44 gallon drums of ULP?

Submitted: Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 19:44
ThreadID: 59684 Views:16482 Replies:6 FollowUps:15
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Howdy folks,

Does anyone know what the lifespan of of ULP / PULP stored undercover in a 44 gallon drum is?

How safe are they when transported on their side over long distances?

Also, where's the best place to buy them in Perth?

Cheers
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:25

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:25
V8,

Most of the drums suppled these days are only wafer thin. It's hard enough to transport them any distance standing, let alone of their side. Am sure they would rupture, and your vehicle would become a potential spectacular event.

Dunno whether Rheem makes all the drums these days, but BP Avgas drums are more robust than Shell Avgas drums.

Can't help you with purchase but reckon a sealed drum, under cover would last over 12 months, if not more. Should be a cheaper way to purchase, but they'l l probably slug you for the drum, then want you to return it for nothing!!!

Happy decanting,
Bob.
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Can't remember most of it.

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AnswerID: 314860

Follow Up By: Member - V8Diesel (WA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:21

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:21
Thanks Bob, yeah I used to have a few of the old galvo Rheem 44's with the thick bands and they were the go. Rare as rockinghorse poo now.

The new ones look like rubbish to me.

I used to have some circles of rubber and ply wood I'd slip under my drums help support the weight. Without them even the 20l's would deposit their contents in no time.
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Follow Up By: EscapeArtists - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 22:43

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 22:43
As an ex BP refinery worker in Kwinana..
DONT lay any 44 on its side with ULP while in transit full stop.
and seek out the thicker ex lube drums from BP.

MM me and i should be able to help you out.

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 13:46

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 13:46
V8,

Think we might even still one of those gal ones, with the bands on it, heavy as buggery, even when they're empty.

Have had a couple of gal ones, lighter in construction, that had US ARMY pressed into the top. Reckon they'd have to be a collector's item these days,eh?

Hooroo,
Bob.
Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Reply By: wigger - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:27

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:27
V8D,
"to buy them" To buy what? As far as I know the only people who sell drums of petrol are the likes of the Capricorn roadhouse at Newman.
Even if you have your own 44 drums, there is a problem filling them at servos , because despite the filling hose being made of a conductive material, the owners will not let you fill containers unless they are on the ground or you are using an earthing strap.
If they spot you rocking up in a ute with a 44 on the back, they will probably disable the pump.
The situation is different in respect of diesel because it has a much higher flashpoint.

But then again I could be RONG RONG RONG
AnswerID: 314861

Follow Up By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:01

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:01
Wigger, I dont see many earth straps these days.

Tyres prevent earthing on every vehicle so I cant see any difference in filling a normal fuel tank as opposed to say a jerry can on the back of a ute.

Taken to its logical conclusion, your comment on 'earthing' would suggest that most vehicles should not refuel !!!

Cheers.....Lionel.
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FollowupID: 580914

Follow Up By: Member - V8Diesel (WA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:26

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:26
Q: "to buy them" To buy what?

A: 44 gallon drums of ULP (see topic heading)
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FollowupID: 580919

Follow Up By: Member - Mal and Di (SA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 22:58

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 22:58
Stopped at Mataranka a couple of years ago and had to wait about forty minutes while the bloke from a servo further down the track filled his trailer load of 44's. Apparently his credit with the fuel company was shot.
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Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:41

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:41
Hi V8D,

Not sure about your first two questions but, theres a small weighbidge on the Great Eastern Hwy between Midland and Guildford which sells fuel grade 44 gal steel drums.

About $30.00 each.

Cheers.....Lionel.
AnswerID: 314864

Follow Up By: wigger - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:28

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:28
Agree with you Lionel about the lack of logic in this stance by the servos but it's as if they have it included as one of their truths in the SOP's. Bit like the mobile phone thing. No hard evidence to support the argument that they cause explosions. (yes I know my best mate was in a big fryup at the Limbopopo roadhouse when he answered a call from the President ..........
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Follow Up By: Member - V8Diesel (WA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:28

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:28
Nice one Lionel....I'll check it out.

