EP2739896B1 - Insulating block for manufacturing a tank wall - Google Patents

Insulating block for manufacturing a tank wall Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2739896B1
EP2739896B1 EP12750432.2A EP12750432A EP2739896B1 EP 2739896 B1 EP2739896 B1 EP 2739896B1 EP 12750432 A EP12750432 A EP 12750432A EP 2739896 B1 EP2739896 B1 EP 2739896B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
insulating
pillars
tank
insulating block
ship
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP12750432.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2739896A2 (en
Inventor
Pierre Jean
Bruno Guelton
Mickaël HERRY
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.)
Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Original Assignee
Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
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 Gaztransport et Technigaz SA filed Critical Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Publication of EP2739896A2 publication Critical patent/EP2739896A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2739896B1 publication Critical patent/EP2739896B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/025—Bulk storage in barges or on ships
    • F17C3/027—Wallpanels for so-called membrane tanks
    • 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
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0157—Polygonal
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0329—Foam
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0329—Foam
    • F17C2203/0333—Polyurethane
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0337—Granular
    • F17C2203/0341—Perlite
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0354—Wood
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0358—Thermal insulations by solid means in form of panels
    • 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
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
    • F17C2203/0631—Three or more walls
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/011—Improving strength
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • F17C2270/0107—Wall panels
    • 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
    • F17C2270/011—Barges
    • F17C2270/0113—Barges floating
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0136—Terminals

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of the manufacture of sealed and insulating vessels, in particular for containing cold or hot liquids, and more particularly to tanks for the storage and / or transport of liquefied gas.
  • a membrane tank intended to contain a cold liquid and consisting of tank walls retained on the carrying structure of a ship, the walls of tub including, in the direction of the thickness from the outside to the inside of said tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the Secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier.
  • the insulating barriers consist essentially of boxes, each box including a thermal insulation lining disposed in the form of a layer parallel to said vessel wall and carrying elements which rise through the thickness of said lining. thermal insulation to take up compression efforts between the cover panels and the bottom panels.
  • the tanks of the tank wall forming the insulating barrier are subjected to compressive forces due to the static pressure and dynamic shocks of the fluid contained in the tank, which is set in motion, in particular by rolling and pitching. ship.
  • the crates must withstand these efforts over a long life, given the risk of rupture of the membrane when an underlying crate collapses and intervention costs for the replacement of a crate.
  • the document FR2877638 describes the use of small cross-section pillars with respect to the dimensions of the heat-insulating element in a plane parallel to the tank wall. This solution makes it possible to transmit all the compressive forces through the pillars. These pillars are likely to damage the cover and bottom panels by punching. By moreover, to increase the section of the pillars would be to increase all the more the thermal bridge between the two panels of cover.
  • the document DE2441392 discloses a vessel wall member having a top panel, a bottom panel, and profiles. Each profile consists of two side plates extending along the thickness of the vessel wall member and spaced apart by spacers. Element 6 illustrated on the figure 2 of this document is an insulating material without mechanical resistance located in the space between the side plates and spacers.
  • the document FR2068995 describes a thermally insulating wall structure.
  • the wall structure includes wooden support frames.
  • a steel profile having a gutter-shaped cross-section is attached to or attached to a first support frame.
  • the steel profile and a second support frame (7c on the figure 2 of this document) extend in different directions.
  • the invention provides an insulating block for the manufacture of a sealed and insulating tank wall, the insulating block having a bottom panel, a cover panel, and a plurality of elongated spacer structures located between the cover panel and the bottom panel, the bottom panel and the cover panel being flat and parallel, the spacer structure having in each case a lower plate, an upper plate and a row of pillars disposed between the plate lower and upper plate and fixed to the lower plate and the upper plate, the lower plate and the upper plate being kept spaced and parallel to each other by the row of pillars, the spacer structures being arranged parallel to each other with the plate lower fixed parallel against the bottom panel and the upper plate fixed parallel against the cover panel, a heat insulating packing being disposed between the bottom panel and the cover panel so as to fill the spaces between the pillars of a spacer structure and the spaces between the respective strut structures.
  • the spacer structure comprises an upper lateral reinforcement positioned along the row of pillars, the upper lateral reinforcement being connected to both the set of pillars of the row and the upper plate.
  • the spacer structure comprises a lower lateral reinforcement positioned along the row of pillars, the lower lateral reinforcement being bonded to both the set of pillars of the row and the lower plate.
  • the lid can be made in several thicknesses.
  • the panel has a thickness of 12 to 30mm.
  • the spacer structure may be made of different materials, especially wood or cushioning materials such as composite materials. This makes it possible to improve the dynamic behavior of the block by damping.
  • the heat-insulating foam is polyvinyl chloride foam (PVC) or polyurethane foam (PU).
  • PVC polyvinyl chloride foam
  • PU polyurethane foam
  • the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam has a density of 35Kg / m3.
  • such an insulating block comprises a layer of insulating material, the layer of insulating material being arranged on the outer surface of the bottom panel and having parallel grooves for receiving projecting portions of a sealed membrane.
  • such a layer of insulating material comprises notches to ensure the flow of nitrogen.
  • the invention also provides a sealed and insulating tank disposed in a supporting structure, the tank having a wall of tank retained on a supporting structure, the tank wall including, in the direction of the thickness from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the barrier secondary insulation, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproofing membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier, characterized in that the primary insulating barrier and / or the secondary insulating barrier essentially consists of a plurality of such insulating barriers insulating blocks juxtaposed in a repeating pattern.
  • Such a tank can be part of a land storage facility, for example to store LNG or be installed in a floating structure, coastal or deep water, including a LNG tank, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) , a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others.
  • FSRU floating storage and regasification unit
  • FPSO floating production and remote storage unit
  • a vessel for the transport of a cold liquid product comprises a double hull and a aforementioned tank disposed in the double hull.
  • the invention also provides a method of loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a cold liquid product is conveyed through isolated pipes from or to a floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel.
  • such a ship is used by conveying a cold liquid product through isolated pipes to or from a floating or ground storage facility to or from the vessel vessel for loading or unloading the vessel.
  • the invention also provides a transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising the abovementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the vessel installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating storage facility. or terrestrial and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel.
  • An idea underlying the invention is to provide a self-supporting insulating body resistant in compression while having good resistance to lateral stresses and bending stresses.
  • Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating block where the forces are transmitted homogeneously.
  • Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of avoiding the punching of the lid.
  • Certain aspects of the invention start from the idea of reinforcing the bending strength of the lids.
  • Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of limiting the risk of pouring pillars.
  • Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating block that is easy to manufacture in an automated manner.
  • Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of interposing a layer of insulating material between the self-supporting body and the underlying waterproof membrane to accommodate projecting portions of the membrane in this layer of material. Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of making this layer of material in a modular way to the same dimensions as the self-supporting body to be able to prefabricate an insulating block integrating both the self-supporting body and the layer of insulating material.
  • a spacer structure 1 comprising a row of pillars 2 of square section on which is disposed an upper plate 3 and a lower plate 5.
  • the pillars are aligned equidistant from each other allowing a good distribution of compression forces.
  • Upper lateral reinforcements 4 of rectangular section are fixed to the pillars 2 and to the upper plate 3.
  • Lower lateral reinforcements 6 of rectangular section are fixed to the pillars 2 and the lower plate 5.
  • the lower lateral reinforcements 6 and the upper lateral reinforcement 4 each make it possible to improve the rigidity of the structure. Moreover, these prevent the spill of the pillars.
  • Such spacer structures can be made in prefabrication, thus facilitating the realization of the insulating block.
  • an insulating block 20 having seven spacer structures 1 comprising nine pillars 2 each is now described.
  • Two external spacer structures 12 are also arranged at the edges of the insulating block 20, in which the plates and lateral reinforcements only extend on one side of the pillars 2, namely the inner side of the insulating block 20.
  • the external spacer structures comprise triangular pillars 13 making it possible to provide spaces at the corners of the block 20.
  • the lower plates 5 and the upper plates 3 respectively make it possible to ensure uniform transmission of the forces between the pillars 2 and the lid panel. 7 and respectively the bottom panel 8.
  • the lower plates 5 and the upper plates 3 provide a bending resistance of the cover panel 7 or the bottom panel 8.
  • the polymer foam 11 fills the space between the structures spacer 1 and the space between the pillars of a row of pillars 2 of a spacer structure 1.
  • the polymeric foam is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam having a d set of 35Kg / m3.
  • a layer of insulating material 10 is arranged on the outer surface of the bottom panel 8.
  • the layer of insulating material 10 is made of polyurethane foam (PU) having a density of 20Kg / m3. Cleats 9 make it possible to avoid creep in the vicinity of the couplers (not shown) and to ensure structural continuity.
  • the figure 4 also shows holes 14 formed in the bottom panel 5 to allow to inject the polymer foam 11.
  • the polymer foam 11 can also be injected by the sides of the insulating block 20.
  • the pillars 2 have a section of 30x30mm
  • the lateral reinforcements 4 and 6 have a section of 30x21mm
  • the cover panel 7 has a thickness of 21mm.
  • the insulating block 20 can be manufactured in several ways. According to one embodiment, the insulating block 20 is manufactured by placing a plurality of strut structures 1 parallel to each other in the cavity of a parallelepiped mold, the upper plates 3 of the strut structures 1 being laid on a bottom wall of the mold. A bottom panel 8 is fixed on the lower plates 5 of the spacer structures 1 and the heat-insulating lining 11 is injected into the space between the bottom panel 8 and the bottom wall of the mold so as to embed the pillars 2 of the spacer structures 1. The injection can be carried out either by the sides or the bottom of the mold, or through holes 14 arranged in the bottom panel 8. The block is then turned over and a cover panel 7 is fixed on the upper plates 3 of the spacer structures 1. Finally, the insulating block 20 is removed from the mold cavity.
  • Another embodiment consists in carrying out the same steps described above but by placing the lower plates 5 against the bottom of the mold, by fixing the lid panel 7 on the upper plates 3, and injecting the polymer foam 11 through holes 14 formed in the cover panel 7.
  • the polymer foam is not injected during the manufacture of the insulating block 20 but pre-cut to be inserted between the spacer structures 1.
  • the first block of pre-cut polymer foam 21 has notches on both sides. other to accommodate the pillars 2 of a spacer structure 1 on each of its sides.
  • the second block of pre-cut polymer foam 22 has notches on one of its sides to accommodate only one row of pillars 2.
  • the secondary waterproof membrane 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 16 are formed of corrugated sheet metal plates welded to each other.
  • a layer of insulating material 10 is located between the outer surface of the bottom panel 8 of the insulating block 20 of the primary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane 15 of the wall of the tank.
  • the corrugations of the membrane 15 can be inserted into parallel grooves in the insulating material layer 10.
  • the portions of the insulating material layer 10 which rest on the plane portions of the membrane 15 between the Ripples can be much larger than the grooves receiving the ripples.
  • the layer of insulating material 10 is made of plywood or polymer foam.
  • the secondary waterproof membrane 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 16 comprise corrugated sheet metal plates welded to each other whose corrugations are oriented each time in the direction of the insulating barrier which supports the waterproof membrane (reentrant corrugations).
  • a layer of insulating material is located between the outer surface of the cover panel 7 of the insulating block 20 of the secondary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane 15 of the wall of the tank.
  • the incoming corrugations of the membrane 15 can be inserted into the parallel grooves formed in the layer of insulating material 10.
  • the portions of the layer of insulating material 10 which rest on the plane portions of the membrane 15 between the corrugations can be much larger than the grooves receiving the corrugations.
  • the layer of insulating material 10 is made of plywood or polymer foam.
  • the secondary waterproof membrane 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 16 comprise steel strakes with a low coefficient of expansion welded to each other at the level of the raised lateral edges, each time on either side of a welding support 19
  • a layer of insulating material 10 is located between the outer surface of the bottom panel 8 of the insulating block 20 of the primary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane 15 of the wall of the tank.
  • the raised edges and the welding supports of the membrane 15 can be inserted into the parallel grooves formed in the layer of insulating material 10.
  • the insulating blocks described above can be used in different types of tanks, for example to form an insulating barrier of an LNG tank in a land installation or in a floating structure such as a LNG tank or other.
  • a cutaway view of a LNG tanker 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship.
  • the wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealed barrier intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealed barrier arranged between the primary waterproof barrier and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary watertight barrier and the secondary watertight barrier and between the secondary watertight barrier and the double hull 72.
  • loading / unloading lines 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a marine or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the tank 71.
  • the figure 9 represents an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipe 76 and an onshore installation 77.
  • the loading and unloading station 75 is an off-shore fixed installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the movable arm 74.
  • the movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can connect to the loading / unloading pipes 73.
  • the movable arm 74 can be adapted to all gauges LNG carriers.
  • a link pipe (not shown) extends inside the tower 78.
  • the loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the tanker 70 from or to the onshore installation 77.
  • the underwater pipe 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a great distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the tanker tank 70 at a great distance from the coast during the loading and unloading operations.
  • pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the shore installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

Description

L'invention se rapporte au domaine de la fabrication de cuves étanches et isolantes, en particulier pour contenir des liquides froids ou chauds, et plus particulièrement à des cuves pour le stockage et/ou le transport de gaz liquéfié.The invention relates to the field of the manufacture of sealed and insulating vessels, in particular for containing cold or hot liquids, and more particularly to tanks for the storage and / or transport of liquefied gas.

Dans le domaine du transport maritime des gaz liquéfiés, notamment des gaz à forte teneur en méthane, on connaît une cuve à membrane destinée à contenir un liquide froid et constituée de parois de cuve retenues sur la structure porteuse d'un navire, les parois de cuve incluant, dans le sens de l'épaisseur depuis l'extérieur vers l'intérieur de ladite cuve, une barrière isolante secondaire retenue sur la structure porteuse, une membrane étanche secondaire retenue sur la barrière isolante secondaire, une barrière isolante primaire retenue sur la membrane étanche secondaire et une membrane étanche primaire retenue sur la barrière isolante primaire. Dans FR2877638 , les barrières isolantes sont essentiellement constituées de caisses, chaque caisse incluant une garniture d'isolation thermique disposée sous la forme d'une couche parallèle à ladite paroi de cuve et des éléments porteurs qui s'élèvent à travers l'épaisseur de ladite garniture d'isolation thermique pour reprendre les efforts de compression entre les panneaux de couvercle et les panneaux de fond.In the field of the maritime transport of liquefied gases, in particular gases with a high methane content, there is known a membrane tank intended to contain a cold liquid and consisting of tank walls retained on the carrying structure of a ship, the walls of tub including, in the direction of the thickness from the outside to the inside of said tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the Secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier. In FR2877638 , the insulating barriers consist essentially of boxes, each box including a thermal insulation lining disposed in the form of a layer parallel to said vessel wall and carrying elements which rise through the thickness of said lining. thermal insulation to take up compression efforts between the cover panels and the bottom panels.

En service, les caisses de la paroi de cuve formant la barrière isolante sont soumises à des efforts de compression dus à la pression statique et aux chocs dynamiques du fluide contenu dans la cuve, lequel est mis en mouvement notamment par le roulis et le tangage du navire. Les caisses doivent résister à ces efforts sur une longue durée de vie, étant donnés les risques de rupture de la membrane lorsqu'une caisse sous jacente s'effondre et les coûts d'intervention pour le remplacement d'une caisse. Le document FR2877638 décrit l'utilisation de piliers de petite section transversale par rapport aux dimensions de l'élément calorifuge dans un plan parallèle à la paroi de cuve. Cette solution permet de transmettre l'ensemble des efforts en compression au travers des piliers. Ces piliers sont susceptibles d'abimer les panneaux de couvercle et de fond par poinçonnement. Par ailleurs, augmenter la section des piliers reviendrait à augmenter d'autant plus le pont thermique entre les deux panneaux de couvercle.In use, the tanks of the tank wall forming the insulating barrier are subjected to compressive forces due to the static pressure and dynamic shocks of the fluid contained in the tank, which is set in motion, in particular by rolling and pitching. ship. The crates must withstand these efforts over a long life, given the risk of rupture of the membrane when an underlying crate collapses and intervention costs for the replacement of a crate. The document FR2877638 describes the use of small cross-section pillars with respect to the dimensions of the heat-insulating element in a plane parallel to the tank wall. This solution makes it possible to transmit all the compressive forces through the pillars. These pillars are likely to damage the cover and bottom panels by punching. By moreover, to increase the section of the pillars would be to increase all the more the thermal bridge between the two panels of cover.

Le document DE2441392 décrit un élément de paroi de cuve comportant un panneau de dessus, un panneau de dessous et des profilés. Chaque profilé est constitué de deux plaques latérales s'étendant selon l'épaisseur de l'élément de paroi de cuve et maintenues espacées entre elles par des éléments d'espacement. L'élément 6 illustré sur la figure 2 de ce document est un matériau isolant sans résistance mécanique situé dans l'espace entre les plaques latérales et les éléments d'espacement.The document DE2441392 discloses a vessel wall member having a top panel, a bottom panel, and profiles. Each profile consists of two side plates extending along the thickness of the vessel wall member and spaced apart by spacers. Element 6 illustrated on the figure 2 of this document is an insulating material without mechanical resistance located in the space between the side plates and spacers.

Le document FR2068995 décrit une structure de paroi thermiquement isolante. La structure de paroi comporte des cadres de support en bois. Un profilé en acier possédant une section transversale en forme de gouttière est fixé ou rapporté à un premier cadre de support. Le profilé en acier et un second cadre de support (7c sur la figure 2 de ce document) s'étendent selon des directions différentes.The document FR2068995 describes a thermally insulating wall structure. The wall structure includes wooden support frames. A steel profile having a gutter-shaped cross-section is attached to or attached to a first support frame. The steel profile and a second support frame (7c on the figure 2 of this document) extend in different directions.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit un bloc isolant pour la fabrication d'une paroi de cuve étanche et isolante, le bloc isolant comportant un panneau de fond, un panneau de couvercle, et une pluralité de structures d'entretoise allongées situées entre le panneau de couvercle et le panneau de fond, le panneau de fond et le panneau de couvercle étant plans et parallèles, la structure d'entretoise comportant à chaque fois un plateau inférieur, un plateau supérieur et une rangée de piliers disposés entre le plateau inférieur et le plateau supérieur et fixés au plateau inférieur et au plateau supérieur, le plateau inférieur et le plateau supérieur étant maintenus espacés et parallèles entre eux par la rangée de piliers, les structures d'entretoise étant disposées parallèlement les unes aux autres avec le plateau inférieur fixé parallèlement contre le panneau de fond et le plateau supérieur fixé parallèlement contre le panneau de couvercle, une garniture calorifuge étant disposée entre le panneau de fond et le panneau de couvercle de manière à combler les espaces entre les piliers d'une structure d'entretoise et les espaces entre les structures d'entretoises respectives.According to one embodiment, the invention provides an insulating block for the manufacture of a sealed and insulating tank wall, the insulating block having a bottom panel, a cover panel, and a plurality of elongated spacer structures located between the cover panel and the bottom panel, the bottom panel and the cover panel being flat and parallel, the spacer structure having in each case a lower plate, an upper plate and a row of pillars disposed between the plate lower and upper plate and fixed to the lower plate and the upper plate, the lower plate and the upper plate being kept spaced and parallel to each other by the row of pillars, the spacer structures being arranged parallel to each other with the plate lower fixed parallel against the bottom panel and the upper plate fixed parallel against the cover panel, a heat insulating packing being disposed between the bottom panel and the cover panel so as to fill the spaces between the pillars of a spacer structure and the spaces between the respective strut structures.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la structure d'entretoise comporte un renfort latéral supérieur positionné de le long de la rangée de piliers, le renfort latéral supérieur étant lié à la fois à l'ensemble des piliers de la rangée et au plateau supérieur. Selon un mode de réalisation, la structure d'entretoise comporte un renfort latéral inférieur positionné de le long de la rangée de piliers, le renfort latéral inférieur étant lié à la fois à l'ensemble des piliers de la rangée et au plateau inférieur.According to one embodiment, the spacer structure comprises an upper lateral reinforcement positioned along the row of pillars, the upper lateral reinforcement being connected to both the set of pillars of the row and the upper plate. According to one embodiment, the spacer structure comprises a lower lateral reinforcement positioned along the row of pillars, the lower lateral reinforcement being bonded to both the set of pillars of the row and the lower plate.

Selon des modes de réalisation, un tel bloc isolant peut comporter une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • la structure d'entretoise comporte une paire de renforts latéraux supérieurs et/ou une paire de renforts latéraux inférieurs qui sont positionnés de part et d'autre de la rangée de piliers.
  • Le renfort latéral est une tige de section carrée ou rectangulaire.
  • les piliers sont de section carrée ou rectangulaire.
  • la garniture calorifuge est constituée de blocs de mousse polymère prédécoupés. L'utilisation d'une garniture prédécoupée permet une réalisation plus rapide du bloc isolant en réduisant le nombre d'éléments à manipuler.
  • le bloc isolant est fermé latéralement tout autour des panneaux de fond et de couvercle et la garniture calorifuge est constituée de perlite ou de laine de verre.
  • les parois latérales de fermeture du bloc comportent une feuille de fibre de verre.
  • les parois latérales de fermeture du bloc sont en contreplaqué.
  • les piliers et les renforts latéraux sont collés puis agrafés.
  • le panneau de fond a une épaisseur de 9mm.
  • le bloc isolant comporte des structures d'entretoises externes le long de ses bords et les structures d'entretoise externes comportent des piliers triangulaires au niveau de leurs extrémités pour ménager des dégagements au niveau des coins du bloc isolant.
According to embodiments, such an insulating block may comprise one or more of the following characteristics:
  • the spacer structure comprises a pair of upper lateral reinforcements and / or a pair of lower lateral reinforcements which are positioned on either side of the row of pillars.
  • The lateral reinforcement is a rod of square or rectangular section.
  • the pillars are of square or rectangular section.
  • the heat-insulating lining consists of pre-cut polymer foam blocks. The use of a precut liner allows a faster realization of the insulating block by reducing the number of elements to handle.
  • the insulating block is closed laterally around the bottom and cover panels and the heat-insulating trim is made of pearlite or glass wool.
  • the closing side walls of the block comprise a sheet of fiberglass.
  • the closing side walls of the block are plywood.
  • the pillars and the lateral reinforcements are glued and then stapled.
  • the bottom panel has a thickness of 9mm.
  • the insulating block has external strut structures along its edges and the external strut structures have triangular piers at their ends to provide clearance at the corners of the insulating block.

Le couvercle peut être réalisé en plusieurs épaisseurs. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le panneau a une épaisseur de 12 à 30mm.The lid can be made in several thicknesses. In a preferred embodiment, the panel has a thickness of 12 to 30mm.

La structure d'entretoise peut être réalisée en différents matériaux, notamment en bois ou en des matériaux amortissant tel que des matériaux composites. Cela permet d'améliorer le comportement dynamique du bloc par amortissement.The spacer structure may be made of different materials, especially wood or cushioning materials such as composite materials. This makes it possible to improve the dynamic behavior of the block by damping.

Selon des modes préférentiels de réalisation, la mousse calorifuge est de la mousse polychlorure de vinyle (PVC) ou de la mousse polyuréthane (PU). Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, la mousse polychlorure de vinyle (PVC) a une densité de 35Kg/m3.According to preferred embodiments, the heat-insulating foam is polyvinyl chloride foam (PVC) or polyurethane foam (PU). In a preferred embodiment, the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam has a density of 35Kg / m3.

Selon un mode de réalisation, un tel bloc isolant comporte une couche de matière isolante, la couche de matière isolante étant agencée sur la surface extérieure du panneau de fond et présentant des rainures parallèles destinées à recevoir des portions saillantes d'une membrane étanche.According to one embodiment, such an insulating block comprises a layer of insulating material, the layer of insulating material being arranged on the outer surface of the bottom panel and having parallel grooves for receiving projecting portions of a sealed membrane.

Avantageusement, une telle couche de matière isolante comporte des entailles pour assurer la circulation d'azote.Advantageously, such a layer of insulating material comprises notches to ensure the flow of nitrogen.

Selon des modes de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi un procédé de fabrication d'un bloc isolant comprenant les étapes consistant à :

  • mettre en place une pluralité de structures d'entretoises parallèlement les unes aux autres dans la cavité d'un moule, les plateaux supérieurs des structures d'entretoises étant posés sur une paroi de fond du moule,
  • fixer un panneau de fond parallèlement sur les plateaux inférieurs des structures d'entretoise,
  • introduire une garniture calorifuge dans l'espace entre le panneau de fond et la paroi de fond du moule de manière à noyer les piliers des structures d'entretoise dans la garniture d'isolation,
  • retourner le bloc ainsi obtenu,
  • fixer un panneau de couvercle : parallèlement sur les plateaux supérieurs des structures d'entretoise,
  • et sortir le bloc isolant de la cavité du moule.
According to embodiments, the invention also provides a method of manufacturing an insulating block comprising the steps of:
  • setting up a plurality of strut structures parallel to each other in the cavity of a mold, the upper plates of the strut structures being placed on a bottom wall of the mold,
  • attach a bottom panel parallel to the bottom plates of the spacer structures,
  • introducing a heat-insulating liner into the space between the bottom panel and the bottom wall of the mold so as to embed the pillars of the spacer structures in the insulation liner,
  • return the block thus obtained,
  • attach a cover panel: parallel to the top plates of the spacer structures,
  • and remove the insulating block from the cavity of the mold.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi une cuve étanche et isolante disposée dans une structure porteuse, la cuve comportant une paroi de cuve retenue sur une structure porteuse, la paroi de cuve incluant, dans le sens de l'épaisseur depuis l'extérieur vers l'intérieur de la cuve, une barrière isolante secondaire retenue sur la structure porteuse, une membrane étanche secondaire retenue sur la barrière isolante secondaire, une barrière isolante primaire retenue sur la membrane étanche secondaire et une membrane étanche primaire retenue sur la barrière isolante primaire, caractérisée par le fait que la barrière isolante primaire et/ou la barrière isolante secondaire est essentiellement constituée d'une pluralité de tels blocs isolants juxtaposés selon un motif répété.According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed and insulating tank disposed in a supporting structure, the tank having a wall of tank retained on a supporting structure, the tank wall including, in the direction of the thickness from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the barrier secondary insulation, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproofing membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier, characterized in that the primary insulating barrier and / or the secondary insulating barrier essentially consists of a plurality of such insulating barriers insulating blocks juxtaposed in a repeating pattern.

Selon un mode de réalisation, une telle cuve peut comporter une des caractéristiques suivantes :

  • la membrane étanche primaire et/ou la membrane étanche secondaire comporte des plaques de tôle ondulée soudées les unes aux autres et qui comportent des ondulations et une couche de matière isolante est agencée entre la surface extérieure du panneau de couvercle de la caisse autoporteuse et la membrane étanche primaire et/ou la membrane étanche secondaire de la paroi de la cuve, l'épaisseur de la couche de matière isolante étant supérieure à la hauteur des ondulations des plaques de tôle ondulée, des rainures parallèles étant ménagées dans la couche de matière isolante pour recevoir les ondulations de la membrane étanche primaire et/ou de la membrane étanche secondaire.
  • la membrane étanche secondaire comporte des plaques de tôle ondulée soudées les unes aux autres et qui comportent des ondulations,
    une couche de matière isolante étant agencée entre la surface extérieure du panneau de fond du bloc isolant de la barrière isolante primaire et la membrane étanche secondaire de la paroi de la cuve, l'épaisseur de la couche de matière isolante étant supérieure à la hauteur des ondulations des plaques de tôle ondulée, des rainures parallèles étant ménagées dans la couche de matière isolante pour recevoir les ondulations de la membrane étanche secondaire.
  • la membrane étanche secondaire comporte
    une nappe continue de virures en acier à faible coefficient de dilatation qui sont soudées de manière étanche par leurs bords latéraux relevés sur des supports de soudure parallèles,
    une couche de matière isolante étant agencée entre la surface extérieure du panneau de fond du bloc isolant de la barrière isolante primaire et la membrane étanche secondaire de la paroi de la cuve,
    l'épaisseur de la couche de matière isolante étant supérieure à la hauteur des bords latéraux relevés et des supports de soudure de la membrane étanche secondaire, des rainures parallèles étant ménagées dans la couche de matière isolante pour recevoir les bords latéraux relevés et les supports de soudure de la membrane étanche secondaire.
According to one embodiment, such a tank may have one of the following characteristics:
  • the primary waterproof membrane and / or the secondary waterproof membrane comprises corrugated sheet metal plates welded to each other and which comprise corrugations and a layer of insulating material is arranged between the outer surface of the cover panel of the self-supporting body and the membrane primary waterproof membrane and / or the secondary sealed membrane of the wall of the tank, the thickness of the layer of insulating material being greater than the height of the undulations of the corrugated sheet plates, parallel grooves being formed in the layer of insulating material for receive the corrugations of the primary waterproof membrane and / or the secondary waterproof membrane.
  • the secondary waterproof membrane comprises plates of corrugated sheet welded to each other and which comprise corrugations,
    a layer of insulating material being arranged between the outer surface of the bottom panel of the insulating block of the primary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane of the wall of the tank, the thickness of the layer of insulating material being greater than the height of the corrugations of corrugated iron plates, grooves parallel being formed in the layer of insulating material to receive the corrugations of the secondary waterproof membrane.
  • the secondary waterproof membrane comprises
    a continuous web of low coefficient of expansion steel strakes which are sealed with their side edges raised on parallel welding supports,
    a layer of insulating material being arranged between the outer surface of the bottom panel of the insulating block of the primary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane of the wall of the tank,
    the thickness of the layer of insulating material being greater than the height of the raised side edges and the welding supports of the secondary waterproof membrane, parallel grooves being formed in the layer of insulating material to receive the raised side edges and the supports of welding of the secondary waterproof membrane.

Une telle cuve peut faire partie d'une installation de stockage terrestre, par exemple pour stocker du GNL ou être installée dans une structure flottante, côtière ou en eau profonde, notamment un navire méthanier, une unité flottante de stockage et de regazéification (FSRU), une unité flottante de production et de stockage déporté (FPSO) et autres.Such a tank can be part of a land storage facility, for example to store LNG or be installed in a floating structure, coastal or deep water, including a LNG tank, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) , a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others.

Selon un mode de réalisation, un navire pour le transport d'un produit liquide froid comporte une double coque et une cuve précitée disposée dans la double coque.According to one embodiment, a vessel for the transport of a cold liquid product comprises a double hull and a aforementioned tank disposed in the double hull.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi un procédé de chargement ou déchargement d'un tel navire, dans lequel on achemine un produit liquide froid à travers des canalisations isolées depuis ou vers une installation de stockage flottante ou terrestre vers ou depuis la cuve du navire.According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method of loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a cold liquid product is conveyed through isolated pipes from or to a floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, on utilise un tel navire en acheminant un produit liquide froid à travers des canalisations isolées depuis ou vers une installation de stockage flottante ou terrestre vers ou depuis la cuve du navire pour effectuer le chargement ou le déchargement du navire.According to one embodiment, such a ship is used by conveying a cold liquid product through isolated pipes to or from a floating or ground storage facility to or from the vessel vessel for loading or unloading the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi un système de transfert pour un produit liquide froid, le système comportant le navire précité, des canalisations isolées agencées de manière à relier la cuve installée dans la coque du navire à une installation de stockage flottante ou terrestre et une pompe pour entrainer un flux de produit liquide froid à travers les canalisations isolées depuis ou vers l'installation de stockage flottante ou terrestre vers ou depuis la cuve du navire.According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising the abovementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the vessel installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating storage facility. or terrestrial and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel.

Une idée à la base de l'invention est de fournir une caisse autoporteuse isolante résistante en compression tout en ayant une bonne résistance à des sollicitations latérales et des sollicitations de flexion.An idea underlying the invention is to provide a self-supporting insulating body resistant in compression while having good resistance to lateral stresses and bending stresses.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de fournir un bloc isolant où les efforts sont transmis de manière homogène.Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating block where the forces are transmitted homogeneously.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée d'éviter le poinçonnement du couvercle.Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of avoiding the punching of the lid.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de renforcer la tenue en flexion des couvercles.Certain aspects of the invention start from the idea of reinforcing the bending strength of the lids.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de limiter le risque de déversement des piliers.Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of limiting the risk of pouring pillars.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de fournir un bloc isolant qui soit facile à fabriquer de manière automatisée.Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating block that is easy to manufacture in an automated manner.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée d'interposer une couche de matière isolante entre la caisse autoporteuse et la membrane étanche sous-jacente pour loger des portions saillantes de la membrane dans cette couche de matière. Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de réaliser cette couche de matière de manière modulaire aux mêmes dimensions que la caisse autoporteuse pour pouvoir préfabriquer un bloc isolant intégrant à la fois la caisse autoporteuse et la couche de matière isolante.Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of interposing a layer of insulating material between the self-supporting body and the underlying waterproof membrane to accommodate projecting portions of the membrane in this layer of material. Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of making this layer of material in a modular way to the same dimensions as the self-supporting body to be able to prefabricate an insulating block integrating both the self-supporting body and the layer of insulating material.

L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres buts, détails, caractéristiques et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description suivante de plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, donnés uniquement à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés.The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the course of the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Sur ces dessins :On these drawings:

  • La figure 1 est une vue partielle en perspective d'une structure d'entretoise utilisable dans un bloc isolantThe figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a spacer structure that can be used in an insulating block
  • La figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'un bloc isolant selon la ligne II-II de la figure 4 The figure 2 is a sectional view of an insulating block along line II-II of the figure 4
  • La figure 3 est une vue en coupe d'un bloc isolant selon la ligne III-III de la figure 4 The figure 3 is a sectional view of an insulating block along line III-III of the figure 4
  • La figure 4 est une vue de dessus d'un bloc isolantThe figure 4 is a top view of an insulating block
  • La figure 5 est une vue de dessus d'une partie d'un bloc de mousse polymère prédécoupéThe figure 5 is a top view of a portion of a pre-cut polymeric foam block
  • La figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une paroi de cuve selon un premier mode de réalisationThe figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of a vessel wall according to a first embodiment
  • La figure 7 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une paroi de cuve selon un second mode de réalisationThe figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of a vessel wall according to a second embodiment
  • La figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une paroi de cuve selon un troisième mode de réalisationThe figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of a vessel wall according to a third embodiment
  • La figure 9 est une représentation schématique écorchée d'une cuve de navire méthanier comportant un terminal de chargement/déchargement de cette cuve.The figure 9 is a cutaway schematic representation of a vessel tank LNG tank with a loading / unloading terminal of this tank.

En référence à la figure 1, on voit une structure d'entretoise 1 comportant une rangée de piliers 2 de section carrée sur laquelle est disposée un plateau supérieur 3 et un plateau inférieur 5. Les piliers sont alignés équidistants les uns des autres permettant une bonne répartition des efforts de compression. Des renforts latéraux supérieurs 4 de section rectangulaire sont fixés aux piliers 2 et au plateau supérieur 3. Des renforts latéraux inférieurs 6 de section rectangulaire sont fixés aux piliers 2 et au plateau inférieur 5. Les renforts latéraux inférieurs 6 et les renfort latéraux supérieurs 4 permettent chacun d'améliorer la rigidité de la structure. Par ailleurs, ceux-ci permettent d'éviter le déversement des piliers. De telles structures d'entretoise peuvent être réalisées en préfabrication, facilitant ainsi la réalisation du bloc isolant.With reference to the figure 1 , we see a spacer structure 1 comprising a row of pillars 2 of square section on which is disposed an upper plate 3 and a lower plate 5. The pillars are aligned equidistant from each other allowing a good distribution of compression forces. Upper lateral reinforcements 4 of rectangular section are fixed to the pillars 2 and to the upper plate 3. Lower lateral reinforcements 6 of rectangular section are fixed to the pillars 2 and the lower plate 5. The lower lateral reinforcements 6 and the upper lateral reinforcement 4 each make it possible to improve the rigidity of the structure. Moreover, these prevent the spill of the pillars. Such spacer structures can be made in prefabrication, thus facilitating the realization of the insulating block.

