AU2014285934A1

AU2014285934A1 - Sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid

Info

Publication number: AU2014285934A1
Application number: AU2014285934A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Remi Ballais; Sebastien Corot; Thomas CREMIERE; Sebastien Delanoe; Bruno Deletre; Fabrice Lombard; Florent OUVRARD
Original assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Current assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Priority date: 2013-07-02
Filing date: 2014-06-30
Publication date: 2016-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-30
Also published as: AU2014285934B2; FR3008164A1; KR20160029809A; CN105324600B; KR102125733B1; CN105324600A; FR3008164B1; WO2015001240A2; WO2015001240A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulated tank for storing a fluid comprising a thermal insulation barrier and a sealing membrane supported by the thermal insulation barrier, the thermal insulation barrier comprising a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepidal insulating blocks (3, 7) each one comprising: - a bottom panel (10) and a cover panel (11), which are spaced apart in a thickness direction of the insulating block (3, 7); - a plurality of pillars (13) interposed between said bottom (10) and cover (11) panels and extending in a thickness direction; and - a lagging lining placed between the pillars (13); said plurality of insulating blocks (3, 7) comprising at least one reinforced insulating block (3, 7) equipped with at least one anti-overspill reinforcing structure (14) extending longitudinally along a reinforced lateral face of said reinforced insulating block (3, 7), between the bottom panel (10) and the cover panel (11).

Description

1 SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK FOR STORING A FLUID Technical field The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks with membranes, for the storage and/or transport of fluid, such as a cryogenic fluid. 5 Sealed and thermally insulating tanks with membranes are used in particular for the storage of liquid natural gas (LNG) which is stored at atmospheric pressure, at approximately -1620C. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. Technological background 10 Document FR 2 877 638 describes a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall which is secured on the bearing structure of a floating structure, and has in succession, in the direction of the thickness, from the interior to the exterior of the tank, a primary sealed barrier which is designed to be in contact with the liquid natural gas, a primary insulating barrier, a secondary sealed barrier, 15 and a secondary insulating barrier which is anchored on the bearing structure. The insulating barriers are constituted by a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepiped heat-insulating cases. Each heat-insulating case comprises an insulating foam block, a base panel and a cover panel arranged on both sides of the insulating foam block, and a plurality of support pillars which rise through the 20 direction of the thickness of the case, in order to absorb the compression forces. In service, the walls of the tank are subjected to numerous stresses. In particular, the walls are subjected to compression forces caused by the loading of the tank, to thermal stresses when the cooling takes place, and to forces caused by the dynamic impacts of the fluid contained in the tank. Also, forces are exerted 25 tangentially relative to the cover panels of the heat-insulating cases, and are thus liable to give rise to tilting of the pillars of the heat-insulating cases. Summary A concept on which the invention is based is that of proposing a sealed and 30 thermally insulating tank for storage of a fluid, which has both good thermal 2 insulation performance, and good resistance to forces, in particular to the forces exerted tangentially relative to the walls. According to one embodiment, the invention provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storage of a fluid, comprising a thermal insulation barrier 5 and a sealing membrane supported by the thermal insulation barrier, the thermal insulation barrier comprising a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepiped insulating blocks with two main faces and four lateral faces, and each comprising: - a base panel and a cover panel, which are spaced according to a direction of the thickness of the insulating block and define the main faces of the insulating block, 10 the cover panel having a support surface in order to receive the sealing membrane; - a plurality of pillars interposed between said base and cover panels, and extending in the direction of the thickness; and - a heat-insulating lining arranged between the pillars; said plurality of insulating blocks comprising at least one reinforced insulating block 15 equipped with at least one anti-tilting reinforcement structure which extends longitudinally along a reinforced lateral face of said reinforced insulating block, between the base panel and the cover panel. According to one embodiment, the anti-tilting reinforcement structure has a shearing strength, for a shearing force exerted on the cover panel in a direction at 20 right-angles to the planes of the lateral faces which are adjacent to said reinforced lateral face, which is greater than that of a pillar. Thus, the resistance of the insulating block to the forces which are exerted tangentially relative to the cover panel is increased, and the risks of tilting of the pillars are reduced. In addition, the impact of an anti-tilting reinforcement structure of 25 this type on the thermal insulation performance is limited. According to one embodiment, the anti-tilting reinforcement structure comprises two load struts which are arranged diagonally, in the form of an "X", and each extend between the base panel and the cover panel. Thus, a structure of this type in the form of an "X" makes it possible to obtain particularly great shearing 30 strength, for a shearing force exerted on the cover panel, in the direction which is longitudinal relative to the reinforced lateral face, whilst limiting the impact of the reinforcement structure on the thermal insulation performance.

3 According to a first group of embodiments, a tank of this type can comprise one or a plurality of the following characteristics: - the two load struts are formed in a single piece from a reinforcement body which extends between the base panel and the cover panel. 5 - the reinforcement body additionally comprises at least two support columns which extend in parallel in the direction of the thickness of the reinforced insulating block. Thus, the resistance to compression of the reinforced insulating block is not downgraded in the area of implantation of the reinforcement body. - the pillars are aligned according to a plurality of rows, and the support columns 10 are each arranged in the alignment of a row of pillars. - the pillars are distributed equidistantly, and the support columns are arranged equidistantly from the adjacent pillars. Thus, the distribution of the compression forces is balanced. - the cover panel has grooves for accommodation of the welding supports, and 15 the reinforced insulating block comprises four anti-tilting reinforcement bodies which each extend along a lateral face of the reinforced insulating block, the reinforcement bodies extending along lateral faces perpendicular to the grooves, with a number of support columns greater than that of the reinforcement bodies which extend along the lateral faces parallel to the grooves. 20 - the reinforcement body comprises an upper beam and a lower beam, which extend respectively against the cover panel and the base panel, and a plurality of openings which extend in the spaces formed between the load struts, the support columns and the upper and lower beams. Thus, the bearing of the reinforcement body on the cover panel and on the base panel is optimal, such 25 that the reinforcement body has a substantial shearing strength, whilst limiting, by means of the presence of the openings, the impact of the anti-tilting reinforcement structure on the thermal insulation performance. - the openings have connection fillets at the intersections between the two load struts. Thus, the concentrations of stresses are limited. 30 - the openings have connection fillets at the intersections between the upper and lower beams, and the support columns and/or the load struts. - the edges of the reinforcement bodies which are arranged opposite the cover panel and the base panel have a crenellated form, the merlons of which fit into 4 receptacles with a complementary form provided in the cover panel and the base panel. According to a second group of embodiments, a tank of this type can comprise one or a plurality of the following characteristics: 5 - the load struts are cables which comprise a first end secured on the cover panel and a second end secured on the base panel, and wherein the anti-tilting reinforcement structure comprises a device for putting a cable/cables under mechanical tension. - the device for putting a cable under mechanical tension comprises a regulation 10 nut which is fitted on a threaded end of the cable, and a helical spring which is fitted on said end of the cable, and is supported firstly against a body for securing said end of the cable, and secondly against the regulation nut. - the device for putting the cables under mechanical tension comprises two parallel plates which are each provided with two orifices, permitting respectively 15 the passage of one and the other of the two cables, and a means for regulation of the distance between said parallel plates. According to a third group of embodiments, a tank of this type can comprise one or a plurality of the following characteristics: - the load struts are formed by a belt which is subjected to traction pre-stressing 20 according to its longitudinal direction. - the belt is made of steel. - the belt is fitted in a closed loop, firstly around the base panel, and secondly around all or part of the cover panel, and is arranged in the form of an "X" at the center of the lateral face of the insulating block. 25 - the belt is corkscrewed around 1800 at each of its two portions which extend between the base and cover panels. - the belt is arranged in an open loop, the belt being fitted around all or part of the cover panel, and its two ends being secured on the base panel. - the base panel has grooves which delimit a central element and lateral 30 elements, the belt being arranged in a closed loop, and fitted firstly around the panel of the central element of the base panel, and secondly around all or part of the cover panel, said belt also being arranged in the form of an "X" at the center of the lateral face of the insulating block.

