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Published on 9 Oct 2024

Step-by-step Oil Tank Removal Process

To carry out an oil tank removal you must first select a competent contractor who can demonstrate they are fully qualified in the industry with confined space entry teams, hot and cold cutting certifications, waste oil and contaminated oil disposal, safe systems of work and experienced in the type of oil tank removal you need removed.

Oil tank removal can take many forms, but will all need to follow a similar process and procedure to carry out the work in line with government regulations and industry legislation. Once you have appointed your contractor, you need to ensure the personnel carrying out the work are fully trained and qualified, the company has a waste carriers’ licence, first aid trained and have detailed risk assessments and method statements.

In this article, you’ll find an explanation of the oil tank removal process. At KpH, we will carry out the same procedure for a small 2000ltr steel tank removal to that of a 250,000ltr oil tank removal.

The Oil Tank Removal Process

Step 1 - Bulk Oil Removal

  1. The cleaning team will be wearing 5-point PPE and a calibrated gas monitor measuring Carbon Monoxide (CO), Flammable – LELs, Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Oxygen (O2) levels.
  2. An Operative will gain access to the manway via a fixed ladder or gantry to open the inspection cap on the man lid to confirm oil levels.
  3. Once the vacuum tanker is onsite and set up in the agreed area, Operatives will then run the tanker hose out to the tank and connect onto the bottom outlet on the vessel.
  4. Operatives will open the valve and the tanker operator will then proceed to pump the bulk clean oil onto the tanker.
  5. When the tanker reaches full capacity, pumping oil will cease, and the valve of the tank shut.
  6. Our Operatives will detach the hose from the tanker, and the tanker will depart from the location.
  7. The above will continue until the oil has been drained down to bottoms.

Take a look at one of our oil tank removal projects that had this identical procedure.

Step 2 – Oil Tank Cleaning

Operatives will then proceed to set up for the aboveground or underground tanks cleaning as follows:

  1. The cleaning tanker hose will be run from the tanker down to the tank room.
  2. Operatives will look to utilise a bottom drain off valve if possible, connecting the hose.
  3. Once connected, the valve will be opened on the tank ready for the cleaning.
  4. Operatives using hand tools will remove the man lid and confirm the contents level within the tank is to the bottom.
  5. The Tank will be naturally air vented until such times as the LEL reading remains below 10% and O2 readings range between 19% and 23%. This initial reading will be recorded and a permit to enter will be issued.
  6. Delivery pipe work and feed pipe work will be flushed thoroughly with water and water removed via the tanker.
  7. Once the oil level is confirmed to avoid entry via the top man way, operatives will look to cold cut a section of the end/side of the vessel with a reciprocating saw- approx. 1200mm x 1200mm as an entry/exit point a ground level.
  8. Confined space permit to be issued.
  9. An operative wearing a Filter Mask or BA, Chemical suit, Nitrile Gloves, Steel toecap wellies with a harness and rescue line, will enter the tank through the side access.
  10. The tank cleaner will use non-metallic tools (plastic shovels and squeegees) to clean the tank manually utilising the tanker hose to uplift the sludge and residual product.
  11. Should the LEL concentrations rise above 10%, the operatives will be removed from the tank and ventilation resumed until vapour concentrations are again consistently below 10% LEL before re-enter is authorised.
  12. All associated pipework will be drained and flushed through using the tanker’s hose to remove any residual fuel and associated water washings.

On completion of the cleaning process, a gas free certificate will be issued for safe deconstruction of the tank.

underground oil storage tank cleaning services by KpH Environmental
An operative entering the tank wearing a Filter Mask or BA, chemical suit, Nitrile Gloves, Steel toecap wellies with a harness and rescue line

Want to discover our projects related to oil tank cleaning? Explore our oil tank cleaning projects today.

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Step 3 – The safe removal of oil tanks

  1. Associated accessible pipework will be disconnected with hand tools or cut with reciprocating saws and removed from the area.
  2. All hot works will be carried out under a Hot Cutting permit.
  3. Combustible material to be removed from around the work area and fume extraction switched on.
  4. Prior to the commencement of any hot cutting works the LEL level within the tanks will be measured with a calibrated gas monitor, should the levels be above 0% LEL the tank will be naturally air vented until such times as the LEL reading is 0% and O2 readings range between 19% and 23%.
  5. At this stage a gas free certificate will be re-issued along with a hot cutting permit.
Underground tank removed and made ready for hot cutting technique

Hot cutting will be carried out as follows:

  1. A KpH Supervisor will nominate a fire warden who will ensure all appropriate remits to work have been issued and signed, the licensed site where hot works are to be conducted is clear of all flammables (such as diesel, petrol etc.) and combustible materials, suitable firefighting equipment is available, he will monitor operations throughout and ensure all works cease 1 hour before completion and a final fire recheck 15 minutes prior to leaving site.
  2. The tank will be cut in a methodical manner. KpH will cut from top to bottom of the tank cutting sections out allowing them to fall within the vessel.
  3. Manageable sections will be cut weighing between 10-20kgs and at regular intervals through the working day the sections will be removed from the tank shell and initially stored within the tank room.
  4. Operatives will proceed to remove the cut sections out the area and into a disposal skip for transfer to a licensed recycling facility.
hot cutting a tank into small pieces
Hot cutting technique to remove an oil tank

Choose us for safe oil tank removal and disposal, meeting UK regulations. We can remove oil tanks from different locations using hot and cold cutting techniques.

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Safe removal of Oil Tanks in the UK

In preparing for the safe removal of oil tanks, our safe systems of work and procedures have been referenced to the following Health Safety and Environmental legislation in the UK:

Please note that a certified and regulated environmental team wrote this article. KpH Environmental Services Ltd specialises in oil tank services, such as cleaning / filtering oil, removing oil, and safe tank disposal of commercial and domestic steel and plastic tanks to licensed recycling centres.

Reach out to us for commercial or domestic oil tank removal, ensuring your peace of mind as we take your responsibilities seriously.

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