Heatec Unloading Systems (Rail and Barge)

Astec builds unloading systems for liquids transported by rail car or marine barges. Typically these are designed for use at asphalt terminals and roofing plants.

Rail car systems use steam condensate to heat the liquids in the tankers. The steam is provided by a steam generator and hot oil system. The system can be designed to unload as many rail cars as desired. Metering packages and controls monitor the amount of liquid unloaded and added to the terminal tanks.

Barge unloading systems are pump liquid from the heated barges to the terminals. Cargo on barges are heated with an on-board thermal fluid like the Heatec Thermecon Marine heater. The liquids often have to travel a long distance from the barge to the storage tanks so heat tracing is used to maintain temperatures in the piping. Heat tracing can be done with thermal fluid or electric tracing. Expansion joints are incorporated into the piping system to prevent breakage and leaks. Metering packages and controls are used to monitor quantities being unloaded and stored.

Some terminals will have both rail car and barge unloading systems for flexibility in choosing material sources.