stored above 85 °C and is protected against freezing; the 210 °C design temperature applies only to bitumen and PMB. An emulsion tank should be dedicated to emulsion only: if emulsion and hot bitumen are stored one after the other in the same tank, the residual water comes into contact with the hot bitumen and causes overflow. Emulsion uses electric heating or thermal oil heating running at low temperature, with gentle agitation; burner heating is not used.

Bitumen Tank Models

The VBT model code shows the heating type (T: thermal oil, E: electric),the tank type (V: vertical, H: horizontal),the gross volume and the insulation thickness; AG indicates models with an agitator.

Vertical Tanks

• VBT-E-V-15: 15 m³ · electric 12 kW (6 × 1 kW bottom + 6 kW main heater) · 200 mm insulation
• VBT-E-V-30: 30 m³ · electric 24 kW (12 × 1 kW bottom + 12 kW main heater) · 200 mm insulation
• VBT-E-V-30-AG: 30 m³ · electric 12 kW bottom heating · 7.5 kW agitator · 50 or 100 mm insulation
• VBT-E-V-60: 60 m³ · electric 36 kW (12 × 1 kW bottom + 24 kW main heater) · 200 mm insulation
• VBT-T-V-60: 60 m³ · thermal oil · 100, 200 or 300 mm insulation · with or without agitator
• VBT-T-V-80-AG: 80 m³ · thermal oil · 11 kW agitator · 200 mm insulation
• VBT-T-V-110-AG: 110 m³ · thermal oil · 11 kW agitator · 200 mm insulation

Horizontal Tanks

• VBT-T-H-50: 50 m³ · thermal oil · 13,000 × 2,300 × 2,400 mm · 100 mm insulation · optional 3 × 7.5 kW agitators
• VBT-E-H-60: 60 m³ · electric 3 × 12 kW · 100, 200 or 300 mm insulation · optional 3 × 7.5 kW agitators
• VBT-T-H-80: 80 m³ · thermal oil · 100, 200 or 300 mm insulation · optional 3 × 7.5 kW agitators

Container Tanks

• VBTC20: 25 m³ · ISO 20 ft frame · thermal oil or electric · 100 mm insulation
• VBTC40: 50 m³ · ISO 40 ft frame · thermal oil · 6 mm double-wall shell · 100 mm (optional 200 mm) insulation

Which Bitumen Tank Is Right for You?

The right tank is chosen by the product to be stored, the volume required, and the space and heating infrastructure on site.

• Volume: daily bitumen consumption and delivery frequency set the volume — 15 – 110 m³ for vertical tanks, 50 – 80 m³ for horizontal tanks, 25 or 50 m³ for container tanks.
• Tank form: vertical if space on site is limited; horizontal for low height and easy shipping; container for temporary or relocating works and for export.
• Heating: T if a thermal oil system is on site; otherwise, or for a single tank, E (electric, PT100 controlled); burner heating on a horizontal or container tank for temporary works without energy infrastructure.
• Product: a tank with agitator (AG) for PMB and products prone to separation; a separate tank operating below 85 °C for emulsion.
• Insulation: 200 – 300 mm for electric tanks, continuous hot storage and cold climates; 50 – 100 mm for short-term storage.
• Number of compartments: a two-compartment (2C) tank if two different products are to be stored in the same tank.

Tell us your storage needs and we will size the right VBT model together.

PMB With Elvaloy™ RET

A horizontal VBT tank with agitators and feed hoppers can also make PMB with Elvaloy™ RET, without a mill (VBT-T-H-…-AG-RET). Models and typical process values: Elvaloy™ RET PMB tank.

Standard Scope

• S235 steel tank shell, welded to ISO 3834-2
• Selected heating system: electric heating elements (PID control, safety thermostat),thermal oil coil or, on horizontal and container tanks, burner
• Rock wool insulation, galvanised and painted sheet cladding
• 2 × PT100 and mechanical thermometer, VEGABAR level transmitter, VEGASWING maximum level sensor
• DN80 inlet and outlet flanges, overflow line, manhole with lockable cover, sampling point
• On tanks with an agitator: agitator, galvanised platform and ladder
• Technical data sheet, CE declaration of conformity and operating manual

The control panel, bitumen pump, thermal oil heater, foundation and external piping and cabling are outside the scope unless expressly quoted.

Where Are Bitumen Tanks Used?

