How Much Coal Could You Store in a 35 Gal Trash Can

michaelanthony wrote:

ad356 wrote:i have my option between bulk delivery and bagged. how many trash cans would it take to store 3 tons? I believe that's the smallest weight I can have delivered

according to wiki coal weighs approx 80 lbs/ cu ft.
there is 7.48 gallons in a cu ft. so......35gallon / 7.48=approx 4.68 cu ft x 80 lbs = 375 lbs. approx. 6000lbs/375 lbs.= 16 trash cans....

I agree with your method but wiki must be hallucinating, or talking about solid chunks of coal. The "rule of thumb" that a ton of anthracite requires 40 cubic feet translates to a density of (2000/40=) 50 lb/cubic foot for anthracite as received. Using that value, 4.68 x 50 = 234 lb per 35 gallon trash can, and 26 trash cans would be needed (very similar to Doby's #).

Mike

Couple of things to keep in mind here, firstly as the size of the coal decreases the volume increases.

Secondly as the size of the container decreases the volume increases at least based on previous discussions. I would imagine this wouldn't affect rice much but moreso the larger sizes. My conclusion was that you had a greater surface area on the side of the bucket and that was causing a lot more air space.

Have a look at these...

IBCs

More IBCs

remember for delivery day that gravity cannot be overlooked without something to counter it.

I get my coal individually wrapped.

I could see using 55 gal drums..plastic lined of course.

Lightning wrote:Wouldn't you rather build a bin? About 40-42 pounds fit in a 5 gallon pail so I'm guessing 280+ a few fit in a 35 gallon trash can.

Yes Lighting, When I first tried burning coal (chestnut coal), I bought it by the 5 gallon pail, which was considered 40 pounds at the supplier. 11 five gallon pails dumped into a 55 gallon metal drum, actually filled the drum perfect.

A couple of "Bagsters" would hold 3 ton.

ad356 wrote: my daily driver is a 1996 camaro Z28 and its a hatchback so I probably could fit them in the back of the car, one at a time of course.

If you work at it I think you could increase efficiency.

Mike