All about plastic barrels

This article covers everything there is to know about plastic barrels. It is indicated how blue, green and black polyethylene, large technical and drinking PVC barrels, as well as their other types, differ. The features of products from different manufacturers and the operating procedure are described.

You can very often meet plastic barrels in everyday life and at household facilities of various profiles. Their use is usually motivated by ease and convenience. The less the container itself weighs, the more payload can be delivered using the same transport. A variety of companies are engaged in the release of such containers. Unlike metal, plastic is guaranteed not to corrode (which can happen even with stainless metal).

The same pesticides can be transported in a steel container only if there is a special shell. Of course, this greatly increases the cost of the case. Plastic tanks:

• are relatively inexpensive;

• relatively inert chemically (this is achieved by careful selection of the raw materials used);

• quite strong (not to the same extent as steel, however, it is quite enough for practical needs);

• environmentally friendly;

• little prone to rotting and blooming of water (which is extremely important when it is kept for drinking and irrigation);

• they serve for a very long time (even metal often degrades faster, and good plastic has a service life of more than 50 years).

For the manufacture of technical barrels, PVC can be used. It is generally accepted that such a container can withstand a pressure of 3-5 atmospheres. Experience has confirmed that even the most common polymer bottle can carry a pressure of up to 10 atmospheres.

Plastic barrels can be of several varieties, depending on their purpose.

This type of barrels is often needed for a summer residence or a country house. Even if there is a water supply system or a well there, it is very important to accumulate some supply of liquid. After all, interruptions can always happen, even with very reliable equipment. Moreover, this applies to various remote areas, where the wear and tear of the same water supply networks is great.

The use of a composter is more convenient and profitable compared to a conventional pit... No need to dig a hole, figure out where to remove the earth. The volume of the tank is precisely known and easy to control. What is important, it is possible to exclude the clogging of the container, the liquid in it with earth and foreign debris. In addition, this product:

• looks neater;

• reduces the spread of unpleasant odor;

• allows you to exclude flooding with rainwater;

• takes away less usable area on the site;

• excludes drying out and washing out of the compost mass;

• can potentially be converted for cultivation of cucumbers or zucchini.

But if you can contain compost in a plastic barrel, then it is no less logical to use it as a replacement for a traditional cesspool. This will immediately make life more comfortable, and the environment on the site - more hygienic. The plastic barrel is practical and environmentally friendly.Inside, clearly soluble and insoluble components are separated. In most cases, three-section septic tanks are used, however, for a kitchen or a summer residence, it turns out to do with a product of a simpler structure.

Plastic structures are better than concrete and steel structures for:

• lightness;

• ease of transportation and installation at a designated site;

• the ability to do without welding;

• high tightness (no need for a special seal);

• ease of processing (cutting, cutting various holes and grooves).

With independent arrangement of a septic tank, installation according to a modular scheme is easily realized. This option allows you to supplement and over time complicate the overall system. You will have to prepare the tie-in points in advance, but this does not cause problems with plastic. Before installation, you will have to take into account the nuances of the type of soil and the level of soil water... With proper design and intelligent installation, it is possible to reduce pollution by 65% ​​already at the stage of the plastic barrel.

A multi-chamber barrel septic tank is used in the same way as an old cesspool with an overflow. The pipes are introduced and removed so that the crossflow begins before the water rises to the inlet pipe. With gradual accumulation inside the container, water will settle. But we must clearly understand that light mobile particles cannot be retained in this way.

It is necessary to take into account the required sanitary distances to important objects:

• to wells or wells - from 30 to 50 m;

• to the foundation of capital houses - at least 4-5 m;

• to the nearest bush or tree - 2-4 m;

• to the road (both hard and unpaved, as well as to the railway) - from 5 m.

The larger the volume of treated wastewater, the greater this distance should be. At least no one has ever lost from an extra few meters.

Important: a septic tank, even made of plastic, even of other materials, cannot be used in clay soil. It simply does not have the required filtering characteristics.

