safety: Cutting open Freon tank

[INTP]

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but better safe than sorry...

Are there any safety issues with cutting open a used 30 lb. Freon 22 container? How about welding on it? I don't think that freon is an issue, but I was wondering about oils, or other additives that may be present.

The end use is a small aluminum melting furnace (for green sand casting). My current cutting options are OA and bi-metal blades.

Here's where I got the idea:

http://www.hal-pc.org/~lwhill/furnace.html

[cope]

Use a saw, Freon when burned produces phosgene gas. The results of breathing it can be fatal. There will probably be a bit of oil present, but you can clean the interior after cutting.

[Blacksmith]

Cutting open Freon tank

I made a blacksmithing forge from a freon tank and I cut it open with a saber saw and bi-metal blade. Same concern, I didn't want to create phosgene by using a torch. It cut really easy.

[cope]

Re: Cutting open Freon tank

Originally posted by Blacksmith
I made a blacksmithing forge from a freon tank and I cut it open with a saber saw and bi-metal blade. Same concern, I didn't want to create phosgene by using a torch. It cut really easy.

I didn't plan on it either, problem is I simply forgot about the risk. After I staggered around the garage for a few minutes, I put down the torch and picked up the saber saw.

[INTP]

Thanks for the info.

[Franz]

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!
Have whoever you get the freon tank from hook it to the reclaimer and suck it down to as close to 30" of vacuum as he can.
Freon doesn't permiate the steel the way Propane does, so there is no residue.
A torch is overkill on Freon tanks, plasma works great, these tanks aren't 1/4 the thickness of a Propane tank.