An auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger for improving the melting efficiency of melter kettles used to melt thermoplastic pavement marking materials. The auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger includes a heat transfer tube bundle having a plurality of heat transfer tubes in which the flow of molten thermoplastic material reverses directions at least once. Hot heat transfer oils flows around the plurality of heat transfer tubes. Vertical material transfer tubes connect between the bottom of the melter kettle and the top of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and between the bottom of the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger and the top of the melter kettle. Augers within the vertical material transfer tubes driven by reversible drive motors cause molten thermoplastic material to flow from the bottom of the melter kettle, through the auxiliary single-pass tube bundle heat exchanger, and into the top of the melter kettle.

A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

A molten thermoplastic circulation system that is used in conjunction with thermoplastic melter kettles. The molten circulation system includes a vertical material transfer tube that is coupled to a melter kettle and includes an auger. The vertical material transfer tube is coupled to the top and bottom of a melter kettle so as to transfer molten thermoplastic between the bottom and top of the melter kettle. The vertical material transfer tube is at least partially surrounded by a heat chamber through which a heated fluid such as hot combustion gases or heated oil can flow. In use molten thermoplastic material that is heated at a higher temperature at the bottom of a melter kettle near the combustion chamber is transferred through the vertical material transfer tube to the top of the melter kettle to improve melting efficiency.

A method of heating and dispensing bitumen in an above-ground bitumen storage tank and bitumen terminal is that bitumen is heated. Bitumen is heated in the storage tank. Bitumen is heated in a casing installed in the tank with an intake and drainage pipe. Heated to a temperature of in-plant transportation at least 80? C. In the main storage tank volume bitumen is heated and maintained by heaters. This takes place outside the shell with the intake and drain pipe. Heating takes place at a temperature not lower than the flow temperature of 60? C.

Feed bitumen from the volume under the casing with the intake and drain pipe of the storage tank to the main volume of the working tank is carried out as the bitumen is discharged from the working tank. Bitumen in the working tank is heated in a casing installed in it with the intake and drain pipe. Bitumen is heated to a working temperature of not less than 140? C. Bitumen is heated with subsequent release to external transport or in the technological process. In the main volume of the working tank, outside the housing with the intake and drainage tube, bitumen is heated to a temperature not lower than 80? C. for in-plant transportation of bitumen. Bitumen heating is maintained by heaters.

A system for producing an asphalt mix output suitable for use as an asphalt pavement is provided. The system may include a preliminary mixing unit configured to mix asphalt shingles with hot fluid asphalt to melt the asphalt shingles. The molten asphalt formed from the asphalt shingles and the hot fluid asphalt may be mixed with aggregate material and/or recycled asphalt material to form an asphalt mix output. An intermediate tank may store the molten asphalt prior to mixing with the aggregate material and/or the recycled asphalt material

A system for producing an asphalt mix output suitable for use as an asphalt pavement is provided. The system may include a preliminary mixing unit configured to mix asphalt shingles with hot fluid asphalt to melt the asphalt shingles. The molten asphalt formed from the asphalt shingles and the hot fluid asphalt may be mixed with aggregate material and/or recycled asphalt material to form an asphalt mix output. An intermediate tank may store the molten asphalt prior to mixing with the aggregate material and/or the recycled asphalt material

A system for producing an asphalt mix output suitable for use as an asphalt pavement is provided. The system may include a preliminary mixing unit configured to mix asphalt shingles with hot fluid asphalt to melt the asphalt shingles. The molten asphalt formed from the asphalt shingles and the hot fluid asphalt may be mixed with aggregate material and/or recycled asphalt material to form an asphalt mix output. An intermediate tank may store the molten asphalt prior to mixing with the aggregate material and/or the recycled asphalt material.

A system for producing an asphalt mix output suitable for use as an asphalt pavement is provided. The system may include a preliminary mixing unit configured to mix asphalt shingles with hot fluid asphalt to melt the asphalt shingles. The molten asphalt formed from the asphalt shingles and the hot fluid asphalt may be mixed with aggregate material and/or recycled asphalt material to form an asphalt mix output. An intermediate tank may store the molten asphalt prior to mixing with the aggregate material and/or the recycled asphalt material.