fuel cell project! help!

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A buddy came to me with a project today.. 56"L 24"W 10"t fuel cell for his boat has sediment in the bottom... he denied my ideas to washout the tank repeasidly to try and clear the tank. He wants me to split it length wise. Because of the 2 baffels that run parallel to the width it would make it easier and more sure of a good clean rather than splitting it the other way.... my question is the meathod.. and a good way to calculate consumables...i plan to run a argon purge thru the cutting prosses. After cleaning id run assembly without a purge?!? How do i know a good est. Cost prior to getting elbow deep in this project? No doubt i cant handle the job... i just wanct ideas of what you guys think is fair..I mentioned making a whole new cell might be easier... but would seem to be more costly...
Reply:You need to cut an oval hole into it the make a plate and gasket.Then you  have an inspection port. He may need to clean this many times if the source of his fuel has dirty tanks and most do. This topic is fairly well covered in most boating sites. Lots of filtering with marine filters are required too.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by brooksie2113I mentioned making a whole new cell might be easier... but would seem to be more costly...
Reply:You need to cut an oval hole into it the make a plate and gasket
Reply:Originally Posted by brooksie2113A buddy came to me with a project today.. 56"L 24"W 10"t fuel cell for his boat has sediment in the bottom... he denied my ideas to washout the tank repeasidly to try and clear the tank. He wants me to split it length wise. Because of the 2 baffels that run parallel to the width it would make it easier and more sure of a good clean rather than splitting it the other way.... my question is the meathod.. and a good way to calculate consumables...i plan to run a argon purge thru the cutting prosses. After cleaning id run assembly without a purge?!? How do i know a good est. Cost prior to getting elbow deep in this project? No doubt i cant handle the job... i just wanct ideas of what you guys think is fair..I mentioned making a whole new cell might be easier... but would seem to be more costly...
Reply:its cheaper to bring it to a rad shop have it boiled out at least before you do any cutting or welding it probably only needs to be boiled out unless its really corroded
Reply:I vote for taking it to the radiator shop it is by far the safest option.  Next I would cut the oval inspection port and if there is corrosion of any consequence stop there.  Repairing a corroded tank would be a disservice to your friend and expose you to liability you don't want.Saw a boat catch fire at a fueling dock once.  Had to change my pants after that one.  There are so many ways  for fuel tanks in a boat to have problems that reinstalling a corroded just adds to the risks.
Reply:Look up electrolysis rust removal process, and flush it ....why goto the extra work of cutting up a tank if it dont leak and all it needs is cleaned?I forgot how to change this.
Reply:If it is an aluminum tank I'd make inspection holes by drilling starter hole and cutting it with a body saw. If you have large hole saws drill two hole 8"to 12" apart to make nice ends to your ovals. If it is steel I wouldn't deal with it until it was steamed or hot tanked and check with an explosive gas meter. It's getting harder to find anybody that will steam or hot tank anything these days.Last edited by tresi; 08-28-2011 at 11:04 AM.Tough as nails and damn near as smart