55 gal drum: What transfer pump to use?

[Bob Mulry]

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

I think you are reading it wrong as far as pressurizing goes. I am reading it as adding slightly more pressure than the ambient air pressure which would flow the fuel from one barrel to another. It takes less pressure to move the fuel than what is within the barrel when they "pop" with temperature changes.

It is exactly the inverse of siphoning where you are pulling a vacuum. In both instances you are adding air/oxygen to the original barrel. And you are adding air/oxygen when using a transfer pump.

Even the fuel tank in your car/truck has an air vent that draws air/oxygen into it as the fuel pump removes it during consumption. I think you and Bob are referring to situations that truly pressurize the barrels way beyond what was suggested. YMMV.

Lets do a little Middle School math................

55 gallon drum has a diameter of 22"

Area of a circle (end of drum) = 2Pi x R squared

Area = 760 square inches

760 square inches X 25psi = 19,006 pounds of force against the barrel end...

You might want to rethink your position on the safety of low air pressure in a non-pressure vessel.....

Bob

[KRatcliff]

You might want to reread what I said. It is in your quote. I never said to pressurize it to 25 psi. You did.

[Ed Wright]

I did it that way for years. Used a paint gun regulator. Doesn't take 5 psi to push it out. 2 or 3 will do it.

[rallye bob]

I use one of these........... http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CIoBEPMCMAE
Not the fastest but gets the job done.....
Like to put on my "gas station attendant" hat when I am pumping...

[Johnymia Racing]

Interesting stuff here. I also am using the plastic pump and although I was leery at first, the thing works like a charm. I am concerned about vapors building up in the drum as the weather gets hotter. I have been going out and opening the cap on the drum to release the pressure on a regular basis.
I keep the pump hanging an only put it in the drum when I need fuel. Am I still OK here?
Thoughts?

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Johnymia Racing

Interesting stuff here. I also am using the plastic pump and although I was leery at first, the thing works like a charm. I am concerned about vapors building up in the drum as the weather gets hotter. I have been going out and opening the cap on the drum to release the pressure on a regular basis.
I keep the pump hanging an only put it in the drum when I need fuel. Am I still OK here?
Thoughts?

When you open the drum and release the pressure your in more danger of blowing up than if you just leave it alone.....
Your releasing vapors that can easily ignite from just static.......If it did ignite it would likey ignite the entire container.
These containers expand and contract with the temp. change....
Leave it alone and keep it out of the sun or away from a heat source.

[Mike Croley]

Originally Posted by Johnymia Racing

Interesting stuff here. I also am using the plastic pump and although I was leery at first, the thing works like a charm. I am concerned about vapors building up in the drum as the weather gets hotter. I have been going out and opening the cap on the drum to release the pressure on a regular basis.
I keep the pump hanging an only put it in the drum when I need fuel. Am I still OK here?
Thoughts?

The pressure build up in the drum is caused by big swings in temperature . The very last thing you ever want to do is let that pressure out of the drum . First , because of the explosion hazard . Second , because the vapors you're releasing are the light ends and those have a big effect on how well your race fuel performs . Keep any container of race gas in a cool , shaded area that sees as little temperature swing as possible . Inside your shop is good , inside the race trailer is bad . The temps in a closed race trailer are very high and then cool off at night .
You're correct about the pump , only install it in the drum when you need fuel , then take it out and re-seal the container tightly .

[Johnymia Racing]

Originally Posted by Mike Croley

The pressure build up in the drum is caused by big swings in temperature . The very last thing you ever want to do is let that pressure out of the drum . First , because of the explosion hazard . Second , because the vapors you're releasing are the light ends and those have a big effect on how well your race fuel performs . Keep any container of race gas in a cool , shaded area that sees as little temperature swing as possible . Inside your shop is good , inside the race trailer is bad . The temps in a closed race trailer are very high and then cool off at night .
You're correct about the pump , only install it in the drum when you need fuel , then take it out and re-seal the container tightly .

Good info
Makes sense
Thanks,

[Rich Biebel]

Say a prayer for me......

I cut the tops off metal drums with a plasma cutter on a regular basis. Been doing this for years.
Most of the drums contained waste oil and other fluids....anti freeze, water.
I use them to put crushed oil filters in and than put the drums in a metal scrap dumpster.
I always remove the bungs before I cut the tops and check what was in them before firing up the plasma torch.....

A few pounds of pressure in an open tank is not going to blow up unless you add a spark....

Gasoline is dangerous as a vapor for sure and needs to be treated with some respect....

If you work on cars/machines your entire life you always know of someone who did something stupid and started a fire or worse.

I worked as a line mechanic for some time in a dealership.
The guy working next to me was so dangerous, I demanded he get moved away from me.
He was changing the fuel gauge sender in a full tank of a Jeep Wagoneer. He had fuel below him in a coolant catch pan.....He was working with a drop light and it dropped to the ground near the pan.......I yelled at him to get away from under there. He looked at me with a dumb look and said why as he bent down to pick up the drop light.....Nothing happened.....I left the area till he was done....
2 friends were working on a car in a garage that was part of a bigger group of garages and there was a bar/building in front. They had a fuel line off in the rear of the car....gas was leaking on the floor.... a drop light hit the floor, started a fire and burned down everything.....the garages and the bar.building.

Gas in the open or in a pan or on the floor......and a drop light is plenty dangerous....

[Ken Haase]

Icu 812