I could also tape a flexible dryer hose to the outlet tube of a leaf
blower and vent it out for awhile. However that would could also
create a perfect blast furnace.

I really like the dry ice idea. Do supermarkets sell dry ice these
days?? Is there any common source for getting dry ice??



On 13 Mar 2005 03:17:46 GMT, Ignoramus14003
wrote:

On Sat, 12 Mar 2005 20:16:31 -0600, Dean Hoffman wrote:
davefr wrote:
I buried a 500 gallon gas tank in the late '70's for farm use. I used
it for about 10 years and then pumped it dry.

Complete removal is impractical since a small shed is built on top of
it and I don't want to demolish the shed.

I'd really like to cut the top off and fill it with rock or dirt so
it's decommisioned once and for all.

I checked with the state DEQ office and they told me 500 gallon tanks
are unregulated. My only obligation is to report a spill but this
tank never leaked since I quit using it very early in it's life.

I'm not too fond of the idea of using a cutting torch. Even though
it's totally dry there could still be fumes and I don't want to get
dead. For the same reason, I really don't want to use an angle
grinder.

I'm thinking sawsall or pneumatic chisel.

Anyone know how underground tanks are decomisioned? I'd like to
remove a 5' X 2' portion of it's top.

Is there a safe way to make 100% sure the tank is vented such as
injecting an inert gas that's heavier then gasoline fumes to drive
them out?

Other suggestions?

One trick I've seen is to run a hose from an exhaust pipe of
a running
engine. The exhaust gases will drive out the gas fumes.

Even easier (and safer) would be to put down a hose from a compressor,
and let it pump air for a day, while at the same time trying to smell
the air coming out. I would think that if there is no perceptible
smell, including from an air sample from the bottom, there should not
be much risk of an explosion. But, better safe than sorry.

i