CN110118301B

CN110118301B - Insulating block for tank for storing fluid

Info

Publication number: CN110118301B
Application number: CN201910108847.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 皮埃尔·蒙特福特; 纪尧姆·康巴里欧; 塞巴斯蒂安·德拉诺; 托马斯·克里米埃尔; 卡里姆·库特希里
Original assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Current assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Priority date: 2018-02-05
Filing date: 2019-02-03
Publication date: 2022-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-03
Also published as: KR102657670B1; CN110118301A; FR3077513A1; FR3077513B1; KR20190095164A

Abstract

A column (10) for insulation blocks comprising at least one first substantially flat plate (11) comprising a first straight slot over a portion of its length, and at least one second substantially flat plate (14) having a length substantially the same as the at least one first plate (11) comprising a second straight slot over a portion of its length, the at least one first plate (11) and the at least one second plate (14) being assembled substantially perpendicular to the at least one first slot to receive the second plate, and substantially perpendicular to the at least one second slot to receive the first plate. A method for manufacturing such a pillar. The use of insulation blocks, insulation blocks comprising such type of pillars, the use of storage tanks, storage tanks comprising such type of insulation blocks, and the use of ships comprising such tanks.

Description

Insulating block for tank for storing fluid

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of sealing and insulating tanks having a membrane for storing and/or transporting a fluid, such as a cryogenic fluid.

Background

The sealed and insulated tanks with membranes are particularly used for storing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) which is stored at about-162 ℃ at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be mounted on land or on floating structures.

Documents FR2877638 and WO2015/079135 describe a sealed and insulated tank comprising a tank wall provided, in succession in the thickness direction from the inside to the outside of the tank, with a main sealing barrier designed to contact the liquid natural gas, a main insulating barrier, a primary sealing barrier and a primary insulating barrier anchored on a supporting structure.

The insulating barrier is formed by a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks. The insulating block is substantially parallelepiped and comprises two panels, an insulating lining arranged between the two panels, and a pillar rising through the thickness of the insulating lining in order to absorb the compression forces between the panels.

In use, the tank wall is subjected to a number of stresses. In particular, the wall is subjected to compressive forces resulting from the filling of the tank, thermal stresses during cooling and forces caused by dynamic impacts of the fluid contained in the tank. Also, forces are applied to the panels of the insulation block in tangential and vertical directions.

In addition, the cross-section of the pillars is typically small in order to limit heat conduction through the pillars. However, pillars having a small cross section are prone to damage to the panel by stamping.

The struts according to the prior art are generally complicated to manufacture and therefore costly.

Disclosure of Invention

The concept on which the invention is based is to propose a column according to a new and inventive embodiment that makes it possible to produce a column that meets its functional requirements simply and therefore at reduced cost, so that an insulating block based on this type of column has good insulating properties, while having good resistance.

To this end, according to one embodiment, the invention provides a column for a heat exchange block, comprising:

at least one first substantially flat plate comprising a first straight groove extending over a portion of its length, for example over substantially half of its length, the first plate having the remainder of its length, this portion being free of said first notch;

at least one second substantially flat plate of substantially the same length as said at least one first plate, the second plate comprising a second straight slot extending over a part of its length, for example over substantially half of its length, the second plate having the remaining part of its length, which is free from said second notch,

wherein the at least one first plate and the at least one second plate are assembled substantially perpendicularly, the first slot receiving a remaining portion of the second plate and the second slot receiving a remaining portion of the first plate.

According to some embodiments, this type of post may include one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the plate further comprises a disc, substantially perpendicular to the rest of the plate at the end opposite the slot, preferably produced by bending the plate or by injection.

According to another feature, the at least one first panel and/or the at least one second panel comprise two similar layers assembled back to back.

According to another feature, at least one of the plates is made of composite material, preferably comprising a heat-set or thermoplastic resin and fibres, preferably arranged substantially parallel to the notches.

