Thread: Use for stainless steel LPG car tanks

Yeah Mick, split 'em and get two nice long barbies out of 'em.They'd be excellent for heat beads.

HI,
I am pretty sure that Car Gas Tank Pressure is pretty high, does the Tank not have a TP/WP Plate (tp - test pressure and wp - working pressure) stamped or attached to it. My ideas Air Tank for Air Compressor, Pressure Pot or Suction Sandblaster, Fuel Tank.
The Abalone Boats being either Sharkcats or Monohulls here in Mallacoota either have Stainless Steel or Aluminium Fuel Tanks under their Floors. I think in the 15 Years that I have Worked for Mallacoota Outboards none of the Boats have had problems that I can recall. In saying that, I believe that the S/S Gas Tank provided it was secured or mounted in a reasonable way (perhaps with rubber as cushioning) should be fine as a Boat Fuel Tank.

hi all,im happy to stand corrected here but from memory gas tanks are tested to appro480 psi(YES IM OLD)for a working pressure of 120 psi.I would add that these tanks will most likely be out of test so use them carefully.iw ould think that used as a compressor tank may be ok but who will tell you your fittings etc are ok.look at the plate on the tank for more info on tests etc.cheers danny.

I've been told that to test pressure vessels, you use water , if a failure occurs, the water will just squirt out... no harm done. But If the vessel fails under air pressure , it will explode and hurt you .

You can fill it with water, and use a hand pump to pressure it to , say 150 psi, leave it overnight . If it is OK in the morning, i would d say it is safe to use as a air receiver for a compressor at 100psi . Mike

Hi Mick
Preasure vessels are tested to 1.5x working preasure. LPG is stored as a liquid at a relitively low preasure. By law it should have a compliance plate with info such as working preasure,capacity ,and test dates ect.
As to using them as fuel tanks the welds will be to to a qualified weld procedure and tested accordingly as long as there are comp plates at the mounting points they will be perfect.
As for a BBQ not sure you will ever get that bloody smell out
Kev

TESTBUCKET 1.jpgTESTBUCKET 2.jpg

Originally Posted by morrisman

I've been told that to test pressure vessels, you use water , if a failure occurs, the water will just squirt out... no harm done. But If the vessel fails under air pressure , it will explode and hurt you .

You can fill it with water, and use a hand pump to pressure it to , say 150 psi, leave it overnight . If it is OK in the morning, i would d say it is safe to use as a air receiver for a compressor at 100psi . Mike

HI,
Yes your right Mike, I spoke to a Friend years ago who is a Boiler Maker and who owns Mallacoota Welding here in Mallacoota. Pressure vessels for Air are Tested at 1-1/2 (1.5) times their Working Pressure with Water for one Hour. So if the Working Pressure (WP) is to be 100 PSI the Test Pressure (TP) will be 150 PSI . Apparently Oil can be used obviously depending on what the Vessel is going to be used for.

The following I know from Testing a couple of Pressure Vessels (for my own use) in the Past: The Vessel must have a Tap or provision for a Plug to be fitted at whatever is the Vessels highest point in its test position. The Vessel is filled with Water and the Test Bucket (see pics) is attached and any remaining Air is Expelled out of the Vessel by Pumping Water in using the Test Bucket. The Plug is then fitted to the Vessel or the Tap on the Vessel is closed. The Vessel is then pressurised with Water to the Test Pressure that is required. Obviously You need to make a note of the Time and look for any visible Leaks and if all is okay monitor the vessel for 1 Hour. After the 1 Hour is up and providing there has been no problems You can slowly releasing the Vessels Pressure.

N.B. A word of caution if all the Air is not expelled from the Vessel and the Vessel is Pressurised. The remaing Air in the Vessel will get Hotter as time goes on and the Pressure will increase Dramatically, well past that of the Test Pressure.

I forgot the Pics, which are just that of two different types of Test Buckets.

Don't cut 'em open with an Oxy Torch or angle grinder

I can only speak for the old reem s/s tanks and they were tested to 6x working pressure the tanks you have been offered have most likley failed their ten year retest, the stainless gas tanks almost always failed the retest thats why they don't make them any more, from what I understand is the most common use for ex s/s lpg tanks is for making stills (for distilling oil of course)

You could make a nice Furnace or forge outer skin.

How about a wood heater with a secondary chamber

Hey guys, some great info and suggestions here - keep 'em coming . I've got a few 'like' buttons to press !
Thanks for the pressure and testing info, I'll check the compliance plate. I think China's comment is correct, apparently these tanks are perfect but weren't allowed to be reused - as they had a reputation for splitting (on retest, not on the road).
I haven't grabbed them yet, but think I will - obviously some good uses for them. When I do, I'll post a few photos to help inspire the great minds out there.
Ian - thanks for the safety tip. Don't worry I'm really wary of these things, so will do the whole hot wash, purge, inert gas thing just to be sure for whatever way I cut/weld.
Cheers
- Mick

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Yeah Mick, split 'em and get two nice long barbies out of 'em.They'd be excellent for heat beads.

You could join them together end on end, and you be able roast Long Pig then. Got any suitable neighbours or rellos?

How about a pot belly stove?
http://www.ehow.com/way_5946282_home...pane-tank.html

I spent a few years in Tassie, where I would've jumped at the chance to put in a pot belly in the shed, but now I'm back in Ballina (northern nsw) I just wouldn't use it much (well maybe... as an outdoor burner - I might have to think more about that). I'm still also pondering the BBQ/spit idea too - I'm more a big BBQ plate guy than open spit.
I'll try and grab some photos of the tanks tomorrow.
thanks
- Mick