5 - the reinforcement structure comprises two belts in a closed loop, each belt passing diagonally through each of the four lateral faces of the reinforced insulating block, and passing alternately on or through an angle area of the cover panel, then on or through an angle area of the base panel. 5 - the cover panel has grooves for passage of the belt at its four angle areas. According to a fourth group of embodiments, a tank of this type can comprise one or a plurality of the following characteristics: - the load struts are metal bars with a first end which is secured on the cover panel, and a second end which is secured on the base panel. 10 - the metal bars are flat, and arranged such that their sections are turned facing the base panel and the cover panel. - on their ends, the metal bars support threaded rods passing through a securing body which is integral with the base panel or the cover panel, and co-operates with a nut, such as to allow the metal bars to be put under mechanical tension. 15 - the metal bars are made of stainless steel. According to a fifth group of embodiments, a tank of this type can comprise one or a plurality of the following characteristics: - the anti-tilting reinforcement structure comprises two aligned reinforcement bodies which extend along the reinforced lateral face, and are arranged in the 20 direction of the thickness of the reinforced insulating block, between the base panel and the cover panel, said reinforcement bodies being arranged on both sides of a median plane at right-angles to the reinforced lateral face, and each having a dimension, in the direction at right-angles to the two lateral faces adjacent to said reinforced lateral face, which is larger than a dimension of a 25 pillar in this direction. - the edges of the reinforcement bodies which are arranged opposite the cover panel and the base panel have a crenellated form, the merlons of which fit into receptacles with a complementary form provided in the cover panel and the base panel. 30 According to some embodiments, the invention provides one or a plurality of the following characteristics: - the reinforced insulating block comprises two anti-tilting reinforcement structures which extend longitudinally along two opposite lateral faces.

6 - when the insulating block comprises only two anti-tilting reinforcement structures, they are advantageously arranged along the two lateral faces perpendicular to the grooves for accommodation of the welding supports of the sealing membrane. 5 - the reinforced insulating block comprises four anti-tilting reinforcement structures which each extend along a lateral face. - the plurality of insulating blocks comprises a plurality of standard insulating blocks and a plurality of reinforced insulating blocks, said reinforced insulating blocks being distributed according to a regular pattern. 10 - the regular distribution pattern of the reinforced insulating blocks is designed such that a shearing force exerted on the cover panel of a standard insulating block is absorbed by an adjacent reinforced insulating block, before said standard insulating block tilts. A tank as previously described can form part of a storage installation on 15 land, for example in order to store LNG, or it can be installed in a coastal or deep water floating structure, in particular an LNG tanker, a floating storage and re gasification (FSRU) unit, an offset floating production and storage (OFPS) unit, and the like. In the case of a floating structure, the tank can be designed for the transport of LNG, or for receiving liquid natural gas which is used as fuel for the propulsion of 20 the floating structure. According to one embodiment, a ship for the transport of a fluid comprises a double hull and an aforementioned tank arranged in the double hull. According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading a ship of this type, in which a fluid is conveyed through 25 insulated piping from or to a floating or land storage installation, to or from the tank of the ship. According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising the aforementioned ship, insulated piping designed to connect the tank installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land 30 storage installation, and a pump to drive a flow of fluid through the insulated piping from or to the floating or land storage installation, to or from the tank of the ship.

7 Brief description of the figures The invention will be better understood, and other objectives, details, characteristics and advantages of it will become more apparent from the following description of a plurality of particular embodiments of the invention, provided purely 5 by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings. * Figure 1 is a sectional view in perspective of a tank wall according to one embodiment. * Figure 2 is a view in perspective of a standard insulating block. * Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with 10 an anti-tilting reinforcement structure according to a first embodiment. * Figure 4 is a detailed view of the anti-tilting reinforcement structure in figure 3. * Figures 5 and 6 are views in perspective of a reinforced insulating block according to variants of the first embodiment. * Figure 7 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with 15 an anti-tilting reinforcement structure according to a second embodiment. * Figure 8 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block according to a variant of the second embodiment. * Figure 9 is a detailed view of a mode for assembly between a reinforcement body and the base and cover panels. 20 e Figure 10 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with cables, according to a third embodiment. * Figure 11 is a detailed view of figure 10, illustrating means for securing one end of a cable. 25 e Figure 12 is a detailed view of figure 10, illustrating securing means and a device for putting an end of a cable under mechanical tension. * Figure 13 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with cables, according to a fourth embodiment.

8 * Figures 14 and 15 are detailed views of figure 13, illustrating a device for putting cables under tension. * Figure 16 is a detailed view of figure 13, illustrating means for securing an end of a cable. 5 e Figures 17 and 18 are detailed views of means for securing an end of a cable according to variant embodiments. * Figure 19 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with cables, according to a fifth embodiment. 10 e Figures 20 and 21 are detailed views of figure 19, illustrating means for securing the cables. * Figure 22 is a lateral view of the reinforced insulating block in figure 19. * Figures 23 and 24 illustrate a variant embodiment of a means for securing a cable. 15 e Figure 25 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with metal bars, according to a sixth embodiment. * Figures 26 and 27 are detailed views of figure 25 illustrating securing means and a device for putting a metal bar under tension. 20 e Figure 28 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to a seventh embodiment. * Figure 29 is a detailed view of figure 28 illustrating the co-operation of the belt with the cover panel, via a metal angle bracket. 25 e Figure 30 is a lateral view of the insulating block in figure 28. * Figure 31 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to an eighth embodiment. * Figure 32 is a lateral view of the insulating block in figure 31.

9 * Figure 33 is a detailed view of figure 31, illustrating the association of the belt with the cover panel. * Figure 34 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to a ninth 5 embodiment. * Figure 35 is a lateral view of the insulating block in figure 34. * Figure 36 is a detailed view of figure 34, illustrating the association of the belt with the cover panel, via metal angle brackets. * Figure 37 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with 10 anti-tilting reinforcement structures with belts, according to a tenth embodiment, illustrating schematically the passage of a belt. * Figure 38 is a detailed view of figure 37, illustrating a groove for passage of a belt formed in the cover panel at one of its corners. * Figure 39 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with 15 an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to an eleventh embodiment. * Figure 40 is a detailed view of figure 39, illustrating the association of the belt with the base panel. * Figure 41 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with 20 an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to a twelfth embodiment. * Figures 42 and 43 are detailed views of figure 41, illustrating the association of the belt with the base panel. * Figure 44 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with 25 an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to a thirteenth embodiment. * Figures 45 and 46 illustrate a placing angle bracket which is designed to place a belt against the base panel, at the angles of said base panel.

