As someone who has seen a 300,000 gallon chemical tank explode, from a
distance of 30-40', I wouldn't take chances. It's quite a sight/sound/shock
wave. Luckily, I was unharmed, but, by God, I know to inert a vessel before
a slag ax is lit...
BP - '69 2000
Columbia SC
(Roadtser parked and waiting on Floyd)
Brian L Patton 803.926.5023
Material Movement
EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
Carolina Eastman Division
bpatton@eastman.com
> -----Original Message-----
> From: PATRICK P. CASTRONOVO [SMTP:slick@mohaveaz.com]
> Sent: Monday, September 13, 1999 4:38 PM
> To: HUBBARD, Charles; Steve Harvey; datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Fuel tank blues
>
> Some 40 plus years ago, three brothers that had just recently finished
> high
> school bought a service station that was equipped with three service bays,
> that were "pits" like in the fast oil change stations you see today. They
> had a car come into the bay that was leaking gasoline. One of the boys
> was
> trying to fix the leak, while the other was using an acetylene torch in
> the
> opposite end of the pit on another car. When the (FUMES) and not the
> liquid
> drifted to where the torch was burning there was a flash burn that only
> the
> vapors burned. It lasted about as long as you can blink. the car did not
> blow up and burn. The result was the whole station was involved in that
> flash burn. There were the two brothers that were in the bottom of the
> pit
> that were inhaling the fumes, and the flash entered into their lungs where
> the insides of their lungs as well as their entire bodied were charred.
> Not
> enough to kill them instantly, but enough that they lasted two weeks
> before
> dying.
>
> The third brother was standing outside by the bay doors and had his entire
> clothing burned from him. He was the only survivor, the oldest, and he
> probably still has nightmares about that disaster. I would think twice
> about experimenting with a torch around a fuel tank. I would even have my
> fears around someone that says, HE CAN DO IT. Good luck, and have a safe
> trip.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HUBBARD, Charles <chubbard@shl.com>
> To: Steve Harvey <stevenh@execpc.com>; datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> Date: Monday, September 13, 1999 12:20 PM
> Subject: RE: Fuel tank blues
>
>
> >Steve,
> >
> >My wife is an environmental engineering consultant with considerable
> >experience removing 6,000 gallon gasoline tanks for disposal. You can
> weld
> >on the tank if you flush the tank and insert dry ice. Before doing this,
> she
> >suggests that you call the local fire department for advice on how to
> >proceed. Welding shops should also know this trick but make sure that the
> >tank is clean and that the welder knows what he is doing.
> >
> >Charlie Hubbard
> >1964 SPL310
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Steve Harvey [mailto:stevenh@execpc.com]
> >Sent: Monday, September 13, 1999 4:27 AM
> >To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> >Subject: Fuel tank blues
> >
> >
> >Hello All:
> >Spent Sunday removing the fuel tank on the 2000. I'm planning on
> >switching out the tanks from the 1600 to the 2000. The 1600 tank was
> >boiled and coated several years ago and should be in like new condition
> >internally. Then I can take the 2000 tank to the local radiator/fuel
> >tank repair shop and get the leak fixed. I'll then put that rebuilt tank
> >into the 1600. Are you following me on this? The only problem I see is
> >that the 1600 tank threads on one of the fuel lines at the tank have
> >been cross threaded. I could cut it off and weld on a new fitting but I
> >value my life to much to start welding on a fuel tank, even if it's
> >filled with water, Maybe I should take that one in to and have the
> >experts repair it. Does anyone know the thread sizes for the two
> >fittings? One takes a 1/2" wrench and the other a 9/16" wrench . I
> >assume that they are metric tapered pipe threads. Any help out there on
> >this one?
> >Steve Harvey
> >Milwaukee
> >
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