Older fuel drums can be washed out chemically and reused multiple times.
Plastic fuel drums are designed to store gasoline or diesel for long periods of time without fuel degradation. They do not rust like older-style metal drums which gives them the ability to be reused many times. Over time fuel within any container will begin to separate and form a thick sludge on the bottom. This sludge can be removed and the interior of the drum cleaned to return it to almost new condition. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Open the cap of the fuel drum slowly to allow gases inside to vent. Drain as much fuel as possible into a safe collecting container by turning the drum upside down. Allow drum to hang upside down for several hours until most of the liquid inside has drained out.
2. Turn the fuel drum right side up. Pour 1 qt. of acetone into the drum. Add a few handfuls of screws or pieces of scrap metal. Swirl the drum around several times to allow the screws and acetone to remove sludge from the bottom of the drum. Wait 30 minutes while the acetone dissolves the sludge.
3. Turn the drum upside down again and drain out the acetone and screws. Let it hang upside down for a few minutes until completely drained. Turn the tank right side up again and wait an hour while the acetone evaporates. Repeat this process as many times as needed until the acetone solution drains out of the tank clear.
Tags: upside down, drained Turn, drum upside, drum upside down, fuel drum