10 * Figure 47 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with a belt, according to a fourteenth embodiment. * Figures 48 and 49 are detailed views of figure 47, illustrating the association of 5 the belt with the base panel. * Figure 50 is a view in perspective of a reinforced insulating block equipped with an anti-tilting reinforcement structure with belts, according to a fifteenth embodiment. * Figure 51 is a sectional view in perspective of a tank wall comprising reinforced 10 insulating blocks equipped with anti-tilting reinforcement structures with belts. * Figures 52 to 57 illustrate schematically variant embodiments of thermally insulating barriers equipped with standard insulating blocks and reinforced insulating blocks. * Figure 58 is a partial view in perspective and in cross-section of a tank. 15 e Figure 59 is a sectional schematic representation of an LNG tanker tank comprising a reinforced insulating block and a terminal for loading/unloading this tank. Detailed description of embodiments In figure 1, a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank is represented. 20 The general structure of a tank of this type is well known and has a polyhedral form. A description will therefore simply be provided of one wall area of the tank, on the understanding that all the walls of the tank can have a similar general structure. From the exterior towards the interior of the tank, the tank wall comprises a bearing structure 1, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 formed by insulating 25 blocks 3 which are juxtaposed on the bearing structure 1, and anchored on the latter by secondary retention units 4, a secondary sealing membrane 5 which is supported by the insulating blocks 3, a primary thermally insulating barrier 6 formed by insulating blocks 7 which are juxtaposed and anchored on the secondary sealing membrane 5 by primary retention units 8, and a primary sealing membrane 9, which 30 is supported by the insulating blocks 7, and is designed to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid contained in the tank.

11 The bearing structure 1 can in particular be a self-supporting metal plate, or more generally any type of rigid partition with appropriate mechanical properties. In particular, the bearing structure can be formed by the hull or the double hull of a ship. The bearing structure comprises a plurality of walls which define the general 5 form of the tank. The primary 9 and secondary 5 sealing membranes are constituted for example by a continuous sheet of metal strakes with raised edges, said strakes being welded by means of their raised edges on parallel welding supports which are retained on the insulating blocks 3, 7. The metal strakes are for example made of 10 Invar @, i.e. an iron and nickel alloy, the coefficient of expansion of which is typically between: 1.2.10-6 and 2.10-6 K- 1 , or of an iron alloy with a high content of manganese, the coefficient of expansion of which is typically approximately 7.10-6 K The insulating blocks 3 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 and 15 the insulating blocks 7 of the primary thermally insulating barrier 6 can equally well have structures which are identical or different, and dimensions which are the same or different. Figure 2 illustrates the structure of an insulating block 3, 7. The insulating block 3, 7 comprises a rectangular parallelepiped form with two large faces or main 20 faces, and four small faces or lateral faces. The insulating block 3, 7 comprises a base panel 10 and a cover panel 11 which are parallel and spaced according to the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 3, 7. The base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 define the main faces of the insulating block 3, 7. The cover panel 11 has an outer support surface which makes it possible to 25 receive the primary 9 or secondary 5 sealing membrane. In addition, on its outer face, the cover panel 11 has grooves 12 for accommodation of the welding supports, thus making it possible to weld the metal strakes of the primary 9 or secondary 5 sealing membranes. Support pillars 13 extend in the direction of the thickness of the insulating 30 block 3, 7, and are secured firstly on the base panel 10, and secondly on the cover panel 11. The pillars 13 are secured on the base panel 10 and on the cover panel 11 by any appropriate means, by stapling and/or gluing for example. The pillars 13 make it possible to absorb the compression forces. The pillars 13 are aligned 12 according to a plurality of rows, and are distributed staggered. The distance between the pillars 13 is determined such as to permit good distribution of the compression forces. According to one embodiment, the pillars are distributed equidistantly. 5 In the embodiment represented, the pillars 13 have a solid cross-section with a square form. The pillars 13 can be made of numerous materials. In particular, they can be made of wood or of plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polyurethane (PU) or polypropylene (PP), optionally reinforced by 10 fibers. A heat-insulating lining, not represented, extends in the spaces provided between the pillars 13. The heat-insulating lining is for example glass wool, wadding, a polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, or polyvinyl chloride foam. A polymer foam of this type can be arranged between the 15 pillars 13 by means of an injection operation during the production of the insulating block 3, 7. Alternatively, it is possible to produce the heat-insulating lining by providing orifices in a precut block of polymer foam, glass wool or wadding, in order to receive the pillars 13. In the embodiment in figure 2, the base 10 and cover 11 panels are each 20 constituted by a sheet of plywood. However, in other embodiments, as represented for example in figures 6 or 31, the cover panel 11 has a sandwich structure, and comprises a distribution sheet 11a which is secured on the pillars 13 and is supported on the pillars 13, an upper sheet 11b, which is parallel to the distribution sheet 11a, and a plurality of beams 11c, which extend in parallel between the upper 25 sheet 11b and the distribution sheet 11c. An arrangement of this type makes it possible to obtain a reinforced cover panel 11. Figures 3 to 50 illustrate insulating blocks 3, 7 which are reinforced according to a plurality of embodiments. The reinforced insulating blocks have a structure which is substantially similar to that described in relation with figure 2, but 30 additionally comprises one or a plurality of anti-tilting reinforcement structures. Figure 3 represents a reinforced insulating block 3, 7 equipped with anti tilting reinforcement structures 14 according to a first embodiment. The anti-tilting reinforcement structures 14 make it possible to increase the shearing strength of the 13 insulating block 3, 7, when a tangential shearing force is exerted on the cover panel 11, in a lateral direction x. For this purpose, an anti-tilting structure 14, which is represented in detail in figure 4, is constituted by a reinforcement body 15 formed in a single piece, which 5 extends between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11. The reinforcement body 15 extends along a lateral face of the insulating block 3, 7, and is centered along the latter. The reinforcement body 15 has a generally parallelepiped form with two large faces, one of which faces towards the interior of the insulating block 3, 7, and the other one of which faces towards the exterior, and four edges, two of which are 10 arranged respectively opposite the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10. The reinforcement body 15 is cut out such as to form two load struts 16a, 16b, which form an "X" when they are observed according to a direction at right angles to the lateral face. In other words, the load struts 16a, 16b extend along the diagonals of the large faces of the reinforcement body 15. 15 The reinforcement body 15 also comprises support columns 17a, 17b, 17c, of which there are three in figure 4, and which extend in the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 3, 7. The support columns 17a, 17b, 17c thus make it possible to absorb the compression forces. The support columns 17a, 17b, 17c are each arranged in the alignment of one of the rows of pillars 13, and are 20 preferably arranged equidistantly from the adjacent pillars 13. The support columns 17a, 17b, 17c also have compression strength which is substantially equivalent to that of a pillar 13. Thus, the implantation of a reinforcement body 15 of this type does not detract from the balanced distribution of the compression forces. Finally, the reinforcement body 15 comprises an upper beam 18a and a 25 lower beam 18b, which are parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 3, 7. The upper beam 18a extends against the cover panel 11, and the lower beam 18b extends against the base panel 10. These beams 18a, 18b make it possible to obtain an optimum bearing surface of the reinforcement body 15 on the cover panel 11 and on the base panel 10. 30 The reinforcement body 15 has a plurality of openings 19 provided in each trilateral space which extends between a support column 17a, 17b, one load strut 16a, 16b and the other load strut 16a, 16b, or an upper 18a or lower 18b beam. The presence of openings 19 of this type makes it possible to limit the impact of the 14 reinforcement body 15 on the thermal insulation performance. At the intersections between the load struts 16a, 16b and/or between a load strut 16a, 16b and a support column 17a, 17b, 17c, and/or between a support column 17a, 17b, 17c and an upper 18a or lower 18b beam, the openings 19 have fillets. In other words, the 5 openings 19 have a generally triangular form, the angle areas of which have rounded connections. Fillets or rounded connections of this type make it possible to limit the concentrations of stresses. The reinforcement body 15 can be made of wood, for example plywood, or of a composite material comprising a plastic matrix reinforced with fibers. The 10 reinforcement body 15 can be secured on the base panel 10 and on the cover panel 11 by any appropriate means, such as stapling and/or gluing for example. By way of example, the thickness of the reinforcement body 15 is between 9 and 30 mm. It has been shown that a reinforced insulating block equipped with reinforcement bodies 15 of this type had strength relative to a shearing force exerted 15 tangentially on the cover panel 11 which is approximately four times greater than the strength of a standard insulating block. The reinforced insulating block 3, 7 illustrated in figure 5 is substantially similar to that illustrated in figure 3, but differs however in that the support bodies 15 have a longer length, and comprise four support columns 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d. 20 The reinforced insulating block 3, 7 represented in figure 6 comprises four anti-tilting structures 14, which each extend along a respective lateral face. The lateral forces which are exerted on the cover panel 11 perpendicularly to the grooves 12 for accommodation of the welding supports are greater than the lateral forces which are exerted parallel to said grooves 12. Also, the reinforcement bodies 25 15 which extend along the lateral faces perpendicular to the grooves 12 have a longer length than the reinforcement bodies 15 which extend along the lateral faces parallel to the grooves 12. The longer reinforcement bodies 15 in this case have three support columns 17a, 17b, 17c, whereas the shorter reinforcement bodies 15 comprise only two support columns 17a, 17b. 30 In addition, the insulating block 3, 7 comprises at its corners pillars 20 in the form of an "L", the horizontal lower bar of which forms a retention surface which can co-operate with retention units 4, 8.

