CN115917206A

CN115917206A - Insulating block suitable for making insulating wall in cold liquid storage tank

Info

Publication number: CN115917206A
Application number: CN202180038766.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·萨西; S·德拉诺
Original assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Current assignee: Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Priority date: 2020-05-26
Filing date: 2021-05-26
Publication date: 2023-04-04
Also published as: KR20230016189A; JP7561877B2; FR3110954A1; WO2021239767A1; FR3110954B1; EP4158238A1; JP2023527012A

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulation block (6. The insulating block comprises a bottom plate (12. The insulating block further comprises a pair of stiffeners (20, 21, 120, 251. The foam block has a plurality of recesses (15.

Description

Insulating block suitable for making insulating wall in cold liquid storage tank

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of hermetically insulated tanks. More particularly, the invention relates to an insulating block suitable for making insulating walls in storage tanks for cold liquids, in particular cryogenic liquefied gases.

Background

In the field of marine transportation of cryogenic liquefied gases, a hermetically insulated tank is known, in particular from document WO 2014/096600 A1, comprising a tank wall held on a carrying structure, wherein in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, the tank wall comprises a secondary insulation barrier held on the carrying structure, a secondary sealing membrane held on the secondary insulation barrier, a primary insulation barrier held on the secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane held on the primary insulation barrier. The secondary insulating barrier is formed by juxtaposing identical insulating blocks. The insulation blocks are made by stacking plywood floors, insulation foam blocks such as polyurethane foam, and plywood cover sheets. The insulating block is held in place on the secondary sealing membrane and the load bearing structure using a retaining means. The insulating foam blocks are glued to the base plate and the cover plate.

As described in document WO 2014/096600 A1, when the tank is filled with liquefied gas, the temperature difference between the outside of the tank and the inside of the tank generates a thermal gradient inside the insulating block. This thermal gradient causes differential shrinkage phenomena inside the insulating block due to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of plywood and polyurethane foam. This phenomenon tends to bend the insulating foam blocks, particularly if the blocks are glued to the floor and the cover.

In order to limit the bending of the insulating foam block, document WO 2014/096600 A1 proposes to divide the insulating foam block into two insulating foam sub-blocks separated from each other by a supplementary plywood panel. However, this solution tends to complicate the construction of the insulating block.

Furthermore, when in use, the insulating blocks are subjected to forces caused by deformation of the ship structure at sea when the tank is filled with liquefied gas, or to forces caused by stresses exerted by the ship ballast when the tank is not filled with liquefied gas and the ship ballast is filled to keep the ship airworthy. These phenomena also tend to bend the insulating foam blocks.

Disclosure of Invention

A core idea of the invention is to propose an insulating block suitable for making a wall of a hermetically insulated tank, which insulating block contributes to limiting the bending of the insulating foam block.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides an insulating block suitable for making a wall of a hermetically insulated tank, said insulating block having a parallelepiped shape and comprising:

-a base plate having a first pair of parallel sides and a second pair of parallel sides,

-a cover plate parallel to the base plate, spaced from the base plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having two slots parallel to each other and extending in a direction parallel to the first pair of parallel sides of the base plate, each of the slots for receiving a welding support for welding a sealing film,

-a thermally insulating foam block arranged between the cover plate and the base plate and fastened to the base plate, the foam block having a plurality of side surfaces extending between the base plate and the cover plate and defining a rectangular geometric envelope and a plurality of recesses, each recess extending between two adjacent side surfaces and for receiving a retaining member,

and the insulating block has a support surface for the holding member in the recess, an

-a pair of stiffening members rigidly connected to the chassis base and extending along the side of one of the pairs of sides of the chassis base, the stiffening members having a larger dimension along the side of one of the pairs of sides in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, and each stiffening member protruding from the chassis base in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface free to contact one such side surface of the foam block.

By "surface free contact" is meant that the surface is in contact with a side surface of the foam block, but is not rigidly connected to this side surface of the foam block. In particular, the surface is not glued to the side surface of the foam block. Thus, when the insulating block is bent, the surface tends to slide slightly on the side surfaces of the block without exerting any traction or shear stress on the block.

Furthermore, since the reinforcing member is rigidly connected to the base plate and extends along one of the pairs of the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate, it is intended to limit the bending of the insulating block in a direction parallel to or perpendicular to the slot receiving the welding support for welding the sealing membrane. This in turn limits the bending of the sealing membrane in this direction. This significantly prevents the development of concentrated stresses on the sealing membrane that spans the interface between two consecutive insulating blocks, particularly when the bending in the direction perpendicular to the slot is limited.

According to embodiments, such an insulating block may have one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, each stiffening member comprises a wooden strip, the top surface of which directed towards the cover sheet forms one such bearing surface.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises a second pair of reinforcing members rigidly connected to the chassis base and extending along the side of the other of the pairs of parallel sides of the chassis base.

This second pair of reinforcing members rigidly connected to the base plate is also intended to limit the bending of the insulating block in the other of the directions parallel or perpendicular to the slot.

According to one embodiment, each stiffening member is received in a corresponding recess in the foam block flush with the top side of the bottom plate.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block comprises a plurality of supporting elements, preferably made of wood, each of which is received in a recess and held therein by one such reinforcing member, the top face of the supporting element directed towards the cover plate forming one such supporting surface.

According to one embodiment, each of said supporting elements has at least one face in free contact with said block of foam.

