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About Steel Drums
Industrial drums are large, industrial containers that
serve as storage and shipping containers for a variety of hazardous and
non-hazardous substances, including beverages, chemicals, petroleum and
paint. Generally, these cylindrical industrial containers are used for
the storage of liquids. Industrial storage drums are available in a variety
of different materials, but the most common types are steel drums, plastic
drums and fibre drums. These materials are particularly advantageous
because they can be reconditioned for future use. The selection of a
material depends upon the industrial application for which the drum will
be used, as well as specific customer requirements.
Steel drums are most often used for situations in which flammable chemicals
and other hazardous substances need to be handled. Plastic drums are
used to transport powders and many other substances that can be handled
by steel industrial drums. Plastic drums are becoming increasingly standard
because of their ability to be recycled for future use. Plastic drums
also are preferable because they do not rust when they are exposed to
the elements. Fiber drums are made from dense paper or fiber board. They
are usually only used for a short time. Compared to other industrial
drums, such as plastic drums and steel drums, fiber drums are more easily
recycled. Fiber drums are commonly used in the food industry to transport
large volumes of frozen or refrigerated goods, such as ice cream and
cheese.
Industrial drum manufacturers make their products in a variety of sizes.
The standard industry size is 55 gallons drums, but steel drum, plastic
drum, fiber drum sizes can range from five gallons to 110 gallons drums.
For larger volumes of substances, intermediate bulk containers are used.
In addition to stock sizes, industrial drum manufacturers create custom
sizes to fulfill specific customer requests. Special linings and surface
coatings are available for both the interior and exterior of the steel
drums, plastic drums, and fiber drums. For steel drums, the interior
and exterior are often painted to prevent erosion and rust. Plastic drums
may have a thin plastic film bonded to the interior to prevent leakage
and ensure freshness of food products. The larger units require special
handling and transportation equipment, such as trolleys, hoists and belts
to prevent them from tipping and spilling their contents.
Common industries in which steel drums, plastic drums, and fiber drums
are found include the oil and gas, food and beverage processing, agricultural,
automotive and pharmaceutical industries. Because many industries store
and ship chemicals, pesticides and other hazardous materials, industrial
drum manufacturers must adhere to the strict production and shipment
standards of organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department
of Transportation (DOT).
Featured
Articles
http://www.webworldinc.com/wes-con/drums.htm
http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6en/h/handbk4.pdf
Types of Industrial Drums
- are the standard-sized drums used for storage and shipping.
-
are used for the mixing and combining of substances, such as paint and
concrete. They have an opening in the cover for the entrance of the
blades of an agitator, which mixes the substance, and are made most
often with metal alloys, such as steel or aluminum.
- ,
also called "tight head drums," have a permanent lid with
a small opening to allow for the pouring out of the material enclosed.
- are shipping and storage containers made of heavy paperboard materials.
-
often use removable heads, as opposed to closed head drums.
- are used to transport and store liquids.
- are rust-proof alternatives to steel drums.
-
are plastic or steel vessels that have been reconditioned to ensure
optimum repeat use. Most often, the lid of the drum is what is replaced
or reconditioned.
-
are specifically designed for the safe and economic transport and storage
of damaged drums. In the unusual event that a steel drum leaks, possibly
due to extreme mechanical loading or impact, temporary solutions, such
as salvage drums, may be required.
-
have a smooth, creaseless interior that prevents the unintended trapping
of the material being stored. Seamless drums are similar to process
drums, which have a welded top curl to prevent entrapment, as well.
- are closed-top drums used to ship and store liquids.
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