15 The reinforced insulating block 3, 7 represented in figure 7 is equipped with two anti-tilting structures 21, according to a second embodiment, which extend along two opposite lateral faces. Each anti-tilting structure 21 comprises two reinforcement bodies 22 which are aligned along a lateral face of the insulating 5 block 3, 7. The reinforcement bodies 22 extend in the direction of the thickness, between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11. The reinforcement bodies 22 are arranged on both sides of a median plane perpendicular to the lateral face along which they are aligned. In this case, the reinforcement bodies 22 extend at the ends of the lateral faces of the insulating blocks 3, 7. The reinforcement bodies 15 have a 10 dimension, in the direction at right-angles to the two lateral faces adjacent to said reinforced lateral face, which is larger than the dimension of the pillars in this direction. According to one embodiment, this dimension is more than twice as large as that of the pillars 13. Thus, the reinforcement bodies 22 provide the insulating block 3, 7 with strength in the direction x. 15 A reinforced insulating block equipped with reinforcement bodies 22 of this type can have strength relative to a shearing force exerted tangentially on the cover panel 11 which is approximately three times greater than the strength of a standard insulating block. The reinforced insulating block 3, 7 which is illustrated in figure 8 comprises 20 four anti-tilting structures 21, each comprising two reinforcement bodies 22, and each equipping one of the lateral faces of the insulating block. The anti-tilting structures 21 are substantially similar to those described in relation with figure 7, and each comprise two reinforcement bodies 22 which are aligned along each lateral face, and arranged at their ends. In this embodiment, the reinforcement 25 bodies 22 additionally have a set-back which is formed in a lateral edge of the reinforcement body 22, adjacent to an angle of the insulating block 3, 7. This set back provided in the reinforcement bodies has a lug 23 supporting a support surface which can co-operate with the retention units 4, 8. Like the reinforcement bodies 15 in the embodiment in figures 3 to 6, the 30 reinforcement bodies 22 can be made of wood or of a composite material comprising a plastic matrix reinforced with fibers. In addition, the reinforcement bodies 22 can be secured on the base panel 10 and on the cover panel 11 by any appropriate means, such as stapling and/or gluing, for example.

16 In the embodiment represented in figure 9, the edges of the reinforcement bodies 22 which are arranged opposite the cover panel 11 and or the base panel 10 have a crenellated form, the merlons 24 of which fit into receptacles with a complementary form provided in the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10. Thus, 5 the resistance to shearing is increased. It can be noted that co-operation of this type between the reinforcement body and the cover panel 11 and base panel 10 is also applicable to the reinforcement bodies 15 in figures 3 to 6. Figure 10 illustrates a reinforced insulating block 3, 7 equipped with an anti tilting structure 25 according to a third embodiment. 10 The anti-tilting structure 25 comprises two load struts formed by cables 26a, 26b which are arranged in the form of an "X", and each extend between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11. The cables 26a, 26b extend along a lateral face of the insulating block 3, 7, and are deployed along its diagonals. Each cable 26a, 26b has a first end which is secured on the cover panel 11, and a second end 15 which is secured on the base panel 10. The cables 26a, 26b are for example metal cables. The anti-tilting structure 25 additionally comprises devices for putting the cables 26a, 26b under mechanical tension. Figure 11 represents means for securing a cable 26a according to one embodiment. The securing means comprise a securing body 27 with an orifice for 20 passage of the cable 26a. The securing body 27 comprises a cylindrical rod and a retention head 28. The cover panel 11 comprises an orifice which permits the passage of the cylindrical rod of the securing body 27, and has countersinking in order to receive the retention head 28. The end of the cable 26a cooperates with a stop end 28 which makes it possible to block the end of the cable 26a on the 25 securing body 27. Figure 12 represents a means for securing a cable 26a which cooperates with a device for putting said cable 26a under mechanical tension. The means for securing the cable 26a is substantially similar to the one described in relation with figure 11. The means for securing the cable 26a comprises a securing body 27 30 which comprises a cylindrical rod received inside an orifice in the base panel 10, and a retention head 28 which is received in countersinking provided in said orifice for passage of the cylindrical rod.

