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Discussion: Fuel (Diesel) StorageReported This is a featured thread

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loweryb221
loweryb221
Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 19 2012, 12:01 PM EDT | Post edited: Aug 19 2012, 12:01 PM EDT
If I have a PTO generator and plan to store diesel in 55 gal steel drums, what do I need to do to "prep" the barrels before loading them with diesel? Should they be painted with a special paint or sand-blasted to bare metal, etc.? Do you find this valuable?    
PedroAsani
PedroAsani
1. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 19 2012, 9:16 PM EDT | Post edited: Aug 19 2012, 9:16 PM EDT
"If I have a PTO generator and plan to store diesel in 55 gal steel drums, what do I need to do to "prep" the barrels before loading them with diesel? Should they be painted with a special paint or sand-blasted to bare metal, etc.?"
You can have diesel delivered in 205 litre drums. Save yourself hassle, get it done that way.

If you want to store more, get a tank sorted out. It will require burial, planning, etc. However, it will save you money in the long term. 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
renet76
renet76
2. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 19 2012, 11:50 PM EDT | Post edited: Aug 19 2012, 11:50 PM EDT
"If I have a PTO generator and plan to store diesel in 55 gal steel drums, what do I need to do to "prep" the barrels before loading them with diesel? Should they be painted with a special paint or sand-blasted to bare metal, etc.?"
I will assume by 55gal drums you are referring to what the rest of the world call 44gallon drums or 205 liter drums

55 Us gallons = 205 liters

44 imp gallons = 200 litres

very rarely are those drums filled to the maximum to allow for expansion so its normally around only 200L per drum

Now to answer your question i would do exactly like Pedro said just buy the drums prefilled from the fuel company supplier it will save you time and money in the long run

What you have not told us though is the following

1. how much fuel do you want to store/

2. How long do you plan on storing it for

3. How much fuel your generator will use per hour to give us an idea of how practical it will be to store fuel in drums

4. do you plan on moving you fuel drums around if you bug out or are you bugging in?

so a bit more information would be handy

and you may wish to have a read of this link to give you an idea of fuel consumption if you don't already know

http://www.zombiesurvivalwiki.com/thread/4882102/lets+talk+generators

yeah leave some information and well can help you more 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
renet76
renet76
3. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 20 2012, 12:04 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 20 2012, 12:04 AM EDT
"If I have a PTO generator and plan to store diesel in 55 gal steel drums, what do I need to do to "prep" the barrels before loading them with diesel? Should they be painted with a special paint or sand-blasted to bare metal, etc.?"
on the actual drum side of things though regardless of every thing else if you already have the drums and you plan on putting nothing but diesel in them then do the following

1. rinse the drum with diesel

2. tip it upside down to drain and leave it like the for a day or more so everything drains out
but keep some in a bucket for later

3. fill with 200L of diesel add required amount of diesel fuel preservative ( only if long term storage)

4. make sure you replace the drum id seal with a new one the seal the drum tightly and i mean tight you don't want hydrocarbons getting out and water or air getting in

5. get a paint brush and the dirty diesel from before and brush the outside of the drum with the diesel this will stop an corrosion on the outside of the drum

6. once all of this is done store under shelter in an upright position and if every thing is done correctly the fuel in the drums will still be suitable for use in older styled engines or industrial motors such as generators for at least 12 months.

It is important to note though check if you get summer and winter fuel blends in your location because if you store summer fuels in summer come winter time you will have a drum of crude that is only good for lighting fires so it is best to store winter fuel blend for year round usability

 3  out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?    
loweryb221
loweryb221
4. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 20 2012, 10:19 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 20 2012, 10:19 AM EDT
Hi,

Thanks for the reply. As for having the diesel delivered this is a fairly rural area and I don't know if that service is available but I suppose it's worth a check.

Your questions answered here:

1) Approximately 200 gallons

2) Under normal circumstances I would only consume around 50 gallons per year, which is why I wanted to store it in the drums so that I could rotate the supply.

3) Not sure, have not purchased the generator yet I am in the planning stages at this time.

4) Planning to bug in, the idea behind the barrels was to make it easier to drive and get the diesel, also by having the supply divided, I can rotate the barrels that I use, put fresher fuel in them and put them in the back of the line. Do you find this valuable?    
loweryb221
loweryb221
5. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 20 2012, 10:23 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 20 2012, 10:23 AM EDT
The drums I have do have the sealed lids. However no one has addressed my question about the inside of the drums. Should they be bare metal on the inside? The barrels I have (bought used) have been painted on the inside and the paint is cracked and pealing. Should I have them sand-blasted? Do you find this valuable?    
11ACRBlackhorse
11ACRBlackhorse
6. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 20 2012, 10:26 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 20 2012, 10:26 AM EDT
1) You can't buy filled drums to be delivered. The drums will be delivered empty and filled on site. EPA and DOT regulations restrict this.
2) It is illegal to just bury a fuel tank. It can't be steel and needs to be double walled.
3) Only fill tanks/drums to 90% again for expansion and it is federal law.
4) Winter blended fuel just has anti gelling additives. So if summer blend was bought just add anti gel to it.
5) If the fuel is more than 50gal get a above ground tank. And get a manual hand pump. 3  out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?    
11ACRBlackhorse
11ACRBlackhorse
7. RE: Fuel (Diesel) Storage
Aug 20 2012, 10:31 AM EDT | Post edited: Aug 20 2012, 2:20 PM EDT
"The drums I have do have the sealed lids. However no one has addressed my question about the inside of the drums. Should they be bare metal on the inside? The barrels I have (bought used) have been painted on the inside and the paint is cracked and pealing. Should I have them sand-blasted?"
Diesel will not corrode steel.
The paint should be removed.
Method is your choice. 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    

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