For decades now, metal drums have been the most common method of transporting diesel and jet fuel by helicopter to remote sites such as the top of a mountain or deep into a wilderness area.

Unfortunately, drums are a poor choice considering they were never intended for this use and carry a number of inherent risks including injury to workers who have to handle the heavy drums on a daily basis and leaks that result from minor punctures. While these leaks may not be significant, when multiplied by the sheer number of drums in use, a substantial amount of fuel is being released into the surrounding environment every day from small leaks. On the positive side, none of this needs to occur any longer.

SEI Industries’ Double Drum is a collapsible fuel container designed specifically to be slung from a helicopter and eliminates the all-too-common scenario of empty fuel drums left behind, littering the landscape because they are too costly to fly out. The Double Drum folds up for quick transport when empty, protects fuel from condensation and is easy to handle. Once on the ground, the tank can also be hand rolled over short distances, making it easy to position on site. Most importantly, the Double Drum’s unique double-walled design provides abrasion resistance and built-in secondary containment to prevent any spills.

In North America, the Double Drum is used for helicopter slung loads and is available in two sizes: 250 USG (equivalent to 5.5 metal fuel drums) or 500 USG (equivalent to 11 metal fuel drums).

Construction

• The Double Drum’s inner bladder is made from a 38 oz urethane-coated nylon suitable for storage of diesel and jet fuel. The outer bladder is made from a heavy duty 32 oz OBU that makes it puncture and abrasion resistant.
• The Double Drum’s outer bladder has 15 connection-lifting straps, welded to the outer shell, with 48 x 12,000 lb. rated D-rings to connect to a lifting harness or secure to boat or ground vehicle. The inner bladder is attached by an aluminum 16-bolt outer ring and is removable for inspection and leak detection.
• The Double Drum is radio-frequency welded and seam sealed. It comes with a 1½ ” fill/drain kit with ball valve, camlock connection and dust cap. Each tank is supplied with a lifting harness to connect to a helicopter or crane.