Looking at a barrel of mil spec JA1 in front of me.... 42 US Gallons.

IATA fuel price monitor uses 42 US Gallons per bbl (barrel) for its cost index worldwide.

Why would there be different packaging to 55 or 44 gal drums for some parts of Australia?

The oil barrel measurement of 42 US gallons originated from the use of whisky barrels in the 1870's which were of 42 US gallon capacity.

The origin of the drum dates from 1905, and as stated by Tankengine gained wide spread use in WWII. It is an international standard container now of 55 US or 44 imp gal. Standard drums have inside dimensions of 572 millimetres (22.5 in) diameter and 851 millimetres (33.5 in) height. These dimensions yield a volume of about 218,681 cm³ or 218.681 litres (57.8 US gal; 48.1 imp gal), but they are commonly filled to about 200 litres.

https://aoghs.org/transportation/nellie-bly-oil-drum/

Megan - I think you will find the filling standard is 205 litres, but I am not sure why I guessed it was a imperial thing.

I worked much of this out doing a fuel cal on a C210 that has a main tank capacity of 44 GAL years ago. It was far short of 200 litres when overflowing!

Weymouth used the standing up of a 44gal drum(full) as a prerequisite to flying at VRD, was extremely pissed when the CP showed Robyn, a whirlybird, on her first job, how to do it. Leverage not power does it for you.

Perhaps, Band a Lot, 205L allows for the loss when you tilt the drum to ensure water etc is not picked up by your pump. That way you still get 200L. I really don't know, just a thought.

Nearly 60 years ago ago used to be the airport refueller when the drum and quart stroke pump was all on offer. A graduated broomstick of suitable length was used to dip the drum before and after refuelling in order to calculate the amount dispensed, and fill out the docket. No idea now what registered on a full drum.

Jet fuel
 

How much jet fuel really in a barrel can you say for definite 200 lts or not, or are you just guessing?

Geez, thread resurrection of the year!

The drum is stamped as containing 200 litres, in big letters for the hard of reading.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....14d0a2570.jpeg
Except when it stamped 190 l

That's the Philippines swh, I'd expect to be short changed. :p In Oz you get 200.

http://www.rechargepetroleum.com.au/aviation/


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....a0df2e0d7f.jpg

Off thread, but talk of drums brought it back. Burketown in the ‘60’s. Early morning after arriving at last light. Head office advised B’town closest fuel to a big aerial survey job needed ASAP, so we should operate from there. I was not impressed - B’town in 60’s- but boss anxious to please head office, so I reluctantly agreed.

Managed to find the fuel agent -

“I’m told you’ve got AVGAS”
”That’s right”
To boss - I guess we can survive it for a week.
OK, I’ll be coming in each day at lunchtime and last light, needing about 100 gals a time.
“Jeez,mate. I’ve got a drum!”

Thanks very much, we’re going to the Isa!

If you look around you will find 205 lts drums marked and referenced - so not so sure of you hard of reading comment!

My point was you need to reference what is written on the drum and not to assume. Just like the photo you have chosen to use is in South Africa, not Australia.

A ‘standard’ 44 gallon (55 US gallon) drum can hold a tad over 218 litres.

There are reasons for them being ‘filled’ to 190 litres in some places, 200 in others and 205 in yet others.

Don’t sweat it. Those who do should subscribe to BBC 4’s ‘Boring Talks’ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcas...s/id1332490817

44 Imperial Gallons x 4.546 = 200 liters
55 US Gallons x 3.785 = 208 liters
1 Imperial Gallon x 1.2 = 1.2 US Gallons
1 Barrel of Crude = 42 US Gallons, 35 Imperial Gallons or 159 liters.
https://www.aoghs.org/transportation...on-oil-barrel/

I'm not aware of Jet fuel being sold in "Barrels" (being the 42 US gallon "Tiece" equivalent), rather drums filled to either Imperial or US Gallons and clearly labelled with the content volume.

As with all things drums are governed by an international standard, the subject drum being sized at 22.5 inch diameter and 33.25 height internally giving the following nominal volumes,

57.23 US Gals
47.66 Imp Gals
216.64 Litres

In Oz industry is referred to as a 44 Gal, 205 Litre, why 205 when 44 = 200?,

I think we need a Royal Commission into this.

‘Cos Straya!