No two bitumen tanks arrive for cleaning in the same condition. A tanker that has just discharged an emulsion is very different from one that has accumulated layers of hardened bitumen at the bottom over several months. That is why, at Lagupres, we first assess what is inside the tank before deciding on the most appropriate cleaning method.
Why does bitumen accumulate?
Every load leaves some residue behind. Journey after journey, these residues gradually build up on the walls, at the bottom and in hard-to-reach areas. Over time, changes in temperature cause them to harden and adhere firmly to the metal surfaces.
A similar process occurs with bitumen emulsions, although in a different way. An emulsion is a mixture of bitumen and water. When the emulsion “breaks”, the water separates, leaving a film of bitumen adhering to the surface which, if not cleaned, gradually builds up in thickness.
How We Clean It
1. Retirar lo sólido. If there are thick layers of hardened product, we first remove them using manual tools or mechanical equipment. Attempting to break them down using water alone unnecessarily prolongs the cleaning process.
2. High-Pressure Hot Water Cleaning. The heat softens the bitumen, while the pressure dislodges it.
3. Remove the Residue. The material dislodged during cleaning must be removed from the tank, either manually or by vacuum extraction, depending on its condition. It is then handed over to an authorised waste management company.
When Bitumen Is as Hard as Rock
In some tanks, hot water alone is not enough. For particularly hardened layers, we use ultra-high-pressure (UHP) water jetting at pressures of 2,500 bar or above, or high-energy equipment operating at 1,000 bar and 265 litres per minute, capable of removing residues that would remain firmly attached at lower flow rates or pressures.
However, higher pressure is not always better. We reserve UHP cleaning for situations where it is genuinely necessary: if hot water can do the job effectively, there is no reason to make the process more complicated.
The Interior of a Tank Is a Confined Space
It must therefore be treated as such: a permit to work, atmospheric monitoring before and during the operation, a designated safety supervisor and, where necessary, supplied-air breathing apparatus. It is also important to bear in mind that certain hot bituminous residues can release gases such as hydrogen sulphide.
For this reason, whenever the tank allows, we carry out as much of the work as possible from outside.
Not Just Tanks
We apply the same approach to bitumen tanks and storage vessels. In larger facilities, where conditions allow, we use robotic cleaning systems. However, a bitumen tanker used on a construction site and a storage tank containing the same product may require very different cleaning solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can completely solidified bitumen be removed? Yes. The thickest layers are first removed mechanically, followed by high-pressure or ultra-high-pressure water jetting to complete the cleaning process.
Do you always use ultra-high-pressure water jetting? No. Only when the nature of the residue requires it.
Is it necessary to enter the tank? It depends on the tank’s design, access points and the level of cleaning required. If entry is necessary, the tank is treated as a confined space.
What happens to the waste removed during cleaning? It is removed from the tank and handed over to an authorised waste management company.
Do you have a tank containing bitumen or emulsion residues?
Contact us!