By "face free contact" is meant that the face is in contact with the foam block, but is not rigidly connected to the foam block. In particular, the face is not glued to the foam block. Thus, when the insulating block is bent, the support element easily slides slightly over the foam block without deforming the foam block.

According to one embodiment, the height of the support element in the thickness direction of the insulating block is between 20mm and 250 mm.

According to one embodiment, each stiffening member comprises a wooden slat having a surface in free contact with the foam block.

According to one embodiment, each reinforcement member is fastened to the support element and the base plate by stapling, screwing, spot welding and/or gluing.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises a second pair of stiffening members rigidly connected to the chassis base and extending along the side of the other of the pairs of sides of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the chassis base, each stiffening member of the second pair of stiffening members comprising a wooden slat having a surface free to contact with a side surface of the block of foam.

According to one embodiment, each stiffening member has an L-shaped cross-section so as to present a first surface in free contact with the lateral surface of the block and a second surface in rigid contact with the bottom plate.

By "held in rigid contact with the base plate" is meant that the surface is in contact with the base plate and this contact is maintained by the stress exerted on the reinforcing member, for example by stapling or screwing said reinforcing member to the base plate.

According to one embodiment, the foam block has four side surfaces, each of the four side surfaces defining one side of the rectangular geometric envelope, and each recess extends between two adjacent side surfaces to be positioned at a corner of the foam block.

According to one embodiment, the side surface of the foam block comprises: three first side surfaces, each of the three first side surfaces defining one side of the rectangular geometric envelope; and two second side surfaces that collectively define one side of the rectangular geometric envelope, the two second side surfaces being parallel to one side of the one of the pairs of sides of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the base plate.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises a supplemental reinforcing member having a larger dimension along the one side of the bottom plate in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, the supplemental reinforcing member protruding from the bottom plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface free to contact one such second side surface of the foam block.

According to one embodiment, the recess extends between the two second side surfaces and receives two such support elements, one support element being held in the recess by the reinforcement member and the other support element being held in the recess by the supplemental reinforcement member.

According to one embodiment, the side surface of the foam block comprises: two first side surfaces parallel to the side of the other of the pairs of parallel sides of the floor, each of the two first side surfaces defining one side of the rectangular geometric envelope; and three second side surfaces that collectively define one side of the rectangular geometric envelope, the three second side surfaces being parallel to one side of the one of the pairs of sides of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the base plate.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises two supplementary stiffening members having a larger dimension along the one side of the bottom plate in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, the supplementary stiffening members protruding from the bottom plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface free to contact one such second side surface of the foam block.

According to one embodiment, each of the two recesses extending between two of the three second side surfaces receives two such support elements, one support element being held in the recess by a reinforcing member and the other support element being held in the recess by a complementary reinforcing member.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed, insulated storage tank comprising a tank wall retained on a load-bearing structure, wherein the tank wall comprises, in a thickness direction from an exterior to an interior of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the load-bearing structure, a secondary sealing membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier, wherein the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks according to any one of the above embodiments and a plurality of anchoring members, each anchoring member being received in the recess of an adjacent insulating block and bearing against the bearing surface of the adjacent insulating block to retain the adjacent insulating block on the load-bearing structure, and the secondary sealing membrane being retained on the insulating block by a welded support received in the slot of the insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed, insulated tank comprising a tank wall retained on a load bearing structure, wherein the tank wall comprises, in a thickness direction from outside to inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the load bearing structure, a secondary sealing membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier, wherein the primary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks according to any one of the above embodiments and a plurality of anchoring members, each anchoring member being received in the recess of an adjacent insulating block and bearing against the bearing surface of the adjacent insulating block to retain the adjacent insulating block on the secondary sealing membrane, and the primary sealing membrane being retained on the insulating block by a welded support received in the slot of the insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a vessel for transporting a cold liquid product, said vessel having a double hull and a tank as described above arranged in said double hull.

According to an embodiment, the invention also provides a use of a vessel as described above for loading or unloading a cold liquid product, wherein the cold liquid product is transported from or to the storage tank on board the vessel to or from an onshore storage facility or a floating storage facility by means of insulated piping.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transport system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising a vessel as described above; an insulated pipeline arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to an onshore storage facility or a floating storage facility; and a pump for driving a cold liquid product stream from the onshore storage facility or a floating storage facility to the storage tank on the vessel or from the storage tank to the onshore storage facility or a floating storage facility through the insulated pipeline.

Drawings

The invention may be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof more clearly elucidated in the following detailed description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of an insulation barrier sealing an insulated tank wall.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an insulation block of the insulation barrier of fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the insulation block of FIG. 2, and

fig. 4 isbase:Sub>A cross-sectional view of fig. 3 taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of fig. 1 showing two adjacent insulating blocks and anchoring members of the wall of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an insulation block according to another embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to another embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the insulating block of fig. 7 without a cover panel.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view of the area IX in fig. 7 seen from the reference point B.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to another embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a front view of the insulation block of fig. 10 seen from a reference point D.

Fig. 12 is a perspective bottom view from a reference point E of the modification of the insulation block in fig. 10, excluding an intermediate plate between the base plate and the cover plate.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an insulation block according to another embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an insulation block according to another embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a storage tank in an lng carrier and a loading/unloading dock for the storage tank.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a secondary insulation barrier sealing an insulated tank wall. Such a structure may be used for large surfaces having a variety of different orientations, for example, to cover the side, top and bottom walls of a tank. Thus, the orientation shown in FIG. 1 is not limited in this respect.

