How To Dispose Of An Oil Tank

[Stargazer]

Many years ago I was connected to gas from oil for central heating and a youngish man bought from me the oil that was still in it. He promised that he would take the tank away as he was in the building trade and had a lorry. He never did do this and now I am left with the problem. It will.have to be reduced in size as it is wedged between a large shed and my garage, the exact space in which a shed I have been given will fit. My son in law, also a builder says that an acetylene cutter would catch the remaining oily debris on fire and he doesn't own a grinder. Advice welcome

[retrocop]

Can he not hire a grinder They are not that expensive to buy but they still build up heat and sparks. Could be a big problem with the fuel vapour inside. I would puncture the tank and exhaust the vapour and leave before using an angle grinder on it.

[teacake44]

Is it to big for scrap man? or no value to them.

[retrocop]

It has to be reduced in size teacake. I am sure the scrap men will be all over it once its manageable and can be extracted from the wedge it is now in.

[teacake44]

13.16 yep to much work for some, then the need for transport. Wouldn't think there to cheap to buy, but again transport. May still be worth a shot at local free adds, if in good condition of course? someone may have one that's leaking, farmers etc.

[dustypuss]

According to the official guidance by DEFRA and the Environment Agency on the UK Government website; “if you pollute, you could get an unlimited fine, go to prison for up to 5 years, or both. You may also have to pay for the whole cost of the clean-up.”

[ubasses]

Ours, fortunately was removed by the professionals who delivered our new plastic one. They cut it up with an acetylene cutter. Shocked OH was ready to run, when they assured him that sparks would not ignite the oil. He thinks they took the vent off the top first to allow any fumes to escape.

[Stargazer]

Thanks everyone. I can open the hatch on the top to release any. vapours. Never though to do that. There will be a lot of water on top of any residual oil as it is in full sun all summer and the condensation inside drips off. My local recycling centre takes them if they are cut up a bit. Surprised me but I checked. My son in law is convinced that an oxyacetalin cutter would ignite the oil (I don't think he wants to do it!)
I will phone my nearest scrap metal man in the evening as he is not there right now.

[retrocop]

Blimey. I have two angle grinders and if you were local to me I would cut the tank up for you for nothing and no error.

[TonyV]

retro you are a braver man than me then, sparks will ignite vapours. IMO needs cutting with a saw that will not create any sparks.

[calmck]

My daughter is having a house built and a delivery lorry overturned. She was going to call fire dept. as diesel was leaking. Assured by builders that a spark would not ignite diesel which they siphoned out before lorry was removed.

[TonyV]

diesel will ignite when it gets warm enough.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_point

[Stargazer]

Retrocop, where do you live? I am in Norfolk if you feel like a day out!! Only kidding! But would you risk using an angle grinder as there seem to be differing opinions on here as to whether sparks could light any residual oil. However there will be a good covering of water over any sludge in the bottom the tank.

[retrocop]

I live in Surrey. A bit far for me alas.
Yes I would cut it with a angle grinder ensuring that the tank had been vented for a few days.As it is commercial heating oil I know it is not as combustible as petrol. I cut the lid off a 50 gall oil drum some time back to use as a makeshift incinerator.
It is one of the reasons that builders of leisure boats in the UK use diesel engines as opposed to petrol.It's all to do with fuel vapour sitting in the bilges. Marine diesel not so bad. Petrol lethal
Strangely the Americans use petrol for their engine and methylated spirits in the galleys for their gimbled hobs . They won't use bottled gas which I believe to be safer.

[douglas9401]

I suppose you could have a fire extinguisher to hand just in case but heating oil takes a good bit of igniting by accident.

Just leave it open to the air for a few days before starting work.

[fender62]

get a garden hose and a bottle of washing up liquid fill tank with whole bottle of washing up liquid, put hose in tank litre or two of water
dilute any residue oil, let it sit for a day or two, drill hole into tank let water out...then angle grind it.

[vulcan42]

I'm just wondering if a quick word with the fire service would help, not saying they will do it but they might know somebody who will do it safely.

[Stargazer]

By 5.30pm Saturday it had been cut up and is awaiting disposal. Son in law turned up and looked inside with a torch, saw that it was bone dry and said he was off to get his angle grinder. He used several grindings discs and sent me to buy further tins. So it is done ........but OOOOH! the sparks were like fireworks and I can see why someone's OH was getting ready to run! Thank you again for all your very interesting ccontributions

[TonyV]

Stargazer glad you got it all done, with out any getting hurt.

[Tilly2]

I'd have gone away for a few days and left them to it. :-)

Glad it's sorted.

[Stargazer]

Thanks for your interest Tony. No "they" Tilly - just the one son in law. I will be paying him for his time.