55-gallon drum

A typical drum

A 55-gallon drum (known as a 44-gallon drum in the United Kingdom, and increasingly in Australia as a 200-litre drum) is a cylindrical container (drum) with a nominal capacity of 44 imperial gallons, 55 U.S. gallons, or 200 litres. The exact capacity varies with wall thickness and other factors. Standard drums are 22.5 inches (572 mm) in diameter and 33.5 inches (850 mm) high.

The drums are typically made of steel with a ribbed outer wall to improve rigidity and durability. They are often moved by tilting, then rolling along the base, which is designed especially for that purpose. The drums are commonly used for transporting oils and fuels, but can be used for storing various chemicals as well.

Closed-head steel barrels and drums used for shipment of chemicals and petroleum products have a standardised bunghole arrangement, with one 2-inch (50.8 mm) NPT and one 3⁄4-inch (19 mm) NPT threaded bunghole on opposite sides of the top head. This arrangement is echoed in many plastic drums in the same size. Various components can be mounted to the drum, such as drum pumps and bung mixers.

These drums are also available in open head forms, with a clamp ring or flanges which hold a loose lid (often with a gasket) down on the top.

In the past, hazardous waste was often placed in drums of this size and stored in open fields or buried. Over time, some drums would corrode and leak. As a result, these drums have become iconic of pollution problems, even though they have numerous uses and are ubiquitous in commerce.

Drums are often re-conditioned and then later used for storing different liquids. Re-conditioning drums is one of the safest ways to remove hazardous waste.

Although oil is sometimes shipped in 44 gallon drums, the measurement of oil in barrels is based on 42 (US) gallon wooden barrels of the 1870s.

Uses

The containers are frequently recycled, into further use as containers, either for shipping or long-term storage, as tanks for fuel or water, and very frequently as receptacles for trash. After perforation to improve airflow, they may be used as incinerators or outdoor hearths. More elaborate uses include sandblast cabinets[1], composting toilets[2], barbecues, workplace furnaces, and even an oven powered by four incandescent bulbs[3]. The steel drums used in calypso music were originally made from these drums. Modern high-quality steel drums, of the kind sold by instrument suppliers, are now made from scratch using a higher quality of steel.

Rusted 44-imperial gallon drums, with one sliced in half and used as a fireplace.

Plastic drums

44-gallon plastic drums are increasingly used. Many do not have ribbing along the side.

Uses include the storage of dry goods and the collection of rain.

See also

• Barrel (unit)