Replies

1. 
   junkhound | Oct 31, 2008 03:44am | #1

   No info on location in your profile.

   1. If within 50 mi of Seattle, do NOT take the tank, it could kill you and your family with fumes given off once the tank is moved.  I know how to safely dispose of 200 gal of diesel, e-mail me and I'll come don all my OSHA protective gear and rad hazard dose badge and come take it off your hands. <G>

   2. If farther than 50 mi, no concerns. 

1. 
   Quickstep | Oct 31, 2008 03:53am | #2

   I'm in Maryland. Temps are in the 40's and 50's these days.

1. 
   highfigh | Oct 31, 2008 05:24am | #6

   If you close it up at 40-50 degrees, don't put it in a warmer place. It's significant enough that if the tank has any weak areas, they could rupture. Better to pump it out before removing the tank, IMO.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   junkhound | Oct 31, 2008 05:36am | #7

   Do PV/T= PV/T calcs for 2/3 full 275 gal tank even for a 125F hot Pheonix summer day.   Zero rupture risk.

   PS:  OP too far away for hazmat suit rescue of 'unfortunate' first poster<G>

   PPS: agree with the pumping out though, if OP was near me and responded to #1, just to not have to move a ton out of a garage would be easier with 4ea  55 gal barrels and a pump vs getting the backhoe over to his neighbors place to move the tank.

   Edited 10/30/2008 10:39 pm ET by junkhound

1. 
   highfigh | Oct 31, 2008 05:54am | #8

   I don't remember the OP saying it was buried. If it's underground, it may already have leaks. If it doesn't, it probably has enough rust that I still wouldn't seal it completely unless there was some way to absorb the expansion, like a balloon inside. If a tank is 2/3 full, you're right, there's no risk but if it was totally full, there's not enough air to compress, which makes it riskier. My cans of solvent in the garage do all kinds of swelling and contracting when they're in sunlight, go from hot to cold and vise-versa, and don't necessarily have much air in them.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   Quickstep | Oct 31, 2008 06:01pm | #10

   Definetly pumping it out before moving, but that won't happen for a few weeks. Too much risk with the contents sloshing around. I was just wondering it there could be enough expansion or contraction to be of concern between now and then.

2. 
   Scrapr | Oct 31, 2008 03:55am | #3

   See Kramer on Seinfield and the Bottle return episode.

   you just need a bigger  truck

    

    

2. 
   DanH | Oct 31, 2008 04:05am | #4

   My gut feel is that you maybe should leave it vented somehow until you're ready to move it, but that there should be no problem with sealing it tight during the move. Just keep flames away when you crack it open after moving.

   But I have no first-hand background in this stuff.

   Corporation: n. An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility. --Ambrose Bierce
3. 
   RedfordHenry | Oct 31, 2008 04:23am | #5

   Not sure what your concerns are, expansion/contraction of the fuel?  I'd be more concerned with stirring up any sludge/condensate that has likely settled to the bottom of the tank.  Fresh filter for sure before hooking it up.

4. 
   Virginbuild | Oct 31, 2008 05:47pm | #9

   At 60 Deg F 264 gallons will expand to about 275 gallon when it reaches 140 Deg F

   At 0 Deg F 256 gallons will expand to about 275 gallons at 140 Deg F.

   There is some variation depending upon the gravity of the product in the tank. Based upon the above figures and the product temperature at filling be sure to keep a free space to avoid overflow.

   As far as installing the tank you should make sure that if any leaks develop the spill will be contained in a leak proof pan. Spilled oil does not go away, only into our water supply.

   The above calculations are from API table 6b at API gravity of 34.