The tank wall is attached to the wall of the load bearing structure 1. By convention, "above" refers to the position closest to the interior of the tank, while "below" refers to the position closest to the load-bearing structure 1, regardless of the orientation of the tank wall with respect to the earth's gravitational field.

The tank wall comprises a secondary insulating barrier 2 held on a carrying structure 1 and a sealing membrane which is omitted.

The secondary insulating barrier 2 comprises a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepiped secondary insulating blocks 6 substantially covering the inner surface of the load-bearing structure 1. Fig. 2 to 4 show one of these secondary insulating blocks 6 in more detail.

As shown in these figures, the secondary insulation block 6 has a bottom plate 12, a cover plate 11 parallel to the bottom plate 12, and a heat insulating foam block 13.

The base plate 12 has first opposite sides 12a parallel to each other and second opposite sides 12b parallel to each other. The bottom plate has an overall rectangular shape, i.e. the

sides

12a and 12b are perpendicular to each other.

The cover plate 11 is parallel to the bottom plate 12 and spaced from the bottom plate 12 in the thickness direction of the secondary insulating block 6.

The cover plate 11 has two slots 14 which are parallel to each other and extend in a direction parallel to the side face 12a of the bottom plate 12. The slot 14 has a generally inverted T-shape to receive a square weld flange. The portion of the welding flange projecting upwards from the cover plate 11 enables anchoring of a secondary sealing barrier (not shown). The secondary sealing barrier includes a plurality of strakes. The raised edge of each strake is welded to the aforementioned weld flange using known techniques. Strakes, e.g. made of

Made of, i.e. alloys of, iron and nickel, having an expansion coefficient of typically 1.2-10 ^-6 And 2.10 ^-6 K ^-1 In between. In this case, the strake may have a thickness of about 0.7 mm. In a variant, the strakes may consist of a material with a high manganese content and an expansion coefficient generally between 7 and 10 ^-6 And 9.10 ^-6 K ^-1 With an iron alloy therebetween. In the case of tanks in a vessel, the strakes are preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

The floor 11 and/or the cover 12 may be made of plywood, for example.

The foam block 13 is arranged between the cover plate 11 and the base plate 12. The foam bun 13 is optionally molded from, for example, a foam having a density of about or greater than 130 kg-m ^-3 Is made of a glass fiber reinforced insulating foam (e.g., polyurethane foam).

The foam block 13 has an overall parallelepiped shape. The foam block 13 thus has four side surfaces 13f which extend between the base plate 12 and the cover plate 11 and define a rectangular geometric envelope. The side surfaces 13f are arranged vertically in pairs.

The foam blocks 13 are fastened to the bottom plate 12 and the cover plate 11 by gluing.

There is a recess 15 between each corner of the block 13 (i.e. between each pair of adjacent side surfaces 13 f). The recess 15 is for receiving a retaining member 30 shown in fig. 1 and 5. At the end of the recess closest to the bottom plate 12 in the thickness direction of the secondary insulation block 6, the recess 15 has a support surface 16 for the holding member 30.

The secondary insulating block 6 also has a pair of reinforcing members 20, only one of these reinforcing members 20 being visible in fig. 1 and 2. Each of the reinforcing members 20 extends along one side 12b of the base plate 12, and has a larger dimension along the side 12b in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the secondary insulating block 6. Thus, the reinforcing member 20 extends in a direction perpendicular to the slot 14. Thus, when the secondary insulation block 6 is subjected to bending stresses, for example caused by deformation of the load-bearing structure and/or by the tightening force of the retaining means 30, the reinforcing means 20 limit the deformation in the direction perpendicular to the slot 14, in particular on the edges of the secondary insulation block 6. This edge reinforcement (i.e., at the interfaces between successively adjacent secondary insulator blocks 6) prevents stress from concentrating on the weld flanges that continuously pass through the slot 14 from one secondary insulator block 6 to the next across these interfaces.

The reinforcing member 20 protrudes from the bottom plate 12 toward the cover plate 11 in the thickness direction of the secondary insulation block 6. The reinforcing member 20 is rigidly connected to the base plate 12. For example, the reinforcing member 20 is rigidly connected to the base plate 12 using screws or staples, which are not shown in the drawings so as not to unduly complicate the drawings.

As shown in particular in fig. 2 and 4, each of the stiffening members 20 has a surface 20f in free contact with the lateral surface 13f of the foam block 13. By "free contact" is meant that surface 20f is in contact with side surface 13f of foam block 13, but is not rigidly connected to side surface 13f. In particular, surface 20f is not glued to side surface 13f. Thus, when the secondary insulation block 6 is bent, the surface 20f easily slides slightly on the side surface 13f without exerting any traction or shear stress on the foam block 13.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-5, each of the support surfaces 16 is formed by a face of a rigid support element 40. The supporting element 40 is visible in particular in fig. 1 to 3.

Each support element 40 is received in a recess 15 and is held in said recess 15 by fastening to the base plate 12 and/or the rigid member 20, for example with glue, nails, screws or staples. The bearing surface 16 is formed by the top surface of the bearing element 40, which is oriented towards the cover plate 11.