According to another feature, in the case of the composite material made by heat-setting the resin, at least one of the plates comprises a second disc, substantially perpendicular to the rest of the plate, facing in a direction opposite to that of the plate, at the end opposite to the notch.

According to another feature, the post further comprises a filler, preferably made of insulating foam, arranged in at least one dihedron formed between the first and second panels.

According to one embodiment, the cumulative length of the first and second slots is greater than the length of the first plate, and the first and second plates are assembled with a mutual spacing between the bases of the first and second slots.

The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a column for an insulation block, comprising the steps of: -producing, preferably continuously, a long piece, -cutting the long piece so as to form at least one first and one second plate having substantially the same length, -cutting said at least one first straight groove on a portion of the length of the first plate and said at least one second straight groove on a portion of the length of the second plate (14), -said at least one first notch interengaging over the remainder of the length of the second plate without second notch and said at least one second notch interengaging over the remainder of the length of the first plate without first notch, and-a substantially perpendicular assembly of said at least one first plate and said at least one second plate.

According to another feature, the method further comprises the step of bending the end opposite the notch of at least one of the plates so as to form a disc substantially perpendicular to the rest of the plate.

According to another feature, the at least one first panel and/or the at least one second panel comprise two similar layers and the method further comprises the step of assembling the two layers back to back before the joining step.

According to another feature, at least one plate is made of composite material, preferably comprising a heat-set or thermoplastic resin and fibres, preferably arranged substantially parallel to said notches.

The invention also provides a method for producing the heat insulation block strut, which comprises the following steps:

-produced by injecting at least one first plate comprising first straight grooves over a part of its length and at least one second plate comprising second straight grooves over a part of its length;

-the at least one first notch interengages over the remainder of the length of the second plate without the second notch, and the at least one second notch interengages over the remainder of the length of the first plate without the first notch;

-substantially vertically assembling said at least one first plate and said at least one second plate.

According to another feature, during the production step, at least one plate is produced so as to form a disc at the end opposite the slot, the disc being substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the plate.

According to another feature, the method comprises a final step of filling at least one dihedron formed between the first and second panels, preferably by insulating foam.

The present invention also provides an insulation block for a tank for storing a fluid, comprising: a first panel and a second panel, substantially parallel and spaced apart in the thickness direction of the insulating block, at least one supporting pillar or a plurality of pillars, the axis of which is substantially perpendicular to the panels, an insulating lining, arranged in the free space between the panels, at least one pillar as described above.

According to another feature, at least some of the uprights comprise at least one first plate, optionally fixed to the first panel, and/or at least one second plate, optionally fixed to the second panel.

The invention also relates to a tank for storing a fluid, comprising at least one thermal insulation barrier comprising a plurality of such juxtaposed thermal insulation blocks, and at least one sealing membrane resting on the thermal insulation barrier.

A tank of this type may form part of a plant for storage on land, for example for storing liquefied gas, or it may be installed in floating, coastal or deepwater structures, in particular ships, vessels for transporting LPG, Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRU), floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units, etc. Tanks of this type can also be used for fuel storage of any type of vessel, such as ferries or container ships.

According to one embodiment, a ship for transporting a cold liquid product comprises a hull and a tank as described above arranged in the hull.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading a ship of this type, wherein the cold liquid product is transferred from or from the floating or land storage to or from the tank of the ship via insulated piping.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising a vessel as described above, an insulated pipeline arranged to connect a tank mounted in the hull to a floating or land storage means, and a pump to drive the cold liquid product through the insulated pipeline, from the floating or land storage means to the hull, or from the hull to the floating or land storage means.

