Making a pressure vessel out of an oil barrel

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of using an oil barrel as a pressure vessel for casting Polyurethane under a pressure of 60 PSI. Participants explore the risks associated with this approach, focusing on the structural integrity of oil barrels under pressure.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the safety of using an oil barrel for a pressure vessel at 60 PSI.
  • Several participants warn against using oil barrels for significant internal pressure, citing the risk of rupture and potential harm to individuals nearby.
  • One participant shares a personal anecdote about a fatal incident involving a pressure-related failure of an oil drum, emphasizing the dangers of using such barrels.
  • Another participant mentions the dangers associated with improperly vented oil drums, which can bulge and fail under certain conditions.
  • Responses indicate a strong consensus on the risks involved in using oil barrels for this purpose.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that using an oil barrel as a pressure vessel is unsafe and poses significant risks. There is no indication of competing views on this matter.

Contextual Notes

Participants express concerns about the structural integrity of oil barrels under pressure, highlighting the lack of design for such applications and the potential for catastrophic failure. Specific conditions and assumptions regarding pressure limits and barrel construction are not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals considering DIY projects involving pressure vessels, particularly those unfamiliar with safety standards and risks associated with using repurposed containers.

lemming73
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Hi,
I want to build a pressure vessel for casting Polyurethane under pressure.

Does anyone know if it is safe to put an oil barrel under a pressure of 60 PSI ?

(It has to be a barrel that can be opened and closed with a lid, other wise I can't put the mold in. :smile: )
 
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Please do not even consider this approach. These barrels are not designed for any significant internal pressure, and could easily rupture, possibly killing anyone nearby. 60psi does not seem like a very high pressure, but this amount of compressed air, in a large volume, carries a significant amount of stored energy. You basically need some sort of autoclave vessel that is rated for the required pressures.
 
RocketSci5KN said:
Please do not even consider this approach. These barrels are not designed for any significant internal pressure, , possibly killing anyone nearby. 60psi does not seem like a very high pressure, in a large volume, carries a significant amount of stored energy. =required pressures.
I just registered on this site because I must warn you that tin oil barrel may Kill you . My racing buddy Rick Alexander is dead because the head of an oil drum struck his chest and face. They are just crimped on. Do not apply pressure to them.!
 
Thanks for the advice, ofcourse I would rather have heard the opposite, but
I am not goiing to try this.
 
lemming73 said:
Thanks for the advice, ofcourse I would rather have heard the opposite, but
I am not goiing to try this.

Good choice. And, Flathead, my condolences on the loss of your friend.
 
lemming73 said:
Thanks for the advice, ofcourse I would rather have heard the opposite, but
I am not goiing to try this.
Thank you for heeding the advice you got here. Many, many people have been killed by truck tires on segmented wheels that failed, and they are designed for the pressure they operate at. Oil drums are certainly not. I have seen oil drums with badly bulging heads because they were left "empty" out in the sun with the bung stoppers threaded too tightly to allow the volatile contents to vent.
 

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