The faces 41, 42 (see figure 3) of the support element 40 are free to contact the foam block 13. Thus, in the event that the secondary insulating block 6 is subjected to bending stresses, the supporting element 40 does not exert horizontal shear stresses on the foam block 13 when the force of the retaining means 30 on the supporting element 40 tends to tilt the supporting element 40 slightly outwards. The height of the supporting element 40 in the direction of the secondary insulation block 6 is between 20mm and 250 mm.

Each stiffening member 20 may comprise or preferably consist of a wood slat. The surface 20f of the plank is free to contact the side surface 13f of the foam bun 13, as described above. Furthermore, the surface 20f is in free contact with the support element 40 or is rigidly connected to it. Each reinforcing member 20 may be fastened to the support element 40 held in the recess 15 and to the base plate 12 by stapling, screw bonding, spot welding and/or gluing.

Each support element 40 may comprise or preferably consist of a wooden post of sufficient cross-section to withstand the force of the retaining member 30 without causing shear failure of the base plate 12. The shape of the cross section of the post may be rectangular or other shape depending on the shape of the retaining member 30. As shown in fig. 4, the support element 40 has an asymmetric V-shape.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the secondary insulation block 6 includes a second pair of reinforcing members 21 in addition to the reinforcing members 20. Only one of these stiffening members 21 is visible in fig. 1 and 2. Each of the reinforcing members 21 extends along one side 12a of the base plate 12, and has a larger dimension along the side 12a in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the secondary insulating block 6. Thus, the reinforcing member 21 extends in a direction parallel to the slot 14. Thus, when the secondary insulation block 6 is subjected to bending stresses, for example caused by deformation of the load-bearing structure and/or by the tightening force of the retaining means 30, the reinforcing means 22 limit the deformation in a direction parallel to the slot 14, in particular on the edges of the secondary insulation block 6.

Each stiffening member 21 may comprise or preferably consist of a wood slat. The surface 21f of the wooden plank is in free contact with the side surface 13f of the foam block 13. In particular, the surface 21f is not glued to the side surface 13f. Therefore, when the secondary insulation block 6 is bent, the surface 21f easily slides slightly on the side surface 13f without exerting any traction or shear stress on the foam block 13. Furthermore and preferably, the surface 21f is in free contact with the supporting element 40 or is rigidly connected to this supporting element 40.

The cooperation of the holding member 30 with the support surface 16 formed by the support element 40 is described below with reference to fig. 1 and 5.

The retaining means 30 described herein are of the type described in document WO 2014/096600 A1. However, in a variant, the retaining member 30 may have a different design, as long as it is able to hold the insulating block 6 on the bearing surface 1 by resting against the support surface 16.

As shown in fig. 5, the holding member 30 has a socket 22 whose base is welded to the carrying structure 1 at a position corresponding to the recesses 15 of four adjacent secondary insulating blocks 6. The socket 22 carries a first rod 23 linked to the socket by a ball joint coupling. The rod 23 passes between the adjacent secondary insulation blocks 6. The fastening portions are mounted on the bars 23 to clamp the module 6 to the load-bearing structure 1 at the free surface 21 of the intermediate panel 14. The fastening section comprises a lower metal plate 24, an upper plate 26 and a plywood block 25 mounted on the plate 24 to act as a spacer between the plate 24 and the upper plate 26 and reduce the thermal bridge to the load bearing structure 1. The height of this arrangement is determined so that the upper plate 26 is flush with the covering panel 11 to support the secondary film.

The block 25 has a seat 47 in which the upper end of the rod 23 is engaged by passing through a central hole in the lower plate 24. The lower plate 24 is held on the rod 23 by a nut 48 with a plurality of belleville washers 49 interposed to provide an elastic gap.

At least one rigid spacer 29, for example made of wood, may be positioned between the lower metal plates 24 to rest on the support surface 16 of the adjacent secondary insulating block 6. Thus, the compressive force exerted by the holding means 30 on the secondary insulating block 6 is absorbed by the supporting element 40 via the supporting surface 16. In a variant not shown, the spacer 29 may be omitted and the support element 40 may be in direct contact with the lower metal sheet 24 at the support surface 16.

A spacer 28 (shown in fig. 1 and 5) may be positioned between the load bearing structure 1 and the base plate 12, the socket 22 then being received in a through hole (not shown) in the spacer 28.

A secondary insulating barrier holding a secondary sealing film (not shown) has been described in this connection. The tank wall may also include a primary insulating barrier (not shown) retained on a secondary sealing membrane, which in turn retains a primary sealing membrane (not shown) for contact with the liquefied gas. The primary insulating barrier may be made of juxtaposed primary insulating blocks superimposed on and coinciding with the secondary insulating block 6. In this case, the first portion 27 of the holding member 30 shown in fig. 1 and 5 holds the primary insulating block on the secondary sealing film. The primary insulating block may be similar in structure to or different from the secondary insulating block 6. The primary sealing film may be similar or different in structure to the secondary sealing film.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an insulating block 106 according to another embodiment. The same reference numerals increased by 100 are used to indicate the same elements of the insulating block 106 as the elements of the insulating block 6.

As shown in fig. 6, the insulation block 106 is different from the insulation block 6 in that the reinforcing member 21 is not provided. In other words, the insulator block 106 has only a pair of reinforcing members 120 extending perpendicular to the slot 114. Only one of the stiffening members 120 is visible in fig. 6. Each of the reinforcement members 120 is in free contact with the side surface 113f of the foam bun 113 and in free contact or rigid connection with the support element 140. The insulating block 106 is otherwise identical to the insulating block 6 and is therefore not described in more detail for the sake of brevity.