Drawings

Other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is provided by way of indication in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cut-away view of a sealed insulated tank wall according to an embodiment;

figure 2 is a perspective view of a plate that can be used for the stanchion;

figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of two plates for forming a post according to a first embodiment;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of four plates for forming a post according to another embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the result of the assembly in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the supporting pillar of FIG. 5;

figure 7 is a perspective view of a detail of a supporting pillar according to one embodiment;

figure 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the insulating block in line with the column;

figure 9 is a schematic cross-section of a tank of a ship and a terminal for loading/unloading the tank.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, the wall of the sealing and insulating tank is shown. The general structure of this type of tank has a polyhedral form and is well known. Thus, only one wall region of the tank will be described, it being understood that all walls of the tank may have a similar overall structure.

From the outside to the inside of the tank, the wall of the tank comprises a support structure 1, a secondary insulating barrier 2, formed by insulating blocks 3 juxtaposed on the support structure 1 and anchored thereon by secondary retaining units 4, a secondary sealing membrane 5 supported by the insulating blocks 3, a primary insulating partition 6 formed by insulating blocks 7, the insulating blocks 7 being juxtaposed and anchored on the secondary sealing membrane 5 by primary retaining units 8, and a primary sealing membrane 9, supported by the insulating blocks 7 and designed to be in contact with the fluid, for example a cryogenic fluid, contained in the container. The support structure 1 may be, in particular, a self-supporting metal plate or, more generally, any type of rigid support having suitable mechanical properties. The support structure may in particular be formed by a single hull of the vessel or by a double hull of the vessel. The support structure comprises a plurality of flat portions defining the general form of the tank.

The primary 9 and secondary 5 sealing membranes are for example constituted by continuous sheet metal layers with raised edges, said sheets being welded by their raised edges to parallel welding supports held on the thermoinsulating blocks 3, 7. The sheet metal strip is made of Invar or a ferrous alloy with a high manganese content, for example, to have a very low coefficient of expansion.

The thermal insulation blocks 3,7 have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The insulation blocks 3 of the secondary insulation barrier 2, and the insulation blocks 7 of the primary insulation barrier 6 may have the same or different structures, and may be the same or different in size.

Fig. 8 schematically shows the structure of the insulation blocks 3, 7. The insulation blocks 3,7 comprise two substantially

parallel panels

17,18 spaced apart in the thickness direction of the insulation block, in the vertical direction as shown in fig. 1. The

panels

17,18 are substantially flat and define the main faces of the insulating blocks 3, 7. The assembly of the

panels

17,18 and the maintenance of their spacing according to thickness can be ensured by at least one strut 10 arranged between the two

panels

17,18 and advantageously fixed to each panel by its respective end. By virtue of their design, some types of uprights have specific features fixed to a single panel only by the end facing the panel, the other end simply coming into contact with the corresponding panel. The longitudinal axis of the stanchion 10 is substantially perpendicular to the two

panels

17, 18. The at least one strut 10 makes it possible to absorb compressive forces. The pillars 10 are also distributed and, for example, advantageously aligned according to a plurality of rows, and/or staggered. The distance between the pillars 10 is determined so as to allow good distribution of the compressive force. According to one embodiment, the pillars 10 are equidistantly distributed.

A thermal liner (not shown) is advantageously provided in the space provided between the support panels 10 between the

panels

17, 18. The thermal liner is made of, for example, glass wool, cotton wool, or polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, or polyvinyl chloride foam. During the manufacture of the insulating blocks 3,7, a polymer foam of this type can be arranged between the uprights 10 by means of an injection operation. Alternatively, the thermal liner may be produced by providing holes to receive the pillars 10 in pre-cut polymer foam blocks, glass wool or batting. According to other embodiments, the thermal liner is constructed of a bulk insulating material. This type of insulating material can be a granular or powder material, such as perlite, vermiculite or glass wool, or a nanoporous material of the aerogel type. In this case, the insulation blocks 3,7 are provided on their periphery with peripheral partitions, not shown, extending in the thickness direction of the insulation blocks, and the peripheral partitions can hold the insulation lining. .

Having said this, a support 10 for an insulation block 3,7 of this type will now be described according to an advantageous embodiment.

