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#1 Posted : 29 October 2008 08:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By HoneyB
Hello,

Please I need help on the disposal of 2 cylinders on our premises. The cylinders were purchased and used a long time ago probably before anyone currently working here now. We couldn't find any records on what they contain. One is a large gas cylinder, we were able to speak with the company whose name is on the cylinder but they won't pick it because it's been re-filled and there's still some residue in it, they said they're not sure what's in it and so will not pick it.
No other company wants to as soon as they see the name of the company on it.

The other one is a tall oxygen-like bottle that has been re-painted, the only thing on it is 'The Distillers Limited' which I can't seem to trace cos they seem to be extinct.

Can anyone please help as I need to get this things out of here.
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#2 Posted : 29 October 2008 09:47:00(UTC)
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Posted By Pete48
Have you tried the specialist disposal companies? Search on "disposal of gas cylinders" and you will find plenty to choose from.

This HSE guidance note is for the waste industry but does give some general information as well. Might be worth a read through for some contacts

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/waste03.pdf
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#3 Posted : 29 October 2008 10:50:00(UTC)
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Posted By SteveD-M
If you get stuck BOC have specialist disposal and collection services. Contact the local office.
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#4 Posted : 29 October 2008 11:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bossa nova
HoneyB

Start by establishing the original colour this will indicate the contents, scrape overpaint off. If the contents are non toxic/inert then you can fill them with water to purge them and dispose of them through a metal reprocessor.

Boss Nova
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#5 Posted : 29 October 2008 16:23:00(UTC)
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Posted By Eric Taylor
Boss Nova,

might not agree with your logic. Irrespective of the original colour, the cylinders could be full of anything. BOC specialist disposal is a good bet. Either that or get someone to come sample them for you.

Rhetorical question, but since you don't know what is in them, where are you storing them?
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#6 Posted : 29 October 2008 16:38:00(UTC)
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Posted By MP
I'm with the last poster - be careful.

The only sure way of identifying contents is by the label.

Colours are sometimes country specific as well.

Cylinder colours are changing in UK as well

http://www.bcga.co.uk/publications/TIS06.html

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#7 Posted : 29 October 2008 16:39:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bossa nova
Eric,

Perhaps I have read too much into it but HoneyB states that the know one has been repainted and one has been refilled, I assumed (possibly incorrectly) that more information was available than had been provided.

Bossa Nova
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#8 Posted : 29 October 2008 20:01:00(UTC)
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Posted By John Richards
It should have information stamped into the neck of the bottle.
Is the name distillers MG ?
The name of MESSER UK, gases like CO2 and Nitrogen
(01737241133)
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#9 Posted : 30 October 2008 08:30:00(UTC)
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Posted By HoneyB
Thanks all for trying to help.

We store the cylinders in the cylinder cage where we store other cylinders.

The name is The distillers Ltd and not distillers MG, I've spoken with Distillers MG but they will not take it.

The other one is a grey bottle with yellow rim, the name of the company is actually written on it and I've spoken to them, they even sent someone to pick it but
it was not taken away because there was no paper work. They gave us the option of bringing it to them which we did but they still refused to take it because so there is gas residue in it and because it's been re-filled, they said they're not sure of what's in it and so will not take it.

We can't find any information on the cylinders, nobody knows who bought or used them.

I spoke with BOC, they asked for the pictures which I sent to them but they've not got back to me, I've sent a few messages but have received nothing from them.

Hope this clarifies the situation better.
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#10 Posted : 30 October 2008 08:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bossa nova
Honeyb

Yellow normally indicates toxic or corrosive have you contacted the BCGA for their advice?

Bossa Nova
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