En référence aux figures 2 à 4, on décrit maintenant un bloc isolant 20 comportant sept structures d'entretoise 1 comportant neuf piliers 2 chacune. Deux structures d'entretoise externes 12 sont aussi agencées au niveau des bords du bloc isolant 20, dans lesquelles les plateaux et les renforts latéraux ne s'étendent que d'un côté des piliers 2, à savoir le côté interne au bloc isolant 20. Les structures d'entretoise externes comportent des piliers triangulaires 13 permettant de ménager des espaces aux coins du bloc 20. Les plateaux inférieurs 5 et les plateaux supérieurs 3 permettent respectivement d'assurer une transmission homogène des efforts entre les piliers 2 et le panneau de couvercle 7 et respectivement le panneau de fond 8. Par ailleurs, les plateaux inférieurs 5 et les plateaux supérieurs 3 assurent une tenue à la flexion du panneau de couvercle 7 ou du panneau de fond 8. La mousse polymère 11 garnit l'espace entre les structures d'entretoise 1 et l'espace entre les piliers d'une rangée de piliers 2 d'une structure d'entretoise 1. La mousse polymère est une mousse polychlorure de vinyle (PVC) ayant une densité de 35Kg/m3. Une couche de matière isolante 10 est agencée sur la surface extérieure du panneau de fond 8. La couche de matière isolante 10 est constituée de mousse polyuréthane (PU) ayant une densité de 20Kg/m3. Des tasseaux 9 permettent d'éviter le fluage au voisinage des coupleurs (non représentés) et assurer la continuité structurelle.With reference to Figures 2 to 4 , an insulating block 20 having seven spacer structures 1 comprising nine pillars 2 each is now described. Two external spacer structures 12 are also arranged at the edges of the insulating block 20, in which the plates and lateral reinforcements only extend on one side of the pillars 2, namely the inner side of the insulating block 20. The external spacer structures comprise triangular pillars 13 making it possible to provide spaces at the corners of the block 20. The lower plates 5 and the upper plates 3 respectively make it possible to ensure uniform transmission of the forces between the pillars 2 and the lid panel. 7 and respectively the bottom panel 8. In addition, the lower plates 5 and the upper plates 3 provide a bending resistance of the cover panel 7 or the bottom panel 8. The polymer foam 11 fills the space between the structures spacer 1 and the space between the pillars of a row of pillars 2 of a spacer structure 1. The polymeric foam is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam having a d set of 35Kg / m3. A layer of insulating material 10 is arranged on the outer surface of the bottom panel 8. The layer of insulating material 10 is made of polyurethane foam (PU) having a density of 20Kg / m3. Cleats 9 make it possible to avoid creep in the vicinity of the couplers (not shown) and to ensure structural continuity.

La figure 4 montre aussi des trous 14 ménagés dans le panneau de fond 5 pour permettre d'injecter la mousse polymère 11. Alternativement, la mousse polymère 11 peut aussi être injectée par les cotés du bloc isolant 20.The figure 4 also shows holes 14 formed in the bottom panel 5 to allow to inject the polymer foam 11. Alternatively, the polymer foam 11 can also be injected by the sides of the insulating block 20.

Par exemple, les piliers 2 ont une section de 30x30mm, les renforts latéraux 4 et 6 ont une section de 30x21mm et le panneau de couvercle 7 a une épaisseur de 21mm.For example, the pillars 2 have a section of 30x30mm, the lateral reinforcements 4 and 6 have a section of 30x21mm and the cover panel 7 has a thickness of 21mm.

Le bloc isolant 20 peut être fabriqué de plusieurs façons. Selon un mode de réalisation, le bloc isolant 20 est fabriqué en mettant en place une pluralité de structures d'entretoises 1 parallèlement les unes aux autres dans la cavité d'un moule parallélépipédique, les plateaux supérieurs 3 des structures d'entretoises 1 étant posés sur une paroi de fond du moule. Un panneau de fond 8 est fixé sur les plateaux inférieurs 5 des structures d'entretoise 1 et la garniture calorifuge 11 est injectée dans l'espace entre le panneau de fond 8 et la paroi de fond du moule de manière à noyer les piliers 2 des structures d'entretoise 1. L'injection peut être effectuée soit par les cotés ou le fond du moule, soit au travers de trous 14 aménagés dans le panneau de fond 8. Le bloc est ensuite retourné et un panneau de couvercle 7 est fixé sur les plateaux supérieurs 3 des structures d'entretoise 1. Finalement, le bloc isolant 20 est sorti de la cavité du moule.The insulating block 20 can be manufactured in several ways. According to one embodiment, the insulating block 20 is manufactured by placing a plurality of strut structures 1 parallel to each other in the cavity of a parallelepiped mold, the upper plates 3 of the strut structures 1 being laid on a bottom wall of the mold. A bottom panel 8 is fixed on the lower plates 5 of the spacer structures 1 and the heat-insulating lining 11 is injected into the space between the bottom panel 8 and the bottom wall of the mold so as to embed the pillars 2 of the spacer structures 1. The injection can be carried out either by the sides or the bottom of the mold, or through holes 14 arranged in the bottom panel 8. The block is then turned over and a cover panel 7 is fixed on the upper plates 3 of the spacer structures 1. Finally, the insulating block 20 is removed from the mold cavity.

Un autre mode de réalisation consiste à effectuer les mêmes étapes décrites ci-dessus mais en posant les plateaux inférieurs 5 contre le fond du moule, en fixant le panneau de couvercle 7 sur les plateaux supérieurs 3, et en injectant la mousse polymère 11 au travers de trous 14 ménagés dans le panneau de couvercle 7.Another embodiment consists in carrying out the same steps described above but by placing the lower plates 5 against the bottom of the mold, by fixing the lid panel 7 on the upper plates 3, and injecting the polymer foam 11 through holes 14 formed in the cover panel 7.

