Freebie from work

[3fordasho]

550 Gallon SS tote, somebody forgot to vent after hooking up transfer pump. I should be able to get repaired good enough to work for non-pressurized storage for a few hundred $$ - Any reason I should not pick this up? It's 304 stainless 2.5mm minimum thickness - unfortunately not for pressure. This was the 2nd use at work and a co-worker ignored the huge sign next to the outlet valve (VENT tank before opening valve) ;-)

 

[brant2000]

Wow, that must be a pretty powerful transfer pump. I think rather than, or in addition to the huge sign, I would install some type of vacuum relief next time.

That's an awesome score. Personally, I'd almost consider using it as is. Obviously you're going to be insulating it, so you wouldn't even see the dent.

 

[GENECOP]

You will probably have to cut the top off anyway, then you will be able to bang it out, might have to reinforce the top with some kind of angle ....insulate good, should make a nice tank.....

 

[3fordasho]

It does have a standard 22" drum opening in the top. The only reason to repair it is to get it close to the original capacity (caved in side is deeper than it looks in the picture and the leg in that corner is 2-3" higher than the rest so it's a bit wobbly as is.

You will probably have to cut the top off anyway, then you will be able to bang it out, might have to reinforce the top with some kind of angle ....insulate good, should make a nice tank.....

 

[warno]

should be an easy fix. Take it somewhere that does hydro-testing on pressurized tanks (propane, welding tanks, etc.) They might be able to push the dent out with pressurized water.

I have seen a 3200 gallon bobtail propane tank that was dented in a roll over get repaired this way. the whole top/front of the tank was caved it about 6 inches. They filled it with water then forced pressurized water in and started hitting it with a big hammer. The dent walked right out.

or try your luck at freezing it out. By that I mean fill with water let freeze. Might be a bad situation but might work. Maybe. Lol

 

[mustash29]

Nice score. I was seroiusly contemplating using IBC totes just like that for atmospheric thermal storage, but I would have had to rip studs out of load bearing walls to get IBC's into the basement.

Know any good auto body guys? LOL. Seriously, your best bet is probably going to be to flip it on to it's side and put a bottle or floor jack inside and slowly jack the dents out. Applying lots of heat (acetylene torch) will help. 304SS will bend easier than 316SS but it is still going to be harder than bending carbon steel. Your biggest concern is probably going to be potential hair line cracking at the creases areas.

Worst case, have someone cut it appart and repair it, or scrap it and buy another one. There are several places around the country that sell used IBC's. The have to be re-certified occasionally in order to remain DOT transportable. If they have a minor defect and can't pass the inspecton, they can still be used for many other uses.

I was finding prices of 1000 - 2400 for 350, 550 or 793 gal sizes.

 

[Jon_E]

If you know anyone who's a really good TIG welder, repairing that should be a breeze. Cut it open, heat it up, flatten out the dents and weld back together.

 

[Willman]

They might make awesome pellet storage containers.

 

[3fordasho]

Pic after the repair - should be good enough for non-pressurized storage.. I'll put the damaged side against the wall and it'll be covered in foam anyway.

 

[warno]

Looks good enough for the cost.

 

[GENECOP]

Looks OK' how did you get the dent out?

 

[3fordasho]

Looks OK' how did you get the dent out?

A fab shop we use at work did it for me, his exact description of the repair was "bit of pressure, bit of beating" ;-)
They are capable of getting it better but they were told to just get it functional, not pretty.

 

[peakbagger]

I have been tempted top fill It up with water and leave it out during a cold stretch and see what the ice would do.