17 The device for putting under tension comprises a helical spring 30 and a nut 29 for regulation of the tension. The end of the cable 26a has a thread which makes it possible to receive the nut 29. The helical spring 30 is fitted on the end of the cable 26a, supported firstly against the securing body 30, and secondly against 5 the nut 29. The helical spring 30 thus exerts a traction force on the cable 26a. The end of the cable 30 also supports a ball 31 which ensures the retention of the helical spring 30 and the nut 29 on the end of the cable 26a. It can be noted that, according to an alternative embodiment not represented, it is possible to provide devices for putting under mechanical tension at 10 each of the ends of the cables 26a, 26b. In the embodiments represented in figures 13 to 24, the reinforcement structure 25 comprises only one device 32 for putting under tension, arranged in the vicinity of the intersection between two cables 26a, 26b, and making it possible to put the two cables 26a, 26b under tension simultaneously. This device 32 for putting 15 under tension is represented in a detailed manner in figures 14 and 15. The device 32 for putting under tension comprises two parallel plates 33a, 33b which are each provided with two orifices, permitting respectively the passage of one and the other of the two cables 26a, 26b. The distance between the two plates 33a, 33b can be regulated in order to ensure adequate tension of the cables 26a, 26b. For this 20 purpose, a threaded screw 34 is introduced through orifices provided in the plates 33a, 33b, and thus makes it possible to connect them at a variable distance. In the embodiment represented, the orifice for receipt of the threaded end of the screw 34, provided in the plate 33a, is provided with tapping. Thus, the rotation of the threaded screw 34 gives rise to bringing of the plate 33a closer to, or further from, the plate 25 33b. The device 32 for putting under tension also comprises a nut 35, which makes it possible to block the rotation of the screw 34 when the tension of the cables 26a, 26b is correctly regulated. Figures 16, 17 and 18 represent a plurality of means for securing an end of a cable 26a, 26b. 30 In figure 16, the securing means comprise a securing body 27 with an orifice for passage of the cable 27. The end of the cable 26a cooperates with a stop ball 31 which makes it possible to block the end of the cable 26a on the securing body 27. The securing body 27 has a retention head 28 and a threaded cylindrical 18 rod 28. The threaded cylindrical rod 28 passes through the base 10 or cover 11 panel through an orifice, and co-operates with a nut 36. The retention head 28 is embedded in countersinking provided in the base 10 or cover 11 panel. In figure 17, the end of the cable 26a is secured by a stirrup 37 comprising 5 a cross-section in the form of a "U", which is extended on both sides by lugs 38, 39 which are designed to be supported against the inner face of the cover panel 11 or the base panel 10. The cross-section in the form of a "U" forms a cage for accommodation of a stop ball 31 which is integral with the end of the cable 26a. The stirrup 37 comprises a slot 40 for passage of the cable 26a. Orifices 41, 42 which 10 permit passage of securing units, such as screws, not represented, are provided in the lug 39. In figure 18, the securing of the end of a cable 26a equipped with a stop ball 31 is ensured by a securing body 43 comprising a receptacle for receipt of the stop ball 31. The receptacle is defined by a cylindrical skirt 44, one of the ends of 15 which is extended by a retention collar 45, and the other end of which is closed by a base 46. The base 46 has an orifice for passage of the cable 26a. The securing body 43 passes through an orifice provided in the cover 11 or base 10 panel. The orifice which is provided in the cover 11 or base 10 panel has countersinking in which the retention collar 45 is received. 20 Figures 19 to 21 represent a reinforced insulating block 3, 7 according to another embodiment. This embodiment differs from the one described in relation with figure 13 by the structure of the means for securing the ends of the cables 26a, 26b. These securing means are represented in detail in figures 20 and 21. The securing means comprise a stirrup 46 with a profile in the form of a "U", extended by 25 retention wings 47a, 47b which extend perpendicularly to the vertical bars of the "U". The cover 11 or base 10 panel has grooves which open onto the edge of said panel 11, 10, and in which the vertical bars 48a, 48b of the "U" can slide. The retention wings 47a, 47b make it possible to retain the stirrup 46 on the cover 11 or base 10 panel. The stirrup 40 additionally comprises a circular orifice 49, which permits the 30 passage of the stop ball 31, which is supported by the end of the cable 26, and communicates with an oblong hole 50 which permits the passage of the cable 26a. The oblong hole has a transverse dimension smaller than that of the stop ball 31, in order to retain the end of the cable 26a on the stirrup 46.

