Disposing Of A Metal Oil Tank

Disposing of a metal oil tank that has been decommissioned, (no longer in use) is a little more complex than removing a plastic tank. Typically most heating oil tanks that we remove across Northern Ireland are plastic domestic tanks from residential homes.

Table of Contents

1. Steel Oil Tank Removal
2. Disposing Of A Metal Oil Tank
3. How Flammable Is Kerosene
4. Commercial Oil Tank Removal
5. Oil Tank Removal Locations

Steel Oil Tank Removal

The main issue with removing a metal oil tank is the size, weight and location off the tank. Steel oil tanks are more durable and have a longer lifespan than plastic tanks. For that reason metal oil tanks tend to be larger in capacity and are used more for commercial applications.

Metal oil tanks are heavier than plastic tanks, an 1100 litre metal single skin oil tank will weigh on average 100kg. A plastic oil tank with the same capacity will weigh 65kg.

Plastic oil tanks that are used for residential homes are stored outside. Metal oil tanks can be found in various locations, outside, in designated boiler houses, on top of a roofs or buried underground.

Disposing Of A Metal Oil Tank

Below is a step by step guide to removing a steel tank. The process should always be carried out by an experienced licensed operative.

Step 1: Check the supply of oil to the tank has been isolated, then dip the tank to establish how much oil is left in the tank. The oil at the bottom of the tank is always contaminated with dirt and water and will need to be disposed off at a hazardous waste recycling facility.

Step 2: Small amounts of waste oil can be removed using a 12v fuel transfer pump. Most 12v pumps will transfer the waste oil from the tank into drums at a rate of 40 litre per minute.

Related: How Do You Remove Heating Oil From A Tank

Step 3: If the tank is unable to be removed in one piece due to access limitations, the tank will have to be cut. First vent the tank by removing the outlet valve and the top feed, (filler cap). Venting the tank stops the build up of gases (vapours) within the tank prior to cutting.

Step 4: Unlike cutting plastic tanks, cutting a metal tank can cause heat and sparks which should be avoided. Instead, use cold cutting tools that generate little heat and no sparks. A reciprocating saw with a carbon tip blade or steel nibblers are both good choices. Never use an angle grinder, plasma cutter or stihl saw as they all generate heat and sparks.

Step 5: Once the old tank has been removed it will be transported to a hazardous waste recycling facility for processing. A copy of the relevant paperwork will be emailed to the customer.

How Flammable Is Kerosene

Kerosene in comparison to other fuel sources is less flammable, it has flash point of between 37 – 65 °C making it much safer than petrol. Like all flammable liquids, it’s not actually the liquid part of kerosene that burns, but the flammable vapours that disperse from the substance. At temperatures above 36 °C, kerosene will produce enough vapours to form a mixture with air that will ignite in the presence of an ignition source. 

Warning: Prior to cutting a metal oil tank it is important to vent the tank to let any vapours escape. Always use cold cutting tools that do not generate heat or sparks. 

Commercial Oil Tank Removal

Need to remove a metal oil tank? contact Removerr on 07434 691 809, we remove both plastic and metal oil tanks across Northern Ireland. Are you claiming a grant as part of the affordable warmth scheme? we can supply all the relevant paperwork required. We are licensed by the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency, ROC UT 9390.

Removerr is a carbon conscious company so we have partnered up with Ecologi planting 100s of trees to offset our carbon emissions. All oil tanks and waste oil are recycled, further reducing the impact on the environment.

Oil Tank Removal Locations

Antrim, Bangor, Belfast, Ballymena, Banbridge, Carrickfergus, Craigavon, Donaghadee, Dundonald, Dunmurry, Downpatrick, Holywood, Hillsborough, Larne, Lurgan, Londonderry, Magherafelt, Newtownards, Newtownabbey, Newcastle, Newry.