Underground Tank Abandonment

Typically soils located above the underground tank are hand excavated. The size of the excavation is usually 40” x 40”. After gaining access to the top of the tank it is cut large enough to have a field technician fit inside of the tank. The tank would then be emptied and all the contents from the tank would then be either transferred into a new tank or disposed of at a licensed waste disposal facility.

After the tank has been thoroughly cleaned. (Proper cleaning is of the utmost importance as the large hole cut into the tank to gain access will allow water to get inside. If the tank was not properly cleaned, the oil / sludge / residue would float on top of the water and be released into the environment.) After the tank has been properly cleaned and inspected it is then filled with an inert material.

*Note: In time your decommissioned tank will eventually create holes. Surface and ground water will eventually enter the vessel, that’s why Tank Masters uses pea gravel a self-compacting material that will not absorb water. Sand will, and cause a void in the tank possibly creating a sink hole or caving in. Foam will decompose after time or create buoyancy underground possibly raising the tank up from the ground.

After the tanks interior is filled, the unearthed soil would be placed back. Tank abandonment will minimize the restoration of the property versus tank removal. On a removal the size opening in the ground for a (550 removal would be 8′ wide 11′ long 7′ deep) & (1000 removal would be 8′ wide 17′ long 7′ deep). On a Tank Abandonment the size opening is only 40 inches x 40 inches

Click on the first thumbnail image to view the full-size, step-by-step procedure.