As shown in fig. 5, a strut 10 of this type comprises at least one first plate 11 and at least one second plate 14. The

panels

11,14 are made by cutting into thin sheets of thermoplastic material and have a substantially rectangular shape. The

boards

11,14 may also be produced by injection moulding of a thermosetting material (resin transfer moulding or RTM).

As shown in fig. 2, a first plate 11 of this type is substantially flat. In addition, it comprises a first straight groove 12 provided on substantially half the length of said first plate 11. As will be described later, the notches 12 are aligned with the axis of the pillars 10 designed to be arranged in the thickness direction of the thermal insulation blocks 3, 7. The notches 12 are preferably, but not necessarily, provided on the largest dimension or length of the plate 11.

Correspondingly, the second plate 14 is substantially flat, has a length substantially equal to the length of the first plate 11, and comprises a second straight slot 15 arranged over substantially half the length of said second plate 14. According to a preferred embodiment, the second plate 14 is identical to the first plate 11, since it simplifies the production of the

plates

11, 14.

As shown in fig. 3, the first notch 12 and the second homologous notch 15 make it possible to form the pillar 10 by mutual engagement, in which the first plate 11 and the second plate 14 are overlapped substantially perpendicularly to each other in a tile shape. The length of each

slot

12,15 allows the

plates

11 and 14 to engage each other in the

slots

12 and 15.

This type of strut 10 has a cruciform cross-section as shown in figure 6. This type of cross-section is particularly advantageous because it has mechanical strength and is mainly resistant to bending, which is optimal for a small surface area of the cross-section. This is particularly advantageous since this small surface area ensures a low conduction of heat along the axis of the interface column, i.e. according to the thickness of the thermoinsulating blocks 3, 7.

As shown in fig. 2-5, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the

plates

11,14, preferably all of the plates, further comprises a

disc

13, 16. This type of

disc

13,16 is formed, for example, substantially perpendicular to the rest of the

plates

11,14 and therefore to the axis of the column 10. The disc is disposed at the end opposite the

notches

12, 15. Thus, the

discs

13,16 are located at one end of the column 10. The

disks

13,16 may be assembled on the

plates

11,14 in any manner. According to a preferred embodiment, the

discs

13,16 are integral with the

plates

11, 14. An embodiment of this type can be manufactured by bending the

plates

11, 14. Embodiments of this type can also be produced by injection moulding the

plates

11,14 provided by the

discs

13, 16.

The disc 13 provided at the end of the first plate 11 makes it possible to form a foot at the end of the pillar 10. The disc 16 provided at the end of the second plate 14 makes it possible to form a foot at the end of the prop 10. This type of feet allows the support 10 to be supported on the

panels

17,18 while increasing the support surface with respect to the cruciform cross section of the two

plates

11,14, thus reducing the stress concentration on small cross sections and therefore reducing the risk of stamping of said

panels

17, 18. This type of leg may also provide a surface substantially parallel to the facing

panels

17,18, thus facilitating face-to-face securing of the leg and thus securing the post 10 with the

panels

17, 18.

According to another embodiment, which is more particularly shown in fig. 4, the at least one first plate 11, the at least one second plate 14 or both, comprise two similar layers assembled back-to-back. Thus, the at least one first plate may comprise two

layers

11,11a and the at least one second plate may comprise two

layers

14,14 a. A pair of

plies

11,11a,14,14a of this type are placed back-to-back. The

notches

12,12a and 15,15a are stacked face to face and allowed to engage with each other. The assembly in figure 4 makes it possible to provide a support 10 as shown in figure 5.

The doubling of the first plate 11 or the second plate 14 also advantageously makes it possible to double the

disks

13,13a,16,16 a. The back-to-back placement of the layers provides opposing discs, thus doubling the surface area of the legs at one end, preferably both ends of the strut 10, and making them symmetrical for better balance.

The

panels

11,11a,14,14a may be made of any rigid material, i.e. wood, iron, plastic, composite material, etc.

