A fuel container is a container such as a steel can, bottle,

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a she ...

, etc. for transporting, storing, and dispensing various

fuel A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but ...

Construction

A wide variety of container types and constructions are used for fuels. Each has its own engineering challenges. The jerrycan is a robust liquid container originally made from pressed steel. It was designed in Germany in the 1930s for military use to hold 20 litres (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) of fuel. Three handles allow for two people carrying a full can or one person handling an empty can. The basic design is still in use today although construction is often of high density polyethylene. Portable plastic gasoline containers are commercially available and are in common use. These are usually blow molded polyethylene or other polymers compatible with the designated fuel. It has been found that the use of flame arresters reduces the chance of fire or explosion of gasoline. Child resistant caps or closures are required in some regions or jurisdictions. A

(also called a barrel) is a cylindrical container used for shipping fuels. A typical drum has a nominal capacity of 200 litres (55 US or 44 imp gal). Drums are usually made of steel, but plastic drums are used for some liquids. Fuel drums need have the appropriate certification for shipment of

dangerous goods Dangerous goods, abbreviated DG, are substances that when transported are a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even when not being transported are known as hazardous materials ( syllabi ...

: Flammable liquids, etc. Steel drums are suited for reconditioning for multiple uses.

Grounding

Pouring of a flammable liquid has the potential of generating

static electricity Static electricity is an imbalance of electric charges within or on the surface of a material or between materials. The charge remains until it is able to move away by means of an electric current or electrical discharge. Static electricity is na ...

. Having the fuel container on the ground or having a grounding strap helps reduce the risk of sparks. In particular, loading a fuel container on a flatbed truck or vehicle can be dangerous because it is insulated.

Regulations

Shipments of flammable or explosive liquids are highly regulated. Based on the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods model regulations, each country has coordinated design and performance requirements for shipment. For example, in the US, the Department of Transportation has jurisdiction and published requirements in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The applicable regulation depends on the

flash point The flash point of a material is the "lowest liquid temperature at which, under certain standardized conditions, a liquid gives off vapours in a quantity such as to be capable of forming an ignitable vapour/air mixture". (EN 60079-10-1) The fl ...

of the fuel, quantity being shipped, mode of transit, etc.

Examples

File:What do you call politicians who suggest people store petrol in cans? (6953654954).jpg, 1930s vintage 2-gallon petrol can File:The British Army in North Africa 1942 E18640.jpg, WW2 4 imperial gallon (18L) can or Flimsy File:Britische copy wehrmacht-einheitskanister 1943 jerrycan.jpg, WWII Jerrycan File:CPCCT Kerosene 4L can 20161107.jpg, 4L can of kerosene File:Embers Charcoal Lighter Fluid.jpg, Charcoal lighter fluid in a plastic Squeeze bottle File:Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. CH13310.jpg, Drums of aviation fuel 1945 File:Ronsonol Lighter Fluid.JPG, lighter fluid can File:CIMC tank container T11.jpg, Intermodal tank container File:ATL-Cargo-Flex-Fuel-Bladders-Antartica.jpg, Fuel bladder Antarctica File:GasolineContainer.JPG, A typical gasoline container. File:Drums Shell GTL fuel.JPG, Gas to liquids fuel containers File:Propane tank 20lb.jpg, A 20 lb () steel propane cylinder. File:Butane camp stove.JPG, Camp stove with can of butane fuel

References

* Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, * ASTM F3063, Standard Specification for Aircraft Fuel Storage and Delivery

External links