VBT tanks are used wherever bitumen and bituminous products are produced, processed and distributed:

• Asphalt plants: bitumen storage next to the plant
• Emulsion plants: bitumen and emulsion storage tanks — with bitumen emulsion plants
• PMB plants: PMB storage tanks with agitators — with PMB plants
• Refineries and terminals: storage, transfer and tanker loading
• Distribution depots: bitumen import and distribution depots
• Road job sites: intermediate storage on chip seal and road maintenance sites
• Membranes and waterproofing: bituminous membrane and waterproofing material factories
• Temporary and export projects: fast installation with container tanks

Frequently Asked Questions About Bitumen Tanks

How Is a Bitumen Tank Heated?

A bitumen tank is heated by electric heating elements, by thermal oil passing through a coil inside the tank or, on horizontal and container tanks, by a burner. With electric heating the temperature is controlled by PT100 sensors and a PID thermostat, and no heater is needed on site. With thermal oil heating, one thermal oil heater can heat several tanks and lines.

At What Temperature Is Bitumen Stored?

Storage temperature depends on the product. Paving grade bitumen is generally kept at 140 – 165 °C and not taken above 200 °C; polymer modified bitumen is stored at a higher temperature, set according to the PMB supplier's recommendation. Bitumen emulsion is kept below 85 °C. The 210 °C figure for VBT tanks is the design temperature of the tank, not the storage temperature.

Electric or Thermal Oil Heated Tank: Which Should I Choose?

A thermal oil tank is the right choice if there is a thermal oil heater and lines on site, or if many tanks are to be heated. If a single tank will be used, if no heater is wanted on site or if the electrical supply is sufficient, an electric tank simplifies installation and operation.

How Do I Choose the Insulation Thickness?

Insulation thickness is chosen according to how long the product will stay in the tank, the climate and the heating type. When the insulation thickness is halved, heat loss doubles. 200 – 300 mm is used for electric tanks, continuous hot storage and cold climates; 50 – 100 mm for short-term storage and thermal oil heated tanks. The insulation material in VBT tanks is 70 kg/m³ density rock wool.

How Is Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) Stored?

PMB tends to separate during storage; it is therefore stored in a tank with agitator (AG) and agitated regularly. Storage temperature, agitation time and holding time are set according to the PMB supplier's recommendation. A higher insulation thickness is recommended for long-term PMB storage.

Can Bitumen and Emulsion Be Stored in the Same Tank?

This is not recommended. Water left in an emulsion tank flashes into steam instantly when it comes into contact with hot bitumen filled afterwards, causing foaming and overflow. Emulsion is stored in a tank dedicated to emulsion only, operating below 85 °C. If two different products are to be stored in the same tank shell, a two-compartment (2C) tank is selected.

How Is a Bitumen Tank Delivered to Site?

VBT tanks are manufactured in the factory and shipped by road with insulation, cladding and connections completed. Container tanks travel by road, rail and sea thanks to their ISO container frame. On site the tank is set on its foundation, the inlet, outlet and power connections are made and the tank is commissioned. Tanks above 110 m³ are built on site.

What Determines the Price of a Bitumen Tank?

Bitumen tank prices depend on volume, tank type (vertical, horizontal or container),heating type, insulation thickness, agitator and options such as control panel, pump and gas displacement system. For a fair comparison, look not only at the initial investment but also at insulation quality, energy consumption and after-sales support. Contact us for a price by model and scope.

How Is a Bitumen Tank Maintained?

• Daily: temperature and level readings, leak checks on flanges and valves.
• Periodic: check the insulation cladding for damage, the manhole gasket, and that the overflow line and vent are open.
• Heating: heating element and PT100 checks on electric tanks, leak checks on coil connections on thermal oil tanks, burner maintenance on burner-heated tanks.
• Sensors: regular testing of the level transmitter and the maximum level sensor.

Vimpo provides spare parts and after-sales service support for the VBT series.

What Safety Precautions Are Needed for a Bitumen Tank?

• Contact with water: even a small amount of water entering hot bitumen flashes into steam instantly and causes foaming and overflow; water and emulsion residues must be kept out of the tank.
• Heaters must stay covered by product: heating must not be operated when the level falls below the heating elements or coil; local overheating leads to coking and a risk of fire.
• Overfilling: the maximum level sensor and the overflow line must never be disabled.
• Hot surfaces: heat-resistant gloves, face shield and work clothing must be used.
• Confined space: before entering the tank, it must be emptied and ventilated, and power must be isolated and locked out.
• Bitumen fumes and H₂S: hydrogen sulphide can build up in the tank headspace; gas measurement must be carried out when opening the manhole and approaching the headspace, and fumes must not be inhaled.

Bitumen Tank Quotation

Tell us the product to be stored, the volume you need, your heating preference and site conditions; we will recommend the right VBT model and send the technical data sheet and quotation. Contact us, write to info@vimpo.com or call +90 312 354 85 09.