Fig. 7-9 illustrate an insulating block 206 according to another embodiment. The same reference numerals increased by 200 are used to indicate the same elements of the insulating block 206 as those of the insulating block 6.

As shown in these figures, the insulation block 206 has a pair of stiffening members 250 that function similarly to the stiffening members 20, except that each of the stiffening members 250 forms two bearing surfaces 216.

More specifically, each of the reinforcing members 250 (only one is shown in fig. 7 and 9) extends along one side 212b of the bottom plate 212, and has a larger dimension along the side 212b in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulation block 206. Thus, the reinforcing member 250 extends in a direction perpendicular to the slot 214.

The reinforcing member 250 protrudes from the bottom plate 212 toward the cover plate 212 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 206. The reinforcing member 250 is rigidly connected to the base plate 212. For example, the reinforcing member 250 is rigidly connected to the base plate 212 using screws or staples and/or glue, which are not shown in fig. 7-9 so as not to unduly complicate the drawings.

Each of the reinforcement members 250 has a surface 20f that is in free contact with the side surface 213f of the foam block 213. By "free contact" is meant that the surface is in contact with the side surface 213f of the foam block 213, but is not rigidly connected to the side surface 213f. In particular, the surface is not glued to the side surface 213f. Thus, when the insulating block 206 is bent, the surface easily slides slightly on the side surface 213f without exerting any traction or shear stress on the foam block 213.

Each stiffening member 250 may comprise or preferably consist of a wood slat. The surface of the wooden lath is freely contacted with the side surface 213f of the foam block 213. Furthermore and as shown in fig. 7, at each of the two ends of the slats, the top surface of the slats oriented towards the cover 211 forms a bearing surface 216 for the retaining means 30.

In addition to the strength members 250, the insulation block 206 may also include a second pair of strength members 251. Only one of these stiffening members 251 is visible in fig. 1 and 2. Each of the reinforcing members 251 extends along one side 212a of the bottom plate 212, and has a larger dimension along the side 212b in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulation block 206. Thus, the reinforcing member 251 extends in a direction parallel to the slot 214.

Each stiffening member 251 may comprise or preferably consist of a wood slat. The surface of the wooden lath is freely contacted or rigidly connected with the side surface 213f of the foam block 213.

Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the insulation block 206, the cover plate 211 having been omitted to enhance the view of the foam block 213. As shown in this figure, foam block 213 has a pair of recesses 270 and a pair of recesses 271 that are flush with the top side of bottom plate 212. Only one of the

recesses

270 and 271 is visible in fig. 8. The recess 270 receives the reinforcement member 250 and the recess 271 receives the reinforcement member 251.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view of the area IX in fig. 7 viewed from the reference point B. As shown in this figure, the recess 271 and the reinforcing member 251 are sized such that the side surface 213f protrudes slightly beyond the reinforcing member 251, such as to create a gap, which may be approximately equal to 1mm. Similarly, the recess 270 and the reinforcing member 250 are sized such that the side surface 213f protrudes slightly beyond the reinforcing member 250, such as to create a gap, which may be approximately equal to 1mm. These gaps provide a degree of tolerance that facilitates assembly of the insulating block 206 by inserting the foam block 213 into the assembly of the chassis and the stiffening

members

250 and 251. Preferably, each of the side surfaces 213f protrudes slightly beyond the corresponding stiffening

member

250, 251, such as to create the same gap with respect to the

corresponding stiffening member

250, 251.

The

reinforcement members

250 and 251 are rigidly connected to the base plate 212, for example using screws or staples and/or gluing, which are not shown in the drawings in order not to unduly complicate the drawings. Furthermore, the

reinforcement members

250 and 251 may be rigidly connected to each other, for example using staples, which are not shown in the drawings in order not to unduly complicate the drawings.

In a variant not shown, only the stiffening member 251 is provided, i.e. the stiffening member 250 is not present. In this case, the top surfaces of the slats of the stiffening member 251 oriented towards the cover 211 form the bearing surfaces 216 for the holding member 30.

Fig. 10 and 11 illustrate an insulator block 306 according to another embodiment. The same reference numerals increased by 300 are used to indicate the same elements of the insulating block 306 as the elements of the insulating block 6.

As shown in these figures, the insulation block 306 has a pair of reinforcing members 380 that function similarly to the reinforcing members 20, and four support elements 390 that function similarly to the support elements 40. The height of the support element 390 in the direction of the insulating block 306 is between 20mm and 250 mm.

More specifically, each of the reinforcement members 380 (only one is shown in fig. 10) extends along one side 312b of the bottom plate 312, and has a larger dimension along the side 312b in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulation block 306. Thus, the reinforcement member 380 extends in a direction perpendicular to the slot 314.

The reinforcing member 380 protrudes from the bottom plate 212 toward the cover plate 312 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 306. The reinforcing member 380 is rigidly connected to the bottom plate 312. For example, the reinforcing member 380 is rigidly connected to the base plate 312 using screws or staples and/or glue, which are not shown in fig. 10-12 so as not to unduly complicate the drawings.

