Sending a tank

[Alex.]

Hello - theoretical question from a local hostelry:

Let's say I need to send a used fuel tank to someone. Couriers won't take it because petrol fumes are one of their prohibited items, fair enough. Now - if I block all the tank outlets bar one, and hold the tank with the open outlet at the bottom, and pipe argon from my MIG into the tank, will that purge out the petrol fumes, or are the fumes lighter than argon?
Discuss !!

 

[Maker]

Why not use water?

 

[the snooper]

I think ideally you would need to get rid of the smell as well in order to get them to take it maybe a steam clean or similar

 

[Paul.]

The only recommended ways to purge fuel tanks used to be steam cleaning, or boiling in caustic, once clean seal it up and box it so no one knows what it is.

 

[Alex.]

Water or steam would cause problems for the new owner though wouldn't they?

 

[the snooper]

water would only push out the fumes steam cleaning would be better and the tank could be dried out afterwards

 

[rikrobson]

You dry it first.

 

[Alex.]

I imagine that would take a while. I thought gas would be quicker.

 

[dunk]

some will if its clean and dry and does not smell of petrol/diesel fumes, for petrol blow the tank out with a airline, diesel is another matter needs degreasing to rid smell, remember to pack well so as not to get damaged as yours will not be the only package being sorted at main sort depot and this is where problems happen, might be a good call to leave package open when carrier calls so he or she can see for themself`s its ok and dont contain fuel, then seal the package up, some carriers wont touch it full stop, a lot will if its done right, the main thing is tell em what it is and make sure it does not smell of fuel and is clean of muck or dirt, if you dont do it right and gets to the main hub where its stinking of fuel it will go nowhere and you will have to fetch it

 

[julianf]

isopropanol (also known by other names)

let it air first, then, when dry, tip in some isopropanol, swill it about, tip it out, maybe repeat, and let air again.

the iso will evaporate clean, and will dissolve petrol residues.


or...

just air for long enough that you know its not dangerous, pallet wrap the job (so its airtight), and then cover in card so noone knows what it is.

 

[DanielW]

Hello - theoretical question from a local hostelry:

Let's say I need to send a used fuel tank to someone. Couriers won't take it because petrol fumes are one of their prohibited items, fair enough.

If you block off the inlet and oullet so that you cannot smell petrol fumes,UKmail transport some combustible materials like aerosols and paints.
I suppose when you let them know what the cargo is they might refuse to handle it? if it where a new tank there wouldn't be a problem if yer get my drift, :-)

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I sold a brand new Land Rover fuel tank and struggled to find a courier who would accept it. In the end told buyer I'd be willing to wrap up and they could sort out their own courier. Suspected they omitted to tell courier it's real purpose !
BTW I took a petrol Stihl saw on a plane (in the hold). I contacted airline in advance and they told me to run it until it stopped rather than simply draining tank. At airport they were awaiting me and I got taken to one side like a VIP for processing before everybody else

 

[marfyboy]

I've purged a petrol tank on a running car exhaust before I brazed it?