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>>>>To remove vapors from your tank: 1. Select a flexible hose with an O.D.
about a half inch less than the I.D. of the opening in the top of the tank.
2. Taking advantage of any existing bend in the hose, extend one end of the
hose to the lowermost point in your tank, and secure it in that position.
3. Connect the free end of the hose to your shop vac and turn it on. The
concentration of the vapors in the tank will drop immediately...>>
I suggest a bit of caution when using this approach. My biggest concern here is that the shop vac will discharge the vapors in the immediate vicinity of its electric motor and that its cooling fan will likely draw them into its housing. The danger should be evident.
My second concern is the ungrounded vac hose arrangement. Vapor flow (without dust or liguid droplets) isn't likely to create a substantial charge in the system, but the potential exists to suck a gulp of fuel from the bottom which definitely is an electrostatic hazard. If the filler neck, spiral wire of the vac hose, vac housing and any other conductive parts in the system are not electrically connected, then there is a potential for a spark and ignition. Also consider the possibility of a break in the spiral wire of the vac hose. Such a break in the electrical pathway has resulted in untold numbers of electrostatic ignitions. The results of which are often dramatic!
My final concern is that if the tank atmosphere wasn't flammable already, blowing it out with fresh air will result in its passing through the flammable range before it is fuel lean.
Rob
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