What is bitumen?
Bitumen is one of the oldest mineral oil products. In addition to the possibility of extracting bitumen from crude oil, there is also naturally occurring bitumen. This is also known as natural bitumen. We usually find this complex material as a black, sticky and viscoelastic product. It is obtained from fossil raw materials such as pitch or shale. Bitumen is very solid and has a predominantly rubbery or plastic-like consistency and a characteristic odour. It is often used as a waterproofing material for roofs or as tar or for asphalt roads and is widespread in many parts of the world.
Bitumen is used in many different products, including rubber mats, sealing rings for car parts and toothpaste. But it can also do some heavier work - for example, it can be used as an adhesive or it can be used as a filler material for cracks and holes. Bitumen is used in industry such as road construction, in mixing plants or in production facilities.
How can tar, asphalt or bitumen be removed?
As bitumen is a very robust product, it can be very difficult and time-consuming to remove. The tough and sticky material adheres strongly to the surface. It requires specialised tools and techniques to remove it effectively without damaging the underlying surface. Conventional cleaners used to facilitate the removal of tar, asphalt and bituminous contaminants are usually harmful to the environment. ECO-NOVA's cleaning solutions are an environmentally friendly alternative. At the same time, these cleaners are extremely effective and can be easily disposed of.
There are various methods for removing bitumen, depending on the type of surface and the amount of bitumen to be removed. Some of the most common methods are
Mechanical removal: Special tools such as scrapers, spatulas or grinders are used to scrape or grind the bitumen off the surface.
Chemical removal: Special chemicals are used to loosen or dissolve the bitumen. This method is particularly effective for removing bitumen, tar and asphalt. ECO-NOVA cleaners are a good alternative to cleaners that contain hazardous substances, Bituclean Extra and Combisolv TR.
Blasting media: It is possible to remove tar, asphalt and bitumen with dry ice. This process requires a dry ice blasting machine with which frozen carbon dioxide jets at a temperature of -79 degrees Celsius hit the contamination and dissolve it. There are other abrasive blast cleaning methods in which, for example, a mixture of water and granulate is used.
Burning: If sufficient heat is applied to the bituminous contamination, the material liquefies and can be removed with a spatula or similar tool. However, this process produces carcinogenic vapours and should only be carried out with appropriate PPE.
It is important to note that each method has its advantages and disadvantages and that the choice of the right method depends on various factors, such as the type of surface, the amount of bitumen to be removed and the environmental impact.
Effective ECO-NOVA cleaners help to remove bitumen.
ECO-NOVA Bituclean Extra is a special industrial solvent for removing bitumen. The natural cleaning concentrate is free of hazard symbols and therefore contains no hazardous ingredients. It is very economical and has very good surface compatibility. Bituclean Extra is applied pure using a pressurised sprayer. Depending on the layer thickness, it acts immediately on the bituminous contamination. The resulting temporary emulsification can be disposed of via your oil separator.
Thanks to our safe & modern cleaners, bitumen, asphalt and tar can now be efficiently removed in construction, industry and road building. The correct and safe handling of cleaning solutions should be taken into account when cleaning, as should the use of protective clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE).