EP1562823A1 - Liquefied gas transfer installation and use thereof - Google Patents

Liquefied gas transfer installation and use thereof

Info

Publication number
EP1562823A1
EP1562823A1 EP03782526A EP03782526A EP1562823A1 EP 1562823 A1 EP1562823 A1 EP 1562823A1 EP 03782526 A EP03782526 A EP 03782526A EP 03782526 A EP03782526 A EP 03782526A EP 1562823 A1 EP1562823 A1 EP 1562823A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
annular space
transfer line
tank
gas
transfer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03782526A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1562823B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Espinasse
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Technip Energies France SAS
Original Assignee
Technip France SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Technip France SAS filed Critical Technip France SAS
Publication of EP1562823A1 publication Critical patent/EP1562823A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1562823B1 publication Critical patent/EP1562823B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F17C1/002—Storage in barges or on ships
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/02—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
    • B63B22/021—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/24—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • F17C7/02—Discharging liquefied gases
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0184—Attachments to the ground, e.g. mooring or anchoring
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0355—Insulation thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0364—Pipes flexible or articulated, e.g. a hose
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0367—Arrangements in parallel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/04—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by other properties of handled fluid before transfer
    • F17C2223/042—Localisation of the removal point
    • F17C2223/043—Localisation of the removal point in the gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2225/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/036—Control means using alarms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/043—Pressure
    • F17C2250/0434—Pressure difference
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/02—Improving properties related to fluid or fluid transfer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/031—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
    • F17C2260/033—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer by enhancing insulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
    • F17C2265/061—Fluid distribution for supply of supplying vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0121—Platforms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0123—Terminals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0126—Buoys
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
    • F17C2270/0147—Type of cavity by burying vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0157—Location of cavity
    • F17C2270/0163—Location of cavity offshore

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation for transferring liquefied gas at sea, in particular liquefied natural gas, as described in the preamble to claim 1.
  • Processes are known for filling transport vessels with natural gas and liquefied natural gas.
  • gas transport vessels include gas transport tanks in liquid state and, in certain cases (liquefied petroleum gas), a gas liquefaction installation.
  • the liquefaction installation is connected to a transfer line which is connected to a source of liquefied gas, for example a storage tank on land or at sea.
  • Methods of loading a boat with liquefied gas are also known, in which the gas is liquefied and. stored in a temporary storage tank located for example on a production platform '. Then the liquefied gas is transferred to the boat through a transfer facility.
  • Such a transfer installation is described in document FR-A-2 793 235.
  • This transfer installation is composed of a plurality of segments of pipes articulated in the form of deformable diamonds, the ends of which are connected on the one hand to a connection system of the ship, and on the other hand to a pipe arranged along a crane.
  • This installation must meet significant mechanical constraints. It is placed close to the production platform and must be able to adapt to the movements of the production platform (six degrees of freedom including roll, pitch, heave, cavalier).
  • the installation includes numerous rotating joints which are constantly in motion. Its maintenance is therefore relatively expensive.
  • This type of installation is used for loading and unloading LNG carriers in the ports of terminals for the production or reception of liquefied natural gas, along sheltered piers.
  • liquefied gas transfer installations are known. These facilities are used to transfer liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG) between two boats. They imply that the two boats are positioned one behind the other or side by side.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • the distance separating the boats is relatively short.
  • the two boats have large and comparable dimensions and are subject to swell and currents. Thus, each of them moves with six degrees of freedom and relatively independently of the other.
  • the transfer facility is designed to take into account these relative movements of the two boats which are otherwise dependent on weather conditions
  • Another transfer installation known for example from patent application FR-A-2 815 025, comprises a flexible catenary transfer pipe connecting the storage installation to the transport vessel. At rest, the flexible pipe is stored on a gantry linked to a production and storage facility. The flexible pipe is connected to the vessel via a connection module integral with or independent of this flexible pipe.
  • WO 01/87 703 an installation for transferring a production site to an LNG carrier is proposed. This installation consists of an arm placed on the production site and extending over a length of 30 to 60% of the safety distance between the two vessels. A flexible pipe is wound on a wheel at the end of the arm. This line is connected to the LNG carrier during the transfer.
  • the pipes used for the transfer of gas have only a relatively short length (less than 100 meters) and extend above the surface of the sea. Consequently, the loading of the boat can only be carried out when it is near the platform or the distributing vessel, which creates the risk of collision and makes the transfer device very dependent on weather conditions.
  • the aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to propose an installation for transferring a liquefied gas which is economical and which is safe.
  • the subject of the invention is an installation of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characteristics of claim 1.
  • the installation includes one or more of the characteristics of dependent claims 2 to 13.
  • the invention further relates to the use of an installation as defined above for transferring a liquefied gas of an .First tank to a second tank.
  • FIG. 1 is a ' schematic view of an embodiment of a transfer installation according to the invention, in partial section.
  • FIG. 1 shows an installation for filling a boat 2 with liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas, designated by the general reference 4.
  • gas will be used for any product or compound which, under ambient conditions (1013 hPa, 20 ° C) is in the gaseous state.
  • liquid gas will be used for such a product which is at least partially in the liquid state, and the expression “gas in gaseous state” will be used for any product in gaseous state.
  • the boat 2 is a tanker, known per se, on which is installed a transport tank 6 for liquid gas.
  • the boat 2 is a vessel suitable for transporting liquefied gas, and in particular an LNG carrier.
  • the installation 4 comprises a production installation (linked to or including a drilling installation comprising the gas producing wells) consisting for example of a production barge 9 or of a platform anchored or fixed to the seabed 10 by cables 12.
  • the production installation is connected to a pocket of natural gas in the gaseous state 14 by a riser 15. This feeds a liquefaction device 16 of the gas in the gaseous state supported by the barge 9.
  • An outlet from the liquefaction device 16 opens into a tank 18 for temporary storage of liquefied gas.
  • the installation 4 also comprises means 20 for transferring liquid gas from the storage tank 18 to the transport tank 6.
  • the gas transfer means 20 in the transport tank 6 comprise a loading buoy 22 to which the tanker is connected for loading.
  • this loading buoy 22 is spaced distally from the production barge 9. This configuration allows the tanker or LNG carrier to move and moor independently of barge 9 without risk of collision.
  • the connection between the loading buoy 22 and the transport tank 6 of the boat 2 is effected by a loading pipe 24.
  • the loading pipe 24 extends entirely above the surface M of the sea. It has temporary connection means 25 to the tank 6.
  • the tank 6 is filled with liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the loading buoy 22 to transport this gas on land.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • the loading line 24 is known per se. It can either be constituted by sections of rigid pipe, linked together by rotary joints, or by a flexible pipe.
  • the loading line 24 is supported by a suitable support structure, such as a crane (not shown) or floating and designed accordingly.
  • the loading buoy 22 is anchored to the seabed 10 by cables and / or chains 26 and is spaced distally from the production barge 9.
  • the distance A between the loading buoy 22 and the production barge is greater than 300 m, and will preferably be of the order of one nautical mile (1.852 km).
  • the loading buoy 22 is small compared to the boat 2.
  • the boat 2 is subject to swell, currents and weather conditions. It can rotate freely, around the loading buoy 22 when loading the liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas.
  • the transfer means 20 also comprise a transfer line 28 immersed in water, which connects the storage tank 18 to the loading buoy 22.
  • the transfer line 28 is adapted to transfer liquid gas from the production barge 9 to the loading buoy 22, while being immersed in water during the transfer of the liquefied gas.
  • the barge 9 forms a first terminal of the transfer line 28 and the loading buoy 22 forms a second terminal of the transfer line 28.
  • the terminals in this case the loading buoy 22 and the production barge 9, can move independently of each other in all directions over a distance of up to 10% of the water depth by great depth and more for depths less than 150m.
  • the amplitude of the relative movement between the two terminals can therefore reach more than 20% of the water depth.
  • the submerged transfer line 28 must therefore be capable of absorbing these variations in distance between the two floating terminals 9 and 22.
  • Dynamic bending forces and vibrations are generated on the submerged part of the transfer line 28 by swell movements, sea currents and the relative movements of the terminals 9, 22.
  • the flexible pipes are known for their great strength and their ability to absorb these dynamic forces, but their cost is' high.
  • the turbulence zone is a layer of water in which the effects of swell and currents are significant. This zone is defined as being the zone in which the maximum speed of the water current is situated above a determined threshold. Generally, this threshold is 1 m / s or even 0.5 m / s.
  • the turbulent zone can descend to a depth of 300 m, even 500 m
  • the transfer line 28 is a flexible and rigid hybrid line combining the advantages of flexible pipes in the area subjected to high dynamic stresses and the low cost of rigid pipes in areas where these dynamic stresses are limited.
  • the transfer line 28 therefore comprises a substantially horizontal rigid main section 32 extending over a distance close to the distance A and located in an area of the water layer where the dynamic stresses are reduced, and flexible sections 30 and 34 substantially vertical which connect the ends of the main section 32 to the terminals 8, 22 and ensure the continuity of the transport of liquid gas and the resumption of dynamic stresses.
  • the rigid main section 32 extends to a depth P relative to the surface of the sea. This depth P is greater than the depth of the turbulence zone defined above, preferably greater than
  • the sections 30 and 34 are substantially identical and consist of a flexible external envelope 36, 38 with a circular cross section of diameter D and a flexible internal pipe 40, 42 with a circular cross section of diameter d.
  • the envelopes 36, 38 and the pipes 40, 42 are relatively flexible to bending.
  • Each of the conduits 40, 42 is arranged coaxially in the corresponding envelope 36, 38, forming an annular space 44, 46 of radial width lr.
  • Cryogenic flexible lines 40, 42 are known per se and comprise radially inside to outside an undulating, armor reinforcement fiberglass spiral, for example at 55 °, as well as, or more layers of insulation separated by waterproof layers.
  • the flexible outer envelope may consist of a conventional flexible pipe known per se or of a wavy.
  • the double jacket configuration protects the internal pipe and confines the liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas in the event of a leak.
  • Each of the sections 30 and 34 ends at its lower end with a double flange of connection 52, 54, to the central section 32.
  • the lateral section 30 is fixed at its upper end to the production barge 9, while the section
  • the lateral sections 30, 34 are thermally insulated.
  • the upper end of the pipe 40 is connected to the storage tank 18, by a pipe system 58 known per se.
  • the pipe 42 of the section 34 is connected to the loading pipe 24 by known connecting means 59.
  • These connecting means 59 are adapted to allow movement of the boat 2 around the loading buoy
  • the horizontal central section 32 consists of a rigid cylindrical outer casing 66 of diameter D with a horizontal axis, in which a rigid internal pipe 68 of diameter d is arranged, leaving an annular space 69.
  • this section 32 forms a double-walled pipe.
  • the export transfer line 28 may therefore have, depending on its diameter, a positive or negative buoyancy.
  • the main section 32 can then be associated with a balancing body 94, in order to maintain this section 32 at the required depth of water and to ensure that it will extend substantially horizontally.
  • the balancing body 94 can be a body of ballast. If the latter is negative, the balancing body 94 ′ can provide the main section 32 with buoyancy.
  • the main section 32 has a length L which is at least 50% of the distance A between the two terminals 8, 22, and which is preferably at least 90% of this distance.
  • the section 32 ends at its two ends with two double flanges 70, 72 complementary to those of the two double flanges 52, 54. It should be noted that all the double flanges 52, 54,
  • 70, 72 are adapted to connect the pipes 40, 42, 38 and the envelopes 36, 38, 66, in a liquid and gas tight manner.
  • each of the double flanges 52, 54, 70, 72 includes through openings which connect the annular spaces 44, 46, 69, in order to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation in the annular space, throughout of the transfer line 28.
  • the pipe 68 comprises a rigid central part 74 of cylindrical shape having a diameter d, which is integral on both sides with an axially deformable bellows 76, 78.
  • Each bellows 76, 78 is integral with one of the double flanges 70, 72.
  • the bellows 76, 78 each have a length ⁇ 1 which is sufficient to compensate for the thermal contraction in the axial direction of the central part 74 of the pipe 68, in a temperature range situated between the temperature of the water and the temperature of the liquid gas to be transferred.
  • the water temperature is generally between 4 ° C and 20 ° C.
  • the temperature of the liquid gas is between -150 ° C and - 180 ° C.
  • the bellows 76, 78 then have a length sufficient to compensate for expansion of the part control unit 74 over a temperature range of the order of 200 ° C.
  • the central pipe 68 is made of a metal having a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
  • the coefficient of expansion is less than 16 ⁇ 10 -6 m / m ° C, and preferably less than 2 ⁇ 10 -6 m / m ° C.
  • the central pipe 68 is for example made of a material sold under the trade name INVAR (R) by the companies I PHY and CREUSOT-LOIRE. This material has a coefficient of expansion ⁇ of 1.6x10 x 6 m / m ° C at temperatures below -150 ° C.
  • the length _1 of contraction is approximately 2.5 m, and preferably between 2 and 3 m.
  • the enclosure 66 is made of standard steel, for example carbon steel for underwater application.
  • central part 74 is centered radially with respect to the central casing 66 by centering discs 84 or spacers arranged in the annular space 69.
  • These discs 84 are made of a material of low thermal conductivity, for example polyurethane , in
  • the section 32 must be thermally insulated.
  • the annular space 69 present between the casing 66 and the pipe 68 will include thermal insulation having a thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of air under atmospheric pressure.
  • the annular spaces 44, 46, 69 can be filled with thermal insulation material, such as: - foams of plastic material (polystyrenic resin, polyvinyl, polyurethane);
  • - powders perlite, alumina
  • - super-insulators which offer the best compromise for reducing the main heat flows. They are composed of a succession of reflective screens (made of aluminum) between which are interposed interleaving sheets which are not very conductive (plastic films, glass fibers); or
  • the thermal insulation material can be partially evacuated.
  • the space 69 is put under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, which may represent a vacuum of the order of 30 mbar abs.
  • the installation 4 includes a vacuum pump 86 located on the loading buoy "22 or on the production barge 9 and connected with its suction side to the annular space 46 of the section 34 or to the annular space. 44 of section 30.
  • One of the advantages of the transfer line 28 according to the invention is that it has a continuous annular space
  • installation 4 can therefore include
  • These detection means 88 consist of a pressure and / or pressure variation sensor 90 and / or of natural gas, in particular CH, placed in space 46 or 44 and connected to a display device 92.
  • the sensor 90 delivers an alert signal to the display device 92.
  • the annular spaces 44, 46, 69 can be filled with an inert gas, for example nitrogen, as a thermal insulator (preferably at a pressure below atmospheric pressure).
  • an inert gas for example nitrogen
  • This gas makes it possible to control the atmosphere of the annular space and to ensure that there will be no oxygen, which will limit the risks of corrosion.
  • a gas leak or a leakage can then be detected by measuring the pressure in the gap 46 or by measuring the rate of the inert gas.
  • the installation according to the invention operates as follows.
  • the production installation 8 produces gas in the "gaseous" state which is liquefied by the liquefaction device 16 and which is stored in the storage tank 18.
  • the boat 2 with the empty transport tank 6 approaches the buoy loading 22, and the transport tank 6 is connected to the pipe 42 of the section 34 by the loading pipe 24.
  • the liquefied gas is conveyed from the storage tank 18 via the lines 24, 40, 42, 68 to the transport tank 6.
  • the transfer line 28 also makes it possible to rapidly discharge the liquid gas from the transport tank 6 to a storage tank (not shown).
  • the transfer line 28 can comprise a bundle of pipes arranged parallel to one another (bundle).
  • this bundle of pipes may include one or more pipes for returning the gas to the gaseous state, which will pass from the transport tank 6 to the storage tank 18 and one or more pipes for the transport of liquid gas, and a balancing body for the main section 32.
  • each of the ends of the main section 32 can be connected to the terminal 8, 22 corresponding by means of a mooring line (not shown) mounted in parallel with the lateral sections
  • Each mooring line has a length less than the length of the lateral sections 30, 34, so that the lateral sections 30, 34 are not subjected to the tensile force generated by the main section 32.
  • the mooring line is consisting of a chain, a carbon fiber cable, a steel cable or a polypropylene rope.
  • the section 32 will be slightly heavy or the mooring lines will be tensioned by counterweights arranged at the ends of the main section 32.
  • the main section 32 can be anchored directly on the seabed by mooring lines.
  • the main section 32 will be slightly floating or the mooring lines will be tensioned by buoys located at the ends of the main section 32.
  • the sections 30, 34 each comprise an internal pipe of the wavy type and an external envelope of the wavy type.
  • the pipe and the casing are made of stainless steel or INVAR (R).
  • reinforcing armor are wound around the internal pipe, preferably over its entire length.
  • the thermal insulation layer of these sections is composed, along the length of the sections, of a succession of rigid centering discs, consisting of two assembled half-shells, and flexible rings.
  • Centering discs are fixed on the internal pipe and are made of rigid microporous airgel material.
  • Flexible rings are made up of multiple layers of flexible microporous airgel material.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
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Abstract

The installation is designed to transfer liquefied gas from a first surface reservoir (8) to a second surface reservoir (6) using a transfer line (28) designed to be connected to the reservoirs. The two reservoirs are spaced apart during the transfer and the transfer line is immersed in the water The first and second reservoirs are more than 300 m apart, and preferably more than 1 marine mile, during the transfer. A first terminal (8) carries the first reservoir and a second terminal (22), in particular a loading buoy, is spaced from the first terminal so the transfer line extends between the two terminals. The second terminal is designed to connect the transfer line to a loading pipe (24) with connectors (25) to the second reservoir carried by a vessel. The transfer line has a main rigid section (32) which is horizontal in the layer of water where dynamic movements are reduced and flexible sections (40, 42) which are vertical and which connect the ends of the main section to the terminals and ensure continuity of liquid gas transport and absorb the dynamic movements. The main rigid section is in a layer of water where the maximum speed of the current is less than 1 m/s, preferably less than 0.5 m/s. The main section and the flexible sections of the transfer line have an internal transfer line and an external casing defining an annular space which extends the whole length of the transfer line and which is thermally insulated. The annular space is connected to means of evacuation so the space is held at a pressure below atmosphere, preferably below 100 mbar, more preferably below 30 mbar. The annular space is also placed under inert gas, in particular nitrogen. The installation includes means of verifying that the envelope and/or the pipe are leakproof. This is done using a detector of pressure variation in the annular space and delivers an alarm signal when the pressure variation is above a set value. Alternatively, a sensor detects the presence of one of the components of the liquefied gas in the annular space, in particular CH4, or detecting a drop in the amount of inert gas in the annular space. The internal pipe in the main section has a compensator (76, 78) at at least one end and the variation in length allowed by the compensator is at least the variation in length of the rigid part subject to the variation between the water temperature and the temperature of the liquefied gas. The main rigid section is suspended from a balancing body (94) which is designed to give it floatability or ballast. The main rigid section is suspended from the two terminals or anchored to the seabed by an anchor line. The main rigid section is a bundle of parallel pipes which include a pipe for returning the liquefied gas to the gaseous state, which passes from the second to the first reservoir.

Description

Installation de transfert de gaz liquéfié et son utilisation. Liquefied gas transfer installation and its use.
La présente invention concerne une installation de transfert en mer d'un gaz liquéfié, notamment du gaz naturel liquéfié, telle que décrite dans le préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to an installation for transferring liquefied gas at sea, in particular liquefied natural gas, as described in the preamble to claim 1.
Elle s'applique notamment aux procédés de remplissage de bateaux de transport par du gaz liquéfié ou du gaz naturel liquéfié (méthanier) .It applies in particular to procedures for filling transport vessels with liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG carrier).
On connaît des procédés de remplissage de bateaux de transport avec du gaz naturel et du gaz naturel liquéfié.Processes are known for filling transport vessels with natural gas and liquefied natural gas.
Les bateaux de transport de gaz connus comportent des réservoirs de transport de gaz à l'état liquide et, dans certains cas (gaz de pétrole liquéfié) , une installation de liquéfaction de gaz.Known gas transport vessels include gas transport tanks in liquid state and, in certain cases (liquefied petroleum gas), a gas liquefaction installation.
Afin de remplir ces bateaux de gaz liquéfié, l'installation de liquéfaction est reliée à une ligne de transfert qui est connectée à une source de gaz liquéfié, par exemple un réservoir de stockage sur terre ou en mer.In order to fill these vessels with liquefied gas, the liquefaction installation is connected to a transfer line which is connected to a source of liquefied gas, for example a storage tank on land or at sea.
On connaît en outre des procédés de chargement d'un bateau avec du gaz liquéfié, dans lesquels le gaz est liquéfié et. stocké dans un réservoir de stockage temporaire situé par exemple sur une plate-forme de production'. Ensuite, le gaz liquéfié est transféré sur le bateau par l'intermédiaire d'une installation de transfert.Methods of loading a boat with liquefied gas are also known, in which the gas is liquefied and. stored in a temporary storage tank located for example on a production platform '. Then the liquefied gas is transferred to the boat through a transfer facility.
Une telle installation de transfert est décrite dans le document FR-A-2 793 235. Cette installation de transfert est composée d'une pluralité de segments de conduites articulés sous la forme de losanges déformables, dont les extrémités viennent se raccorder d'une part à un système de connexion du navire, et d'autre part à une conduite disposée le long d'une grue. Cette installation doit répondre à des contraintes mécaniques importantes. Elle est placée à proximité de la plate-forme de production et doit pouvoir s'adapter aux mouvements de la plate-forme de production (six degrés de liberté dont roulis, tangage, pilonnement, cavalement) . De plus, l'installation comporte de nombreux joints tournants qui sont constamment en mouvement. Sa maintenance est donc relativement coûteuse. Ce type d'installation est utilisé pour le chargement et le déchargement des méthaniers dans les ports des terminaux de production ou de réception de gaz naturel liquéfié, le long de jetées abritées.Such a transfer installation is described in document FR-A-2 793 235. This transfer installation is composed of a plurality of segments of pipes articulated in the form of deformable diamonds, the ends of which are connected on the one hand to a connection system of the ship, and on the other hand to a pipe arranged along a crane. This installation must meet significant mechanical constraints. It is placed close to the production platform and must be able to adapt to the movements of the production platform (six degrees of freedom including roll, pitch, heave, cavalier). In addition, the installation includes numerous rotating joints which are constantly in motion. Its maintenance is therefore relatively expensive. This type of installation is used for loading and unloading LNG carriers in the ports of terminals for the production or reception of liquefied natural gas, along sheltered piers.
D'autres installations de transfert de gaz liquéfié sont connues. Ces installations servent à transférer du gaz liquéfié ou du gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) entre deux bateaux. Elles impliquent que les deux bateaux soient positionnés l'un derrière l'autre ou bien côte-à-côte.Other liquefied gas transfer installations are known. These facilities are used to transfer liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG) between two boats. They imply that the two boats are positioned one behind the other or side by side.
Dans ces deux configurations, la distance séparant les bateaux est relativement faible. Les deux bateaux ont des dimensions importantes et comparables et sont soumis à la houle et aux courants. Ainsi, chacun d'entre eux se déplace avec six degrés de liberté et de façon relativement indépendante de l'autre. L'installation de transfert est conçue pour prendre en compte ces mouvements relatifs des deux bateaux qui sont par ailleurs dépendants des conditions météorologiquesIn these two configurations, the distance separating the boats is relatively short. The two boats have large and comparable dimensions and are subject to swell and currents. Thus, each of them moves with six degrees of freedom and relatively independently of the other. The transfer facility is designed to take into account these relative movements of the two boats which are otherwise dependent on weather conditions
Une autre installation de transfert, connue par exemple de la demande de brevet FR-A-2 815 025, comprend une conduite de transfert flexible en caténaire reliant l'installation de stockage au navire de transport. Au repos, la conduite flexible est stockée sur un portique lié à une installation de production et de stockage. La connexion de la conduite flexible sur le navire s'effectue par l'intermédiaire d'un module de connexion solidaire ou indépendant de cette conduite flexible. Dans la demande de brevet WO 01/87 703 est proposé une installation de transfert d'un site de production à un méthanier. Cette installation se compose d'un bras placé sur le site de production et s' étendant sur une longueur de 30 à 60% de la, distance de sécurité entre les deux navires. Une conduite flexible est enroulée sur une roue à l'extrémité du bras. Cette conduite est connectée au méthanier lors du transfert .Another transfer installation, known for example from patent application FR-A-2 815 025, comprises a flexible catenary transfer pipe connecting the storage installation to the transport vessel. At rest, the flexible pipe is stored on a gantry linked to a production and storage facility. The flexible pipe is connected to the vessel via a connection module integral with or independent of this flexible pipe. In patent application WO 01/87 703, an installation for transferring a production site to an LNG carrier is proposed. This installation consists of an arm placed on the production site and extending over a length of 30 to 60% of the safety distance between the two vessels. A flexible pipe is wound on a wheel at the end of the arm. This line is connected to the LNG carrier during the transfer.
Dans le document WO 01/34 460 est proposée une installation aérienne de transfert de gaz naturel liquéfié entre deux navires avec un système de connexion monté à l'extrémité d'une conduite flexible qui vient se connecter à l'installation du second navire.In document WO 01/34 460, an aerial installation for transferring liquefied natural gas between two ships is proposed with a connection system mounted at the end of a flexible pipe which connects to the installation of the second ship.
Dans tous ces dispositifs connus, les conduites utilisées pour le transfert du gaz n'ont qu'une longueur relativement courte (inférieure à 100 mètres) et s'étendent au-dessus de la surface de la mer. En conséquence, le chargement du bateau ne peut être effectué que lorsque celui-ci est près de la plate-forme ou du navire distributeur, ce qui crée des risques de collision et rend le dispositif de transfert très dépendant des conditions météorologiques .In all these known devices, the pipes used for the transfer of gas have only a relatively short length (less than 100 meters) and extend above the surface of the sea. Consequently, the loading of the boat can only be carried out when it is near the platform or the distributing vessel, which creates the risk of collision and makes the transfer device very dependent on weather conditions.
La' présente invention a pour but de pallier les inconvénients cités, et de proposer une installation de transfert, d'un gaz liquéfié qui soit économique et qui soit sûre .The aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and to propose an installation for transferring a liquefied gas which is economical and which is safe.
A cet effet l'invention a pour objet une installation du type précité, caractérisée par les caractéristiques de la revendication 1. Selon d'autres modes de réalisation, l'installation comporte l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques des revendications dépendantes 2 à 13.To this end, the subject of the invention is an installation of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characteristics of claim 1. According to other embodiments, the installation includes one or more of the characteristics of dependent claims 2 to 13.
L'invention a en outre pour objet l'utilisation d'une installation telle que définie ci-dessus pour transférer' un gaz liquéfié d'un .premier réservoir à un second réservoir.The invention further relates to the use of an installation as defined above for transferring a liquefied gas of an .First tank to a second tank.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant au dessin annexé, sur lequel la Figure 1 est une vue' schématique d'un mode de réalisation d'une installation de transfert selon l'invention, en coupe partielle.The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a ' schematic view of an embodiment of a transfer installation according to the invention, in partial section.
Sur la Figure 1 est représentée une installation de remplissage d'un bateau 2 de gaz liquéfié ou de gaz naturel liquéfié, désignée par la référence générale 4.FIG. 1 shows an installation for filling a boat 2 with liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas, designated by the general reference 4.
Dans ce qui suit l'expression « gaz » sera utilisé pour tout produit ou composé qui, dans les conditions ambiantes (1013 hPa, 20°C) est à l'état gazeux. L'expression « gaz liquide » sera utilisée pour un tel produit qui est au moins partiellement à l'état liquide, et l'expression « gaz à l'état gazeux » sera utilisée pour tout produit à l'état gazeux.In what follows the expression "gas" will be used for any product or compound which, under ambient conditions (1013 hPa, 20 ° C) is in the gaseous state. The expression “liquid gas” will be used for such a product which is at least partially in the liquid state, and the expression “gas in gaseous state” will be used for any product in gaseous state.
Le bateau 2 est un tanker, connu en soi, sur lequel est installé un réservoir de transport 6 de gaz liquide.The boat 2 is a tanker, known per se, on which is installed a transport tank 6 for liquid gas.
De façon générale, le bateau 2 est un navire adapté pour transporter du gaz liquéfié, et en particulier un méthanier.In general, the boat 2 is a vessel suitable for transporting liquefied gas, and in particular an LNG carrier.
L'installation 4 comprend une installation de production (liée à ou incluant une installation de forage comportant les puits producteurs de gaz) constituée par exemple d'une barge 9 de production ou d'une plate-forme ancrée ou fixée sur le fond marin 10 par des câbles 12. L'installation de production est raccordée à une poche de gaz naturel à l'état gazeux 14 par une colonne montante 15. Celle-ci alimente un dispositif de liquéfaction 16 du gaz à 1 ' état gazeux supporté par la barge 9. Une sortie du dispositif de liquéfaction 16 débouche dans un réservoir 18 de stockage temporaire de gaz liquéfié. L'installation 4 comprend en outre des moyens 20 de transfert de gaz liquide du réservoir de stockage 18 dans le réservoir de transport 6.The installation 4 comprises a production installation (linked to or including a drilling installation comprising the gas producing wells) consisting for example of a production barge 9 or of a platform anchored or fixed to the seabed 10 by cables 12. The production installation is connected to a pocket of natural gas in the gaseous state 14 by a riser 15. This feeds a liquefaction device 16 of the gas in the gaseous state supported by the barge 9. An outlet from the liquefaction device 16 opens into a tank 18 for temporary storage of liquefied gas. The installation 4 also comprises means 20 for transferring liquid gas from the storage tank 18 to the transport tank 6.
Les moyens de transfert 20 de gaz dans le réservoir de transport 6 comprennent une bouée de chargement 22 sur laquelle le tanker vient se connecter pour le chargement. Conformément à l'invention, cette bouée de chargement 22 est espacée de manière distale de la barge 9 de production. Cette configuration permet au tanker ou méthanier de se déplacer et de s'amarrer indépendamment de la barge 9 sans risque de collision.The gas transfer means 20 in the transport tank 6 comprise a loading buoy 22 to which the tanker is connected for loading. According to the invention, this loading buoy 22 is spaced distally from the production barge 9. This configuration allows the tanker or LNG carrier to move and moor independently of barge 9 without risk of collision.
D'autre part, la connexion entre la bouée de chargement 22 et le réservoir de transport 6 du bateau 2 s'effectue par une conduite de chargement 24. La conduite de chargement 24 s'étend entièrement au- dessus de la surface M de la mer. Elle présente des moyens de connexion temporaire 25 au réservoir 6.On the other hand, the connection between the loading buoy 22 and the transport tank 6 of the boat 2 is effected by a loading pipe 24. The loading pipe 24 extends entirely above the surface M of the sea. It has temporary connection means 25 to the tank 6.
Le réservoir 6 est rempli par du gaz liquéfié ou du gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) à partir de la bouée de chargement 22 pour transporter ce gaz à terre.The tank 6 is filled with liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the loading buoy 22 to transport this gas on land.
La conduite de chargement 24 est connue en soi. Elle peut être soit constituée par des tronçons de conduite rigide, liés entre eux par des joints tournants, soit par une conduite souple. La conduite de chargement 24 est supportée par une structure de support appropriée, telle qu'une grue (non représentée) ou flottante et conçue en conséquence .The loading line 24 is known per se. It can either be constituted by sections of rigid pipe, linked together by rotary joints, or by a flexible pipe. The loading line 24 is supported by a suitable support structure, such as a crane (not shown) or floating and designed accordingly.
La bouée de chargement 22 est ancrée au fond marin 10 par des câbles et/ou chaînes 26 et est espacée de manière distale de la barge 9 de production. La distance A entre la bouée de chargement 22 et la barge de production est supérieure à 300 m, et sera de préférence de l'ordre d'un mille marin (1,852km). La bouée de chargement 22 est de faible dimension par rapport au bateau 2. Le bateau 2 est soumis à la houle, aux courants et aux conditions météorologiques. Il peut tourner librement, autour de la bouée de chargement 22 lors du chargement du gaz liquéfié ou du gaz naturel liquéfié.The loading buoy 22 is anchored to the seabed 10 by cables and / or chains 26 and is spaced distally from the production barge 9. The distance A between the loading buoy 22 and the production barge is greater than 300 m, and will preferably be of the order of one nautical mile (1.852 km). The loading buoy 22 is small compared to the boat 2. The boat 2 is subject to swell, currents and weather conditions. It can rotate freely, around the loading buoy 22 when loading the liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas.
Les moyens de transfert 20 comprennent par ailleurs une ligne de transfert 28 immergée dans l'eau, qui relie le réservoir de stockage 18 à la bouée de chargement 22.The transfer means 20 also comprise a transfer line 28 immersed in water, which connects the storage tank 18 to the loading buoy 22.
La ligne de transfert 28 est adaptée pour transférer du gaz liquide de la barge 9 de production à la bouée de chargement 22, tout en étant immergée dans l'eau lors du transfert du gaz liquéfié. La barge 9 forme un premier terminal de la ligne de .transfert 28 et la bouée de chargement 22 forme un second terminal de la ligne de transfert 28.The transfer line 28 is adapted to transfer liquid gas from the production barge 9 to the loading buoy 22, while being immersed in water during the transfer of the liquefied gas. The barge 9 forms a first terminal of the transfer line 28 and the loading buoy 22 forms a second terminal of the transfer line 28.
Les terminaux, en l'occurrence la bouée de chargement 22 et la barge 9 de production, peuvent se déplacer indépendamment l'un de l'autre selon toutes les directions sur une distance pouvant aller jusqu'à 10% de la profondeur d'eau par grande profondeur et plus pour des profondeurs inférieures à 150m. L'amplitude du mouvement relatif entre les deux terminaux peut donc atteindre plus de 20% de la profondeur d'eau.The terminals, in this case the loading buoy 22 and the production barge 9, can move independently of each other in all directions over a distance of up to 10% of the water depth by great depth and more for depths less than 150m. The amplitude of the relative movement between the two terminals can therefore reach more than 20% of the water depth.
La ligne de transfert immergée 28 devra donc être capable d'absorber ces variations de distance entre les deux terminaux flottants 9 et 22.The submerged transfer line 28 must therefore be capable of absorbing these variations in distance between the two floating terminals 9 and 22.
Des efforts dynamiques de flexion et des vibrations sont engendrés sur la partie immergée de la ligne de transfert 28 par les mouvements de houle, les courants marins et les déplacements relatifs des terminaux 9, 22 .Dynamic bending forces and vibrations are generated on the submerged part of the transfer line 28 by swell movements, sea currents and the relative movements of the terminals 9, 22.
La combinaison de ces efforts dynamiques et des vibrations entraîne une fatigue importante de la partie immergée de la ligne de transfert 28 , ce qui réduit de manière significative sa durée de vie. Les conduites • rigides sont très sensibles à ces efforts dynamiques et aux vibrations. C'est pourquoi il est habituellement nécessaire de relier la conduite rigide aux terminaux par des sortes de rotules/joints tournants (flexjoint en anglais) de manière à suivre les mouvements des terminaux et à absorber plus ou moins les sollicitations dynamiques. De plus, les zones soumises aux vibrations importantes . doivent généralement être équipées de moyens spécifiques supplémentaires, comme des ailettes hélicoïdales anti-vibrations.The combination of these dynamic forces and vibrations causes significant fatigue of the submerged part of the transfer line 28, which significantly reduces its service life. Rigid pipes are very sensitive to these dynamic forces and to vibrations. This is why it is usually necessary to connect the rigid pipe to the terminals by sorts of ball joints / rotary joints (flexjoint in English) so as to follow the movements of the terminals and to more or less absorb the dynamic stresses. In addition, areas subject to significant vibrations. generally need to be fitted with additional specific means, such as helical anti-vibration fins.
Les conduites flexibles sont connues pour leur grande résistance et leur capacité d'absorption de ces sollicitations dynamiques, mais leur coût est 'élevé.The flexible pipes are known for their great strength and their ability to absorb these dynamic forces, but their cost is' high.
Ces sollicitations dynamiques sont surtout présentes dans la zone dite de turbulence. La zone de turbulence est une couche d'eau dans laquelle les effets de la houle et des courants sont importants . On définit cette zone comme étant la zone dans laquelle la vitesse maximale du courant de l'eau est située au-dessus d'un seuil déterminé. Généralement, ce seuil est de 1 m/s voire de 0,5 m/s.These dynamic stresses are especially present in the so-called turbulence zone. The turbulence zone is a layer of water in which the effects of swell and currents are significant. This zone is defined as being the zone in which the maximum speed of the water current is situated above a determined threshold. Generally, this threshold is 1 m / s or even 0.5 m / s.
A titre d'exemple, dans le cas du Brésil (zone où la vitesse des courants est importante) , la zone turbulente peut descendre jusqu'à une profondeur de 300 m, voire 500 mFor example, in the case of Brazil (zone where the speed of the currents is important), the turbulent zone can descend to a depth of 300 m, even 500 m
(15% à 25% de la profondeur d'eau) dans certains champs. Au contraire, en Afrique de l'Ouest (zone où les turbulences sont plutôt faibles) , cette zone de turbulence pourra avoir une profondeur maximale de l'ordre de 50 m (5% de la profondeur d'eau) .(15% to 25% of the water depth) in certain fields. On the contrary, in West Africa (zone where the turbulence is rather weak), this zone of turbulence could have a maximum depth of the order of 50 m (5% of the water depth).
La ligne de transfert 28 selon l'invention est une ligne hybride flexible et rigide combinant les avantages des conduites flexibles dans la zone soumise à d'importantes sollicitations dynamiques et le faible coût des conduites rigides dans les zones où ces sollicitations dynamiques sont limitées . La ligne de transfert 28 comprend donc un tronçon principal rigide 32 sensiblement horizontal s 'étendant sur une distance proche de la distance A et situé dans une zone de la couche d'eau où les sollicitations dynamiques sont réduites, et des tronçons flexibles 30 et 34 sensiblement verticaux qui relient les extrémités du tronçon principal 32 aux terminaux 8, 22 et assurent la continuité du transport de gaz liquide et la reprise des sollicitations dynamiques.The transfer line 28 according to the invention is a flexible and rigid hybrid line combining the advantages of flexible pipes in the area subjected to high dynamic stresses and the low cost of rigid pipes in areas where these dynamic stresses are limited. The transfer line 28 therefore comprises a substantially horizontal rigid main section 32 extending over a distance close to the distance A and located in an area of the water layer where the dynamic stresses are reduced, and flexible sections 30 and 34 substantially vertical which connect the ends of the main section 32 to the terminals 8, 22 and ensure the continuity of the transport of liquid gas and the resumption of dynamic stresses.
Le tronçon principal rigide 32 s'étend à une profondeur P par rapport à la surface de .la mer. Cette profondeur P est supérieure à la profondeur de la zone de turbulence définie précédemment, de préférence supérieure àThe rigid main section 32 extends to a depth P relative to the surface of the sea. This depth P is greater than the depth of the turbulence zone defined above, preferably greater than
50 m.50 m.
Les tronçons 30 et 34 sont sensiblement identiques et sont constitués d'une enveloppe externe flexible 36, 38 à section transversale circulaire de diamètre D et d'une conduite interne flexible 40, 42 à section transversale circulaire de diamètre d. Les enveloppes 36, 38 et les conduites 40, 42 sont relativement souples à la flexion. Chacune des conduites 40, 42 est disposée coaxialement dans l'enveloppe 36, 38 correspondante, en formant, un espace annulaire 44, 46 de largeur radiale lr. Les conduites flexibles cryogéniques 40, 42 sont connues en soi et comprennent radialement de l'intérieur vers l'extérieur un onduleux, des armures de renfort en fibre de verre spiralées, par exemple à 55°, ainsi qu'une, ou plusieurs couches d'isolation thermique séparées par des couchés étanches .The sections 30 and 34 are substantially identical and consist of a flexible external envelope 36, 38 with a circular cross section of diameter D and a flexible internal pipe 40, 42 with a circular cross section of diameter d. The envelopes 36, 38 and the pipes 40, 42 are relatively flexible to bending. Each of the conduits 40, 42 is arranged coaxially in the corresponding envelope 36, 38, forming an annular space 44, 46 of radial width lr. Cryogenic flexible lines 40, 42 are known per se and comprise radially inside to outside an undulating, armor reinforcement fiberglass spiral, for example at 55 °, as well as, or more layers of insulation separated by waterproof layers.
L'enveloppe externe flexible pourra être constituée d'une conduite flexible classique connue en soi ou d'un onduleux.The flexible outer envelope may consist of a conventional flexible pipe known per se or of a wavy.
La configuration en double enveloppe permet de protéger la conduite interne et de confiner le gaz liquéfié ou gaz naturel liquéfié en cas de fuite. Chacun des tronçons 30 et 34 se termine à son extrémité inférieure par une double-bride de raccord 52, 54, au tronçon central 32.The double jacket configuration protects the internal pipe and confines the liquefied gas or liquefied natural gas in the event of a leak. Each of the sections 30 and 34 ends at its lower end with a double flange of connection 52, 54, to the central section 32.
Le tronçon latéral 30 est fixé à son extrémité supérieure à la barge 9 de production, tandis que le tronçonThe lateral section 30 is fixed at its upper end to the production barge 9, while the section
34 est fixé à son extrémité supérieure à la bouée de chargement 22. Les tronçons latéraux 30, 34 sont isolés thermiquement .34 is fixed at its upper end to the loading buoy 22. The lateral sections 30, 34 are thermally insulated.
L'extrémité supérieure de la conduite 40 est raccordée au réservoir de stockage 18, par un système de conduite 58 connu en soi.The upper end of the pipe 40 is connected to the storage tank 18, by a pipe system 58 known per se.
La conduite 42 du tronçon 34 est raccordée à la conduite de chargement 24 par des moyens de liaison 59 connus. Ces moyens de liaison 59 sont adaptés pour permettre un déplacement du bateau 2 autour de la bouée de chargementThe pipe 42 of the section 34 is connected to the loading pipe 24 by known connecting means 59. These connecting means 59 are adapted to allow movement of the boat 2 around the loading buoy
22.22.
Le tronçon central horizontal 32 est constitué d'une enveloppe externe 66 rigide cylindrique de diamètre D à axe horizontal, dans laquelle est disposée une conduite interne rigide 68 de diamètre d en laissant subsister un espace annulaire 69.The horizontal central section 32 consists of a rigid cylindrical outer casing 66 of diameter D with a horizontal axis, in which a rigid internal pipe 68 of diameter d is arranged, leaving an annular space 69.
En d'autres termes, ce tronçon 32 forme une conduite à double enveloppe.In other words, this section 32 forms a double-walled pipe.
La densité du gaz naturel liquéfié étant de 0.45, la ligne de transfert 28 d' export pourra donc avoir, en fonction de son diamètre, une flottabilité positive ou négative.The density of liquefied natural gas being 0.45, the export transfer line 28 may therefore have, depending on its diameter, a positive or negative buoyancy.
Le tronçon principal 32 pourra alors être associé à un corps d'équilibrage 94, afin de maintenir ce tronçon 32 à la profondeur d'eau requise et de s'assurer qu'il s'étendra sensiblement horizontalement.The main section 32 can then be associated with a balancing body 94, in order to maintain this section 32 at the required depth of water and to ensure that it will extend substantially horizontally.
Si la flottabilité du tronçon principal 32 est positive, le corps d'équilibrage 94 peut être un corps de lest. Si celle-ci est négative, le corps d'équilibrage 94' peut procurer au tronçon principal 32 de -la flottabilité.If the buoyancy of the main section 32 is positive, the balancing body 94 can be a body of ballast. If the latter is negative, the balancing body 94 ′ can provide the main section 32 with buoyancy.
