Using Gas on Poly Drums

Hello,

I am considering using gas (CO2) to transfer wine from a open-head (locking top) 55 gal poly drum. There are 2 small screw-plugged holes on the lid that should handle the gas-in and wine-out flows. Has anyone tried this before? What type of pressure can the drums handle? What type of fixtures/stoppers are best for this?

Thanks in advance, David Denver, CO USA

Reply to
David D.
Loading thread data ...

I've done that before, but I recommend using nitrogen instead of CO2 - unless you like fizzy wine. 3-5 psi is sufficient.

Threaded PVC and plastic tubing.

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Be very carefull when you do this. I would not go over a few PSI.

Others will probably say that they do it all the time with no ill effects, but my company had an accident doing this transfering gear oil. The worker used a homemade bung to pressurize the vessel and the seam burst almost taking the arm off another worker. Though this was against the stated rules an policy of the plant, he had been doing this procedure for years with no ill effects until the accident occured.

Standard plastic and metal drums are not "pressure vessels" and should not be treated as such!

Alex.

Reply to
Alex Brewer

Good advice, Alex.

I pressure rack from oak barrels too, and have for many years with no problem - BUT I never go above a few psi, and even that scares me a little. I know that the head of the barrel is 22 inches in diameter, and that makes the area about 380 square inches. Multiply that by the pressure and you have over a half ton of force trying to pop that head out of the barrel at a mere 3 psi!

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely closely watch the PSI. I assume that the gas should enter through the top and the liquid should exit through the bottom. I'm going to try this with drilled rubber stoppers. Do you think these will handle the pressure?

Thanks, David

Reply to
David D.

The siphon tube should suck from near the bottom, but you don't want to put a hole in the container near the bottom.

I'm going to try this with drilled rubber

Not very well. They'll tend to pop out. You need threaded fittings you can screw into the barrel to do it right.

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.