Bitumen Heating Container Duct Layout to Prevent Thermal Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bitumen heating systems subject the product to thermal shock, leading to degradation, require excessive time and energy for heating, and are inefficient due to poor heat conduction properties of bitumen.
Innovation Solution
A heatable container with internal and external heating ducts configured to transfer heat efficiently, featuring parallel and spaced internal ducts with heat transfer fins and external ducts with baffle plates for convoluted flow paths, reducing thermal shock and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating systems are used to heat bitumen, then the bitumen can be melted, but the product is subjected to thermal shock and becomes severely degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat transfer medium (water or steam) as an intermediary between the heat source and the bitumen. The medium circulates through external heating ducts, transferring heat indirectly to the bitumen through the container walls, thereby preventing direct thermal shock while achieving the required melting temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is divided into multiple external heating ducts positioned at different locations around the container. This segmentation allows distributed heat application across the container surface, preventing localized overheating and thermal shock while maintaining uniform heating
2Temperature
If conventional heating systems are used to heat bitumen, then the bitumen can be melted, but a considerable period of time in excess of 20 hours is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from internal heating (heating from within the bitumen mass) to external heating (heating from the outside through container walls). This dimensional change allows heat to be applied simultaneously across the entire container surface area, dramatically reducing heating time from over 20 hours to a fraction of that time
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heating ducts are merged into a unified external heating system that operates simultaneously across different zones of the container. The coordinated operation of these ducts creates a combined heating effect that rapidly raises the bitumen temperature throughout the entire volume
3Temperature
If conventional heating systems are used to heat bitumen, then the bitumen can be melted, but a considerable amount of energy in the form of heating fuel is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer medium acts as an efficient intermediary that minimizes energy loss. By circulating water or steam through external ducts, the system achieves superior heat transfer efficiency compared to direct heating methods, reducing the total fuel energy required to melt the bitumen
Solution Approach 2:
The circulating heat transfer medium provides continuous heat transfer along the entire length of the heating ducts as it flows through them. This continuous action ensures that all bitumen in contact with the heated container walls receives heat simultaneously, maximizing energy utilization efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces heating time to below five hours per ton of bitumen, halves energy consumption, and prevents material degradation by minimizing thermal shock through enhanced heat transfer, ensuring bitumen is efficiently melted without compromising its mechanical or chemical properties.
Implementation Method 1
heating means configured to transfer heat to at least the base wall zone as well as a zone disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the vessel
Implementation Method 2
ducts are disposed substantially parallel relative to the central longitudinal axis of the vessel, and are vertically and horizontally spaced apart relative to one another
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the internal heating ducts to include a heat transfer fin extending therefrom
Implementation Method 4
heat transfer fins extending substantially along the entire lengths of the internal heating ducts
Data Source
AI summary
A heatable container suitable for material such as bitumen. The container includes a vessel for holding a flowable material having side wall zones, end wall zones and a base wall zone. The container also includes a heating system for transferring heat to at least the base wall zone as well as a zone disposed along a central longitudinal axis of the vessel. The heating system may also included at least two internal heating ducts for conveying a heat transfer medium, wherein the ducts are disposed substantially parallel relative to the central longitudinal axis of the vessel, and are vertically and horizontally spaced apart relative to one another.