To ensure that liquid asphalt can be applied with precision.

When processing liquid bitumen, precise temperature control is crucial for consistently high process and product quality. In the die assembly in particular, the material must reliably maintain its flowability and processing temperature throughout the entire production process to ensure even distribution across the fabric surfaces.

Before production begins, the drained pipework is first heated to the required operating temperature. During the process, the electrical heat tracing system maintains this temperature even under changing ambient conditions, preventing the medium from cooling down or solidifying. Once a production cycle is complete, the pipes are completely emptied, so that before the next production run begins, only the empty pipes need to be brought back up to operating temperature. This ensures an efficient, reproducible and reliable production process.

To ensure reliable heating of the nozzle block, plant operators often opt for a bespoke electrical heat tracing solution from eltherm. Key factors include high operational reliability, flexible adaptation to complex pipework geometries and ease of installation – even with varying pipe diameters and demanding operating conditions.

The heat tracing solution is custom-designed and implemented in accordance with the requirements of the ATEX and IECEx directives. eltherm handles the entire implementation process, from planning and the design of the heating circuits right through to the installation of the mineral-insulated heating cables, temperature sensors and the explosion-proof connection and control technology. A final factory acceptance test ensures that all components meet the high quality and safety requirements.

Mineral-insulated heating cables from the ELK-MI series are used; these have been specially developed for high-temperature applications and potentially explosive atmospheres. They are characterised by high power density, exceptional temperature resistance of up to 1,000 °C and a robust design. This ensures that the medium remains reliably in a liquid state and that the production process can be maintained safely and economically, even under demanding operating conditions.