Bitumen extraction is an important part of the testing of hot mix paving mixture and pavement samples. A bitumen extractor machine is used in laboratories to quantify the amount of bitumen present in a sample by separating the binder from the mixture with the help of a suitable solvent and extraction procedure.
Accurate extraction may be used for material assessment and quality control in road building. HEICO has centrifugal extractors in their range of bitumen testing equipment, including hand-operated and motorised types for laboratory and field use.
What is a Bitumen Extractor Machine?
The bitumen extractor is a laboratory apparatus used to assess the bitumen content of hot mixed paving mixtures and pavement samples. The HEICO hand-operated centrifuge extractor is a portable machine for field or laboratory application.
It has a cast aluminium bowl set on a vertical shaft with a filter paper disc between the bowl and cover plate. It is secured by a knurled nut, and the housing incorporates a solvent entrance for feeding solvent during extraction.
Bitumen Extractors Types
Bitumen extractors may vary depending upon the mechanism and the laboratory requirements they are designed for. HEICO offers two centrifuge extractor variants, a hand-operated device, HB64.25, and a motorised model, HB64.30.
The hand-operated variant is touted as portable, which makes it suited for situations where the equipment may be utilised at multiple places. A motorised option is available for laboratories requiring powered centrifuge extraction equipment inside their bitumen extraction test setup.
How To Use A Bitumen Extractor
During extraction, the sample is inserted into the extractor system, and the solvent is fed into the specified intake. The manually operated HEICO device uses a cast aluminium bowl, filter paper disc, and lid arrangement to assist the extraction process.
The apparatus is intended for determination of the quantity of bitumen in hot mixed paving mixtures and pavement samples. This is of help to laboratories involved in the evaluation of paving materials and the quality-control procedures related to bitumen testing.
Key Benefits for Material Testing
A good bitumen centrifuge extractor will make bitumen-content determination more practical and consistent inside a testing laboratory. HEICO’s hand-operated variant is portable and can be utilised in both field and laboratory contexts, providing flexibility for varied test locations.
The device includes 25 filter discs, and the cast aluminium body allows an integrated assembly of the extraction components. These features can assist in regular testing when repeated sample preparation and bitumen determination are necessary.
Choosing the Right Extractor for Your Lab
The choice between hand-operated or motorised extraction equipment should be based on the laboratory’s testing requirements, operational environment, and chosen workflow.
Portability may be especially advantageous in outdoor applications, whereas laboratories should consider their overall testing setup when purchasing bitumen extraction test apparatus. The type of sample and the planned extraction technique should also be taken into account.
As the centrifuge extractors belong to HEICO’s own range of bitumen testing equipment, the user can select the available configuration according to their special requirements for material testing.
Summary
The bitumen extractor machine is an excellent tool for the determination of bitumen content of paving mixtures and pavement samples. Depending on the model chosen, the correct equipment can assist realistic testing in the laboratory or field conditions.
HEICO supplies hand-operated and motorised centrifuge extractors for bitumen testing applications. Talk to HEICO now about your testing needs and select from types of bitumen extractors that meet your laboratory or field application requirements.
Also read: How to Conduct Bitumen Testing with the Right Equipment
FAQs
What does a bitumen extractor do?
It is used to determine the bitumen content in hot mixed paving mixtures and pavement samples.
What types of centrifuge extractors are offered by HEICO?
HEICO offers hand-operated and motorised variants of centrifuge extractors.
