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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Cutting a diesel tank?

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Bob

07-04-2004 16:56:42




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I want to cut an old fuel tank in half. I think that its a 500 gal. tank. How can I do this without giving myself a free trip to the space station? Thanks.




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leland

07-07-2004 22:01:52




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
Would it just be eaiser to trade it for a smaller tank from your fuel jobber da a lot safer than blowing up



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hjp

07-06-2004 22:05:08




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
I presure wash the inside with soap,direct a shop vac hose inside for an hour and cut the tank with a good air chisel with a panel bit.



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T_Bone

07-06-2004 19:56:04




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
We had a Phoenix auto mechanic yesterday take off a CNG valve from a tank, apparently didn't depressurize the tank???, and the tank went up 200ft into the sky and dropped down thru another bay that had a canvas sun screen roof and nailed another fellow worker square on the head.

He's in ICU and it don't look good.

A carbon Fuel source (diesel) plus oxygen plus ignition source equals explosion every time.

T_Bone

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Fred P

07-05-2004 19:52:28




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
All of the methods may work most of the time. Thirty years ago we sent a diesel tank to a shop to be welded. The poor fellow that did the welding, it was the last thing that he did. The L an I rules at that time read, that you needed to run live steam in a fuel tank for twenty four hours. He did not. Before this happened I had used several of the old methods and got away with it. If I had to weld or cut on a fuel tank now it would be very CLEAN and full of water. The tank may of had diesel in it, but it may also sometime it life had gas or other fuel in it. If it did there is a good chance the there may still be a few fumes left. Be safe.

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Chris

07-05-2004 19:08:10




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
We have cut quite a few at work. Fill them with water and cut with a cut off saw with wheel.Keep water going it all the time as fast as possiable wear rain gear you will get wet.



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JohnM

07-05-2004 16:59:14




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
As a professional firefighter I can tell you that the pro companies use the dry ice method. Just put some inside and use a sawzall. You want to COMPLETELY drain the tank and you could even add some soap and water to rinse it out, and then use the dry ice inside while you do it. Trust me, I have seen the corner cutting results, no pun intended.



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Ron

07-05-2004 18:35:05




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 Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to JohnM, 07-05-2004 16:59:14  
Certified welders don't just drain the tank. They position it so that the opening is up and then fill it with water and let the hose run into it. All hydrocarbon based fuels are lighter than water and after 20-30 minutes of watching the fuel run out the top, it's then safe to use a torch on. Same procedure even works for gas tanks. I certainly agree with you that a reciprocating saw is much safer. In any event, this is not a DIY project and is best left to a pro.

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guess who

07-05-2004 09:45:59




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
local junk yard takes a rope and soaks it in gas or diesel and uses it like a fuse. they put one end in tank to be cut and then from a safe distance light the other end of rope fuse and get out of the way. If there are combustible fumes in the tank that should take care of them. I guess they prefere that to sitting on top of the tank with a lit torch and cutting into the tank to find out if it will go bang or no. I am not saying to do this, just reporting what some one else does.

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Andy

07-06-2004 19:25:59




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 Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to guess who, 07-05-2004 09:45:59  
That is not a fool proof method. The tank could be full of vapors to the point where it is above the UEL,(uppper explosive limet) this means there is not enough oxygen to flash. Once the tank is opened some it can enter the flammable range and ignite.



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Sounds like they are luck

07-05-2004 15:05:22




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 Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to guess who, 07-05-2004 09:45:59  
That sounds like a couple candidates for the Darwin award! What happens if there is a gallon or two of fuel left instead of just fumes? That would be one big bang.....and lots of shrapnel flying around.



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Bus Driver

07-05-2004 18:11:11




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 Re: Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Sounds like they are luck, 07-05-2004 15:05:22  
Only vapors of liquid fuels will burn. Burning of a fuel/air mixture in an enclosed vessel creates pressure and if the pressure is great enough, the vessel will burst (explode). Please tell us how liquid Diesel fuel, which vaporizes only at temperatures above 156 deg F, will make a greater explosion than will fumes?



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Andy

07-10-2004 20:41:38




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bus Driver, 07-05-2004 18:11:11  
If a tank BLEVE's the airborn diesel can be sprayed or atomized. It has a whole lot more surface area per vulume it can vaporize and burn at a tremendous rate compared to a pool of diesel.



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buickanddeere

07-06-2004 11:40:04




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bus Driver, 07-05-2004 18:11:11  
A tank wet with diesel fule will be full of fuel vapours at temps below 156F. If the air/fuel ratio is within the rich and lean limits and a source of ignition is available. She will burn and will build dangerous pressure if trapped within a confined vessel.



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kraigWY

07-04-2004 19:15:24




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
Run a hose from an exhoust pipe from a running engine, keeping the exhost in the tank while you cut the tank



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Bus Driver

07-04-2004 17:24:20




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 Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bob, 07-04-2004 16:56:42  
If you are sure that it has only had Diesel fuel in it, it can be cut safely with ordinary tools. Best to do it in the winter in cold weather, the hotter weather increses the risk somewhat. Work with the tank in shade. The flash point of the Diesel is well above normal temperatures. Do not use heat or flame!!! I sawed the end off just such a tank with a Sawzall, saw just away from the weld on the main body of the tank. Not easy nor fast. Once the end is off, explosion is not posssible, nothing to permit a pressure buildup. If still skittish, some dry ice in the tank will give off CO2 during the process. If anything at all other than Diesel or #2 heating fuel has been in the tank, do not use this process.

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goofus

07-04-2004 22:31:23




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 Re: Re: Cutting a diesel tank? in reply to Bus Driver, 07-04-2004 17:24:20  
A local guy was grinding on a drum that had contained racing fuel a few days ago. He is now in the critical burn center.



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