Using asphalt and bitumen is foundational in creating road surfaces and roofing systems across the globe. The demand for reliable bitumen pumping solutions is especially high in Ireland, where infrastructure resilience is key due to its wet and temperate climate. Asphalt and bitumen pumps are indispensable components of the materials handling chain, ensuring that hot and viscous substances can be transported and applied safely and efficiently. This blog explores the importance of asphalt and bitumen pumps, the types available, their specific uses in road and roofing applications, and the Irish market context.
What Are Asphalt and Bitumen?
Bitumen is a black, sticky substance derived from crude oil. It is used as a binder in asphalt and as a waterproofing agent in roofing. Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen and aggregates like sand, gravel, or crushed stone, primarily used for road surfacing.
Due to the highly viscous and adhesive nature of bitumen and asphalt, standard pumps cannot handle these materials. This is where specialised asphalt and bitumen pumps come in, designed to manage high temperatures, thick consistencies, and corrosive properties.
We make pumping systems for Asphalt / Bitumen. They come from Ireland, so there are no customs forms to deal with.
Why Specialised Pumps Are Crucial
Handling bitumen and asphalt requires careful control of temperature, pressure, and flow rate. If bitumen cools during pumping, it hardens quickly and can clog pipelines or damage equipment. Thus, pumps must be capable of:
- Operating at high temperatures (often between 150°C to 200°C)
- Handling viscous fluids with minimal shear
- Withstanding chemical corrosion and abrasive particles
- Ensuring leak-free operation for safety and environmental compliance
Types of Asphalt and Bitumen Pumps
Asphalt and bitumen are highly viscous, temperature-sensitive materials. Standard pumps are not suitable for their transfer, especially when dealing with hot mix asphalt or molten bitumen. Below are the most commonly used types of pumps for handling asphalt and bitumen, each suited for different operational needs in road construction, roofing, and industrial processes.
- Gear Pumps:
Description:
Gear pumps are positive displacement pumps that use rotating gears to transfer fluid. They are among the most commonly used pumps for asphalt and bitumen because of their reliability and simple construction.
Ideal For:
- Continuous, steady flow applications
- Hot bitumen transfer
- Metered distribution in sprayers and kettles
Features:
- Typically jacketed to allow for thermal oil or steam heating
- Compact design with few moving parts
- Can operate at high pressures
2. Screw Pumps (Twin or Triple Screw)
Description:
Screw pumps use intermeshing screws to move fluid along the axis. They provide a smooth, non-pulsating flow, making them ideal for high-volume transfer of viscous materials.
Ideal For:
- Bulk transfer of hot bitumen from storage tanks
- Loading and unloading tankers
- Refineries and industrial applications
Features:
- Low noise and vibration
- Suitable for continuous duty applications
- Minimal shear, preserving bitumen quality
3. Piston (Plunger) Pumps
Description:
These pumps use a reciprocating piston or plunger to move fluids. They are capable of generating very high pressures and are used in applications where precision is essential.
Ideal For:
- High-pressure bitumen injection
- Applications requiring controlled dosing
- Specialized spray systems
Features:
- Pulsating flow, which can be dampened with accumulators
- Can handle very high-viscosity fluids at high pressure
4. Centrifugal Pumps
Description:
Centrifugal pumps use an impeller to move fluids by converting rotational energy into kinetic energy. While they are typically used for low-viscosity fluids, special models with heating jackets and larger clearances are available for bitumen.
Ideal For:
- Bitumen emulsions
- Light asphaltic materials
- Pre-heated storage tank transfer
Features:
- Simple design
- Rapid flow at lower viscosities
5. Lobe Pumps
Description:
Rotary lobe pumps use two rotating lobes that create suction to move fluid. These are suited for applications where cleanliness is important, such as in polymer-modified bitumen or roofing compounds.
Ideal For:
- Shear-sensitive or temperature-sensitive bitumen blends
- Roofing adhesives and coatings
Features:
- Reversible flow
- Low shear design preserves material integrity
Leak-Free Performance with Viking’s O-Pro Seal Technology
Our quotes for Asphalt Pumps and Bitumen pumps come with drawings, so you can see what you are getting from the beginning. Each pump is specified for your application.
Viking 34 Series Asphalt Pumps are designed to handle asphalts, bitumen, pitch, tar, bunker oils, residual oils and related materials that solidify at ambient temperatures.
The 34 Series are Viking’s simplest asphalt pumps. It has a hydraulically-balanced rotor that eliminates the need for thrust control while also limiting the pressures to 100 PSI and less. For higher pressure options, the Viking Heavy Duty Asphalt Pumps features an outboard thrust bearing as well as additional flow rate options.
The newest feature for these pumps is the O-Pro Seal from Viking Pump – this seal is s superior alternative to a gland packing, seal, avoiding leaks
Speak directly to our engineers today – call us today on 012750801 or email william@thomsonprocess.ie about the Asphalt or Bitumen pump you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials can Viking 34 Series Asphalt Pumps handle?
The Viking 34 Series is ideal for handling asphalts, bitumen, pitch, tar, bunker oils, residual oils, and similar materials that solidify at ambient temperatures.
What is the maximum pressure supported by Viking 34 Series Asphalt Pumps?
The 34 Series supports pressures up to 100 PSI. For higher pressures, we recommend the Viking Heavy Duty Asphalt Pump range with outboard thrust bearings.
Are these pumps suitable for continuous high-temperature operations?
Yes, our asphalt and bitumen pumps are designed for continuous use in high-temperature environments and come with options for heating jackets or external heating.