19 As illustrated in figure 22, when a reinforcement structure with cables 26a, 26b is used, it is necessary to leave a space between the edge of the cover 11 and base 10 panels and the edge pillars 13, in order to permit the passage of the cables 26a, 26b. 5 Figures 23 and 24 illustrate means for securing an end of a cable 26a according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the securing means comprise an inner plate 50 and an outer plate 51 which are arranged respectively against the inner face and the outer face of the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11, and are secured to one another via the base 10 or cover 11 panel by means of a 10 plurality of securing units, such as rivets for example, not represented, which pass through orifices 57. The orifices 57 are provided in embossed areas 54, 55, 56 of the outer plate 51, which projects inside the cover 11 or base 10 panel, and abuts the inner plate 50. One of the embossed areas 56 has an oblong form which penetrates inside an oblong orifice with a complementary form provided in the base 15 10 or cover 11 panel. An oblong form of this type, which extends perpendicularly to the lateral face equipped with said reinforcement device with cables, is particularly advantageous for absorbing the traction forces which are exerted on the cables 26a, 26b. The inner plate 50 comprises a circular orifice 52, permitting passage of the stop ball 31 which is supported by the end of the cable 26, and communicates with 20 an oblong hole 53, thus permitting the passage of the cable 26a. Figure 25 illustrates a reinforced insulating block 3, 7 equipped with an anti tilting structure 58 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the anti tilting structure 58 comprises two load struts which are formed by rigid metal bars 59a, 59b, arranged in the form of an "X". The metal bars extend along a lateral face 25 of the insulating block 3, 7, and each extend between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11. In order to optimize the size of the metal bars 59a, 59b, the latter are flat, and arranged such that their edges are turned facing the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11. Said metal bars 59a, 59b support threaded rods 60 on their ends. The threaded rods 60 pass through a securing body 61 which is integral with 30 the base 10 or cover 11 panel, and cooperate with a nut 62, thus making it possible to put the metal bars 59a, 59b under tension. The metal bars 59a, 59b are for example made of stainless steel. Figures 28 to 51 illustrate reinforced insulating blocks 3, 7 equipped with reinforcement structures 63 with a belt. The reinforcement structures 63 comprise 20 two load struts arranged in the form of an "X" which extend along a lateral edge of the insulating block 3, 7, and are formed by one or a plurality of belts which are subjected to traction pre-stressing in their longitudinal direction. Belts of this type are for example made of steel. 5 In the embodiment represented in figures 28 to 30, the reinforcement structure 63 is formed by a belt 64 in a closed loop, which is fitted firstly around the base panel 10, and secondly around the cover panel 11, and is arranged in the form of an "X" in the center of the lateral face of the insulating block 3, 7. In other words, the belt 64 is arranged substantially in the form of an "8", the upper loop of which is 10 fitted around the cover panel 11, and the lower loop of which is fitted around the base panel 10. In order to permit the passage of the belt 64 at the corners of the insulating block 3, 7, the cover 11 and base 10 panels are cut out at their angles adjacent to the lateral face which is equipped with an anti-tilting structure 63 with a belt of this type. 15 The base 10 and cover 11 panels have one or a plurality of metal angle brackets 65 at each of their angle cut-outs, as represented in figure 29. The metal angle brackets 65 make it possible to avoid localized deformation of the base 10 and cover 11 panels. In addition, it can be seen in figure 30 that the belt 64 is corkscrewed 20 around 1800 at each of its portions which extend between the base 10 and cover 11 panels, and form the load struts. Thus, at the intersection between its diagonal portions, the portions of belt 64 extend against one another on a vertical plane. Thus, the traction forces which thrust the diagonal portions of the belt 64 are exerted exactly on the plane of the lateral face. 25 Figures 31 to 49 illustrate embodiments of reinforced insulating blocks 7 which are designed to be integrated in the primary thermal insulation barrier, wherein the base panel 10 is provided with grooves 66. These grooves 66 are designed to permit the passage of the welding supports and the raised edges of the metal strakes of the secondary sealing membrane 5. 30 In the embodiment in figures 31 to 33, the reinforcement structure 63 comprises an open belt 67. The belt 67 is fitted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11, and is sandwiched between the elements of the sandwich structure of the cover panel 11. In addition, the two ends of the belt 67 are secured 21 against the outer face of the base panel 10, in the vicinity of its corners. Thus, the belt 67 does not extend through the grooves 66 formed in the base panel 10. In addition, the cover 11 and base 10 panels are cut out at their angles, adjacent to the lateral face which is equipped with the belt 67, in order to provide a 5 space for passage of the belt 67. In addition, the cover 11 and base 10 panels have a metal angle bracket 65 at each of their angle cut-outs, as represented in figure 33. As represented in figure 32, the belt 67 is also corkscrewed around 1800 at each of its portions which extend between the base 10 and cover 11 panels. In the embodiment represented in figures 31 to 33, the insulating block 7 10 comprises an element 68 for guiding of the belt 67. The element 68 comprises a base which straddles the groove 66. The base 68 is also provided with a slot 69, which permits the passage of the welding supports and raised edges of the metal strakes of the secondary sealing membrane 5. The base 68 has an upper surface for guiding of the belt 67, which makes it possible to prevent contact between the 15 belt 67 and the welding support of the secondary membrane and two lateral wings 82a, 82b, thus making it possible to ensure the retention of the belt 67 on the plane of the lateral face of the insulating block 7. According to one embodiment, the guiding element 68 is put into place after securing of the two ends of the belt 67 on the base panel 10, and thus makes it possible to put the belt 67 under mechanical 20 tension. In the embodiment represented in figures 34 to 36, the reinforcement structure 63 is formed by a belt 83 in a closed loop, arranged in the form of an "8". The belt 83 is firstly fitted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11, and sandwiched between the elements of the sandwich structure of the cover panel 25 11. Also, the belt 83 passes through the grooves 66, and is fitted around a central element 84 of the base panel 10 which is bordered by the two grooves 66. The belt 83 is also corkscrewed around 1800 at each of its portions which extend between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11, as represented in figure 35. In addition, the sandwich structure of the cover panel 11 is provided at each of its corners with a 30 set of two angle brackets 65, which make it possible to protect respectively a lower ridge and an upper ridge of the cover panel 11, against localized deformation. In the embodiment represented in figures 37 and 38, the reinforcement structure 63 comprises two belts 87 with a closed loop, a single one of which is 22 shown. Each belt 87 passes diagonally through each of the lateral faces, and passes alternatively on or through an angle area of the cover panel 11, then on or through an angle area of the base panel 10. In order to facilitate putting into place of the belts 87, at its four angle areas the cover panel 11 has grooves 88 for passage 5 of the belt 87 which open onto two adjacent lateral faces of the insulating block 7. Thus, by using only two belts, it is possible to equip each of the lateral faces of the insulating block 7 with two portions of belts arranged in the form of an "X", between the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10, and forming two load struts. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 39 and 40, the reinforcement 10 structure 63 comprises an open belt 89. The belt 89 is fitted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11, and is engaged in the structure of the cover panel 11. In addition, the insulating block 7 comprises a beam 90 which extends against the base panel 10, along the reinforced longitudinal edge which is equipped with said reinforcement structure 63. At the grooves 66 which are formed in the base 15 panel 10, the beams 90 are equipped with slots which permit the passage of the welding supports of the secondary membrane 5. The belt 89 extends along the lateral elements 92, 93, passes through the grooves 66, and is secured between the beam 90 and the inner surface of the lateral elements 92, 93 of the base panel 10. Thus, the use of a beam 90 of this type is particularly advantageous in that it makes 20 it possible to ensure the securing of the ends of the belt 89, whilst strengthening the base panel 10. In the embodiment in figures 41 to 43, the anti-tilting reinforcement structure 63 comprises a belt 94 in a closed loop. The belt 94 is fitted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11, and is engaged in the structure of the 25 cover panel 11. In addition, the insulating block 7 comprises beams 95, 96, 97 which extend along the reinforced longitudinal face, on each of the central 84 and lateral 93, 94 elements of the base panel 10. In addition, the insulating block 7 comprises devices 98 for guiding the belt 94 positioned at the grooves 66 in the base panel 10. The devices 98 for guiding the 30 belt comprise a base which is secured on the base panel 10, supporting a cylindrical shaft 99 for guiding the belt, and two lateral wings 100a, 100b which make it possible to ensure the retention of the belt 94 on the plane of the lateral face of the insulating block 3. The belt 94 extends along the outer surface of the lateral 23 elements 92, 93, then is guided towards the inner surface of the central element 84 of the base panel 10 by the cylindrical shaft 99 of the guiding devices 98. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 44, 45 and 46, the insulating block 7 comprises a placing angle bracket 101 which is designed to place the belt 89 5 against the base panel 10 at the angles of the base panel 10. This placing angle bracket 102 also supports an upper plate 103 which makes it possible to receive an element for support of the primary retention units 8. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 47, 48 and 49, the insulating block 7 comprises four anti-tilting reinforcement structures 63 which each extend along a 10 lateral face of the insulating block 7. The anti-tilting reinforcement structures 63 extend along the lateral faces parallel to the grooves 12, 66, each comprising a belt 104 in a closed loop, arranged in the form of an "8", which is firstly engaged in the structure of the cover panel 11, and secondly fitted around the base panel 10. The insulating block 7 also comprises 15 beams 105 which extend along the lateral faces perpendicular to the grooves 12, 66, against the base panel 10. As represented in figure 48, the base panel 10 has indents 108 which permit the passage of the belt 106. Thus, the angle area 109 of the base panel 10 is designed to form a retention surface which can co-operate with an element for 20 support of the primary retention units 8. The anti-tilting reinforcement structures 63 which extend along the lateral faces perpendicular to the grooves 12, 66 each comprise a belt 106 in a closed loop, arranged in the form of an "8". The belt 106 is engaged in the structure of the cover panel 11. In addition, the belt 106 passes through the grooves 66 formed in the base 25 panel 10, and is fitted around the central element 84 of the base panel 10. In this case, the insulating block 7 comprises a beam 107 which extends along the edge of the central element 84. In addition, as represented in figure 49, the insulating block comprises a plurality of securing jumpers which extend so as to straddle a lateral element 92, 93 30 of the base panel 10 and the central element 84, and ensure the securing of the lateral elements 92, 93 on said central element 84.

