Propane tank

[Cowbungus]

I am involved with a community project where a large volume of air pressure is required to blow an old time steam whistle.
We are estimating we will require around 100 reserve gallons of air to make it blow.
One of the "expirts" on the committee believes he can obtain a 200 gallon propane tank for this purpose. I questioned my ability and courage to weld a bung into this large enough to provide the required air supply. I am thinking
2" or so.
Anybody have any experience welding on used propane tanks, I am not sure I want to do it or allow anybody else to get hurt doing such a job.

A commit here. First I was in the propane business for nearly 30 years. The ordorizer is an oil based product that will impregrenate into the metal pores. The ordorizer is flammable also. Now to be safe! forget it . In order to render the tank safe it must be steamed out to remove all the ordorizer. How old is the tank?? is it butane or propane. butane has a working pressure of 100-125 psi while propane has a working pressure of 200-250psi working pressure depending on the year of mfg. Another thought has the tank been out side for years without having any propane in it. This starts the rusting process inside the tank due to condensation. In turn the rusting will weakin the metal because you are talking about using the tank for pressure. Folks use the old tanks for BBQ pits and thats ok, but I would sure hesitate without a long thought of what could happen now or later on when you put the pressure in the tank. Do not remove the pop off valves if you decide to build this set up, it is for your safety.

[JBFab]

while I haven't done it on that large of a vessel, I have done projects with 20 lb. propane cylinders before. I take all of the fittings out, fill with water, drain, fill with water again and begin working with it full of water. Now, when you throw the pressure vessel thing into the mix, a simple rule applies, if you doubt your abilities in any way, DO NOT ATTEMPT IT.

[Anti-GMAW]

I like the idea of using an air compressor tank and the original fittings that somone suggested earlier. It just might be cheaper than having the propane tank modified.

[dabar39]

listen to the other guys

If it's not already dangerous enough for a novice to deal with an explosion risk from the propane, it doubles the jeopardy now that it is a pressure vessel. As the others suggested, DON'T DO IT. Now that's my personal opinion, but I'm sure there would be some pretty colors when it goes off. Dave

[FusionKing]

Local practical experience is getting more hard to find all the time.

Yeh it's pretty bad when I am the only guy around that people ask those sort of questions to and I ain't got a clue.

SundownIII put it best

[Copperdog]

About what I thought!

Thanks for the advise.
I was fairly sure I was not going to weld it before i asked, you guys sorta of affirmed my thoughts.

I appreciate having the ability to ask a question like this and receive direct answers. Local practical experience is getting more hard to find all the time.

[wireburner]

My understanding of train whistles is that they require steam to sound authentic.




Until you get proper training Don't do it


TJ

wat he said

[Fat-Fab.com]

My understanding of train whistles is that they require steam to sound authentic.




Until you get proper training Don't do it


TJ

[ronnielyons]

Propane tank

Hand an idea in the shower. Cruise on over to trainhorns.net and throw your question up on their board. These guys do all kinds of stuff with air and steam powered whistles, maybe they can give you some helpful advice.

[wireburner]

Yeah wat wheelchair and ever one else said Don`t do it

[Wheelchair]

DON"T DO It

I wish my old buddy Jim Crewes was here to tell you not to do it,unfortunately Jim passed away about 10 years ago while welding on a propane tank that he filled with water . I don't know how long he had left the water in and we will never know. Please listen to the guys that have told you to do more research.

Thank you
Wheelchair

[ronnielyons]

Pressure vessels

I think you're getting into a very dangerous project here. I've learned over the years that pressure vessels are not to be toyed with, and relatively low pressures like your talking about can still take a life in the event the tank ruptures and a piece of shrapnel takes someone out.

If you guys do this, please consider buying a used or new 80-100 gallon air compressor tank and tapping into the existing bung. It'll be pressure certified and if it does rupture, you've got something to go back on, i.e.it wasn't a project built by a hobbyist that isn't certified to do that kind of work. It's not work losing everything you've ever worked for.

[MMW]

I wouldn't do it. In the event of a malfunction down the road (explosion with death or injury) ANYONE who had anything to do with building it will be held liable. Whos insurance will cover you? Let a certified professional welder or shop do it. Remember welding on a propane tank can be dangerous but creating a pressure vessel is also.

[SundownIII]

Leon,

Original poster clearly stated that the tank would remain a "pressure vessel".

Welding on a pressure vessel is not something for the hobby welder. Requires pressure certs., which I feel if he had, he would not have posed the question in the first place.

Just my gut feelings.

PS By the way, nice looking cooker.

You've got more nerve than I do. Seen and heard of too many stories where guys were trying to weld on fuel tanks. Filled them with water for several days, dumped them, and began to weld. Enough fumes had permeated the metal to create an explosive environment. If I was going to be welding on a propane tank, I'd do what you said. But, and a big but, that sucker would be purged with nitrogen to the gills before I started.

[Leons2003]

That level guage coupl. is close to that size, isn't it.
We use these tanks for making BBQ pits all the time. Best bet is remove all the conns. fill w/water for several days drain, you will smell the odorizer but not a problem, cut and weld.
L*S