Le tronçon principal 32 a une longueur L qui est d'au moins 50% de la distance A entre les deux terminaux 8, 22, et qui est de préférence d'au moins 90% de cette distance.The main section 32 has a length L which is at least 50% of the distance A between the two terminals 8, 22, and which is preferably at least 90% of this distance.
Le tronçon 32 se termine à ses deux extrémités par deux double-brides 70, 72 complémentaires à celles des deux double-brides 52, 54. II est à noter que toutes les double-brides 52, 54,The section 32 ends at its two ends with two double flanges 70, 72 complementary to those of the two double flanges 52, 54. It should be noted that all the double flanges 52, 54,
70, 72, sont adaptées pour relier les conduites 40, 42, 38 et les enveloppes 36, 38, 66, de manière étanche au liquide et au gaz .70, 72, are adapted to connect the pipes 40, 42, 38 and the envelopes 36, 38, 66, in a liquid and gas tight manner.
Par ailleurs, chacune des doubles-brides 52, 54, 70, 72 comprend des ouvertures traversantes qui relient les espaces annulaires 44, 46, 69, afin d'assurer une continuité de l'isolation thermique dans l'espace annulaire, tout au long de la ligne de transfert 28.Furthermore, each of the double flanges 52, 54, 70, 72 includes through openings which connect the annular spaces 44, 46, 69, in order to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation in the annular space, throughout of the transfer line 28.
La conduite 68 comprend une partie centrale 74 rigide de forme cylindrique ayant un diamètre d, qui est solidaire des deux côtés d'un soufflet 76, 78 axialement déformable. Chaque soufflet 76, 78 est solidaire de l'une des double-brides 70, 72.The pipe 68 comprises a rigid central part 74 of cylindrical shape having a diameter d, which is integral on both sides with an axially deformable bellows 76, 78. Each bellows 76, 78 is integral with one of the double flanges 70, 72.
Les soufflets 76, 78 ont chacun une longueur ^1 qui est suffisante pour compenser la contraction thermique suivant le sens axial de la partie centrale 74 de la conduite 68, dans une plage de température située entre la température de l'eau et la température du gaz liquide devant être transféré. La température de l'eau est généralement comprise entre 4°C et 20°C. Dans le cas d'un chargement du réservoir de transport 6 de gaz naturel liquéfié, la température du gaz liquide est située entre -150°C et - 180°C. Les soufflets 76, 78 présentent alors une longueur suffisante pour compenser une dilatation de la partie centrale 74 sur une plage de température de l'ordre de 200°C.The bellows 76, 78 each have a length ^ 1 which is sufficient to compensate for the thermal contraction in the axial direction of the central part 74 of the pipe 68, in a temperature range situated between the temperature of the water and the temperature of the liquid gas to be transferred. The water temperature is generally between 4 ° C and 20 ° C. In the case of a loading of the transport tank 6 of liquefied natural gas, the temperature of the liquid gas is between -150 ° C and - 180 ° C. The bellows 76, 78 then have a length sufficient to compensate for expansion of the part control unit 74 over a temperature range of the order of 200 ° C.
La conduite centrale 68 est fabriquée en un métal ayant un faible coefficient de dilatation thermique. Le coefficient de dilatation est inférieur à 16xl0"6 m/m°C, et de préférence inférieur à 2xl0~6 m/m°C. La conduite centrale 68 est par exemple en un matériau commercialisé sous le nom de commerce INVAR (R) par les sociétés I PHY et CREUSOT- LOIRE. Ce matériau a un coefficient de dilatation α de l,6xl0"6 m/m°C à des températures inférieures à -150°C.The central pipe 68 is made of a metal having a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The coefficient of expansion is less than 16 × 10 -6 m / m ° C, and preferably less than 2 × 10 -6 m / m ° C. The central pipe 68 is for example made of a material sold under the trade name INVAR (R) by the companies I PHY and CREUSOT-LOIRE. This material has a coefficient of expansion α of 1.6x10 x 6 m / m ° C at temperatures below -150 ° C.
Pour une distance A de 1 mille marin entre la barge 9 de production et la bouée de chargement 22 la longueur _1 de contraction est environ 2,5 m, et de préférence comprise entre 2 et 3 m. L'enveloppe 66 est en acier standard, par exemple en acier au carbone pour application sous-marine.For a distance A of 1 nautical mile between the production barge 9 and the loading buoy 22 the length _1 of contraction is approximately 2.5 m, and preferably between 2 and 3 m. The enclosure 66 is made of standard steel, for example carbon steel for underwater application.
Par ailleurs, la partie centrale 74 est centrée radialement par rapport à l'enveloppe centrale 66 par des disques de centrage 84 ou espaceurs disposés dans l'espace annulaire 69. Ces disques 84 sont en une matière de faible conductivité thermique, par exemple en polyuréthane, enFurthermore, the central part 74 is centered radially with respect to the central casing 66 by centering discs 84 or spacers arranged in the annular space 69. These discs 84 are made of a material of low thermal conductivity, for example polyurethane , in
- polypropylène ou en polyamide.- polypropylene or polyamide.
Le tronçon 32 devra être isolé thermiquement . Pour ce faire, l' espace annulaire 69 présent entre l' enveloppe 66 et la conduite 68 comprendra une isolation thermique ayant une conductivité thermique inférieure à la conductivité thermique de l'air sous pression atmosphérique. Les espaces annulaires 44, 46, 69 peuvent être remplis de matière d'isolation thermique, telles que : - des mousses de matière plastique (résine polystyrénique, polyvinylique, polyuréthane) ;The section 32 must be thermally insulated. To do this, the annular space 69 present between the casing 66 and the pipe 68 will include thermal insulation having a thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of air under atmospheric pressure. The annular spaces 44, 46, 69 can be filled with thermal insulation material, such as: - foams of plastic material (polystyrenic resin, polyvinyl, polyurethane);
- de la mousse de verre -- glass foam -
- des poudres (perlite, alumine) ; - de superisolants qui présentent le meilleur compromis pour réduire les principaux flux de chaleur. Ils sont composés d'une succession d'écrans réflecteurs (en aluminium) entre lesquels sont interposés des feuilles intercalaires peu 5 conductrices thermiques (films en matière plastique, fibres de verre) ; ou- powders (perlite, alumina); - super-insulators which offer the best compromise for reducing the main heat flows. They are composed of a succession of reflective screens (made of aluminum) between which are interposed interleaving sheets which are not very conductive (plastic films, glass fibers); or
- d'autres matériaux microporeux.- other microporous materials.
Par ailleurs, pour améliorer encore l'isolation thermique, la matière d'isolation thermique peut être mise 10 partiellement sous vide.Furthermore, to further improve the thermal insulation, the thermal insulation material can be partially evacuated.
En variante, l'espace 69 est mis sous une pression inférieure à la pression atmosphérique, pouvant représenter un vide de l'ordre de 30 mbars abs . A cet effet l'installation 4 comporte une pompe à vide 86 située sur la 15 bouée de chargement "22 ou sur la barge de production 9 et reliée avec son côté aspiration à l'espace annulaire 46 du tronçon 34 ou à l'espace annulaire 44 du tronçon 30.As a variant, the space 69 is put under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, which may represent a vacuum of the order of 30 mbar abs. To this end, the installation 4 includes a vacuum pump 86 located on the loading buoy "22 or on the production barge 9 and connected with its suction side to the annular space 46 of the section 34 or to the annular space. 44 of section 30.
L'un des intérêts de la ligne de transfert 28 selon l'invention est qu'elle présente un espace annulaire continuOne of the advantages of the transfer line 28 according to the invention is that it has a continuous annular space
20 sur l'ensemble de sa longueur. Cet espace annulaire permet de confiner les éventuelles fuites à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe externe et augmente la sécurité de la ligne de transfert .20 over its entire length. This annular space makes it possible to confine any leaks inside the external envelope and increases the security of the transfer line.
De plus, cet espace annulaire continu permet de 25. s'assurer de la continuité de l'isolation thermique, par exemple en maintenant sous pression réduite ou sous vide cet espace annulaire. Enfin, il permet de pouvoir contrôler l'intégrité de la ligne d' export (défaut d' étanchéité, etc.). Pour ce faire, l'installation 4 peut donc comprendreIn addition, this continuous annular space makes it possible to ensure the continuity of the thermal insulation, for example by maintaining this annular space under reduced pressure or under vacuum. Finally, it allows you to check the integrity of the export line (leaks, etc.). To do this, installation 4 can therefore include
30 des moyens de détection 88 d'une fuite de gaz des conduites30 means 88 for detecting a gas leak from the pipes
40, 42, 68 ou un défaut d' étanchéité de l'une des enveloppes 36, 38, 66.40, 42, 68 or a leak in one of the envelopes 36, 38, 66.
Ces moyens de détection 88 sont constitués par un capteur 90 de pression et/ou de variation de pression et/ou de gaz naturel, notamment de CH, disposé dans l'espace 46 ou 44 et relié à un dispositif d'affichage 92.These detection means 88 consist of a pressure and / or pressure variation sensor 90 and / or of natural gas, in particular CH, placed in space 46 or 44 and connected to a display device 92.
Lorsque la pression ou la variation de la pression dépassent des valeurs prédéterminées, le capteur 90 délivre un signal d'alerte au dispositif d'affichage 92.When the pressure or the variation of the pressure exceeds predetermined values, the sensor 90 delivers an alert signal to the display device 92.
Ainsi, un changement de pression dans l'espace 46 permettra de détecter un défaut d' étanchéité des conduites 40, 42, 68 ou des enveloppes 36, 38, 66.Thus, a change in pressure in the space 46 will make it possible to detect a defect in the tightness of the conduits 40, 42, 68 or the envelopes 36, 38, 66.
En alternative, les espaces annulaires 44, 46, 69 peuvent être remplis d'un gaz inerte,, par exemple d'azote, en tant qu'isolant thermique (de préférence à une pression inférieure à la pression atmosphérique) . Ce gaz permet de contrôler l'atmosphère de l'espace annulaire et de s'assurer qu'il n'y aura pas d'oxygène, ce qui limitera les risques de corrosion. De plus, une fuite de gaz ou un défaut d' étanchéité peuvent alors être détectés par la mesure de la pression dans l'interstice 46 ou par la mesure du taux du gaz inerte .Alternatively, the annular spaces 44, 46, 69 can be filled with an inert gas, for example nitrogen, as a thermal insulator (preferably at a pressure below atmospheric pressure). This gas makes it possible to control the atmosphere of the annular space and to ensure that there will be no oxygen, which will limit the risks of corrosion. In addition, a gas leak or a leakage can then be detected by measuring the pressure in the gap 46 or by measuring the rate of the inert gas.
L'installation selon l'invention fonctionne de la façon suivante.The installation according to the invention operates as follows.
L'installation de production 8 produit du gaz à l'état « gazeux » qui est liquéfié par le dispositif de liquéfaction 16 et qui est stocké dans le réservoir de stockage 18. Le bateau 2 avec le réservoir de transport 6 vide approche de la bouée de chargement 22, et le réservoir de transport 6 est relié à la conduite 42 du tronçon 34 par la conduite de chargement 24.The production installation 8 produces gas in the "gaseous" state which is liquefied by the liquefaction device 16 and which is stored in the storage tank 18. The boat 2 with the empty transport tank 6 approaches the buoy loading 22, and the transport tank 6 is connected to the pipe 42 of the section 34 by the loading pipe 24.
Le gaz liquéfié est acheminé à partir du réservoir de stockage 18 par les conduites 24, 40, 42, 68 vers le réservoir de transport 6.The liquefied gas is conveyed from the storage tank 18 via the lines 24, 40, 42, 68 to the transport tank 6.
Etant donné que le gaz circule à travers les conduites à l'état liquide, un important débit massique de gaz à l'état liquide est obtenu, pour une pression et une section transversale de la conduite données. Le remplissage du réservoir de transport 6 s'effectue alors rapidement. L'ordre de grandeur du temps de remplissage selon ce procédé est d'environ 12 heures. Le fait que la ligne de transfert 28 soit immergée dans l'eau permet de relier la bouée de chargement 22 à la barge 9 de production sur des grandes distances. Le chargement du tanker 2 est donc effectué à une grande distance A • sans risque de collision du tanker ou du méthanier et de la barge 9 de production.Since the gas circulates through the pipes in the liquid state, a large mass flow of gas in the liquid state is obtained, for a pressure and a cross section of the data pipe. The filling of the transport tank 6 is then carried out quickly. The order of magnitude of the filling time according to this process is approximately 12 hours. The fact that the transfer line 28 is immersed in water makes it possible to connect the loading buoy 22 to the production barge 9 over great distances. The loading of the tanker 2 is therefore carried out at a great distance A • without risk of collision of the tanker or the LNG carrier and the production barge 9.
La ligne de transfert 28 selon l'invention permet également de décharger rapidement le gaz liquide du réservoir de transport 6 vers un réservoir de stockage (non représenté) . En variante, la ligne de transfert 28 peut comprendre un faisceau de conduites disposées parallèlement les unes aux autres (bundle) . En particulier, ce faisceau de conduites pourra comprendre une ou plusieurs conduites pour le retour du gaz à l'état gazeux, qui transitera du réservoir de transport 6 vers le réservoir de stockage 18 et une ou plusieurs conduites pour le transport de gaz liquide, et un corps d'équilibrage pour le tronçon principal 32.The transfer line 28 according to the invention also makes it possible to rapidly discharge the liquid gas from the transport tank 6 to a storage tank (not shown). As a variant, the transfer line 28 can comprise a bundle of pipes arranged parallel to one another (bundle). In particular, this bundle of pipes may include one or more pipes for returning the gas to the gaseous state, which will pass from the transport tank 6 to the storage tank 18 and one or more pipes for the transport of liquid gas, and a balancing body for the main section 32.
En variante encore, chacune des extrémités du tronçon principal 32 peut être reliée au terminal 8, 22 correspondant au moyen d'une ligne d'amarrage (non représentée) montée en parallèle avec les tronçons latérauxIn another variant, each of the ends of the main section 32 can be connected to the terminal 8, 22 corresponding by means of a mooring line (not shown) mounted in parallel with the lateral sections
30,34.30.34.
Chaque ligne d'amarrage a une longueur inférieure à la longueur des tronçons latéraux 30, 34, de sorte que les tronçons latéraux 30, 34 ne sont pas soumis à la force de traction engendrée par le tronçon principal 32. La ligne d'amarrage est constituée d'une chaîne, un câble en fibre de carbone, un câble en acier ou une corde en polypropylène . Dans ce cas, le tronçon 32 sera légèrement pesant ou les lignes d'amarrage seront mises en tension par des contrepoids disposés aux extrémités du tronçon principal 32.Each mooring line has a length less than the length of the lateral sections 30, 34, so that the lateral sections 30, 34 are not subjected to the tensile force generated by the main section 32. The mooring line is consisting of a chain, a carbon fiber cable, a steel cable or a polypropylene rope. In this case, the section 32 will be slightly heavy or the mooring lines will be tensioned by counterweights arranged at the ends of the main section 32.
Dans une autre alternative, le tronçon principal 32 peut être ancré directement sur le fond marin par des lignes d'amarrage. Dans ce cas, le tronçon principal 32 sera légèrement flottant ou les lignes d'amarrage seront mises sous tension par des bouées situées aux extrémités du tronçon principal 32.In another alternative, the main section 32 can be anchored directly on the seabed by mooring lines. In this case, the main section 32 will be slightly floating or the mooring lines will be tensioned by buoys located at the ends of the main section 32.
Selon une autre variante les tronçons 30, 34 comprennent chacun une conduite interne du type onduleux et une enveloppe externe du type onduleux. La conduite et l'enveloppe sont fabriqués en acier inoxydable ou en INVAR (R) . De plus, des armures de renfort sont enroulées autour de la conduite interne, de préférence sur toute sa longueur. La couche d' isolation thermique de ces tronçons est composée, suivant la longueur des tronçons, d'une succession de disques de centrage rigides, constitués de deux demi- coques assemblées, et d'anneaux flexibles.According to another variant, the sections 30, 34 each comprise an internal pipe of the wavy type and an external envelope of the wavy type. The pipe and the casing are made of stainless steel or INVAR (R). In addition, reinforcing armor are wound around the internal pipe, preferably over its entire length. The thermal insulation layer of these sections is composed, along the length of the sections, of a succession of rigid centering discs, consisting of two assembled half-shells, and flexible rings.
Les disques de centrage sont fixés sur la conduite interne et sont fabriqués en matériau aérogel microporeux rigide. Les anneaux flexibles sont constitués de plusieurs couches de matériau aérogel microporeux flexible. Centering discs are fixed on the internal pipe and are made of rigid microporous airgel material. Flexible rings are made up of multiple layers of flexible microporous airgel material.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS 1. Installation de transfert en' mer d'un gaz liquéfié, notamment du gaz naturel liquéfié, du type comprenant un premier réservoir (18) et adaptée pour transférer du gaz liquéfié du premier réservoir (18) à un second réservoir, qui est un réservoir de surface (6) , comprenant en outre une ligne de transfert (28) adaptée pour être raccordée auxdits réservoirs (6, 18) , les deux réservoirs étant espacés de manière distale lors du transfert du gaz liquéfié, la ligne de transfert (28) étant immergée dans de l'eau, caractérisée en ce que l'installation comprend un premier terminal (8) portant le premier réservoir (18) et un second terminal (22) , notamment une bouée de chargement, qui est espacé de manière distale dudit premier terminal (8) , en ce que la ligne de transfertCLAIMS 1. Installation for the transfer at sea of a liquefied gas, in particular liquefied natural gas, of the type comprising a first tank (18) and adapted to transfer liquefied gas from the first tank (18) to a second tank, which is a surface tank (6), further comprising a transfer line (28) adapted to be connected to said tanks (6, 18), the two tanks being spaced apart during the transfer of the liquefied gas, the transfer line ( 28) being immersed in water, characterized in that the installation comprises a first terminal (8) carrying the first tank (18) and a second terminal (22), in particular a loading buoy, which is spaced apart distal of said first terminal (8), in that the transfer line
(28) s'étend entre les deux terminaux (8, 22), en ce que le premier réservoir est un réservoir de surface (18), en ce que la ligne de transfert (28) comprend un tronçon principal rigide (32) sensiblement horizontal situé dans une zone de la couche d'eau où les sollicitations dynamiques sont réduites et des tronçons flexibles (30, 34) , et sensiblement verticaux qui relient les extrémités du tronçon principal(28) extends between the two terminals (8, 22), in that the first tank is a surface tank (18), in that the transfer line (28) comprises a rigid main section (32) substantially horizontal located in an area of the water layer where the dynamic stresses are reduced and flexible sections (30, 34), and substantially vertical which connect the ends of the main section
(32) aux terminaux (18, 22) et assurent la continuité du transport de gaz liquide et la reprise des sollicitations dynamiques, en ce que le tronçon principal (32) et les tronçons flexibles (30, 34) comprennent une conduite interne de transport (40, 42, 68) et une enveloppe externe (36, 38, 66) définissant un espace annulaire (44, 46, 49) , en ce que l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69) s'étend sur toute la longueur de la ligne de transfert (28), en ce que l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69) est thermiquement isolé par des moyens d'isolation thermique, et en ce qu'elle comprend en outre des moyens de mise sous gaz inerte, notamment sous azote, de l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69). (32) at the terminals (18, 22) and ensure the continuity of the transport of liquid gas and the resumption of dynamic stresses, in that the main section (32) and the flexible sections (30, 34) comprise an internal transport pipe (40, 42, 68) and an external envelope (36, 38, 66) defining an annular space (44, 46, 49), in that the annular space (44, 46, 69) extends over the entire length of the transfer line (28), in that the annular space (44, 46, 69) is thermally insulated by means of thermal insulation, and in that it also comprises means for gas firing inert, especially under nitrogen, of the annular space (44, 46, 69).
2." Installation selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le tronçon principal rigide (32) comprend un faisceau de conduites disposées parallèlement les unes aux autres.2. " Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid main section (32) comprises a bundle of pipes arranged parallel to each other.
'5 3. Installation selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le faisceau de conduites comprend une conduite pour le retour du gaz à l'état gazeux, qui transitera dudit second réservoir (6) vers ledit premier réservoir (18) . '5 3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the pipe bundle comprises a conduit for returning the gas in the gaseous state, which will flow from said second tank (6) to said first tank (18).
10 4. Installation selon l'une des revendications 1 à10 4. Installation according to one of claims 1 to
3, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend des moyens de vérification (90, 92) adaptés pour vérifier l' étanchéité de l'enveloppe (36, 38, 66) et/ou de la conduite (40, 42, 68).3, characterized in that it comprises verification means (90, 92) adapted to verify the tightness of the envelope (36, 38, 66) and / or of the pipe (40, 42, 68).
5. Installation selon la revendication 4, 15 caractérisée en ce que les moyens de vérification comprennent un capteur (90) adapté pour détecter la variation de pression établie dans l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69), et propre à délivrer un signal d'alerte lorsque la variation de pression est située au-dessus d'une valeur5. Installation according to claim 4, 15 characterized in that the verification means comprise a sensor (90) adapted to detect the pressure variation established in the annular space (44, 46, 69), and capable of delivering a signal alert when the pressure variation is above a value
20 prédéterminée.20 predetermined.
6. Installation selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de vérification comprennent un capteur adapté pour détecter la présence dans l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69) d'au moins l'un des6. Installation according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the verification means comprise a sensor adapted to detect the presence in the annular space (44, 46, 69) of at least one of the
25 composants du gaz liquéfié devant être acheminé par la conduite (40, 42, 68), notamment de CH4, ou adapté pour détecter le taux du gaz inerte dans l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69) .25 components of the liquefied gas to be conveyed by the pipe (40, 42, 68), in particular of CH 4 , or adapted to detect the rate of the inert gas in the annular space (44, 46, 69).
7. Installation selon l'une quelconque des7. Installation according to any one of
30 revendications 1 à 6, caractérisée en ce que le tronçon principal rigide (32) est situé dans une zone de la couche d'eau dans laquelle la vitesse maximale du courant de l'eau est située au-dessous de 1 m/s, de préférence au-dessous de 0,5 m/s. 30 claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rigid main section (32) is located in an area of the water layer in which the maximum speed of the water current is located below 1 m / s, preferably below 0.5 m / s.
8. Installation selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que ledit premier et ledit second réservoirs (6, 18) sont espacés d'une distance supérieure à 300 mètres, et de préférence de l'ordre de 1 mille marin lors du transfert du gaz liquéfié.8. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first and said second tanks (6, 18) are spaced by a distance greater than 300 meters, and preferably of the order of 1 nautical mile during the transfer of the liquefied gas.
9. Installation selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en que ledit second terminal (22) est adapté pour relier la ligne de transfert (28) à une conduite de chargement (24) équipée de moyens de connexion (25) au second réservoir (6) porté par un navire.9. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second terminal (22) is adapted to connect the transfer line (28) to a loading pipe (24) equipped with connection means (25) to the second tank (6) carried by a ship.
10. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'espace annulaire (44, 46, 69) est relié à des moyens d'évacuation (86) adaptés pour maintenir cet espace (44, 46, 69) à une pression inférieure à la pression atmosphérique, notamment à une pression inférieure à 100 mbars, et en particulier à une pression de sensiblement 30 mbars.10. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular space (44, 46, 69) is connected to evacuation means (86) adapted to maintain this space (44, 46, 69) at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, in particular at a pressure below 100 mbar, and in particular at a pressure of substantially 30 mbar.
11. Installation selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que la conduite interne (68) du tronçon principal (32) comprend une partie rigide en métal (74) , comprenant à au moins l'une de ses extrémités un soufflet de compensation (76, 78) , et en ce que la variation de longueur permise par le soufflet (76, 78) est au moins la variation de longueur de la partie rigide (74) sous une variation de température entre la température de l'eau et la température du gaz liquéfié.11. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal pipe (68) of the main section (32) comprises a rigid metal part (74), comprising at at least one of its ends a bellows of compensation (76, 78), and in that the variation in length permitted by the bellows (76, 78) is at least the variation in length of the rigid part (74) under a variation in temperature between the temperature of the water and the temperature of the liquefied gas.
12. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le tronçon principal rigide (32) est suspendu à un corps d'équilibrage (94) qui est adapté pour lui procurer de la flottabilité ou du lest.12. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid main section (32) is suspended from a balancing body (94) which is adapted to provide it with buoyancy or ballast.
13. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le tronçon principal rigide (32) est suspendu aux deux terminaux (8, 22) ou ancré au fond marin par une ligne d'amarrage.13. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rigid main section (32) is suspended from the two terminals (8, 22) or anchored to the seabed by a mooring line.
14. Utilisation d'une installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes pour transférer du gaz liquéfié d'un premier réservoir (18) à un second réservoir (6) . 14. Use of an installation according to any one of the preceding claims for transferring liquefied gas from a first tank (18) to a second tank (6).
EP03782526A 2002-11-19 2003-11-06 Liquefied gas transfer installation and use thereof Expired - Lifetime EP1562823B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0214471 2002-11-19
FR0214471A FR2847245B1 (en) 2002-11-19 2002-11-19 LIQUEFIED GAS TRANSFER INSTALLATION AND USE THEREOF
PCT/FR2003/003324 WO2004048191A1 (en) 2002-11-19 2003-11-06 Liquefied gas transfer installation and use thereof

Publications (2)

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EP1562823A1 true EP1562823A1 (en) 2005-08-17
EP1562823B1 EP1562823B1 (en) 2006-03-22

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US (1) US7174931B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1562823B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE320960T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003290162A1 (en)
BR (1) BR0316304B1 (en)
DE (1) DE60304212D1 (en)
DK (1) DK1562823T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2847245B1 (en)
NO (1) NO335698B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2004048191A1 (en)

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NO20052458L (en) 2005-08-08
ATE320960T1 (en) 2006-04-15
BR0316304A (en) 2005-09-27
AU2003290162A1 (en) 2004-06-18
EP1562823B1 (en) 2006-03-22
WO2004048191A1 (en) 2004-06-10
US7174931B2 (en) 2007-02-13
DK1562823T3 (en) 2006-07-31
FR2847245A1 (en) 2004-05-21
FR2847245B1 (en) 2005-06-24
US20060048850A1 (en) 2006-03-09
NO335698B1 (en) 2015-01-26
NO20052458D0 (en) 2005-05-23
DE60304212D1 (en) 2006-05-11
BR0316304B1 (en) 2012-06-12

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