24 In the embodiment represented in figure 50, the insulating block 3, 7 comprises four anti-tilting reinforcement structures 63, which each extend along their respective lateral face. In this case, the four reinforcement structures 63 are identical, and each comprise a belt 107 in a closed loop. The belt 108 is arranged in 5 the form of an "8", and is firstly engaged in the composite structure of the cover panel 11, and is secondly fitted around the base panel 10. It can be noted that the characteristics of a plurality of the reinforcement structures 63 with belts as previously described in relation with figures 28 to 50 can be combined. 10 Figure 51 illustrates a tank wall equipped with reinforced insulating blocks 3, 7 equipped with anti-tilting reinforcement structures 63 with a belt. The insulating blocks 3 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 are supported on the bearing structure 1 by means of polymerizable resin elements 110 which are arranged intermittently or in the form of beads. The insulating blocks 7 are retained on the 15 bearing structure 1 by secondary retention units 4 arranged at the four corners of the insulating blocks 3. The secondary retention units 4 comprise a tapped insert 111 and a support element 112 which sandwich the corners of the base panel 10 of the insulating blocks 3. In addition, the secondary retention units 4 support a rod 113 which 20 extends in the direction of the thickness of the tank, and at the end of which a metal plate 114 is fitted. Welding supports are positioned in the grooves formed in the cover panel 11 of the insulating blocks 7, and the metal strakes with raised edges of the secondary sealing membrane 5 are welded on the welding supports and on the 25 metal plates 114. The plate 114 additionally supports a stud 115 which permits securing of a retention plate 116, such as to place the corners of the insulating blocks 3 of the primary thermal insulation barrier 6 between the retention plate 116 and the metal plate 114. These elements form the primary retention units 8. 30 When the insulating blocks 3 of the primary thermal insulation membrane 6 have been put into place, the strakes with raised edges of the primary sealing membrane 9 are then welded onto welding supports positioned in grooves formed in the cover panel 11 of the insulating blocks 7.

25 In the embodiment represented, panels 117, 118 are arranged vertically between the insulating blocks, and make it possible to insulate thermally the gaps between the adjacent insulating blocks 3, 7, in particular in order to limit the transfer of heat by convection between the insulating blocks 3, 7. Panels 117, 118 of this 5 type are made of glass wool, polystyrene or polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, or polyvinyl chloride foam. Figures 52 to 57 illustrate schematically primary 6 and/or secondary 2 thermal insulation barrier walls comprising standard insulating blocks 119, as represented in figure 2, i.e. insulating blocks which are not equipped with an anti 10 tilting reinforcement structure, and reinforced insulating blocks 120, as described in relation with one of the embodiments illustrated in figures 3 to 50. In figures 52 to 57, the reinforced insulating blocks 120 are hatched in order to distinguish them from the standard insulating blocks 119. In figure 52, the standard 119 and reinforced 120 insulating blocks are 15 arranged according to the form of a checker board, the standard 119 and reinforced 120 blocks being arranged alternately, with a standard block 119 succeeding a reinforced block 120. In figure 53, the layout comprises alternation of two types of columns C1, C2 and alternation of two types of rows R1, R2. The columns of type C1 are 20 constituted by alternation of three standard insulating blocks 19, then a reinforced insulating block 120. The columns of type C2 are constituted by alternation of a standard insulating block 119 and a reinforced insulating block 120. The rows of type R1 are constituted by alternation of a standard insulating block 119 and a reinforced insulating block 120. The rows of type R2 are constituted by alternation of 25 three standard insulating blocks 119, then a reinforced insulating block 120. In addition, the reinforced insulating blocks 120 of the columns C1 also belong to the rows of type R2, whereas the reinforced insulating blocks 120 of the columns C2 also belong to the rows of type R1. In figure 54, the layout comprises alternation of a column of type C1 and a 30 column of type C2. The columns of type C1 comprise only standard insulating blocks 20. The columns of type C2 comprise alternation of a standard insulating block 119 and a reinforced insulating block 120.

26 In figure 55, the layout comprises alternation of a row of type R1 comprising only standard insulating blocks 119, and a row of type R2 comprising only reinforced insulating blocks 120. In figure 56, the layout comprises alternation of two rows of type R1 5 comprising only standard insulating blocks 119, and a row of type R2 comprising only reinforced insulating blocks 120. In figure 57, the layout comprises alternation of two rows of type R1 and one row of type R2. The rows of type R1 comprise alternation of three standard insulating blocks 119 and a reinforced insulating block 120. The reinforced insulating 10 blocks of the rows of type R1 are aligned in a column, and form columns of type C1 comprising only reinforced insulating blocks 120. The rows of type R2 comprise only reinforced insulating blocks 120. The arrangement of the standard insulating blocks 119 and reinforced insulating blocks 120 according to one of the above-described layout patterns 15 permits absorption of the tangential forces which are exerted on the cover panel of the standard insulating blocks, by the reinforced insulating blocks. For this purpose, the gap between the standard insulating blocks 119 and the reinforced insulating blocks 120 is small enough for the lateral forces exerted on the cover panel of a standard insulating block 119 to be absorbed by an adjacent reinforced insulating 20 block 120, before the pillars of the standard insulating block 119 tilt. Arrangements of this type make it possible to obtain reinforcement of the thermally insulating barrier, without equipping all of the insulating blocks with a reinforcement structure. Arrangements of this type are thus particularly economical. In addition, they make it possible to limit the negative impact of the reinforcement 25 structures on the downgrading of the thermal insulation performance. According to an embodiment represented in figure 58, in cross-section according to a vertical and/or transverse plane, the tank has a cross-section with an octagonal form. Thus, the tank has a horizontal base wall 121 and ceiling 122, vertical walls 123 and inclined walls 124, 125 which connect the vertical walls 123 to 30 the base wall 121 or to the ceiling 122. According to an advantageous embodiment, the arrangement of the standard insulating blocks 119 and the reinforced insulating blocks 120 according to one of the above-described layout patterns is used only for the production of the walls which are the most subjected to the sloshing effects, thus 27 inducing dynamic fluid impacts, i.e. the inclined walls 124, 125 and the ceiling 122. In addition, according to one embodiment, the vertical end lateral walls 126 have an upper area 128 and a lower area 127 provided with an arrangement according to one of the above-described layout patterns. The upper 128 and lower 127 areas 5 extend for example up to tank heights which are equivalent to those of the inclined walls 124, 125. The above-described technique for producing a thermal insulation barrier can be used in different types of tanks, for example in order to constitute a primary or secondary thermal insulation barrier of an LNG tank in an installation on land or a 10 floating structure such as an LNG tanker or the like. With reference to figure 59, a sectional view of an LNG tanker shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 with a generally prismatic form fitted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealing membrane which is designed to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealing 15 membrane which is arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two thermally insulating barriers which are arranged respectively between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane, and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72. In a known manner, loading/unloading piping 73 arranged on the upper 20 deck of the ship can be connected by means of appropriate connectors to a maritime or port terminal in order to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the tank 71. Figure 59 represents an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an undersea duct 76 and an installation on land 77. The loading and unloading station is a fixed offshore installation comprising a 25 mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the mobile arm 74. The mobile arm 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading/unloading piping 73. The mobile arm 74 which can be oriented adapts to all gauges of LNG tankers. A connection duct, not represented, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 permits loading and unloading of the 30 LNG tanker 70 from or to the installation on land 77. The latter comprises tanks 80 for storage of liquid gas and connection ducts 81 which are connected by the undersea duct 76 to the loading or unloading station 75. The undersea duct 76 permits transfer of the liquid gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and 28 the installation on land 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG tanker 70 at a long distance from the coast during the loading and unloading operations. In order to generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquid 5 gas, use is made of pumps on board the ship 70, and/or pumps which equip the installation on land 77, and/or pumps which equip the loading and unloading station 75. Although the invention has been described in association with a plurality of particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that it is in no way limited to this, and 10 that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described, as well as their combinations, if these come within the scope of the invention. Use of the verbs "consist of", "comprise" or "include" and their conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those described in a claim. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" for an element or a 15 step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps, unless otherwise stated. In the claims, any reference sign in brackets cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim. 20

