old oil tank question

[dougruss3]

This may be ot on this thread but I was wondering if anyone has ever thought about using an old oil storage tank as an air compressor tank? I have 2 250 gallon tanks and would like to put them to use and was toying with the idea of using the one behind my garage as a storage tank for my air compressor. Can this be done safely or is it just gonna remain a pipe dream of mine?

 

[tatra]

as an air resevoir?...........

 

[Strouty]

I would say a pipe bomb dream, it would probably distort if not break.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You'd be better off using a cardboard milk carton. At least that way, you won't get hurt. Oil tanks are for gravity holding liquids, not under pressure. With that being said, a propane tank WILL work. They are usually rated for 300 psi. Just rinse out with tomato juice several times to get rid of the mercaptan smell, and add a properly sized pressure relief valve. I drilled and tapped the bottom of one I had for 1/8" pipe thread and put a water drain in the bottom. It was the 123 gallon upright version.

 

[mjozefow]

Oil tanks are for gravity holding liquids, not under pressure. With that being said, a propane tank WILL work. They are usually rated for 300 psi. Just rinse out with tomato juice several times to get rid of the mercaptan smell, and add a properly sized pressure relief valve. I drilled and tapped the bottom of one I had for 1/8" pipe thread and put a water drain in the bottom. It was the 123 gallon upright version.

Thank you.

A liquid holding tank is not intended to be pressurized.

 

[dougruss3]

Ok, cool, thanks to all the quick replies. That is why I come to this site, so much good info and great people. I think I will do the Propane tank idea.

 

[wisconsin_cowman]

Not a good idea.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Not a good idea.

An unsubstantiated authority on the subject?

 

[R-132 Fan]

If you go with the propane tank idea, check on buying a new one. You can cut and weld in your drain fitting without having to deal with propane residue in the tank along with that smell that's added to the gas as a leak warning.

 

[twostory]

Why fool with any metal container, that might make a good air tank.

Look on craigslist for an "air compressor" with a broken (or missing) motor/compressor. They are cheap (under $100) and are a "real" air tank. Then just hook it up and your done.