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23rd Jun 2019, 07:26 PM #1Diamond Member
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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.
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23rd Jun 2019, 08:14 PM #2
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
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23rd Jun 2019, 08:23 PM #3Diamond Member
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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.
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23rd Jun 2019, 08:38 PM #4
I thought that may someone local might be in to making choofers. They might want one or all,
Grahame
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23rd Jun 2019, 08:48 PM #5Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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- Perth
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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
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23rd Jun 2019, 09:07 PM #6
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”.
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23rd Jun 2019, 11:48 PM #7
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
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24th Jun 2019, 04:14 AM #8
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.
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24th Jun 2019, 07:55 AM #9Pink 10EE owner
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24th Jun 2019, 05:47 PM #10Most Valued Member
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24th Jun 2019, 09:22 PM #11Senior Member
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- Jun 2016
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- Sydney
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Recycle!
Cut them in hallf, paint them (hippie flowers etc), and sell them at a boot sale as flower pots.
Cheers
Roger
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30th Jun 2019, 03:38 PM #12Diamond Member
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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
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3rd Aug 2019, 10:12 AM #13Banned
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3rd Aug 2019, 11:42 AM #14Senior Member
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- Jun 2016
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- Sydney
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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
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3rd Aug 2019, 04:34 PM #15
Got grandkids or know someone with littlies.
see Google for more variations.
gas cyl minoins.jpg
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