The crude era started an entire revolution in the world of oil as drums began to be used for transporting crude oil. Since then, it has evolved into a modern day shipping and storing container used for finished products, goods and even raw materials.
It is crucial to follow both domestic and international rules and select the right type of storage solution in order to properly store and ship the items.
What is a 55 Gallon Drum?
The steel 55-gallon drum is a universally accepted shipping container capable of storing and transporting various liquids and solids. They are equivalent to 208 liters which makes them ideal for a wide variety of items.
The materials used to make container have also evolved over the years with plastic, fiber and stainless steel being widely available along with the traditional steel.
Interestingly, the origin of the 55 gallon drum dates to the 20th century when wooden drums were used to transport oil.
The discovery of steel enhanced the manufacturing process due to its increased durability and robustness along with the invention of oil led to the need for wooden barrels to be replaced by a standardized container superseded the need for wooden barrels emerging into the 55 gallon container.
Regardless of the oil or steel industries, the manufacturing and industrial sector has seen innovation that has evolved the design and materials of the 55 gallon container. Steel being the most widely accepted due to the versatile use cases.
Drums made of steel provide more resistance to breakage making them ideal for storing volatile materials and even more enhancing the benefits compared to wooden drums.
These enhanced benefits include more effective seals enabling safer storage for flammable materials.
Types of 55 Gallon Drums
#1. Closed-Head Drum.
Closed head drums are used for packaging hazardous waste and are required to meet very high standards. They are tested to meet the drop, stack, leak, hydrostatic, and vibration tests set forth by the United Nations. The EPA has 4 categories of hazardous waste.
A combination of waste in the drum such as discarded materials pose dangers when mixed together so they must be kept in a closed container. Industrial companies storing hazardous waste are required to use closed head drums.
These must comply with United Nations and US Department of Transportation standards. Use these for storing semi-solids such as dirt, liquids, sand, soil, and gravel.
A closed head drum with a removable lid/cover is the best closed-head drum. This type of drum is better in storing since it is easier to place the contents inside and take them out.
Ensure that they pass leakage, hydrostatic, and vibration tests for long-term storage possibilities.
#2. Open Head Drum.
Open head shipping and storage are very popular and reliable and these are also used for long-term storage. They endure challenging circumstances and constant use while being able to withstand the challenges of shipping.
Open head drops are highly durable and depending on job specifications, can be used indoors or outdoors. They come in a variety of colors and can be easily labeled for easier identification of the contents.
You can use open head drums for transport, storing, and any outdoor or indoor environment. Like all containers, manufacturers make their open head drums with materials that can endure extreme conditions and are fit for repeated use.
Unlike closed head drums, open head drums do not have a lid or cover that can be opened and removed.
There is a bung on the top of the drum that helps one access the contents within. For example, on a 55-gallon barrel, standard bung size ranges from 1-3 inches. A few other types of barrels may also contain other holes used for airflow.
#3. Carbon Steel Drum.
Carbon Steel Drums have proven to be a durable and heavy-duty package for storage and transportation.
Researchers have published that these are suitable for placing any type of waste including dangerous and hazardous materials stored in both closed and open containers.
All of them have the capacity ranging from 5-110 gallons with the Workhorse 55 Gallon Drum also included.
Especially for firms that need robust and powerful packaging to transport and store dangerous liquids, carbon steel drums are a good option.
All the drums come with strong heavy-duty materials that help contain spills or any other unsafe incidents.
All carbon steel drums met the requirements for the US and United Nations. For business operators who want to ship dangerous liquids or highly flammable liquids, US federal standards provide that 55 gallon barrels must have dikes or pans around them to secure the liquid.
#4. Fiber Drum.
Fiber drums are types of cylindrical storage containers made of fiberboard which looks like cardboard, but is stronger and more durable.
Generally, they possess a cylindrical body made from fiber, and a solid and removable lid on top shaped from either plastic or steel.
The body fiber is created from recycled materials, and the lid can be put through a second hand and reused.
Fibre drums are of different sizes, and have many benifits and uses.
#5. Rain Barrel Drum.
A rain barrel is used to collect and store water from a roof which would be wasted as runoff and sent to storm drains or streams.
In most cases, a rain barrel is made from a 55-gallon drum, a vinyl hose, PVC couplings, a screen grate to keep dirt and bugs out and other ready made plastic which is easy to buy. It is inexpensive and can be placed under any residential gutter downspout.
#6. Salvage Drum.
If there is leakage associated with the dangerous good packaging, salvage drums will come to your aid.
These drums are also suitable for use when there is leakage in either the drum or combination packaging because they can be shipped to the appropriate location.
Salvage drums are meant for the shipment and storage of dangerous goods that are leaking, broken, or non-compliant with regulations.
Slashing open a drum while using PPE and proper protocols will subsequently ready it for shipping. All one has to do is place the leaking drum or packaging into the salvage drum, secure it, and add cushioning or absorbent, if needed.
So, an overpack does not equal a salvage drum, which is meant to store dangerous goods with leaks and requires international shipping regulations to be followed.
#7. Nitric Drum.
When maintaining a nitric acid’s level of purity along with compatibility, nitric drums serve as incredible storage systems. They do not oxidize nor do they corrode with nitric acid during overseas shipping and transport.
Like any other device that comes in contact with food, nitric drums come in a stainless-steel variant that complies with sanitary regulations.
#8. TIH Over-Packed Drum.
These drums are specially made for users who need to ship materials with the Inhalation Toxicity Hazard (TIH) class. TIH Overpack Drums offer even greater convenience by giving extra protection to multi-pack shipments as well as difficult-to-handle containers.
TIH (toxic by inhalation) over-packed drums receive testing for solids and certification based on U.N. requirements. The drum must qualify as secure outer packaging for shipping or storage.
#9. Crevice Free Process Drum.
Screvice free process drums are made from stainless steel, which gives them exceptional tensile strength. These containers can be used for pharmaceuticals, processed food as well as personal care items.
They are vertical, with a smooth interior contour. Closed-head drums can be reused, or their used drums can be sold.
#10. Plastic Drums.
Polyethylene drums, more widely known as plastic drums, are proprietary containers produced from high density polyethylene (HDPE).
Compared to steel drums, they are lighter in weight, and these containers are also more economically advantageous. Plastic drums have widespread applications spanning both the residential and commercial sectors.
For those considering the use of polyethylene drums for transporting chemicals and other manufactured materials, this guide provided will help you understand the best choice of chemical packaging and will provide answers to common questions regarding the polyethylene (HDPE) drum.
#11. Overpack Drums.
An overpack drum is a big container that offers extra protective encapsulation for smaller containers during storage or transport. It is used when the initial container is damaged or in instances where several containers need to be consolidated to one container.
Defending the original container, and providing ease of handling or transport along with preventing leaks, spills, or damage are the core functions of an overpack drum. It serves as a secondary containment vessel that encapsulates the primary containers and holds them in place.
#12. Wine Barrels.
In the wine industry, the adoption of stainless steel drums for development, fermentation, maturation, and storage of wine is gaining traction. New designs are in progress for wine barrel rack accommodation.
#13. Taper Sided Drums.
A plastic open head tapered drum is distinguished by its tapered sides for increased operational efficiency in storage, transportation, and handling.
Capable of being nested while empty, which greatly decreases the space needed for transport and storage, is the reason the tapered edge is beneficial.
These features are highly sought after for International business and supply chains because they improve productivity and increase profit by reducing the allocated space out of a limited budget.