Cleaning an old propane cylinder

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I have an old cylinder that I want to cut and make a grill out of.  I have had the valve off and it outside & upside down for a couple of months.  I have blown it out with compressed air a couple of times as well.  It stinks still.  Is there something that I can rinse this out with to get rid of the smell?  I know this sat for approx 10 yrs with propane in it before I got it and emptied it out.
Reply:the smell is just onion gas or a inert chemical to give propane its smell, if you really wana be sure just flush with water  and cut away, once you cook it bbqing a few times the smell will go awayOf all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Some people BBQ with propane.
Reply:Yes mate, I've done this a few times now and if its been venting for a couple of months as you say then you are going to be okay. Fill it with water and  flush it out and you should be set to go. See 99% recycled  in a search for the long conversation regarding the cleaning of these things and the chemical properties of the stenching agent (odoriser). http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...99%25+RecycledFletch
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC1500Some people BBQ with propane.
Reply:I have cut up quite a few propane tanks and the procedure I use is to fill with water and leave overnight.next day empty and leave to drain while I get the plasma cutter or angle grinder ready.Pass a 3/8" bore copper pipe connected to my air line all the way to the tank bottom and purge with compressed air for a few minutes,then immediately pull out purge pipe and cutt straight away. Never ever had any problems with safety issues using this method.Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:The odorant is generally methyl mercaptan. On large tanks there will often be some as a liquid. It can be absorbed through the skin and attacks the nervous system. If you get the stuff on your cloths or boots it will ruin them... and likely your marriage. http://www.arkema-inc.com/msds/905.pdfWe use bleach, generally in a diluted solution, to neutralize the odorant. On big tanks we  remove a valve and pour in a few gallons of bleach solution. We then turn the tanks on rollers so every surface is neutralized. After the tank is neutralized we drain it and remove all the valves and plugs. We then vent with compressed air for a day or so until dry. Gas is heavier than air so vent upside down.Rinsing with water may work on a small tank but on large tanks the water will be contaminated with odorant unless neutralized. Exposure to the water will make you stink to high heaven and make you sick. Exposure will make you feel dizzy and slur your speech. Don't ask how I know.
Reply:On the small tanks I cut with a sawsall or cut off wheel, but I leave the water in them while I'm cutting or drilling."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:GREAT post on mercaptan!I'd never heard of those issues on big tanks since I haven't messed with them.
Reply:[b]What kind of dilution ratio are you talking about?I have a 125gal tank to neutralize>
Reply:Originally Posted by nurbie[b]What kind of dilution ratio are you talking about?I have a 125gal tank to neutralize>
Reply:Forhire : Did it also make your hair fall out ?I see a lot of forhead  under that cap.  gxbxc
Reply:I had a little 5 pounder that sat outside for 2 years with no valve, cut it for scrap.The welded seam inside is some of the worst "welding", I 've ever seen!
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcForhire : Did it also make your hair fall out ?I see a lot of forhead  under that cap.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireGot a PM about the MSDS URL I posted in 2012. Yep... it's 404. Way Back Machine to the rescue.http://web.archive.org/web/201002151...m/msds/905.pdf
Reply:After reading rapidly these msds, don't know the mercaptan concentration in propane cylinder and will not attempt to find out!brand new empty 20 lbs cylinder 29.99 at lumber store... 29.99 devalued Canadian dollars no smell no risk, i'm sold.