As shown enlarged in particular in fig. 11, each stiffening member 380 has an L-shaped cross-section, such as to present a surface 380f in free contact with the lateral surface 313f of the foam block 313 and a surface 380g in rigid contact with the floor. By "free contact" is meant that surface 380f is in contact with side surface 213f of foam block 313, but is not rigidly connected to side surface 313f. In particular, surface 380f is not glued to side surface 313f. Therefore, when the insulating block 306 is bent, the surface 380f easily slides slightly on the side surface 313f without deforming the foam block 313. By "remaining in rigid contact with the bottom plate" is meant that surface 380g is in contact with bottom plate 312 and this contact is maintained by the stress exerted on reinforcing member 380, for example by stapling or screwing said reinforcing member to and/or gluing to bottom plate 312.

Each reinforcement member 380 has a support element 390 at each of its ends. In addition and as shown in fig. 10 and 11, each support element 390 is retained in a recess 316 in the foam bun 313 by a stiffening member 380. Each support element 390 comprises and preferably consists of a wood pillar, wherein the top surface oriented towards the top cap 313 forms a support surface 316 for the anchoring member 30.

Preferably, the face of the support element 390 that contacts the foam bun 313 is free to contact the foam bun 313.

As shown in fig. 10 and 11, the insulating block 306 includes a middle plate 395 made of plywood, for example, and a second foam block 396 positioned between the cover plate 311 and the middle plate 395. Foam block 313 is positioned between bottom plate 312 and intermediate plate 396 and is secured to bottom plate 312 and intermediate plate 396, for example, by gluing. A second foam block 396 is secured to the cover plate 311 and the middle plate 395, for example by gluing. The second foam block 396 does not have any recesses at its corners, which simplifies its manufacture and assembly. Second foam block 396 is substantially thinner than foam block 313, for example, approximately one-third the thickness of foam block 313. The side surfaces 313f of the foam blocks 313 are flush with the ends of the intermediate plate 395. The recess 315 at each corner of the foam block 313 extends through the entire thickness of the foam block 313 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 306 between the bottom plate 312 and the intermediate plate 395.

Second foam block 396 is optionally made of, for example, a material having a density greater than 130 kg-m ^-3 Of glass fiber reinforced insulating foam (e.g., polyurethane foam). To simplify the manufacture of insulating block 306, the insulating foam of foam block 396 may be the same as that of foam block 313.

As shown in fig. 10, the second foam piece is shorter than the foam piece 313. Thus, both longitudinal ends of the middle plate 395 are exposed and a bar-shaped free top surface 395d is provided. This surface 395d may form a supplemental bearing surface for the retaining member 30. Thus, the holding member 30 holds the insulating block 306 on the carrier wall 1 by bearing on the bearing surface 316 and the surface 395d.

In another variation shown in fig. 12, middle plate 395 and second foam block 396 may be omitted. The foam block 313 then extends between the bottom plate 312 and the cover plate 311 over the entire thickness of the insulating block 306 and is fastened to the bottom plate 312 and the cover plate 311, for example by gluing. The recesses 315 at each corner of the foam block 313 extend through the entire thickness of the foam block 313 in the direction of the insulating block 306.

Similar to the insulating block 6, the insulating

blocks

106, 206 and 306 are suitable for making a secondary insulating barrier that retains a secondary sealing film. However, the insulating

blocks

106, 206 and 306 may also be used to make a primary insulating barrier that remains on the secondary sealing film, which in turn maintains the primary sealing film for contact with the liquefied gas.

Up to now, the insulating

block

6, 106, 206, 306 has been described having

recesses

15, 115, 215, 315 at each of its corners, each

recess

15, 115, 215, 315 extending between two

adjacent side surfaces

13f, 113f, 213f, 313f, wherein each side surface is positioned on one side of the

foam block

13, 113, 213, 313. However, one or more recesses in the insulating block may be located elsewhere than at the corners of the insulating block. Two embodiments showing this option are described below.

Fig. 13 illustrates an insulating block 406 according to one embodiment. The same reference numerals increased by 400 are used to indicate the same elements of the insulating block 406 as the elements of the insulating block 6.

As shown in this figure, the foam block 413 has a recess 415A at three of its four corners and a recess 415B in one of its sides near the fourth corner. Thus, the recess 415B extends between two adjacent side surfaces 413f1, 413f2 on the same side of the foam bun 413, while the recess 415A extends between two adjacent side surfaces 413f or 413f1 on different sides of the foam bun 413.

Fig. 13 also shows that the insulator block 406 has two reinforcing

members

420A and 420B.

The reinforcing

members

420A and 420B extend along one side 412B of the base plate 412, and have a larger dimension along the side 412B in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block 406. Thus, the reinforcing

members

420A and 420B extend in a direction perpendicular to the slot 14. Although not shown in the drawings, the same reinforcing member as one of the reinforcing members 20 extends along the other side of the bottom plate 412 parallel to the side 412b shown in fig. 13.

The reinforcing

members

420A and 420B protrude from the bottom plate 412 toward the cover plate 411 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 406. The

reinforcement members

420A and 420B are rigidly connected to the base plate 412. For example, the

reinforcement members

420A and 420B are rigidly connected to the base plate 412 using screws or staples, which are not shown in the drawings so as not to unduly complicate the drawings.

The reinforcing member 420A has a surface freely contacting with the side surface 413f2 of the foam block 413, and the reinforcing member 420B has a surface freely contacting with the side surface 413f1 of the foam block 413. The term "free contact" has the meaning given above.

Each of the

recesses

415A and 415B is for receiving the holding means 30.

