Purging a Tank For Cutting/Welding

[FTG-05]

Timely thread. I cut a 12"x12" hole in my farm diesel fuel tank today. Made sure it was empty (as possible) of fuel, then filled it with water.

Took it into my shop and started with the plasma. I wasn't expecting the blow out of water out of the fill hole. Found out that tank had a tube going down about 6" into the tank, not allowing the air to escape. Once I had a hole, it went well, no problems.

Found the problem as to why the tank wouldn't hold it's full capacity: they put plenty of fuel holes, but no air venting at all. The tank was originally a "L" shaped tank; someone in it's past welded 12 ga steel to make it rectangular. I'll get pics of the tank tomorrow, if interested.

Pics:

 

[Industrial Toys]

I thought I would weld on some legs, in a kind of Danish 70s, Modern Minimalist Styling. Welding to the CAST plugs "seemed" to be going well. In fact, I had to use a three foot pipe to screw the one plug in, putting quite a bit of torque to the weld. Then flipped it over a walla! TOTAL Failure! Glad it didn't hapen when it was full of manure!








Just from this lid, I have pails of water contaminated with oil and had to scrape off the ground, so I have cardboard boxes of contamindated earth and gravel, that I wil burn in a hot bonfire..

 

[cdaigle430]

I just cut mine in half with a saws all-after reading this post it was probably not too smart. At the time I didnt even think there was anything in it but number 2 oil.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My clothing got filthy and will no doubt get even more so when I tackle the main mess. Reminds me of the guy that blew up himself and his house, when trying to wash his dirty clothes in the washer with gasoline! lol

 

[Industrial Toys]

Well, I had this brain storm. Found a 14mm rod and drilled a suitable hole through the square plug top. VERY crudly done.





The welding actually sticks to the cast, but the cast is so weak, the top layer gets ripped off like a scab.

 

[flusher]

A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher discharged into the tank would purge any oxygen. Personally, I use water and a battery powered demolition saw. The water leaks out over the saw blade and keeps it cool and no sparks.

You're right. Fill that tank with water and do the job safely that way.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It would have meant 500 or so gallons of highly contaminated water to deal with. I have two pails already, I don't know what to do with..

 

[Egon]

Forget the plugs. Weld up saddle to sit in.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Welding cut chain links onto the corners for lifting.




And off I go to get manure.
I have to say, how disappointed I am, how little this thing holds! Kind of makes me think the whole thing was a waste of time!

 

[aczlan]

I would put angle from the end of the leg up to the tank and weld it in, that way when you dump a load in and it ends up off center they are less likely to break off.

Aaron Z