Convert propane tank into compressor air tank ??

[mebedave]

I have a real nice two stage 175 psi compressor, but I have no tank for it. Does anyone have experience with converting a propane tank into a compressor air storage tank? I have apx. 100-200 gal. (30"w. by 48"t.) old school very heavy duty rust free propane tank that I would like to make into air storage. I have seen a lot of them 5-7 gal tanks made into air bubble tanks. Someone told me propane tanks are 300 psi rated, is that true?
So what do you think, can I do it without blowing myself up?

 

[ihredo4]

We have a big compressor set up with LP tanks. We only run up to 150 psi or so. We put it together 10 years ago and it still works like a charm. I will build another like that. Just get used to the LP smell for a while. We still get a smell of it some days.

 

[mebedave]

We have a big compressor set up with LP tanks. We only run up to 150 psi or so. We put it together 10 years ago and it still works like a charm. I will build another like that. Just get used to the LP smell for a while. We still get a smell of it some days.

Thanks hredo4..Did you flip the tank upside down so you can drain the water?

Does anyone else have any input?

 

[FNFS2000]

Done it long ago with one of the "mobile" 100# tanks worked fine I am not sure about modern ones, but the wall thickness of propane tanks I have seen are greater than most modern tanks that are sold with compressors attached.

 

[tonydanzah]

yeah propane tanks are can get pressures up to 250psi sitting in the sun. So your good.

 

[ihredo4]

No we left them set up like normal. Believe we put an air dryer inline though. Heck you expect me to remember that it was 10+years ago. lol

I do remember it has 3 40 gal tanks in line and with the 3hp 220 motor and Gardner-Denver two stage pump we can get 150psi in less than 5 minutes from empty. We have plenty of compressor. lol

 

[mebedave]

Thank everyone so far such good info here. I've had that compressor and propane tank for over three years now, just been to chicken to hook them up. I can move that project off the back burner.

Still would like more input please.

 

[May Pop]

I have an old automotive propane tank that I use as a second tank. Its aprox. 60 gallons and works great. The only thing I had to do was weld legs on to It.
Ron

 

[OccupantRJ]

I used a 123 gallon LP tank for additional air years ago, and drilled and tapped a 1/8" pipe thread into the bottom for a drain setup. Took the valve out, used pipe fittings to provide a 4 way T on top for a pressure release valve, outlet, and an additional valved inlet with a Chicago coupling from my large portable sandblasting compressor.That way I could power up my whole shop with the compressor when I wanted to do extensive runs with my blasting cabinets. The tanks I have seen are rated for 300# pressure. They make a fine air tank. You can rinse it out with tomato juice to knock down the smell. Yes, tomato juice, then flush it out well. I have the privilege of adding the mercaptan odorizor to unscented butane as part of my job, and was told this by the fuel supplier. That stuff is so strong in it's pure form that most people wretch instantly when they get a downwind whiff of it. Only takes 200 ml to scent 8,000 gallons of gas.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have an old automotive propane tank that I use as a second tank. Its aprox. 60 gallons and works great. The only thing I had to do was weld legs on to It.
Ron

When I read your post, then looked at the name, I laughed right out loud......

 

[mebedave]

cool... I'm going for it

thanks all

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

I little compressor I fixed up:
Note, I didn't weld the compressor and motor shafts together. It was already like that when I got it. It works fine like that, though.
It used to be a horizontal compressor, but the tank rusted out.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Back from the dead..... Anyone else use a propane tank for air storage? Anyone know what they are worth or go for? I know gallon size depends on price butitgives me something to look for on clist. I have a gas powered compressor with no tank. It seems propane tanks is cheaper to buy than other tanks.

 

[Lotek]

Hate to be Debbie Downer here, but does anyone else think this is a bad idea? Between the propane residue and welding on a pressure tank, the potential for a Darwin moment is pretty good, not to mention that if there was an accident, any competent insurance adjuster would bounce the claim in a heartbeat.

 

[diesel research]

Hate to be Debbie Downer here, but does anyone else think this is a bad idea? Between the propane residue and welding on a pressure tank, the potential for a Darwin moment is pretty good, not to mention that if there was an accident, any competent insurance adjuster would bounce the claim in a heartbeat.

I would say welding them up is not the best thing to do, BUT if for some reason you feel the need, some safety precautions (besides not doing it) should be enacted.

If you have a welder, you should have shielding gas. After tank is steam cleaned (to remove oil) and let any vapors come out, it should be purged with shielding gas, in a back flow manner. Just a low constant flow teed off from your regulator to the tank. Doesn't have to be sealed absolutely tight, tape will do. Other end needs a hole to maintain the flow, later that could become your drain....


