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Hey all, I recently did a large scrap pickup from a new customer. He asked me if I recycled the small coleman propane tanks. I said yes and now have several dozen of these little tanks. From your experiences what is the best way to safely vent these tanks? I was planning on punching a hole in the side, but was wondering if there is a better/safer way to dispose of them. Thanks.
Jetboil CrunchIt Fuel Canister Recycling Tool | Camping Stove Parts | BackcountryGear.com I want to get one of these to try out.
This is probably not practical for many on the web site, but I use them for target practice at long range using a 30-06, 300 Weatherby Magum, 243, 44, and 30-30. I do the same thing with larger propane tanks, gas tanks on vehicles, fire extinguishers, condensers, etc. I like to combine work with recreation. It saves on the tools and is much safer when you are 150 yds. away.
Check with your local yards to see if they will accept them. Around here, they will not accept any of them AT ALL, no matter how many holes they have in them. Something about the residue left inside that is potentially flammable and/or dangerous, so I was told. There is usually a pile or bin next to shred pile that they get tossed in, so they are definitely removed from the process. I never asked how they dispose of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by 406Refining
Can anyone else shed some light on this?
Hobo, I think the thing you found, though super cool, is more for the smaller butane canisters hikers prefer that look like Sterno cans. I believe the OP means the green one-pounders Coleman manufactures.
Regionally, our New England yards are sensitive about them, given regs about pressurized canisters, which are handled as hazardous waste. They can't be stored indoors while pressurized but shouldn't be left outdoors in high-heat/low-humidity environments, either, or near where people smoke. Finding a place to stash tanks is a hassle, in itself. They are an enormous inconvenience but given that we are a municipal facility, we feel some obligation to our taxpayers to do what we can with them. Our local yard takes them from us, knowing that we wouldn't dare send them anything not above board. I don't know know if they extend this courtesy to small-scale scrappers.
I have toyed with the idea of just attaching a trigger valve to the top and letting them vent without lighting the ignition, preferably out in the woods, someplace. Propane is not a greenhouse gas so, technically, there is no EPA violation in doing as much. However, a labtech informed me that, in some states, intentional ventilation counts as "processing" and makes you a HHW handler.
Coleman manufactures these little things for their customers, which depressurize the tank but aren't made for venting remaining propane. Their directions recommend attaching it to a stove and burning off remaining fuel until it won't hold a flame before using these tools. But seeing little green knobs doesn't guarantee your yard will take them on sight.
I've been looking to purchase this thing, which would solve most of the pressure and processing issues. The outlay is stiff, especially given that the metal byproduct is steel and not some higher-value metal. I see it as a way to sell a service geared towards handling a potentially dangerous and hard-to-recycle material.
Just be super careful in all of your handling. As many people here know, highly-pressurized substances like propane, when released, result in extreme "relaxation" of air molecules, such that nearby surfaces will become very cold, very fast. Even these tiny tanks can decline in temperature severely enough to cover their valves in ice and burn human flesh during ventilation. The tank, itself, while speedily evacuating, will become incredibly cold and harm your hands, if you do not wear gloves, to say nothing of what can happen to your eyes if you happen to be facing the valve stem when it suddenly depressurizes. I used a Green Key on a half-full one-pounder and it became to cold to hold almost instantly, remaining that way for nearly 15 minutes.
At present, most of what we get we send to an authorized, equipped propane vendor. They aren't keen on the small tanks, though.
What do people do with intact airbags? These can be bad as well...
Use an NPT adapter and than put a valve on the tank? According to Google, there are many adapters that exist.
I'd personally hook the tank to a propane burner, and burn off the residual - far less pollution than openly venting the gas.
After it's completely empty, and has a hole in it, any issues flattening the tank with a sledge ?
As Breakage stated, there is a huge liability with closed pressurized containers and many companies will not accept the liability for the limited profit. The other concern is the states regulations on there disposal. There are two situations I am aware of (and probably many more) where propane tanks were thrown into cars and when the cars were crushed the propane tanks exploded and destroyed millions of dollars of equipment. My yard accepts them from me because of my system, but they do not accept them from everyone. As far as a second pile and what they do with them, there are companies that specialize in them on the secondary market they are selling them to. The scrap yard has to find storage for them until they have enough for a gondola or semi tractor trailer. You will find that at times they will accept them and other times they will not. If you separate them from the rest of the metal and can haul at least four tons, they will always accept them.Quote:
Originally Posted by btkr
The rest of the story: The manager of the yard comes to my place to hunt and sight in his guns. In my previous post it was pointed out that I use them for target practice. We have one person up river throwing the containers into the water and another down river supervising the soccer net we use to catch the containers. We have never had a container sink and the water removes any residue or fumes. I learned how to shoot back in the 1960's shooting light bulbs floating down the river starting with a BB gun, working up to a .22 and finally our hunting rifles. When this was not a challenge my dad started throwing Christmas lights into the river and we had to shoot the last bulb first and work our way forward (this is a common strategy for hunting turkeys because the ones in the lead do not see the others fall.) I did not use light bulbs to teach my sons to shoot because of the environmental effect, but this was not a concern in the 1960's. My sons learned to shoot using scrap and learned to hit a target with a bow (bare) through a rolling tire. Now you know how I came up with the strategy for taking care of pressurized containers. We have a special area for condensers because of the oil. One of our favorite games is Tic Tac Toe where we spray paint the board on the container and everyone uses a different caliber without a scope.
