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Title: FAILURE ANALYSIS: WASTEWATER DRUM BULGING

Journal Article · · Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention
OSTI ID:939429

A 55 gallon wastewater drum lid was found to be bulged during storage in a remote area. Drum samples were obtained for analysis. The interior surface of these samples revealed blistering and holes in the epoxy phenolic drum liner and corrosion of the carbon steel drum. It is suspected that osmotic pressure drove permeation of the water through the epoxy phenolic coating which was weakened from exposure to low pH water. The coating failed at locations throughout the drum interior. Subsequent corrosion of the carbon steel released hydrogen which pressurized the drum causing deformation of the drum lid. Additional samples from other wastewater drums on the same pallet were also evaluated and limited corrosion was visible on the interior surfaces. It is suspected that, with time, the corrosion would have advanced to cause pressurization of these sealed drums.

Research Organization:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC09-08SR22470
OSTI ID:
939429
Report Number(s):
SRNL-STI-2008-00383; TRN: US200823%%182
Journal Information:
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, Journal Name: Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English