Method and apparatus for the production of bitumen blocks

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for the production of bitumen blocks, with a drop former for generating bitumen drops from molten bitumen, with a belt cooler having a rotating belt for cooling and solidifying the bitumen drops deposited on the rotating belt into tablets, and with a decanting device for decanting the tablets into bags, the tablets being at least partially combined, inside the bags filled with tablets, into a compact bitumen mass.

1 . Method for the production of bitumen blocks, in particular made from bitumen with penetration values according to DIN EN 1426 of more than 10 decimillimeters, having the steps:
 forming of bitumen drops from molten bitumen in a drop former,   depositing of the bitumen drops on a rotating belt of a belt cooler,   solidification of the bitumen drops on the belt of the belt cooler into tablets,   removal of the tablets from the belt, and   decanting of the tablets into bags, the tablets being at least partially combined, inside the bags filled with tablets, into a compact bitumen mass.   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , Including pressing the bags filled with tablets into a desired shape. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 2 , including pressing the bags filled with tablets with a pressure dimensioned such that the tablets are at least partially combined into a compact bitumen mass. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus for the production of bitumen blocks, in particular bitumen with penetration values according to DIN EN 1426 of more than 10 decimillimeters, with a drop former for generating bitumen drops from molten bitumen, with a belt cooler having a rotating belt for cooling and solidifying the bitumen drops deposited on the rotating belt into tablets, and with a decanting device for decanting the tablets into bags, the tablets being at least partially combined, inside the bags filled with tablets, into a compact bitumen mass. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a moulding press is provided, in order to give the bags filled with tablets a desired shape. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the moulding press has at least one press ram. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the moulding press has at least one pressure roll. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the moulding press is designed to exert upon the bag filled with tablets a pressure dimensioned such that the tablets are at least partially combined into a compact bitumen mass. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the decanting device is arranged directly downstream of the belt cooler. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the decanting device has a distributor device with at least one distributor flap and a plurality of distribution paths, in order to conduct tablets removed from the belt to one of a plurality of decanting stations selectively. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the decanting device has at least one balance.