Cutting up a Propane tank for removal

[Gem99ultra]

I have a 500 gallon propane tank that's out back in the edge of the woods that's been there probably 50 years before I moved in. It was still capped closed and when I cracked the valve I could smell propane and hear some pressure coming out of the tank.
I want to remove this eye-sore but it's buried among some pretty large trees now, so I need to cut it up into smaller pieces to drag it out. Any idea on how I can accomplish this - without blowing myself up? I really don't want to chop down some pretty trees needlessly.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I'd like to know how to do this too. The local Hutterite colony takes the tank to the middle of the field. Removes all the fittings and pile some straw bales around and light them. Once the fire is out the tank is safe to cut with a torch. Unfortunately this isn't going to work for your situation. I have welded on old 20 lb bottles after leaving them open and in the sun for 3-4 months.

 

[IslandTractor]

How about removing the valve, letting it sit for a few days/week and then purging with compressed air/nitrogen/CO2 or water before cutting?

 

[Shield Arc]

I've never done it myself. But I read about it all the time on welding forums. Most people like to place dry ice in the tank before cutting. Some just wash the smaller tanks out with soap and water.
Dry Ice Information - all about dry ice

 

[Jw5875]

Gem99ultra,

I have connect a hose from the exhaust of equipment (tractor, logsplitter or whatever) to the inlet of oil tanks to purge them of vapors.
You must remove all of the fittings to make sure the exhaust fumes fill the tank. Also if you do this, make sure that you are in a well ventilated
area. My suggestion would be to purge that tank with the exhaust on a windy / breezy day. Good Luck and be safe!

jw5875

 

[juddspaintballs]

Take off the valve and fill it with water completely. Let it sit a few days then drain it and go to town cutting with all of the fittings off of it.

 

[Baby Grand]

That would sure make a nice land/lawn roller!

 

[Jackfr]

I filled one with water completely a couple of times that way all the gas was purged. We then made it I to a land roller

 

[Fifelaker]

Do not purge with air compressed or otherwise! It takes 3 things to make fire and air or more precise o2 which air has a lot of is one of the 3 legs of combustion.. Argon, exhaust or any "Inert" gas will work as will fill it with water and drain. On a 500 gal. pig I would do that at least twice to be sure. If that thing blows when you break through with a torch you're not even going to hear the "KA" let alone the "BOOM"

 

[Egon]

Gasoline engine exhaust (carbon monoxide) is itself combustible with the proper mix of air.