Plastic drum OK for diesel?

MikePA · Oct 22, 2001

Thanks for the links! How's that pump fit in the barrel? The description of the pump says it's 50" long. Does the pickup telescope? Also, do you have a hose on the end of the pump for reaching the tractor? If so, what kind.

How is it carrying the 15 gallons of diesel? According to another post, that should weigh about 90 pounds.

Like others, I don't need to store all that much, but filling the tank, particularly with the FEL is a pain. Right now I use a funnel and a 5 gallon can. Something sitting on the floor with a pump and a hose would be much easier.

MikePA · Oct 22, 2001

Here's the response from LabSafety when I asked about storing diesel fuel in one of their plastic containers;

Thank you for contacting Lab Safety Supply's Technical Services Department.
Regarding your inquiry on storage of diesel fuel in polyethylene drum number 16270Y. This drum has not been tested as a storage drum for any materials. It has been tested to meet Department of Transportation requirements for the shipment of different materials. According to compatibility charts that I have reviewed, polyethylene is not really compatible with diesel fuel. A metal drum would be a more compatible material. Our metal drums have not been tested for storage criteria either.

TerryinMD · Oct 22, 2001

Well, gee...

What are their storage drums used for???

Let me see - We make platic and metal drums. We will not say what you can put in them because we might be liable. YOUR own your own!!

I would certainly look somewhere else!! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Terry

Just thought of something. Then what are all of the plastic fuel containers made of (red, yellow, or blue)? Hmmm.....

MikePA · Oct 22, 2001

Yep, definitely a 'cover your butt' response.

TWINKLE_TOES · Oct 22, 2001

Mike,

 How's that pump fit in the barrel? The description of the pump says it's 50" long. Does the
pickup telescope? The pipe is two pieces with a coupler. First piece and the coupler are inside the tank. The second piece sticks outside. A fitting screws into the tank bung and a wing screw sets it in place. Also, do you have a hose on the end of the pump for reaching the tractor? If so, what kind. Yep, I have a 1" inside dia. 5 foot hose slipped over the pump outlet and secured with a hose clamp. If I had it to do over, I would cut the 180 deg elbow from the pump so the fuel in the hose would drain back into the barrel more easily. I used reinforced vinyl from the hardware store it's cheap and shows no effect of diesel exposure. Neoprene is also acceptable, butI couldn't find it in a 1"dia. There is an SAE standard for hose used in diesel applications, I posted the number earlier but it won't help, the hardware guy will look at you funny if you tell him you want SAE XXXX, type B2. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Check this out if you have some concern Compatability Vinyl nor HDPE are listed.
Al

With respect to suitability of Polyethylene for diesel: High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is good enough for me. Do a web search on Polyethylene and I think you can convince yourself its OK. Polypropylene is better but good enough is good enough. HDPE has been used for the last 35 years in underground fuel storage applications. Low Density Polyethylene, LDPE, has minor incompatability with diesel, primarily structural degradation. How is it carrying the 15 gallons of diesel? According to another post, that should weigh about 90 pounds. Easier then than a bag of cement, the barrel has handles/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
Al

EdDekker · Oct 22, 2001

Do you have a vent in the other bung hole of your fuel barrel (or is there enough of a gap between the pipe and bung adapter to vent the drum)?

The Justrite vents cost as much or more than the hand pump.

I can add another indicator of the suitability of HDPE as a Diesel fuel container: the Diesel (Yellow) plastic 5 gallon fuel cans I have are made or HDPE.

Ed

MikePA · Oct 22, 2001

Talked me into it! I just ordered two of the barrels and one of the pumps.

TWINKLE_TOES · Oct 22, 2001

Terry,
If this link is any indication they are HDPEGas and diesel containers

al

TWINKLE_TOES · Oct 22, 2001

Ed,
Do you have a vent in the other bung hole of your fuel barrel

The other bung on the barrels I have has a knockout that you can screw in a garden hose. I added ~ 1 foot from the end of an old hose that vents to the air.
Al

MikePA · Oct 23, 2001

I sent a question to Chevron and here's their answer;

Thank you for your inquiry. Chevron does not market fuel containers, but we do business often with the company HAZMATPAC which does. Their catalog shows some larger drums of both metal and high-density polyethylene. Either material is fine for holding diesel fuels, but a plastic container has the advantage that it will not rust if the gasoline is contaminated with water or if the container is stored in a wet place.