According to a preferred embodiment, the

plates

11,11a,14,14a are made of a composite material, preferably of the type comprising a resin matrix reinforced by fibres. The resin may be heat set or thermoplastic. Any fibers are preferably arranged substantially parallel to the

notches

12,15, i.e. substantially parallel to the axis of the pillar 10, so as to provide increased strength along the axis of the pillar 10 in the direction subjected to the greatest stress, in other words, to compression or traction.

By way of illustration, the composite material may in particular be a material denoted by the abbreviation GMT for "glass fibre layer reinforced thermoplastic". GMT materials consist of an assembly comprising a glass mat and a matrix in the form of a thermoplastic polymer mat which interlocks in the glass mat, thus forming a fabric designed to be heat pressed. This type of material is known, for example, by the name Vetrotex company

And (5) selling. Other examples of epoxy, polyurethane or polyester resins may be used in combination with the fibers or fabrics, particularly glass fibers or fabrics.

According to another optional feature shown in fig. 7, showing a detail of the end of the strut 10, at least one filler 19 can be added in at least one of the four dihedrons formed between the first plate 11 and the second plate 14. This type of filler is advantageously produced by filling the space between the two branches of the original cruciform profile, so as to make the profile of the strut 10 convex. The filler 19 is preferably made of foam, for example polymer foam, for example polyurethane foam.

The thus obtained bulging of the cross section of the pillars 10 facilitates the placement of the insulating lining in the insulating blocks 3, 7. However, for this purpose, it may be necessary to provide a tongue at the boundary of the insulation block 3 of the insulation lining, depending on the rigidity of the insulation block 3.

The filling 19 can also reduce the risk of existing spaces, which is detrimental to their position in convective motion, contrary to the insulating purpose of the insulating blocks 3, 7.

The filler 19 also makes it possible to improve the mechanical properties, in particular the resistance to bending of the prop 10, and to increase the resistance to the compression forces to which the prop 10 is subjected.

It has been found that a cruciform shape is advantageous in order to reduce the cross-section of the strut 10. The thickness of the plate should also be reduced relative to its width. As an illustration of the dimensions, the plate has a thickness of 2 to 3mm and a width of about 70 mm. The useful length of the strut depends on the force, moment of inertia and modulus of elasticity it must withstand. The length of the disc 13 is advantageously equal to half the width of the plate, so as to form a foot (two discs) having the width of the plate.

A method for manufacturing this type of stanchion 10 will now be described. This method comprises the following steps. The first step produces long sheets, preferably continuously. The width of the strip is advantageously equal to the width of the

plates

11, 14. Furthermore, during the second step of cutting the long sheet, each plate comprises a cut, producing a blank of plate. The length of the cut produced in the manner of a plate is substantially equal and identical to the length of the

plates

11, 14.

During the third step, optionally simultaneously with the first cutting step, a

notch

12,15 is cut in each

plate

11, 14. The

notches

12,15 are straight and extend along approximately half the length of the

plates

11, 14. The length of the plates considered here for calculating half is the useful length of the

plates

11,14, i.e. the plates are not considered in length and are optionally bent back to form the disc 13.

The fourth step includes engaging the

first notch

12,12a in the

second notch

15,15 a. The

first plate

11,11a is perpendicular to the

second plate

14,14 a.

During a fifth optional step, assembly by any method (gluing, welding, etc.) of said at least one first plate 11 with said at least one second plate 14 can be performed.

According to another feature, the method may further comprise the step of bending at least one of the

plates

11,14 at the end opposite the

notches

12, 15. This makes it possible to form the

discs

13,16 substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the

plates

11, 14. This bending can be performed in any way, for example around a roller and in the case of thermoplastic materials under hot conditions.

