Benefits and Uses of a 55 gallon drum
The 55 gallon drum is also used for the transportation of certain materials which can be considered as dangerous and hazardous to health. A 55 gallon drum which has a shape similar to that of a cylinder has a standard capacity of 55 US gallons. The capacity of a 55 gallon drum mainly varies with the thickness of the inner wall of the drum.
Types of 55 gallon drum
There are 3 different varieties of a 55 gallon drum. This differentiation is made based on the materials that make up the 55 gallon drum. Plastic drums, cardboard drums and barrels also known as the steel drums are the three varieties of an average 55 gallon drum, moreover a 55 gallon drum can also be differentiated according to the build mechanism, i.e. a 55 gallon drum with open top and a 55 gallon drum with a welded top. In the United States of America welded gallon drums are better known as barrels. The main disadvantage of any such 55 gallon drum is that it cannot be used to store powdery texture based products, goods or material; as the powdery texture erodes the metal of the 55 gallon drums. Hence, this particular type of 55 gallon drum is reserved for transport and storage of liquids only.
Leakage problems associated with a 55 gallon drum
55 gallon drums are known to suffer from leakage problems. As a result of such leakage problem a 55 gallon drum can be environmentally hazardous (while storing dangerous chemicals). Therefore, research is under process to solve this issue, and experts have proposed that the use of CDF style liners go a long way in solving this particular problem that is associated with leakage. Ceramic coating has to be provided on both the interior as well as the exterior parts of the molded lining, and such coating is mainly recommended in case of a 55 gallon drum or any such drums which would be required for prolonged usage. Thus by providing such ceramic coating it is always possible for a 55 gallon drum to last for nearly 50 – 100 years. This would also help the plastic walls (coated with melted glass) to hold the liquid and preventing any kind of leakage. The associated benefits are numerous. So in order to sum up the major benefits of a ceramic coated 55 gallon drum, a list has been presented below.
1. Lasts up to fifty to hundred years.
2. They will not rust.
3. Provides immense benefits to ground water supplies.
4. Prevents military bases from becoming superfund sites.
Hazardous effects of dumped 55 gallon drums
Contamination of ground water as well as that of soil is the biggest problem that occurs because of a dumped 55 gallon drum, different chemicals, pesticides, hydraulic fuels and poisonous fuels are often dumped in the middle of the fields. It is important to mention, and scientific research has also proved that even one gallon of diesel fuel can pollute more than a million gallons of water (fresh and pure water). As a result of this contamination that enters the life cycle process, there is a very high chance that animals as well as humans would be adversely affected. Hence, summarizing the hazardous effects of dumped 55 gallon drums it can be said that:
• Dumped 55 gallon drums cause soil and ground water pollution.
• A single gallon of diesel fuel can pollute a million gallon of fresh water.
• Humans as well as animals are affected.
• Disturbs the entire ecological balance.
Reuse of 55 gallon drum
When reusing a 55 gallon drum, the most important factor that has to be considered is the type of material that was previously stored in the drum. In the unlikely case that the 55 gallon drum had been used for the transportation as well as storage of substances that are highly poisonous in nature (for e.g. cyanides), reusing should never be considered. It is also mandatory that if a 55 gallon drum is being considered as reusable, then it should undergo an intensive and prolonged cleaning therapy. A proper cleaning therapy of a 55 gallon drum involves a method that is commonly referred to as the triple rinse. Such a therapy always ensures thorough removal of all the poisonous residues in a 55 gallon drum. In an unfortunate or rare case that the material that was stored in the 55 gallon drum bears reactive properties (with the material that will be stored in the future) then it is not recommended to consider such a 55 gallon drum for reuse or even a a cleaning therapy. To illustrate the importance, it can be said that in case a 55 gallon drum is used for the storage of cyanide liquid then it is strongly recommended not to store nitric acid ever in the future in the particular drum. This is because of the fact that a chemical reaction can take place resulting in the formation of hydrogen cyanide. There are a lot of other factors that have to be considered while considering reusing a 55 gallon drum, the 55 gallon drum have to checked if they are physically and structurally sound for a reuse. Even if 10% of material of a 55 gallon drum is known to possess dents or holes, there is no point considering such drums for reuse or a cleaning therapy. Hence, to conclude, although reusing a 55 gallon drum can be cost effective, there are several other social responsibilities to consider in the whole process.