At the end of the recess closest to the bottom plate 412 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 406, the recess 415A has a support surface 416A for the holding member 30. The support surface 416A is formed by a face of the rigid support element 440A seated in the recess 415A and is fastened to the base plate 412 and/or the reinforcement member 420A, for example, by glue, nails, screws, or staples. The face of the support element 440A facing the wall of the recess 415A is free to contact the foam block 413.

At the end of the recess closest to the bottom plate 412 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 406, the recess 415B has two bearing surfaces 416B for the other holding member 30. Each bearing surface 416B is formed by a face of a rigid bearing element 440B that is seated in recess 415B. The support element 415B may be fastened to the base plate 412 and/or the

reinforcement member

420A or 420B, for example, by glue, nails, screws, or staples. The face of support element 440B facing the wall of recess 415B is free to contact foam block 413.

The

reinforcement members

420A and 420B may each comprise or preferably consist of wood laths. Each of the

reinforcement members

420A and 420B may be fastened to the

support element

440A or 440B held in the

recess

415A or 415B and to the base plate 412 by staples, screw bonding, spot welding, and/or gluing.

The

support elements

440A and 440B may comprise or preferably consist of wooden posts of sufficient cross-section to withstand the force of the retaining member 30 without causing shear failure of the base plate 412. The shape of the cross section of the post may be rectangular or other shapes depending on the shape of the retaining member 30.

According to a variant not shown in the figures, the insulating block 406 comprises a pair of reinforcing members identical to the reinforcing members 21 extending along the side 412a of the bottom plate 412.

Fig. 14 shows an insulating block 506 according to an embodiment. Elements of the insulating block 506 that are identical to elements of the insulating block 406 are indicated using the same reference numerals incremented by 100.

Insulating block 506 is identical to insulating block 406 except that foam block 513 includes on its two opposite sides parallel to side 512b of bottom plate 512:

on the first side shown in fig. 14, two recesses 515B identical to the recess 415B. As shown in fig. 14, therefore, the depressions 515B extend between adjacent side surfaces 513f1, 513f2 on the same side of the foam block 513. A stiffening member 520A similar to stiffening member 420A holds a support element 516B in the recess 515B, while two stiffening members 520B, each identical to stiffening member 420B, hold the other support element 516B in the recess 515B.

On a second side, not shown in fig. 14, at one of the corners of foam block 513 a recess 515A identical to recess 415A, a recess 515B identical to recess 415B, and two stiffening members (not shown) identical to stiffening

members

420A and 420B.

According to a variant not shown in the figures, the insulating block 506 comprises a pair of reinforcing members identical to the reinforcing members 21, extending along the side 512a of the bottom plate 512.

Similar to the insulating

blocks

6, 106, 206, 306, the insulating

blocks

406 and 506 are adapted to make a secondary insulating barrier that holds a secondary sealing film. However, the insulating

blocks

406 and 506 may also be used to make a primary insulating barrier that remains on the secondary sealing film, which in turn maintains the primary sealing film for contact with the liquefied gas.

The above described techniques for making a sealed and insulating wall may be used for different types of storage, for example to form the wall of an LNG storage tank in an onshore facility or in a floating structure such as a LNG carrier in particular.

Referring to fig. 15, a cross-sectional view of an lng carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 having an overall prismatic shape installed in a double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 71 has a primary sealing barrier for contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealing barrier arranged between the first sealing barrier and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulating barriers arranged between the first sealing barrier and the second sealing barrier and between the second sealing barrier and the double hull 72, respectively.

In a known manner, a loading/unloading line 73 arranged on the upper deck of the vessel may be connected to the sea or to a harbour terminal using suitable joints for transporting the cargo LNG to or from the storage tank 71.

Fig. 15 shows an exemplary offshore terminal comprising a loading/unloading point 75, a subsea pipeline 76 and an onshore facility 77. The loading/unloading point 75 is a static offshore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a column 78 holding the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated hoses 79 that can be connected to the loading/unloading line 73. The orientable movable arm 74 may be adapted to various sizes of lng carriers. A connecting line (not shown) runs inside the column 78. The loading/unloading point 75 allows loading and unloading of the lng carrier 70 to and from an onshore facility 77. The installation has a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting line 81 which is connected to the loading/unloading point 75 via a subsea line 76. The subsea pipeline 76 allows for the transportation of liquefied gas over a greater distance (e.g., 5 km) between the loading/unloading point 75 and the onshore facility 77, which allows the liquefied natural gas carrier 70 to remain far off shore during loading and unloading operations.

In order to generate the pressure needed for transporting the liquefied gas, pumps carried on board the vessel 70 and/or pumps installed at the onshore facility 77 and/or pumps installed at the loading/unloading point 75 are used.

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

Use of the verb "comprise" or "comprise" (when it comprises a conjugative form) 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. An insulating block (6:

-a bottom plate (12,

-a cover plate (11,

-a block of insulating foam (13,

and said insulating block has bearing surfaces (16

-a pair of stiffening members (20, 21, 120, 250, 251, 420a, 520a) rigidly connected to the base plate and extending along one of the pairs of first or second parallel sides (12 b, 12a, 112b, 112a, 212b, 312b, 312a, 412a, 412b) of said base plate, said stiffening members having a larger dimension along the one of said pairs in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block and each projecting from the base plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface free to contact one of the side surfaces (31f 113f 213f 413f 2.

