Process and apparatus for oxidising bitumen to modify its properties

An apparatus for modifying bitumen is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a multi-section loop tube reactor. A circulation pump (21) circulates bitumen in the reactor (10) and air is introduced at air injection point (13). Bitumen is introduced into the reactor (10) at inlet (14) by variable speed pump P1. A plurality of mixers (15) are located between the air injection point (13) and a head section (24) beyond which is an outlet (27) where modified bitumen is drawn off by variable speed pump P2. A process for modifying bitumen is also disclosed, wherein the process includes the steps of passing bitumen along a tubular path, causing the bitumen to pass through a plurality of mixers in the tubular path and injecting air into the bitumen at a point along the tubular path.