kerosene tank danger

[one more cast]

I want to cut a 275 gallon fuel tank in half with a metal cutting blade in my skill saw. The tank had kerosene in it so do I have anything to worry about as far as explosion? I'm thinking not but I've gotten myself in trouble before by thinking.

 

[beniam]

Re: kerosene tank danger

It will make sparks. And then it makes fire. There is no easy way to get old fumes out of an old metal gas/ kerosene container. Especially a closed container. If you are lucky it will burn and not explode. Some try filling with nitrogen gas.<br />Be happy, enjoy life. Batavier

 

[ehenry]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Look my thread up on cutting an old propane tank. A kerosene tank is just like cutting a diesel or gas tank.....you got to kill it first. I watched my neighbor, who's retired welder/mechanic off the Alaska Pipeline, cut a 250 gallon diesel tank to make a grill out off. First, he ran a hose from his truck exhaust over in to the tank and let it run for what seemed like a couple hours. Not sure how long he let it run. He said that doing that took all the oxygen out therefore there it wouldn not explode. He cut the tank while I watched, AT A SAFE DISTANCE MIND YOU, but he had no problem. He told me of cutting 10k gallon gasoline tanks up in AK that had dry ice dumped in them. He had to cut a 4 foot square out of the tanks so they could be disposed of.

 

[Terry H]

Re: kerosene tank danger

OMC, sawzall works so much better...Chief

 

[Bondo]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Go For It..........<br /><br />There'll be Sparks,+ Smoke.......... NO Boom........<br /><br /><br />Gasoline is the 1 that'll Kill You.........

 

[beniam]

Re: kerosene tank danger

sparks....psfuttt....fizzzz??????<br />OR Kaboooom!!!!<br />Let us know if its the first. Be happy. Live like there's no tomorrow. Batavier

 

[moderator1]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Kerosene is jet-fuel...It can and will explode if conditions are right.<br />Guys around here that weld on fuel tanks fill them with water....don't know how good that is, but I can't say I've heard of any blowin' up..

 

[one more cast]

Re: kerosene tank danger

I think I will build a big fire under this tank and see what happens.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: kerosene tank danger

DONT.<br /><br />Even if you've got the filler cap off it may well explode-if you're unlucky it'll fly off in a random direction too.<br /><br /> Filling it with water isn't 100% safe either if welding it, Petrol or diesel/kerosene can and will burn with the steam produced by the heat of welding at the weld site (a welding arc is 3200 deg C or more.)<br /><br />Dry ice or car exhaust fumes are the best bet.

 

[rwise]

Re: kerosene tank danger

DO NOT USE car exaust fumes, I had 2 friends that tried that BOOOOOM!!!

 

[fixin]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Dig a big hole and stuff a stick of TNT in it,light,run like heck.That should take care of any fumes that may be in it.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: kerosene tank danger

if you can fill the tank 100% with water, and then use a recip saw to cut it, i can't see anything happening. i'd leave the hose running fresh water into it the whole time. it would be a wet job, but should be safe.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Kerosene, jet fuel, and #1 diesel are all the same. #2 diesel, the stuff we get at the pump now, is not the same…it burns ever so slightly hotter. As was mentioned, the fumes from diesel (#1 or #2) are not nearly as volatile as the fumes from gasoline. Boats with diesel engines do not need bilge blowers nor ignition protected anything. Diesel fuel spills in the bilge are a pain in the butt, but not a safety issue.<br /><br />However, #1 diesel (a.k.a. kerosene) has a flash point somewhere between 100-deg F and 160-deg F (typically around 140-deg F) depending on the grade. The actual flash point can be higher if the fuel was contaminated. So if there is any remnant fuel in that tank it should be removed before subjecting it to the sparks of a cutting blade.

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> if you can fill the tank 100% with water, and then use a recip saw to cut it, i can't see anything happening. i'd leave the hose running fresh water into it the whole time. it would be a wet job, but should be safe.

Unless you get electrocuted!

 

[one more cast]

Re: kerosene tank danger

If my new avitar looks like this then you know whatever I tried didn't work......<br /><br />

<br />

 

[Bondo]

Re: kerosene tank danger

<br /><br />Shoulda said something 2 weeks ago.............<br /><br />My "Blue-Tip Wrenches" are mounted right there in the back of My truck.............. <br /><br />Do it in the Morning, or in the Shade,.. Have the garden hose handy,... You'll be Fine, With Whatever way you care to cut it.........<br /><br />I personally think Some of the fella's here are a Little Over-Cautious,.......<br />Ayuh,..........<br />I've Played with a Few Tanks........ It the medium for My Art...........<br /><br /><br />

 

[beniam]

Re: kerosene tank danger

As 18rabbit says, flashpoint at 100-160F. Autoignition (hot enough to go Boom) at 490F.The problem is not igniting in the open atmosphere for kerosine (fuel oil #1). Problem is in an enclosed space at 490F.Happens in the cylinder of a diesel engine. Full tanks do not readily explode. Empty tanks with a little vapor----remember the fuel tank with the overheated electrical wire in that unfortunate airplane?<br />Empty + heat.<br />By the way , what is the difference between Boom and Kaboom? Boat lots and try to live a long and happy life. Batavier

 

[one more cast]

Re: kerosene tank danger

I finally got around to cutting my tank in half. I left the caps off and the drain plug out since I started this post. I had two seven inch metal cutting blades for my circular saw and ran out before I was finished so I finished it up with my 4 1/4 inch grinder with a cutting wheel. Piece of cake.

 

[beniam]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Good for you. Glad you are safe and successful.<br />Batavier

 

[rwise]

Re: kerosene tank danger

Glad it went well for you!