Burn barrel for electrolysis tank?

[Greg Brinkmann]

Has anyone ever created or used a metal burn barrel (55 gallon style) to serve as an electrolysis tank with the internal metal wall serving as the sacrificial anode? Bad idea? Many thanks in advance for your insights.

 

[Doug D.]

People have done essentially the same with stainless steel barrels. The problem lies in the fact that, regardless of the barrel metal, as with any sacrificial anode, it will deteriorate over time; pinholes will develop and the barrel will no longer be water tight. For a non-SS barrel, I would assume the deterioration would occur much faster.

 

[RJ Ruchti]

Depending on what the original use was, some barrels have a lining to protect the contents from exposure to the metal, the metal to the contents.

 

[Greg Brinkmann]

I would assume that kind of lining would prevent the electrolysis process from working...like galvanizing or enameling...yes?

 

[RJ Ruchti]

I think most of the lining is a plastic type product. Lot of bulk food, like pickles, molasses, buttermilk, tomato juice, etc. is shipped in steel barrels.

 

[CraigA.]

Light a fire inside and burn that stuff right off.
That's standard procedure in the making of a drum smoker.