A second method for manufacturing this type of stanchion 10 will now be described. This method comprises the following steps. In a first step, a first plate 11 and a second plate 14 are produced by injection moulding, the first plate 11 being moulded to include a first straight groove 12 over a portion of its length and the second plate 14 being moulded to include a second straight groove 15 over a portion of its length. During a first step, the first plate 11 is injection-moulded so as to form a disc 13 at the end opposite the first notch 12, the disc 13 being substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the first plate 11. Similarly, the second plate 14 is injection moulded to form a disc 16 at an end opposite the second slot 15, the disc 16 being substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the second plate 14.

The second step involves engaging the

first notch

12,12a in the

second notch

15,15 a. The

first plate

11,11a is perpendicular to the

second plate

14,14 a.

During the third optional step, this can be done by any method of assembly (gluing, welding, etc.) of said at least one first plate 11 with said at least one second plate 14.

According to one embodiment, said at least one first plate 11 and/or said at least one second plate 14 comprise two

similar plates

11,11a,14,14 a. In this case, the method also comprises the step of placing the two

plies

11,11a,14,14a back-to-back. This step is performed after the step of cutting the notch or after the injection production step, and before the joining step. This back-to-back placement can optionally be done by assembling the two

layers

11,11a,14,14a in any manner (gluing, welding, stapling, riveting, etc.).

According to one embodiment, in a method of production by injection moulding, the first plate 11 and the second plate 14 may be moulded such that each plate comprises a

second disc

13,16 opposite the

first disc

13,16, for example facing in a direction opposite to the direction of the first disc.

According to another feature, at least one of the

panels

11,14 is made of composite material, preferably of the type comprising thermosetting resins in the case of manufacture by injection, or thermoplastic materials in the case of production by means of long sheets and fibres. In the case of fibers, they are advantageously arranged substantially parallel to the first notches 12 and the second notches 15, in this case aligned and coinciding.

According to another feature, the method also comprises a final step, carried out after the joining step, of filling at least one dihedron, preferably foam, formed between the first panel 11 and the second panel 14.

In fig. 8 there is schematically shown an insulation block 3,7 for a tank for storing a fluid. The insulating block 3,7 comprises a first panel 17 and a second panel 18 substantially parallel and spaced apart in the thickness direction of the insulating block, at least one pillar, the axis of which is substantially perpendicular to the

panels

17,18, and an insulating lining (not shown) arranged in the free space between the

panels

17, 18. One or more or each of the struts is a strut 10 according to one of the preceding embodiments. The

panels

17,18 may be made of any material, for example plywood. According to an alternative embodiment, the

panels

17,18 may comprise a body made of a composite material comprising a heat-set or thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibres. According to another alternative example, the

panels

17,18 may comprise a wooden body impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix.

According to another feature, one of these uprights 10 comprises at least one first tray 13 fixed to a first panel 17 and/or at least one second tray 16 fixed to a second panel 18. This fixing can be done in any way. Advantageously, the supporting pillar 10 can be retained by preventing any risk of tilting. With the fixing at each end of the post 10, the post helps to maintain the cohesion of the insulation blocks 3,7 by integrating the compression and traction of the

panels

17, 18.

The primary insulating barrier 6 and/or the secondary insulating barrier 2 of the tank for storing fluids can be produced by means of a plurality of insulating blocks as described previously.

Referring to fig. 9, a cross-sectional view of a vessel 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 having a generally prismatic shape that fits within a double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealing barrier designed to come into contact with the liquid gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealing barrier arranged between the primary sealing barrier and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers arranged between the primary sealing barrier and the secondary sealing barrier, and between the secondary sealing barrier and the double hull 72, respectively. In a simplified version, the vessel comprises a single hull.

