IBC Durability

[Bob Honey]

Andrew posted something recently about the above, suggesting a 5 year
life expectancy.
In my innocence, I assumed if they look OK they are so. Can Andrew
or someone explain what to look for? What is the nature of failure?
Is it structural, or do they become more permeable to gasses, or what?
We need to expand our storage and fermentation capacity, and are
deciding between another Enduramaxx polyethylene tank or more IBC's.
Mind you, with this years crop, that may well be put on hold!
Bob Honey
honeyanddaughter.co.uk

[Andrew Lea]

On 11/08/2012 12:43, Bob Honey wrote:
> Andrew posted something recently about the above, suggesting a 5 year
> life expectancy.
> In my innocence, I assumed if they look OK they are so. Can Andrew or
> someone explain what to look for? What is the nature of failure? Is it
> structural, or do they become more permeable to gasses, or what?

I am not a materials scientist and can only refer to 'common knowledge'
or what can be found on Google. It is a matter of fact that polyolefins
degrade by oxidation - this can be hastened by light (photo-oxidation)
or oxidising agents eg chlorine-based sanitisers. It can be retarded by
the addition of antioxidants into the polymer or carbon black to absorb
the damaging UV radiation. The amount of degradation will also depend on
the extent of light exposure. So it is impossible to set absolute values
on lifetime because formulations and situations vary so much.

I suggested 5 years because for the UN classifications for transport of
hazardous goods I understand that re-testing of composite IBC's (ie
those with an HDPE bottle) must be carried out every 2.5 or 5 years to
show that they remain leakproof. That is probably a very conservative
lifetime estimate. In practice the clear PE tanks I use for cidermaking
have lasted the best part of 20 years in outdoor conditions. Not bad
really. I am about to buy a domestic plastic oil tank which will of
course live outside. They typically have guaranteed lifetimes of 10
years but are expected to last maybe double that. They are usually green
or black and UV inhibited of course.

Most people will surely have seen short-life PE containers or buckets
which have become brittle and cracked in sunlight after a while. The
pattern which I have begun to see on my fermenters started with evident
hairline crazing at the surfaces most exposed to sunlight, followed by
formal cracking. Yes it becomes apparent visually. I'd not like to
comment on whether the polymer becomes more air permeable prior to that
(before visual defects are seen) - I haven't seen any data. Loss of
mechanical strength as measured by an Instron, or change in IR spectral
properties, are early indicators (for instance as referred to in this
paper http://www.bjp-bg.com/papers/bjp2003_3-4_158-169.pdf) but not
practical outside of a lab. I think the UN test is a pressurised leak
test - I'm not sure.

I was just trying to make the point that composite IBC bottles don't
last forever and aren't intended to. They are a cheap and cheerful
solution but not an indefinite one. Maybe someone with greater knowledge
of this field can chip in.

Andrew

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Wittenham Hill Cider Portal
www.cider.org.uk

[Nat West]

On 11/08/2012 12:43, Bob Honey wrote:

Andrew posted something recently about the above, suggesting a 5 year
life expectancy.

IBC bottles can be replaced for under $100 USD, in the USA. I buy reconditioned IBCs with new bottles for $185. The pallets and cages are reused. Bottles can be replaced yourself quite easily, using common tools.

With this in mind, the longevity of the plastic may be less of a concern.

-Nat West, Portland Oregon.

[skidbro...@tiscali.co.uk]

Hi Bob

The black plastic orange juice containers are far more robust than IBCs, hold 1520 litres and are easy to fit an airlock to and are cheaper.

Job done.

I tend to rack off into them after the fast fermentation is over.

Vigo sometimes have them but LBS are just as cheap. www.lbsbuyersguide.co.uk

Good luck with your harvest. I think I could lend you some fermentation/storage space this year by the look of my apples.

Best wishes

Guy

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[Nat West]

I buy my IBCs from Myers Container Services in Portland. They are multi-state though: http://www.myerscontainer.com/

I just bought four more yesterday, which gets me up to about 50 of them I reckon.

On Tue, May 21, 2013 at 10:56 AM, Devoto Gardens <devoto...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Nat,

Could you recommend a supplier for the "reconditioned IBCs with new bottles for $185"?

Thanks!

Hunter Wade

Devoto Orchards

Sebastopol, California

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