These tanks are suitable for paint, fuels and lubricants and other similar products. All of them can be stored only under specific conditions. The task of preserving the basic properties of the reagent and preventing leaks must be solved. It is imperative to use only those containers that have been certified in the prescribed manner. The geometry and dimensions of the barrel are selected according to the actual needs.

So, for sprayers, only those models are used that are designed for increased pressure. Mandatory requirements are:

• increased environmental safety;

• small dimensions;

• absence of chemical reactions with stored substances (and preferably with other substances that are stored in the warehouse);

• tightness.

Barrels can be used:

• as a flowerpot;

• for collecting rainwater;

• for summer baths;

• for a summer shower;

• for autonomous water supply;

• for sand storage;

• for storage of petroleum products;

• for the accumulation of cement;

• for the accumulation of washing powders;

• for acids and alkalis;

• for detergents;

• for cooling agents;

• for surfactants, food, drinks, pharmaceuticals.

Typical barrel diameters (in centimeters, total / neck):

• 40/32,3;

• 49,2/39;

• 58,5/47,3;

• 58/66;

• 58/59;

• 50/39,5;

• 35/25;

• 59,5/59,5.

Of course, each manufacturer puts forward its own size range. However, in most cases, the situation is simple:

• tanks less than 100 liters - small;

• from 100 to 200 liters inclusive - medium;

• volume over 200 liters - large group (usually supplied with a wide mouth for maximum ease of use).

As for geometry, the situation is as follows:

• round models prevail;

• for industrial needs, mainly square barrels are used;

• oval and other versions are made on special order.

The darker the container, the better it keeps out sunlight.... The effect is about the same as for dark skin. Moreover, for the same reason, many manufacturers are trying to make multilayer tanks. Exposure to direct light can be extremely damaging. Dark blue or even black is almost always preferred.

Such paints are good because minimize the risk of water bloom. This is very important in any household. Blossom water is not suitable not only for drinking, but also for technological needs. In all industries, its quality must meet strict requirements. Blooming does not allow counting on it.

To avoid such a problem, one of the layers is made with the addition of a special stabilizer. It is this substance that guarantees the durability of the tank and protects it from harmful factors. As a result, you can confidently use the container as a water carrier. It also becomes possible to store (transport) milk and a number of other drinks. As for coloring, a polymer, including a polyethylene barrel can be:

• green;

• white;

• blue and even more exotic colors.

But it is worth considering that designs can be very different from typical industrial colors. Even in industrial facilities, the external properties of the tanks are very important. They are even more significant in private houses and dachas, where it is required to ensure optimal fit into the landscape. Coloring under wood is fully consistent with the natural style of decoration and significantly expands the possibilities of using containers. In some cases, at least the cover is made transparent - this greatly facilitates the control of the internal environment.

Black is good for a summer cottage shower or summer bath. Such a container will warm up much more efficiently just from the sun's rays. But for a garden barrel, this is hardly acceptable. For decorative qualities, the brown variety stands out favorably.

Plastic barrels are supplied by a variety of companies. TaraPlastic is a good example of this.... Various models of polyethylene and other types of plastic have been produced since 2001. The company makes its products both ready-made models and individual orders. She claims that all of her products offer the best value for money.

Among domestic firms, the Dzerzhinsky Production Association is also pleased. "Plastic". This organization has a serious industry complex. The company uses innovative technological methods. Product sizes vary greatly.

Products under the brand traditionally have a very good reputation and positive reviews. "Miracle barrel"... These are folding polymer products of a fairly high (from 100 to 2500 liters) capacity. Tanks of any size can be made on request. Peculiarities:

• for the manufacture of structures, 5 layers of selected polyvinyl chloride fabric are used;

• ease of daily maintenance;

• high strength;

• overall reliability;

• multifunctionality (suitability not only for water).

The products of the plant deserve attention "Ekokub"... The enterprise ships products throughout Russia and the CIS countries. The assortment includes products from 20 to 230 liters. There are plastic products with a pair of necks. The choice of colors depends only on the customer.