In a known manner, a loading/unloading pipe 73 provided on the upper deck of the ship may be connected to the offshore or harbour terminal by means of suitable connectors in order to transfer liquid-gas cargo from tank 71 to tank 71.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, a subsea pipeline 76 and a device on land 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a travelling arm 74 and a mast 78, the mast 78 supporting a bundle of insulated flexible tubes 79, the flexible tubes 79 being connectable to the loading/unloading duct 73. The arm 74 can be moved in an orientation to accommodate all of the tank gauges. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the mast 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows loading of the vessel 70 from a device on land 77, or unloading from the vessel 70 to land 77. Land 77 comprises a liquid gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81, the connecting pipe 81 being connected to the loading or unloading station 75 by a subsea pipeline 76. The subsea pipeline 76 allows liquid gas to be transported over long distances, for example 5km, between the loading or unloading station 75 and the installations on land 77, which makes it possible to keep the vessel 70 at long distances from shore during loading and unloading operations.

To generate the pressure required for liquid gas transport, pumps are installed on the vessel 70 and/or on land 77 equipment and/or at the loading and unloading station 75.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several specific embodiments, it is clear that it is in no way limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described, as well as their combinations, within the scope of the invention.

Use of the verb "comprise", "comprise" or "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. Thermoinsulating block (3,7) for tanks for storing fluids, comprising:

-a first panel (17) and a second panel (18) substantially parallel and spaced apart in the thickness direction of the insulating block (3, 7);

-a plurality of uprights (10) whose axes are substantially perpendicular to the panels (17, 18);

-an insulating lining arranged in the free space between the panels (17,18),

wherein at least one of said pillars (10) comprises:

at least one first substantially flat plate (11), the first plate (11) having a length extending in the thickness direction of the insulating block (3,7) and comprising a first straight groove (12) extending over a portion of its length, the first plate (11) having the remaining part of the length, which part is free from said first straight groove (12);

At least one second substantially flat plate (14) having the same length as said at least one first plate (11), the length of the second plate (14) extending in the thickness direction of the thermoinsulating block (3,7), the second plate (14) comprising a second straight groove (15) extending over its length, the second plate (14) having the remaining part of the length, which is free of said second straight groove (15),

wherein the at least one first plate (11) and the at least one second plate (14) are assembled substantially vertically, the first straight groove (12) receiving the remaining part of the second plate (14) and the second straight groove (15) receiving the remaining part of the first plate (11), at least one of the pillars (10) having a cross-shaped cross-section.

2. An insulation block (3,7) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said plates comprises a disc (13,16), said disc (13,16) being substantially perpendicular to the rest of said plate (11,14) at the end opposite to said first straight groove (12) or second straight groove (15).

3. An insulation block (3,7) according to claim 2, characterized in that the plate (11,14) is a first plate, the plate comprising a second plate (13,16), the second plate (13,16) being substantially perpendicular to the rest of the plate (11,14) at the end opposite the first straight groove (12) or the second straight groove (15), the second plate (13,16) facing in the opposite direction to the direction of the first plate (13, 16).

4. A thermoinsulating block (3,7) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one plate (11,14) is made of composite material.

5. An insulation block (3,7) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said at least one first plate (11) and/or said at least one second plate (14) comprise two similar layers assembled back to back.

6. A thermoinsulating block (3,7) according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a filler (19), said filler (19) being arranged in at least one dihedron formed between the first (11) and second (14) plates.

7. An insulation block (3,7) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cumulative length of the first straight groove (12) and the second straight groove (15) is greater than the length of the first plate (11), and that the first and second plates (11,14) are fitted spaced apart from each other between the bases of the first straight groove (12) and the second straight groove (12).

8. An insulation block (3,7) according to any of the claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that some of said uprights (10) comprise at least one first dish (13) fixed on said first panel (17) and/or at least one second dish (16) fixed on a second panel (18).

9. Thermoinsulating block (3,7) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pillars (10) are distributed according to a plurality of rows.

10. An insulation block (3,7) according to claim 9, characterized in that the pillars (10) of each row are arranged in alignment or staggered with respect to the adjacent rows.