That method is even approved for welding steel gas tanks, although again, I am not necessarily recommending it. My manuals even go on to mention steam or small engine exhaust as suitable "alternative" shielding/purge gases.



Think if I did ever do such a thing I would probably spend a few extra dollars and coat the inside of the tank, os I know it won't rust out in the next 150 years.

 

[Outlawmws]

There is no real need to weld on the tank itself. Put it in a frame if needed, and plumb it.

 

[AndysMBgarage]

Hate to be Debbie Downer here, but does anyone else think this is a bad idea? Between the propane residue and welding on a pressure tank, the potential for a Darwin moment is pretty good, not to mention that if there was an accident, any competent insurance adjuster would bounce the claim in a heartbeat.

I don't think there would be any problems if you take a bit of care to remove any remaining gas.

I used to make pot belly heaters for friends that are great for cooler nights in the backyard. I'd get old auto LPG tanks and fill them with water to displace any residual gas. Cut the brackets off, Oxy a hole in the top, cut a door in the side, then weld on a collar at the top for the flue and a car rim for a base.

Over the years I've made about 10 this way with no "Darwin" moments.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

So anyone else?

 

[Sureshot]

I have welded on the 20lb bottles. Filled with water then dumped. I think for price you should contact a supplier. I don't know the rules for recert but they may have some that are "junk".

How large do you want?

 

[KF5LCH]

At work, we are on what we call "party air" meaning one massive comp. supplies numerous facilities. You guys should see the size of the compressors. I mean they are MASSIVE.

At any rate, we have an old 500lb tank in back of the locomotive shop. Yes a 500lb former propane tank from back in the 40's. Heavy duty stuff from back in the day still getting the job done & passing annual inspection each year. You would be surprised how the U.S. did stuff during the peak of WWII, when this facility was built. 'Specially anything metel related.

Our local propane supplier had to come out & do work on dads tank a few years ago. He used dry ice to get rid of any residue inside the tank. Said it was the best way to get everything out.

Yes, it can be done, just go about it safely.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

i would definately be carefull doing anything around a gas tank. I would remove any vapors or gas before anything is done to it.

I dont know what size tank I am looking for but large ones around 200 gal are going for $250? Seems cheap but i dont need it that big either or is that even a good deal for $250?. Ive been looking for tanks but none for sale lately with a broken pump or motor in a compressor form. Its just if a good deal comes along maybe Ill get it as I dont have a tank for a 13hp IR setup i just bought used. I could use a tank for extra capacity for my upright setup and also use this tank for the gas unit when more cfm is needed as they are both dual stage pumps up to 175 psi.

 

[Bluegiller_killer]

Was just scanning the threads and found this..

Here's is our compressors we have 6 of each and giant solair.. We have a a million Barrel (not gallon) capacity holding field..

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Although that is an epic and awesome compressor... what does this have to do with propane tanks as storage tanks?



(Also, for reference - on topic, I use a few old BBQ tanks for storage. I bought a POL to 1/4" NPT adapter fitting on Amazon for under $10 and use a pneumatic hose whip from HF to connect it to a T fitting, and another whip goes to a second propane tank. Then I have a black pipe "manifold" with a drain, air outlets, and compressor input.)

 

[Steinmetz]

Hate to be Debbie Downer here, but does anyone else think this is a bad idea? Between the propane residue and welding on a pressure tank, the potential for a Darwin moment is pretty good, not to mention that if there was an accident, any competent insurance adjuster would bounce the claim in a heartbeat.

I agree. And I certainly wouldn't do this based upon anecdotal information alone. A BIG surprise may lie in the near future.

 

[Bluegiller_killer]

These are propane and natural gas compressors.. That blow in into a million barrel tank.. Pretty well Sums it up..

 

[3xpendable]

That comp is bad ***. I don't even care if it don't belong in this post thanks for sharing

 

[dirtydogintex]

compressor houses are cool.... as is what can happen to perfectly good chunks of stuff when things go Murphy's way!!

 

[johnman63SS]

Hello,
I am John in La Grange, Texas and new here, so nice to meet you all. I have been looking at ads, eBay, everywhere, because this nut friend of mine told me he had heard old propane tanks don't make very good tanks for an air compressor. Well I happen to have a practically new 125 gallon propane tank next to my shop I bought for $25 from a man who had them for barbecue pits. If they are rated for 300 lb. guess what I will do with it? I am going to use my mig gas welder and am going vertical with it. Now I need a good quality 2 stage pump and pressure switch. I don't know about the V pump at Harbor Freight for $200. Only problem is it is only a 150 lb. pump rated at 14 scfm, which is good, but other pumps putting out 20 scfm at 175 are probably super expensive. It is cast iron though. I can pay for the pump after I sell my 60 gallon single stage tank. Thanks you all for the great information.
John

 

[Askme42]

I don't think there would be any problems if you take a bit of care to remove any remaining gas.

