I know that there are members here that can brainstorm with me..
My SIL has a 250/275? gallon heating oil tank in her basement, you know, one of the big ones. It has been inoperable for at least 5 years, she heats with electric. Anyway, I noticed that the tank is slightly "damp" near the bottom at some of the welds, and around the valves and stuff at the bottom. The exterior of the tank is rusty, (a hand written note on the directions for operation stapled to the wall nearby says april 1959!). I have heard the environmental and monetary nightmares of one of these tanks springing a leak in an enclosed basement. I have removed the bung on the top of the tank, using a pipe wrench and a 24 inch breaker bar, and put a broomhandle down in, and have come up with about 17 inches or so of oil, so i figure at least 60 gallons.
I called an oil company, to see if they can remove and buy back the oil, but they told me that any oil they remove from a tank has to be classified as a hazardous waste, and disposed of as such, regardless of the fact that it is perfectly good oil.
So here is the question, who out there either has done oil recovery or has an idea for me to try? I tried a drill powered siphon pump, but that didnt work so hot. I checked the plumbing section at lowes, but they really didnt have much for me. Oh, I hope sucking on the end of a piece of hose isn't my only option! That can't taste good!
One major obstacle I am dealing with is the fact there is not a whole lot of room above this tank, maybe 18 inches to work with, and thats being generous.
Sorry for the long winded post!
any ideas??
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