2. The insulation block (206) of claim 1, wherein each stiffening member (250) comprises a wooden strip, a top surface of the wooden strip oriented towards the cover plate (211) forming one of the bearing surfaces (216).

3. The insulation block (206) according to any of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a second pair of reinforcement members (251) rigidly connected to the chassis and extending along the sides of the other pair (12a 112a 312a) of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the chassis (212.

4. The insulation block (206) of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each stiffening member (250, 251) is received in a corresponding recess (270, 271) in the foam block (213) flush with the top side of the bottom plate (212).

5. -an insulating block (6, 106, 406) according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of bearing elements (40.

6. -the insulating block (6.

7. The insulating block (6.

8. The insulation block (6.

9. The insulating block (6.

10. An insulating block (6) according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a second pair of stiffening members (21) rigidly connected to the bottom plate (12) and extending along the side of the other (12 a) of the pairs of the first and second parallel sides of the bottom plate (12), each stiffening member of the second pair of stiffening members (21) comprising a wooden strip having a surface free to contact a side surface (13 f) of the block (13).

11. The insulating block (306) of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein each stiffening member (380) has an L-shaped cross-section to present a surface (380 f) in free contact with a side surface (313 f) of the foam block (313) and a surface (380 g) held in rigid contact with the bottom plate (312).

12. -an insulating block (6.

13. The insulation block (406) of any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the side surface of the foam block (413) comprises: three first side surfaces (413 f), each of the three first side surfaces defining one side of the rectangular geometric envelope; and two second side surfaces (413 f1, 413f 2) which together define one side of the rectangular geometrical envelope, the two second side surfaces being parallel to one (412 b) of the pair of sides of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the base plate (412).

14. The insulation block (406) of claim 13, further comprising a supplemental reinforcing member (420B), the supplemental reinforcing member (420B) having a larger dimension along the one side (412B) of the bottom plate (412) in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulation block (406), the supplemental reinforcing member protruding from the bottom plate (412) in the thickness direction of the insulation block and having a surface that is free to contact one of the second side surfaces (413 f 1) of the foam block (413).

15. The insulation block (406) of claim 14, wherein the recess (415B) extends between the two second side surfaces (413 f1, 413f 2) and receives two of the support elements (440B), one support element being retained in the recess (415B) by a reinforcement member (420A) and the other support element being retained in the recess by the supplemental reinforcement member (420B).

16. The insulating block (506) according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the side surface of the foam block (513) comprises: two first side surfaces (513 f) parallel to the side of the other of the pairs of opposing sides (512 a) of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the floor (512), each of the two first side surfaces defining one side of the rectangular geometric envelope; and three second side surfaces (513 f1, 513f 2) which together define one side of the rectangular geometric envelope, the three second side surfaces (513 f1, 513f 2) being parallel to one side (512 b) of the one of the pairs of sides of the first and second pairs of parallel sides of the floor (512).

17. The insulation block (506) of claim 16, further comprising two supplemental strengthening members (520B), the supplemental strengthening members (520B) having a larger dimension along the one side (512B) of the bottom plate (512) in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulation block (506), the supplemental strengthening members (520B) protruding from the bottom plate (512) in the thickness direction of the insulation block and having a surface that is free to contact one of the second side surfaces (513 f 1) of the foam block (513).

18. The insulation block (506) of claim 17, wherein the two recesses (515B), each extending between two (513 f1, 513f 2) of the three second side surfaces, receive two of the support elements (540B), one support element being retained in the recess (515B) by a reinforcement member (520A) and the other support element being retained in the recess by a supplemental reinforcement member (520B).

19. A hermetically insulated storage tank comprising a tank wall retained on a load bearing structure (1), wherein the tank wall comprises, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the storage tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the load bearing structure (1), a secondary sealing film retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary sealing film, and a primary sealing film retained on the primary insulating barrier, wherein the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks (6, 206) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 and a plurality of anchoring members (30), each anchoring member (30) being received in the recess (15, 215, 415a, 415B 515a, 515B) of an adjacent insulating block and resting against the bearing surface (16, 4141416 a, 41b 516b) of the adjacent insulating block to retain the adjacent insulating block on the load bearing structure (1) and to the insulating block being received in the insulating support slot (214.

20. A hermetically insulated storage tank comprising a tank wall retained on a load bearing structure (1), wherein the tank wall comprises, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the storage tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the load bearing structure (1), a secondary sealing film retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary sealing film, and a primary sealing film retained on the primary insulating barrier, wherein the primary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks (6, 206) according to any one of claims 1 to 19 and a plurality of anchoring members (30), each anchoring member being received in the recess (15, 315.

21. A ship (70) for transporting cold liquid products, said ship having a double hull (72) and a storage tank (71) according to claim 19 or 20, said storage tank being placed inside said double hull.

22. A transport system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising: a vessel (70) according to claim 21; insulated piping (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to an onshore or floating storage facility (77); and a pump for driving a cold liquid product stream from the onshore storage facility or a floating storage facility to the storage tank on the vessel or from the storage tank to the onshore storage facility or the floating storage facility through the insulated pipeline.

23. Use of a vessel (70) according to claim 21 for loading or unloading cold liquid product, wherein cold liquid product is transported from the storage tank (71) on the vessel to or from an onshore storage facility or a floating storage facility (77) by insulated piping (73, 79, 76, 81).