The reason for this post is to encourage members to think for themselves, be creative, and live for the day. I just lost my father and was reminiscing about all that he taught me and this became the other reason for the post. I am not sure the exact saying but it goes something like this: I could not believe how dumb my dad was when I was a teenager or how much he had learned by the time I was forty.
even aerosol cans need to be punctured around here.
Not sure where you are. Dunn's in Middleport takes the regular gas grill type. If the valves are removed, you will get paid for them. If the valves are still on, they will just take them free. I have four of them I need to take the valves off. Not sure how to go about it just yet. I just imagine the whole tank spinning ... any tips for easy removal?Quote:
Originally Posted by btkr
An old boss of mine had some. If I remember correctly, there is a round depression on the side near the top. He just pounded a nail into that spot.Quote:
Originally Posted by 406Refining
Thinking junkyard cars, with battery removed, there is no danger of these units going off. So off to the shredder or crusher they go.Quote:
Originally Posted by hobo finds
Buffalo and suburb yards do not want them.Quote:
Originally Posted by HipoGear
Easiest way I found,assuming a near empty tank:
Put an old regulator on the tank and empty it. Keep one regulator around for such purposes. Remove the handle by means necessary first. Take your reciprocating saw with a decent blade and cut the valve about a 1/4 inch above the tank. Use some lubricant when cutting. No sparks generated. Lay tank on it's side and step on it to hold.
The first one will be a pita, by the last, you'll see what works best for you. Easy. 1 lb of brass for the pile.
Response in a nutshell:Quote:
Originally Posted by Patriot76
Paragraph 1: thank you for the insight.
Paragraph 2: Awesome!!!!
Paragraph 3: how true....... Lost my Dad 30 years ago, I was 21. Learned a lot since, but he was my inspiration .
If I was doing it, I would use a brass punch to avoid a spark. That is the advantage of a lead bullet since it does not create a spark. Movies display gas tanks exploding after being shot and this is a myth. Even with tracer rounds they will not explode, but with the exact fuel/oxygen mixture they might catch on fire, if shot from a long enough distance.Quote:
Originally Posted by HipoGear
This information is valuable for using a torch on vehicles and large machinery. I always fill fuel tanks with water before using a spark around them. This eliminates air, dilutes the fuel, and removes any fumes. Hopefully this information will help members of the forum from learning the hard way.
Ok guys, I'm going to pass on a winner here... I advertise the big gas grill tanks on Craigslist for $10. It beats paying $20 to buy a tank from Blue Rhino without a trade. I have no problem turning them over. It all goes back into the garage sale purse... That thing just eats and eats.
Small Coleman propane tanks... Hook them up to a torch head and use it to burn or vent the propane from the tank. Once that is done, tap the tank on concrete and listen for a Boyoyoyoing like it has liquid rolling around in it. If it just goes, "ding!", it is empty. Tap some that have some fuel in them so you are familiar with the difference between one with some liquid and one without. You can also weigh them with an accurate scale. I have then cut the heads off of tanks. I do like the idea of drilling them with a 30-06, though!
I do the same thing >>Quote:
Originally Posted by t00nces2
Selling Propane Tanks as pictured. I have as many as you need, (up to 6) for $10 each.
These tanks are meant to be brought to exchange for a new full one. A new full tank goes for $60+ at Lowes, Home Depot, Cumberland Farms, Walgreens, etc. (if you don't have one to exchange) BUT, a NEW FULL one is about $20 if you bring a replacement tank. So, you are saving $30 after buying a tank from me!!
Again, my tanks are empty and have no gas remaining!
You save $30 buying my tank, and you will end up with a NEW FULL Tank when go to exchange it.
You pay $20 if you bring a tank to exchange, and you paid $10 for mine for a total cost of $30. If you went to buy one without a tank to exchange, it costs $60! So, you save $30!
Besides Cash, I can accept Credit Cards for payment as well!
Also, please don't ask if I still have the item. If you are reading this ad, then YES, I still have it. I delete my ads when I sell something. Please in your first email, tell me when you might be able to come get it or with any other questions you may have. I am available almost anytime, day or night, with notice for you to pick it up.
It's a great that with today's tech you can accept CC"s and Debit cards. The reader you plug into your phone was just out and starting to be used when my wife and I stopped selling at flea markets. I imagine that accepting CC's is a big boost to business. 73, MikeQuote:
Originally Posted by JohnC4X4
Especially with the younger crowd that doesn't carry enough cash to buy a soda let alone have Ten Dollars in their pocketQuote:
Originally Posted by miked
They use the debit card for everything
I still use cash as much as possible, but sadly I think I'm the odd one out for my generation. I also like *gasp* buying things in store too....
I torch the handle off with a plasma*, then set it on its side on my welding table. I run a trucker strap over the tank and connect the hooks. Cinch it tight then get on the valve with a pipe wrench. The more stubborn ones need some persuasion with a pipe. Having a heavy welding table helps.Quote:
Originally Posted by HipoGear
*Not gonna lie, the first few times I used the plasma there was definitely a "pucker factor". I learned this tip from Gus and he's still alive, so....
YMMV
One place buys propane tanks here, I sell the good ones at yard sales and take ones with bad valves or older tanks that cant be filled to that yard they pay from $1 to $10 depending on the tank.