Claims

1. A sealed and thermally insulating tank for storage of a fluid, comprising a thermal insulation barrier (2, 6) and a sealing membrane (5, 9) supported by the thermal insulation barrier (2, 6), the thermal insulation barrier (2, 6) 5 comprising a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepiped insulating blocks (3, 7) with two main faces and four lateral faces, and each comprising: - a base panel (10) and a cover panel (11), which are spaced according to a direction of the thickness of the insulating block (3, 7) and define the main faces of the insulating block (3, 7), the cover panel (11) having a support 10 surface in order to receive the sealing membrane (5, 9); - a plurality of pillars (13) interposed between said base (10) and cover (11) panels, and extending in the direction of the thickness; and - a heat-insulating lining arranged between the pillars (13); said plurality of insulating blocks (3, 7) comprising at least one reinforced 15 insulating block (3, 7) equipped with at least one anti-tilting reinforcement structure (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) which extends longitudinally along a reinforced lateral face of said reinforced insulating block (3, 7), between the base panel (10) and the cover panel (11), the anti-tilting reinforcement structure (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) being firstly secured against the base panel (10) and secondly 20 secured against the cover panel (11), the anti-tilting reinforcement structure (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) having a shearing strength, for a shearing force exerted on the cover panel in a direction at right-angles to the planes of the lateral faces which are adjacent to said reinforced lateral face, which is greater than that of a pillar (13). 25

2. The tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-tilting reinforcement structure (21) comprises two aligned reinforcement bodies (22) which extend along the reinforced lateral face, and are arranged in the direction of the thickness of the reinforced insulating block (3, 7), between the base panel 30 (10) and the cover panel (11), said reinforcement bodies (22) being arranged on both sides of a median plane at right-angles to the reinforced lateral face, and each having a dimension, in the direction at right-angles to the two lateral faces adjacent to said reinforced lateral face, which is larger than a dimension of a pillar (13) in this direction. 30

3. The tank as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dimension of each of the reinforcement bodies (22) in the direction at right-angles to the two lateral faces adjacent to said reinforced lateral face is more than twice as large as that of a pillar (13). 5

4. The tank as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the edges of the reinforcement bodies (22) which are arranged opposite the cover panel (11) and the base panel (10) have a crenellated form, the merlons (24) of which fit into receptacles with a complementary form provided in the cover panel and the 10 base panel.

5. The tank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anti-tilting reinforcement structure (14, 25, 58, 63) comprises two load struts (16a, 16b, 26a, 26b, 59a, 59b, 64, 67, 83, 87, 89, 94, 104, 106) which are arranged diagonally, in the 15 form of an "X", and each extend between the base panel (10) and the cover panel (11).

6. The tank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two load struts (16a, 16b) are formed in a single piece from a reinforcement body (15) which extends 20 between the base panel (10) and the cover panel (11).

7. The tank as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reinforcement body (15) additionally comprises at least two support columns (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) which extend in parallel in the direction of the thickness of the reinforced 25 insulating block (3, 7).

8. The tank as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pillars (13) are aligned according to a plurality of rows, and wherein the support columns (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are each arranged in the alignment of a row of pillars (13). 30

9. The tank as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the reinforcement body (15) comprises an upper beam (18a) and a lower beam (18b), which extend respectively against the cover panel (11) and the base panel (10), and a plurality of openings (19) which extend in the spaces formed between the 31 load struts (16a, 16b), the support columns (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) and the upper and lower beams (18a, 18b).

10. The tank as claimed in claim 9, wherein the openings (19) have connection 5 fillets at the intersections between the two load struts (16a, 16b) and/or at the intersections between the upper (18a) and lower (18b) beams, and the support columns (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) and/orthe load struts (16a, 16b).

11. The tank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the load struts (16a, 16b) are cables 10 (26a, 26b) which comprise a first end secured on the cover panel (11) and a second end secured on the base panel (11), and wherein the anti-tilting reinforcement structure (25) comprises a device for putting the cables (26a, 26b) under mechanical tension. 15

12. The tank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the load struts are formed by a belt (64, 67, 83, 87, 89, 94, 104, 106) which is subjected to traction pre-stressing according to its longitudinal direction.

13. The tank as claimed in claim 5, wherein the load struts are metal bars (59a, 20 59b) with a first end which is secured on the cover panel (11), and a second end which is secured on the base panel (10).

14. The tank as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the reinforced insulating block (3, 7) comprises two anti-tilting reinforcement structures (14, 25 21, 25, 58, 63) which extend longitudinally along two opposite lateral faces.

15. The tank as claimed in claim 14, wherein the reinforced insulating block (3, 7) comprises four anti-tilting reinforcement bodies (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) which each extend along a respective lateral face of the reinforced insulating block 30 (3, 7).

16. The tank as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of insulating blocks comprises a plurality of standard insulating blocks (119) and a plurality of reinforced insulating blocks (120), the standard insulating 32 blocks being insulating blocks which are not equipped with at least one anti-tilting reinforcement structure, said reinforced insulating (120) blocks being distributed according to a regular pattern. 5

17. The tank as claimed in claim 16, wherein the regular distribution pattern of the reinforced insulating blocks (120) is designed such that a shearing force exerted on the cover panel of a standard insulating block is absorbed by an adjacent reinforced insulating block (120), before said standard insulating block (120) tilts. 10

18. A ship (70) for transport of a fluid, the ship comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 arranged in the double hull. 15

19. A method for loading or unloading a ship (70) as claimed in claim 18, wherein a fluid is conveyed through insulated piping (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land storage installation (77), to or from the tank of the ship (71).

20. A transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising a ship (70) as claimed in 20 claim 18, insulated piping (73, 79, 76, 81) designed to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land storage installation (77), and a pump to drive a flow of fluid through the insulated piping, from or to the floating or land storage installation, to or from the tank of the ship.