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 bulk.
- Input
- Bitumen in steel drums
- Heating
- Thermal oil, burner or exhaust heat
- Output
- Liquid bitumen to tank or plant
- Versions
- Stationary or mobile
Indicative figures based on manufacturer data. Capacity and specification are confirmed in each offer.
What is a bitumen drum decanter?
A bitumen drum decanter (barrel heater or drum melter) is an insulated, heated chamber in which opened steel drums of solid bitumen are placed upside down. Heat from thermal oil coils, a burner or exhaust gases melts the bitumen, which flows out of the drums into a heated collection tank and is then pumped to storage or straight to the asphalt plant.
Drums are common where bulk tankers cannot reach the site or where storage is limited, such as many projects in Africa and remote regions. A decanter turns that drummed supply into a steady flow of liquid bitumen.
How is a decanter sized?
Size follows the bitumen your plant consumes per hour. The number of drums per loading and the melting time together give the decanter output, which must exceed the plant’s bitumen use with a margin.
How a decanter works
Open the drums
Drum lids are opened or cut.
Load
Drums are placed upside down on the loading rack or carriage inside the chamber.
Melt
Heat melts the bitumen, which drains into the heated bottom tank.
Pump
A heated pump transfers liquid bitumen to storage or to the plant.
Unload empties
Empty drums are removed and the next load goes in.
Main parts
Insulated melting chamber
Holds the drum load with doors at one or both ends.
Drum loading system
Rack, rails or carriage for loading drums by forklift.
Heating system
Thermal oil coils, burner or exhaust gas heating.
Collection tank and pump
Heated tank under the chamber with transfer pump.
Temperature control
Sensors and controls to avoid overheating the bitumen.
Specifications
Typical values from manufacturer documentation. Final figures are confirmed in the manufacturer's offer for your project.
| Input | Standard steel bitumen drums |
|---|---|
| Heating | Thermal oil, diesel burner or exhaust gas |
| Types | Stationary or mobile |
| Output | Matched to plant bitumen use; confirmed per offer |
Melting time depends on bitumen grade, drum size and ambient temperature.
Built for these buyers
Contractors in remote regions
Run an asphalt plant on drummed bitumen.
Bitumen distributors
Decant drums for bulk resale or blending.
Questions buyers ask
What is a bitumen decanter?
It is a heated chamber that melts bitumen out of steel drums so it can be pumped as a liquid to a tank or an asphalt plant.
How long does it take to melt a drum of bitumen?
It depends on the grade, drum size, ambient temperature and heating power. Manufacturers state the output per hour for their model.
Can a decanter feed an asphalt plant directly?
Yes, if its output is greater than the plant's bitumen consumption. Most sites still use a heated buffer tank between decanter and plant.
When should I buy bitumen in drums instead of bulk?
Drums make sense where bulk tankers cannot reach the site, where storage is limited, or where long transit times would cool bulk bitumen.
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