Bitumen Decanter involves heating the hard bitumen in the drum until it softens and flows out, then heating it to a usable temperature. It primarily relies on heat to melt the bitumen, allowing it to flow to the bottom and collect due to gravity. How is heat transferred to the drum?
Heat Transfer Oil: This is the most common method. Like a radiator, hot oil flows in pipes, transferring heat to the bitumen through the drum wall. The temperature is stable and it's less likely to damage the bitumen.
Electric Heating or Flame: Some equipment uses electric heating elements to directly heat the bitumen, or uses hot air from a diesel burner. Heating is rapid, but the heat must be carefully controlled to prevent localized overheating.
Three Heat Transfer Methods: Regardless of the heat source used, the drum is heated through radiation (heating through the air), contact (heating directly against the pipes), and convection (hot air circulation). 

How Bitumen Comes Out of the Bucket
Bucket Upside Down: The bitumen bucket is pushed into the heating chamber, usually with the lid open and facing downwards. The melted bitumen drips down due to gravity.
Automatic Bucket Pusher: New buckets enter from one end, pushing old empty buckets out from the other. No manual supervision is required, resulting in continuous and efficient operation.
Clog Prevention: After the bucket walls are heated, the solid bitumen inside slowly melts into a liquid and flows into the pool below, preventing it from sticking to the bucket and becoming impossible to pour out.
After Flowing Out: What Happens After Flowing Out?
Secondary Heating and Dehydration: The flowing bitumen falls into the melting pool and is further heated to over 100°C to evaporate the moisture.
Stirring to Prevent Clumping: A stirring paddle in the pool prevents the bitumen from clumping, ensuring uniform temperature and preventing uneven heating.
Stirring to Prevent Clumping: A stirring paddle in the pool prevents the bitumen from clumping and ensures uniform temperature, preventing some areas from being too hot and others too cold. Pumping and storage: Once the temperature reaches around 130℃, the bitumen is pumped into a storage tank for later use. The pipelines are also heated to prevent the bitumen from hardening and causing blockages along the way.