I used to make pot belly heaters for friends that are great for cooler nights in the backyard. I'd get old auto LPG tanks and fill them with water to displace any residual gas. Cut the brackets off, Oxy a hole in the top, cut a door in the side, then weld on a collar at the top for the flue and a car rim for a base.

Over the years I've made about 10 this way with no "Darwin" moments.

I'm making a 500 gallon tank into a smoker. I filled it with water but have also heard dropping dry ice in it will force all the air out the top.

 

[toolmaniac]

I have done something similar with a fire extinguisher, instead of a propane tank. Have been using it for years without any issues, either as a wheel around auxillary air tank, or in tandem with a small compressor I own, increasing its tank capacity from 5 to 25 gallons whenever need be.

 

[Papawheelie]

Propane tanks are great to use for compressed air. Propane rated for 275-300psi will handle 175psi all day long. Couple of years ago I bought a 20g air tank where the compressor had died for $30 to add more capacity to my system, and a few months ago I bought a 33gal propane tank for $20. I opened up the propane tank and left it upside down for a few days, then sprayed compressed air into the open tank for a couple of minutes to make sure the propane was gone. It smells of mercaptin everytime I use the air, but it is not offensive. I would consider opening up the tank and pouring some epoxy paint or rust inhibiting paint and "sloshing" it around to coat the inside. That would knock the smell down.

 

[chris142]

The stinky stuff will settle in the bottom of the used propane bottle. You wont ever get it out unles you make it into a bbq lol

 

[sasquatch12]

The Amish shops that run air tools mostly have those big horizontal propane tanks for compressed air storage. Compressor is usually run by a diesel engine.
Not sure what gallonage those big tanks are, i have heard them called Bullet tanks often in my area.

 

[Askme42]

The stinky stuff will settle in the bottom of the used propane bottle. You wont ever get it out unles you make it into a bbq lol

That's what the dry ice is for. It's heavier and forces the propane out.

 

[C96]

I’ve thought about using my old, but yet brand new never used or filled BBQ tank for a portable air tank to fill tires and such. Just fill it from my air compressor and carry it with me. Then realized by the time I converted it, I could just pick one up at HF already set up for less…LOL

 

[gearhead1]

I switched to propane on my torches years ago and noticed the gauge was 150 psi when full. So I figured it's a pressure vessel no matter what gas is in it. If it can hold 150 psi of propane then it can hold 150 psi of air. I simply unthreaded the 3/4 NPT valve out of the top and put in my own set-up, no issues whatsoever.

 

[01ps]

I use a larger tank for extra capacity. I just have it connected with a hose and a valve.

 

[Outlawmws]

Weld in a pipe ****** and add an elbow and ball valve to drain.

Why are you continuously responding to ancient posts? Ordinarily I just ignore it, but when it's coupled with bad if not dangerous advise, I think it's time to call you on it.

You clearly don't know about pressure vessel welding when you post to a complete stranger to "weld in a ******" like its done (safely) by anyone. What about post weld inspection and pressure testing? The average homeowner with a welder has no business doing so...

The fact that you did so to a 5-1/2 year old post has me going

 

[sberry]

I get little un nerved seeing all the things made from these tanks, one day, go boom,,, ha I am really surprised we don't se more of it considering the amount of the in use.
But,,,,,,,,,,,,, the insurance adjuster wont bounce a claim for this,,, its the reason you have insurance in the first place. Yes, you shouldn't have been cleaning parts in a pail of gas in the garage but,,,,, If this was a commercial enterprise offering this up for sale it would be a different matter.

 

[Jack Langley]

So anyone else?

Yes, I just did this last week with a 100lb propane tank. Drilled out the orifice, connected an air line and purged the tank 4 times with air. When I was sure no propane remained I laid it down, secured the tank with a pipe wrench on the collar and used a breaker bar and large adjustable to remove the valve. It took some effort but it wasn't too bad. Then I purged the tank 3 time with water. I filled it a 4th time and added dawn dish soap & 1 gallon of bleach and let it soak over night. 99% of the mercaptan smell is gone. Its now connected to my compressor and works great for air storage. Be sure to use teflon tape when reinstalling the valve. On a side note--never use any time of water storage tank.