500gal propane tank

[donny88]

I have a 500 gal old propane tank. I want to use part of for a smoker besides opening all the plugs to atmosphere and maybe rinsing it what other ways or steps should I do to get rid of old propane gas from the tank before cutting? Also how long should I leave it open to atmosphere.

Thanks!

 

[cvan]

It will be hard to get rid of the mercaptan that they use to make LP smell just leaving it to the atmosphere to get rid of. I would check with your local LP suppplier to find out how to safely dispose of it. As far as cutting the tank, you will want to fill it with water to displace any of the residual gasses.

 

[donny88]

Oh okay thanks and have it full of water as I'm cutting it open do you mean?

 

[daveomak]

Shop vac discharge hose and blow it out until the smell is gone..
The mercaptan oil will be there until you burn out the inside when it's a smoker... Mercaptan oil is flammable BTW...

 

[donny88]

Oh perfect okay thank you and letting me know about it being flammable haha

 

[donny88]

Yeah my smoker plans will need to be put on hold I only have a little hobbie welder 110v I don't think it will have enough amps to weld that think of metal