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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
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    Melbourne
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    Default How to dispose of old Gas Cylinder Safely?

    Well I have a bunch of old propane cylinders, most over 20 years old so guessing would need some sort of inspection if they need to be used again (probably not worth it). Was just wondering how I could dispose of them safely, is there a place that I can take them to? They range from 9kg bbq bottles, 2kg bbq bottles and some of those primus cylinders.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    HI VC,
    Just invert them and open the valve and drain them this way, out the gas because it is heavier than air.
    My local recycle place take them this way as I have puchased the scrapped cylinders from them.



    You could make a "choofer" a a caravaners wood fired camper stove.

    if so
    Remove the valve by heating up the brass valve with a NON FLAME source- heat a lump of steel a hot as you can get it, and set it on the valve. Remember NO FLAME.
    If you have made a "key" -just a couple of lumps of flat welded to accommodate the valve and grip it.Weld on a length of pipe and a tee handle.

    Of course you need to have it secured to a fencepost or the like so it won't rotate as you unscrew the valve. I like the cylinders with slots in the base ring for this reason.

    It should then unscrew as the valve is likely to have locktite or similar on the thread and very difficult to move cold.

    I have removed several valves this way.


    No welding or cutting until you put a cylinder of water through the cylinder in the upright position .If any gas at all and the water will displace it.
    They will still stink even after you fill them with water- the stink is from the mercaptan used to give the gas its recognizable odour


    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    I thought of cutting them up, i'd probably want to leave the water in there though as I cut through it. Would use a pneumatic grinder.

    If the scrappy would take them for free i'd probably just give them to him.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    I thought that may someone local might be in to making choofers. They might want one or all,
    Grahame

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Default

    Our recycling centre will take ours.

    If you decide to cut one up as well as water I recommend adding a dash of detergent to help dissolve away the mercaptan oil.
    If the tank is corroded the mercaptan will soak into the corrosion and not come out with the water
    The mercaptan oil is flammable when it gets heated and although it won't explode it can generate a decent "WHOOOF" when you cut it.
    I emptied and then filled a 9kg bottle with water and detergent and changed the water and detergent mix every day for a week before I cut it and I still got a "whoof" out of it.
    This one turned out to have a fair bit of corrosion.
    Another cylinder I just filled with water once and emptied it and there was nothing, but it was not corroded inside

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Bendigo
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    60
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    Default

    Check if your local collection point takes them first, last time I moved I had a number of cylinders and got hit with a charge for disposal of “pressure vessels”.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    The recycle centre is where is obtained the ( out of date ) cylinders.
    It would not surprised if the centre is double dipping on cylinders .Get paid to accept and then charge the bloke who buys one .I paid $5 but drew the line on when they wanted $10. I could buy a new empty at the time for $30.
    Grahame

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    A few years back there was a serious gas cylinder explosion and a fatality with some people injured. The scrap yard involved was prosecuted and subsequently shut down, the local municipal council not only banned all scrap dealers from buying gas cylinders but also had the job of getting rid of the scrap yard's contents, some 1300 tons of it.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    near Rockhampton
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    6,216

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Com_VC View Post
    Well I have a bunch of old propane cylinders, most over 20 years old so guessing would need some sort of inspection if they need to be used again (probably not worth it).
    I swapped a bottle 40 years since last inspection at a local swap and go place.
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    I swapped a bottle 40 years since last inspection at a local swap and go place.
    You are obviously a lot older than me RC...mine were not that old but they were well out of date and i did swap them for bottles with gas also

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    283

    Default Recycle!

    Cut them in hallf, paint them (hippie flowers etc), and sell them at a boot sale as flower pots.

    Cheers
    Roger

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    I was able to remove the valve without any heat, just secured it to the clothesline and used some leverage.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    QLD
    Posts
    735

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Com_VC View Post
    Well I have a bunch of old propane cylinders, most over 20 years old so guessing would need some sort of inspection if they need to be used again (probably not worth it). Was just wondering how I could dispose of them safely, is there a place that I can take them to? They range from 9kg bbq bottles, 2kg bbq bottles and some of those primus cylinders.

    Thanks
    If yer has a back yard and it is just to hard to otherwise dispose of the bottles, then - Take valves off bottles and bury them in the back yard..




    .

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    283

    Default simple enough

    Remove valve - it's brass and the scrap is valuable.
    Leave bottle in sun for a few days.
    Cut bottle in half - bandsaw, not oxy-torch for preference.
    Take steel scrap to scrap yard.

    If you must use a flame cutter, only do so after the valveless bottle has sat in the sun for a few days. Do NOT use a flame cutter without removing the valve first.

    Cheers
    Roger

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    6,446

    Default

    Got grandkids or know someone with littlies.


    see Google for more variations.

    gas cyl minoins.jpg

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