Step-By-Step Process For Safe & Efficient Oil Tank Removal
Over time rust, water, and bacteria settle into a thick sludge in the bottom of your old fuel oil tank. This sludge must be removed.
First, a worker scrubs the tank using a cleaning agent such as chlorine or hydrogen peroxide (a gentler disinfectant). Next, they blow air into the tanks to dry it thoroughly.
Pump Out The Oil
Over time rust, water, and debris accumulate inside oil tanks creating thick sludge at the bottom. This sludge can be sucked out of the tank with an industrial-sized pump. Then, the sludge is scooped up into sealed drums in buckets for safe disposal as waste oil.
The worker then uses a metal cutting blade (with personal protective gear) to cut corner openings and a giant rectangular cutout on the tank side. The cuts are kept well above the tank bottom to prevent metal debris from falling into and contaminating the heating oil still being pumped out of the tank.
Once the salvageable fuel oil is pumped out of the tank, the technician drains and cleans the remaining sludge by pouring in bentonite clay (OK, it’s kitty litter) to absorb any remaining fuel oil. Then the tank is inspected for leaks and patched or removed as needed. It is wise to consult an HVAC professional if a leak is found because leaking tanks are dangerous and costly.
Remove The Pipes
Keeping the drill in place, the oil tank removal Westchester County NY crew cleared the pipe by using it to break up and remove sediment blockages around the pipes. They run it until they no longer feel any resistance and are confident the clog is gone.
Sludge forms in old tanks when water vapor condenses on the tank walls, creating rust particles. While this sludge isn’t as thick as the oil pumped out, it’s still not a good idea to let it get into landfills or groundwater sources. To handle this, oil tank experts cut a large working opening in the side of the tank and scoop it out with buckets for safe storage.
The tank is ready to be removed once the sludge and pipes are handled. Since they are considered hazardous waste, oil tanks cannot be taken to standard solid waste stations and must be hauled by a qualified contractor.
Remove The Sludge
Over time, condensation and dirt, flakes of rust, bacteria, and other sediment can build up in the bottom of an oil tank. It can create a thick sludge that needs to be removed.
It is a hazardous waste that can reduce the tank capacity and has corrosive effects. Cleaning the sludge is a critical maintenance practice that petroleum producers, refiners, and transporters need to perform regularly.
The sludge is mixed with a solvent that dissolves the organic components. The mixture is pumped from the tank and sent through standard refinery processing. This process can remove most of the sludge in the tank, leaving behind an inorganic residue. The residual inorganic material is then disposed of in an appropriate facility. The remaining oil solvent and dissolved sludge can be recycled at specialized facilities for industrial use. It is a much greener alternative than sending the sludge to landfills.
Clean The Tank
Over time, rust, water, and other debris settle into thick sludge inside the tank. This sludge can be pumped out for proper disposal.
Before the tank is cut open and removed, a professional will clean it thoroughly to ensure all salvageable oil has been sucked out. It will require a large-capacity vacuum, a scrub brush, and cleaning chemicals compatible with the tank’s metal components.
During this step, the old tank is also wiped down with disposable wipes to remove any remaining fuel residue and other contamination. It’s also crucial that the old tank is inspected for any signs of soil contamination, such as oil-stained soil and corroded holes.
While the tank is still on-site, adding wooden kickboards is an excellent idea to ensure that no one accidentally jiggles or places stored items atop copper oil lines between the tank and the oil burner. It could nick or loosen a connector, leading to a leak and a costly oil spill in the building.