Uses for 55 gallon plastic barrels???

Too bad that they are closed head drums with two bungs rather than open head drums which could be better used to store any items from moisture.

Perhaps you could make some Savonius wind turbines. Use three barrel sets (on top of or beside each other) with each offset from the those next to it by 120º in order to gain the most power. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savonius_wind_turbine

Use the Savonius rotor to power?? Kinetic sculpture, an attic power shaft operating several ceiling fans, a clothes dryer with tumbling and fresh outdoor unheated air used for drying, fan over an outdoor room/seating area, vent fans in livestock facilities, vent fan in workshop or shed, to power a small air compressor filling a large tank with excess pressure relief, small generator, to pump water, stirring a pond to prevent ice from forming, oxygenating a pond to prevent fish die off, small capacity swimming pool filtering pump, used to power a blower for a solar air heating, to power power tools perhaps by long power shaft and belts like a century ago.

Enough, your turn.

Come visit and pack a couple in your luggage, you can use our guest room for a week or two in exchange! My DH wants a couple to make into wind generators. He plans on slicing them vertically, offsetting the sides and then having them pivot around a center post to generate electricity. He keeps eyeing my garden rain barrel so I need to find him a couple for his own.

Your husband knows precisely what a Savonius rotor or turbine is. If he uses 3 barrels and offsets the inlets 120º he will get smoother and better power.

If he proceeds please report back on the unit. There are some good YouTube videos on them and some not so good videos, everything from pop can sized to barrel sized.