11. Method for manufacturing an insulating block (3,7), comprising the steps of:

-providing a first panel (17) and a second panel (18);

-arranging the first (17) and second (18) panels substantially parallel and spaced apart in the thickness direction of the thermoinsulating blocks (3,7) by means of a plurality of pillars provided between the two panels;

-arranging a thermal lining between the panels (17,18),

wherein at least one strut is manufactured by:

-producing a long sheet;

-cutting the long sheet to form at least one first panel (11) and at least one second panel (14) of the same length:

-cutting a first straight groove (12) on a portion of the length of at least one first plate (11) and a second straight groove (15) on a portion of the length of said at least one second plate (14), the length of said first plate (11) and the length of said second plate (14) extending in the thickness direction of the thermoinsulating block (3,7) when at least one of said posts is arranged between said first panel (17) and said second panel (18);

-said at least one first straight groove (12) is reciprocally engaged over the remaining part of the length of the second plate (14) devoid of second straight grooves, and said at least one second straight groove (15) is reciprocally engaged over the remaining part of the length of the first plate (11) devoid of first straight grooves;

-substantially vertically assembling said at least one first plate (11) and said at least one second plate (14), at least one of said pillars (10) having a cross-shaped cross-section.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the manufacturing of at least one strut comprises the step of bending the end opposite the first (12) or second (15) straight slot of said at least one plate (11,14) so as to form a disc (13, 16) substantially perpendicular to the rest of the plate (11, 14).

13. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterised in that at least one of the plates (11,14) is made of a composite material comprising a thermoplastic resin and fibres.

14. Method of manufacturing an insulation block (3,7), comprising the steps of:

-providing a first panel (17) and a second panel (18);

-arranging a thermal insulation lining between the panels (17,18),

wherein at least one strut is manufactured by:

-being manufactured by injection of at least one first plate (11) and at least one second plate (14), said first plate (11) and said second plate (14) having the same length, said at least one first plate (11) comprising a first straight slot (12) over a portion of its length, said at least one second plate (14) comprising a second straight slot (15) over a portion of its length, the length of said first plate (11) and the length of said second plate (14) extending in the thickness direction of the thermoinsulating block (3,7) when at least one of said pillars is arranged between said first panel (17) and said second panel (18);

-substantially vertically assembling said at least one first plate (11) and said at least one second plate (14), at least one of said uprights (10) having a cross-shaped cross-section.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that during the production step said at least one plate (11,14) is produced so as to form a disc (13,16) at the end opposite said first straight groove (12) or said second straight groove (15), said disc being substantially perpendicular to the remaining part of the plate (11, 14).

16. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, characterised in that at least one of the sheets (11,14) is made of a composite material comprising a thermosetting resin and fibres.

17. Method according to any one of claims 11, 12, 14 and 15, characterized in that said at least one first panel (11) and/or said at least one second panel (14) comprise two similar layers (11,11a,14,14a) and in that, before the joining step, the method comprises a step of assembling the two layers (11,11a,14,14a) back-to-back.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11, 12, 14 and 15, characterized in that the manufacture of at least one strut comprises the final step of filling at least one dihedron formed between the first (11) and second (14) sheets.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the filling step is performed with an insulating foam.

20. Tank for storing fluids, comprising at least one thermal insulating barrier (2,6) comprising a plurality of thermal insulating blocks (3,7) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 side by side, and at least one sealing membrane (5,9), the sealing membrane (5,9) resting against the thermal insulating barrier (2, 6).

21. Vessel (70) for transporting cold liquid products, comprising a hull (72) and a tank according to claim 20, wherein the tank is arranged in the hull.

22. Method for loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 21, characterized in that the cooled liquid product is transferred from the floating or land storage (77) to the ship's tanks (71) or from the ship's tanks (71) to the floating or land storage (77) through insulated pipes (73,79,76, 81).

23. Transport system for cold liquid product, which system comprises a vessel (70) according to claim 21, an insulated conduit (73,79,76,81) arranged to connect a tank (71) mounted in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land storage means (77), and a pump for driving the cold liquid product through the insulated conduit to and from between the floating or land storage means and the hull of the vessel.