Good excuse for a trip to the Powerlines while I'm up that way too!
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FollowupID: 580922

Follow Up By: Member - Christopher P (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 18:16

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 18:16
Ok theres more of a chance if you fill up a big drum from static electricity then there is usage of a mobile phone!!!!

So remember keep both feet on the ground and one hand each on the drum and bowser noozle and you should be right, just remember this no fill if eyes are level with the drum as fuel can and will splash into your eyes!!!

Oh also run a piece of something to run as an earthing strp or fill up at the truck stop siude of the petrol stations!!!

Ok everybody else fingers in ears and wait for the boom!!!!:op

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FollowupID: 581068

Reply By: Member - Bradley- Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:56

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 20:56
Depending on the depos, you can get ulp in 205's without too much hassle.

At work we set a 6 month shelf life on avgas in 205's, ulp is the same. Storage - up off the ground on timber, horizontal with the bungs at 3&9 o'clock to stop the seals drying out and cracking.

And don't accept any stock which has sharp dents in the drums, the internal lining will be cracked and the fuel contaminated.

I wouldn't transport on sides as they dont have much load bearing that way, upright is the way to go
AnswerID: 314869

Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:16

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:16
Look for a fuel distributor in your area (if there are any left).

Usually ULP will maintain it's energy rating quite well up to around 9 months (would'nt go much beyond that though).

I use to advise my customers exactly as Brad said: 'Storage - up off the ground on timber, horizontal with the bungs at 3&9 o'clock to stop the seals drying out and cracking'.

Finally give BP a ring in Perth and ask for a safety sheet covering the filling, decanter and storage of 44 gallon drums (205's).

Regards

Kim
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FollowupID: 580915

Follow Up By: Member - V8Diesel (WA) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:33

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:33
See I would have stored them vertically in case the seals dried out so it was certainly worth asking the question. Prevention is better than cure I guess. I'll make up a couple of wooden blocks then to keep 'em secure at quarter to three.

Thanks fellas.
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FollowupID: 580924

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:56

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 21:56
Hope the ULP is of better quality than in NZ cos the stuff over there turns into varnish in less than 3 months.
At least it did in my wifes car and ruined the fuel pump (twice) at $600 a time.
Car was on LPG at the time and she wouldnt turn it over to petrol occasionally and use it up.

Solution:- Disconnect the pump and injectors, empty the tank and walk home if you run out of gas.
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FollowupID: 580935

Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 07:30

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 07:30
Yes I was surprised at the responses above to the length of time you can store ULP (I thought it was a lot shorter time frame). I was of the same view as Graham.
Recently I purchased a Honda brush cutter and the Agent specifically mentioned to keep fresh fuel (ULP) in it - he said ULP goes stale after 3 to 4 weeks! I know this is a small engine and may impact with older fuel differently to a car engine but nevertheless I was of the view ULP had a life of weeks not months.
Perhaps someone with refinery knowledge could clarify this issue. I would be interested to know the correct answer.
Cheers,
Glen
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FollowupID: 580970

Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 12:13

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 12:13
Gday Kim,
Read the post mate!
They were talking about PETROL not pi$$, I think your talking about keeping your corks wet?????

LOL

Cheers
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FollowupID: 581004

Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 13:44

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 13:44
Hairy

Well of course I am, what else would I be taking about?

That ULP, she's a pretty good drop aye....cleans a man's teeth, and puts a fair cracker in the bum next morning.

LOL

Regards

Kim
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FollowupID: 581015

Reply By: EscapeArtists - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 23:05

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 23:05
sorry to repeat myself but..

As an ex BP refinery worker in Kwinana..
DONT lay any 44 on its side with ULP while in transit full stop.
and seek out the thicker ex lube drums from BP.

AnswerID: 314903

Reply By: blackmax11 - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 16:15

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 16:15
ULP stored in sealed containers will last about 6 months before starting to go off.

In ones vehicle where the tank breathes it will start losing its light components thus becoming heavy fuel in about 3-4 weeks from refining. Hence always buy your fuel from a large volume seller.
AnswerID: 314969

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