And also it is worth taking a closer look at the goods from "Politim"... The company has been manufacturing since 2013. At least 150 tons of plastic raw materials are processed monthly. All 100% of products are certified for quality.

It is also useful to mention firms such as:

• Irplast;

• Good Tara LLC;

• Agropak (one of the leaders on the Russian market);

• Europactrade.

To protect a plastic container from the sun, you can simply glue it over with polycarbonate. But if possible, it is better to immediately choose a container that is resistant to insolation. Or use the container in a place protected from light. And in order not to spend money on polycarbonate, you can do with polyethylene and any other materials that are opaque to ultraviolet radiation. You can even simply apply paint to the surface.

To open or cut a plastic barrel, it is not at all necessary to use grinders or saws, even hand-held ones; they are more suitable for metal and wood. But it is not very effective and safe to handle soft plastic by hand with a knife. For work, a drill with the thickest drill bit is best. If necessary, you can replace it with a jigsaw with a saw for wood. Important: it is not very wise to heat the container, because it is unsafe.

Handling plastic drums has a number of other subtleties. All experts insist that such containers can only be immersed and unloaded in a completely empty state.... Lifting, both manually and with the help of a hoist, should only be carried out with a fastening by the body. Barrels can be transported so that there are no extraneous physical influences.

Recommendations:

• before using a container for drinking water, it must be thoroughly washed with the same water with the addition of a disinfectant;

• then it is required to thoroughly rinse it in order to remove the remnants of this substance;

• avoid, unless absolutely necessary, work under pressure;

• use plastic containers at temperatures not lower than –30 and not higher than 65 degrees Celsius;

• the barrel can only be placed on level supports with optimal dimensions;

• use flexible connections to minimize stresses;

• do not deepen the container by more than 0.8 m;

• prevent heavy stress on the outer walls;

• avoid loading from above.

The specificity of operation also depends on how the container is used. So, septic tanks can only be used for natural and food waste, for other standard sewage. Otherwise, the normal operation of the system is not guaranteed. You can not dump not only construction waste, but also:

• solid food waste;

• water with oxidants;

• polyethylene;

• other non-biodegradable products;

• acids, alkalis;

• all kinds of alcohols.

It should be understood that even the best plastic barrel can clog over time. Therefore, such a septic tank must be cleaned at least once every 36 months (or better every 24 months). Assessment of the volume of accumulated waste is carried out visually. For greater accuracy, a wooden stick is laid inside for 1-2 hours. Cleaning is required if the blockage is more than 3/10 of the length of the stick.

Fuel and lubricants can be stored in plastic drums. They can only be installed in clean rooms that are not subject to dust accumulation. It is imperative to provide a platform for loading and unloading fuels and lubricants. There should be enough free space on it for all manipulations. It is useful to put everything so that from the entrance and from any other point it was possible to visually monitor the state of the containers.

Cannot be stored outdoors:

• lubricant for refrigerators and refrigerators;

• plasticizers;

• oils for medical purposes.

Whenever possible, lubricants should be stored under shelters. It is undesirable to place barrels on the ground. This requirement should be observed especially strictly in winter. The container should be systematically examined in order to detect defects in the seams in time.Do not use containers on which the markings have been erased.

Fuels and lubricants and containers for them must not be overheated. It is undesirable to place them where there are steam pipes, steam lines or powerful ovens. All fuels and lubricants should be stored in separate rooms. It is recommended that warning labels be made about the stored substances.

When stacking drums, it is necessary to ensure a free approach to them. Priority receipt of old stock should be guaranteed. Although the plastic is durable, it is absolutely impossible to throw containers. All tanks must be grounded. When storing all fuel, fire-fighting equipment should be provided.

The barrels should be filled to capacity with water, leaving no empty spaces. Drinking water must be marked with tags on the containers indicating the period of filling. Store water tanks away from light. Do not put them in unheated rooms or outdoors. Store dry and wet paints separately.

The quality and serviceability of containers should be monitored constantly. Checks of this kind are carried out daily. Ventilate the premises at least once a day. The cement is covered with cellophane or plastic wrap.