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Old 04-03-2012, 10:01 PM   #4
63corvette
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Canyon, Tx
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Default Re: 55 gal drum: What transfer pump to use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by KRatcliff View Post
Do you have any fuel barrels that don't have any air in them? Unless a fuel barrel is completely filled with fuel then they are all potential bombs. As is your fuel can, fuel cell, fuel tank, etc...

I read it as the air is pushing out the fuel out the hose, not building a bomb.
There is very little air/oxygen in the barrel as you empty them.
It is made up for the most part by fumes from the gas itself which vaporizes as you give it space in the barrel.
I worked in the oil and gas industry for 40 plus years and I can assure you if you use air to pressurize a barrel at some point it will explode. You may get away with it for years but at some point it will possibly end your life or leave you with a very bad injury of some type.
Trust me on this one a partially full barrel of gas is a very dangerous thing. It is much safer as a full or completely empty with the bungs out of it and vented and NOT pressurized.

I witnessed my step father loose a leg to a 55 gal barrel using it empty for a ladder/platform to stand on. It was a hot day and built pressure inside and exploded with him on top. It blew the top out of the barrel and severed his leg just below the knee.

Used barrels of any type can be very dangerous if not handled correctly and pressurizing them is improper use.

Like Bob said buy a pump. It could save your life or at least not injure you.

My Experience Here
Rick Cates

Last edited by 63corvette; 04-03-2012 at 10:09 PM.
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