Thermal oil heater for bitumen
Hot oil heaters that circulate thermal fluid through tanks, pumps and pipelines to keep bitumen and fuel oil at working temperature.
- Heat source
- Burner (liquid or gas) or electric
- Circuit
- Closed loop, low pressure
- Serves
- Bitumen tanks, lines, pumps, fuel tank
- Efficiency
- Around 90% for modern units
Indicative figures based on manufacturer data. Capacity and specification are confirmed in each offer.
What is a thermal oil heater?
A thermal oil heater (hot oil heater) heats a thermal fluid in a coil heated by a burner or electric elements, then pumps it in a closed loop through tank coils, jacketed pipes, pumps and valves. The heat passes indirectly to the bitumen, so there is no open flame in the tank and no local overheating of the binder.
On an asphalt plant, the heater keeps bitumen tanks, bitumen lines, the weighing bucket and often the heavy fuel oil tank at working temperature. Modern heaters operate at around 90% efficiency, and insulated pipes and valves keep the remaining losses low.
Why thermal oil instead of direct heating?
Thermal oil transfers heat at high temperature without pressure, unlike steam, and distributes it evenly. That protects the bitumen from ageing and gives safe, controllable heating across the whole plant.
Main parts
Heater coil and burner
Helical coil heated by a liquid fuel, gas or dual-fuel burner, or by electric elements.
Circulation pump
Moves thermal oil through the circuit at constant flow.
Expansion tank
Takes up oil volume changes as temperature rises.
Piping and jacketed lines
Distribute heat to tanks, pumps and bitumen pipes.
Control panel and safety devices
Temperature control, flow and level switches, high-limit protection.
Specifications
Typical values from manufacturer documentation. Final figures are confirmed in the manufacturer's offer for your project.
| Heat source | Diesel, heavy fuel oil, natural gas, LPG or electric |
|---|---|
| Circuit | Closed loop thermal fluid |
| Efficiency | Around 90% (modern heaters) |
| Output | Sized to tanks and line lengths; confirmed per offer |
Heater output is calculated from tank volume, ambient temperature and pipeline length.
Built for these buyers
Asphalt plant owners
Replace or upgrade the plant heating system.
Bitumen terminals
Heat several tanks and loading lines from one unit.
Emulsion and PMB producers
Supply process heat to mills and tanks.
Questions buyers ask
What does a thermal oil heater do in an asphalt plant?
It heats thermal fluid and circulates it through the bitumen tanks, pipes, pumps and weighing bucket so the binder stays liquid and at mixing temperature.
Why use thermal oil instead of steam?
Thermal oil reaches high temperatures at low pressure, needs no water treatment and gives even heat, which makes it simpler and safer for bitumen.
What fuel does a hot oil heater use?
Diesel, heavy fuel oil, natural gas or LPG burners are common, and electric heaters are available for sites with reliable power.
How efficient is a thermal oil heater?
Modern heaters operate at around 90% efficiency when the burner is tuned and pipes and valves are insulated.
Related machinery
Heated Bitumen Storage Tank
Insulated vertical and horizontal bitumen tanks with thermal oil, electric or steam heating, for asphalt plants, terminals and distributors.
View details
Bitumen Drum Decanter
Heated chambers that melt bitumen out of steel drums into a pumpable liquid, for sites that buy bitumen in drums instead of…
View details
Stationary Batch Asphalt Plant
Fixed batch-type hot mix asphalt plants from 60 to 400 t/h. Every batch is weighed, so recipes change quickly and mix quality…
View detailsGet offers for Thermal Oil Heater for Bitumen
- Tell us the product, capacity and project country.
- We clarify the technical scope with you.
- You receive offers from suitable manufacturers to compare.
- Prefer WhatsApp? +90 543 797 58 57