Replies

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Aug 06, 2001 01:08am | #1

   *
   Most of them seem to have sludge in the bottom (sometimes lots of sludge) which is really hell.

   I think you still need a license around here to remove oil tanks (???).

   When they removed one from my parent's home years ago, they use one of those huge shears based on the "jaws of life" to cut it down to size.

1. 
   gstringe_ | Aug 06, 2001 01:14am | #2

   *How about an air flow for a day to get all the volatile out and then fill the tank with nitrogen or CO2 and just saw it up? Or maybe a hydrolic rusher or a power nibble instead of a saw. Maybe talk to a car gas tank repair guy.

1. 
   David_Doud | Aug 06, 2001 02:02am | #3

   *Sawzall works very well to section tanks - nasty job anyway you do it - fuel oil has negligible chance of exploding with this method - got to spray it into an aerosol to get it to burn - I think using heat is the wrong method to work around fuel -

1. 
   Bill_Ha. | Aug 06, 2001 02:02am | #4

   *Ryan, I watched a "decommissioning" of a neighbors no longer used in ground tank, required by bank for home equity loan. They used a 1" hole saw for a starter hole then sawsall to make an 18" I 18" opening. A guy then hopped into the hole and wiped up sludge, took a quick photo to show no visible leakage holes and they back filled with gravel. The sawsall made quick work of thin sheet metal, and no cutting torch sparks! I doubt you would have an explosion hazard, but would not like to find out I'm wrong either. Between sawsall and nibler probably won't go wrong. As an aside, I tried starting a camp fire once using kerosene which is similar to heating oil, could hardly light the darn thing. Very different from gasoline. -Bill

1. 
   bill_burns | Aug 06, 2001 04:21am | #5

   *I have cut dozens of them using a sawzall. you might also check the ceiling of the basement for signs of an opening that was created to get the tank in the first place. lots' of old houses without basements have the floors cut and the tank dropped in. it can be quite easy to reverse the procedure and remove the tank.

2. 
   Bill_H_ | Aug 06, 2001 08:09pm | #6

   *Ryan, I watched my heater guy cut the tank in half with a saws all. First I said no way, they assured me it would be fine as this is the standard procedure for removing them. After about 10 miniuts discussion and being very understanding of my fear of fire we agreeded that they can cut it ONLY if I stand by with a big a$$ fire extingusher,(like that would have helped if the thing blew up) Anyhow, lots of smoke and noise, it went without problem in about 5 miniuts. We all had a good laugh at my expense, I bought the guys sandwiches for lunch.

3. 
   Mike_Shultz | Aug 06, 2001 09:04pm | #7

   *There is an explosion hazard anytime combustibles vaporize inside of a closed container. Tanks that I have seen decomissioned were drained, dry-ice was dropped in (CO2 to displace O2), and then the tank was checked with a gas monitoring meter to detect explosive gases. I would ask your insurance company what your exposure would be for doing this type of work and how much more they would charge in premiums.

4. 
   Steve_L. | Aug 07, 2001 12:11am | #8

   *You may want to check with a local hazardous waste company like SafetyKleen to see if they might do this job or refer you to someone who does. It is definitely dangerous not to mention dowright messy.

5. 
   eamgjw_ | Aug 07, 2001 07:23pm | #9

   *I wonder what would happen if you put a vacuum pump on it and collapsed it? Would the collapse be graceful or catastrophic, in structural terms? Since it is a vacuum process, which will lower temperatures, there should not be an ignition hazard. Vacuum pumps are used in A/C work.

2. 
   RYAN_BUCK | Aug 07, 2001 07:23pm | #10

   *
   I frequently come across abandoned 200 - 300 gallon oil tanks located in the basements of houses I do work on. They are original to the house but were no longer needed when switched over to gas appliances. Sometimes there is a basement hatchway, but other times not. Either which way,there is no way to remove these tanks in one piece that I can see. I thought about cutting them up in pieces by means of a torch, plasma cutter, recip saw, or abrasive blade on a circular saw but I am worried if any one of these methods will create an explosion. Is there a product that can be poured in to diminish any fire threats? Any other ideas to safely cut and remove these tanks?