En référence à la figure 5, on voit un bloc de mousse polymère 11 prédécoupé. Dans ce mode de réalisation, la mousse polymère n'est pas injectée lors de la fabrication du bloc isolant 20 mais prédécoupée pour pouvoir être insérée entre les structures d'entretoise 1. Le premier bloc de mousse polymère prédécoupé 21 comporte des entailles de part et d'autre pour pouvoir accueillir les piliers 2 d'une structure d'entretoise 1 sur chacun de ses cotés. Le deuxième bloc de mousse polymère prédécoupé 22 comporte des entailles sur un seul de ses cotés pour accueillir uniquement une rangée de piliers 2. On superpose ainsi alternativement des structures d'entretoise 1 et des blocs prédécoupés 22 jusqu'à obtenir un caisson de la dimension souhaitée, puis on lui fixe le panneau de fond 8 et le panneau de couvercle 7.With reference to the figure 5 we see a pre-cut block of polymeric foam 11. In this embodiment, the polymer foam is not injected during the manufacture of the insulating block 20 but pre-cut to be inserted between the spacer structures 1. The first block of pre-cut polymer foam 21 has notches on both sides. other to accommodate the pillars 2 of a spacer structure 1 on each of its sides. The second block of pre-cut polymer foam 22 has notches on one of its sides to accommodate only one row of pillars 2. Thus, spacer structures 1 and precut blocks 22 are superposed alternately so as to obtain a box of the dimension desired, then the bottom panel 8 and the cover panel 7 are attached thereto.

En référence aux figures 6 à 8 on décrit maintenant trois modes de réalisation d'une paroi de cuve étanche et isolante dans laquelle les barrières isolantes primaire et secondaire sont à chaque fois constituées d'une couche des blocs isolants 20 juxtaposés.With reference to Figures 6 to 8 three embodiments of a sealed and insulating tank wall are described in which the barriers primary and secondary insulators are in each case constituted by a layer of juxtaposed insulating blocks 20.

Dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 6, la membrane étanche secondaire 15 et la membrane étanche primaire 16 sont formées des plaques de tôle ondulée soudées les unes aux autres. Une couche de matière isolante 10 est située entre la surface extérieure du panneau de fond 8 du bloc isolant 20 de la barrière isolante primaire et la membrane étanche secondaire 15 de la paroi de la cuve. Les ondulations de la membrane 15 peuvent s'insérer dans des rainures parallèles ménagées dans la couche de matière isolante 10. Dans la pratique, les portions de la couche de matière isolante 10 qui s'appuient sur les parties planes de la membrane 15 entre les ondulations peuvent être beaucoup plus étendues que les rainures recevant les ondulations. Par exemple, la couche de matière isolante 10 est réalisée en bois contreplaqué ou en mousse polymère.In the embodiment of the figure 6 , the secondary waterproof membrane 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 16 are formed of corrugated sheet metal plates welded to each other. A layer of insulating material 10 is located between the outer surface of the bottom panel 8 of the insulating block 20 of the primary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane 15 of the wall of the tank. The corrugations of the membrane 15 can be inserted into parallel grooves in the insulating material layer 10. In practice, the portions of the insulating material layer 10 which rest on the plane portions of the membrane 15 between the Ripples can be much larger than the grooves receiving the ripples. For example, the layer of insulating material 10 is made of plywood or polymer foam.

Dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 7, la membrane étanche secondaire 15 et la membrane étanche primaire 16 comportent des plaques de tôle ondulée soudées les unes aux autres dont les ondulations sont orientées à chaque fois en direction de la barrière isolante qui supporte la membrane étanche (ondulations rentrantes). Une couche de matière isolante est située entre la surface extérieure du panneau de couvercle 7 du bloc isolant 20 de la barrière isolante secondaire et la membrane étanche secondaire 15 de la paroi de la cuve. Les ondulations rentrantes de la membrane 15 peuvent s'insérer dans les rainures parallèles ménagées dans la couche de matière isolante 10. De même, dans la pratique, les portions de la couche de matière isolante 10 qui s'appuient sur les parties planes de la membrane 15 entre les ondulations peuvent être beaucoup plus étendues que les rainures recevant les ondulations. Par exemple, la couche de matière isolante 10 est réalisée en bois contreplaqué ou en mousse polymère.In the embodiment of the figure 7 , the secondary waterproof membrane 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 16 comprise corrugated sheet metal plates welded to each other whose corrugations are oriented each time in the direction of the insulating barrier which supports the waterproof membrane (reentrant corrugations). A layer of insulating material is located between the outer surface of the cover panel 7 of the insulating block 20 of the secondary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane 15 of the wall of the tank. The incoming corrugations of the membrane 15 can be inserted into the parallel grooves formed in the layer of insulating material 10. Similarly, in practice, the portions of the layer of insulating material 10 which rest on the plane portions of the membrane 15 between the corrugations can be much larger than the grooves receiving the corrugations. For example, the layer of insulating material 10 is made of plywood or polymer foam.

Dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 8, la membrane étanche secondaire 15 et la membrane étanche primaire 16 comportent des virures en acier à faible coefficient de dilatation soudées les unes aux autres au niveau des bord latéraux relevés, à chaque fois de part et d'autre d'un support de soudure 19. Une couche de matière isolante 10 est située entre la surface extérieure du panneau de fond 8 du bloc isolant 20 de la barrière isolante primaire et la membrane étanche secondaire 15 de la paroi de la cuve. Les bords relevés et les supports de soudure de la membrane 15 peuvent s'insérer dans les rainures parallèles ménagées dans la couche de matière isolante 10.In the embodiment of the figure 8 , the secondary waterproof membrane 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 16 comprise steel strakes with a low coefficient of expansion welded to each other at the level of the raised lateral edges, each time on either side of a welding support 19 A layer of insulating material 10 is located between the outer surface of the bottom panel 8 of the insulating block 20 of the primary insulating barrier and the secondary sealed membrane 15 of the wall of the tank. The raised edges and the welding supports of the membrane 15 can be inserted into the parallel grooves formed in the layer of insulating material 10.

Les blocs isolant décrits ci-dessus peuvent être utilisée dans différents types de réservoirs, par exemple pour constituer une barrière isolante d'un réservoir de GNL dans une installation terrestre ou dans un ouvrage flottant comme un navire méthanier ou autre.The insulating blocks described above can be used in different types of tanks, for example to form an insulating barrier of an LNG tank in a land installation or in a floating structure such as a LNG tank or other.

En référence à la figure 9, une vue écorchée d'un navire méthanier 70 montre une cuve étanche et isolée 71 de forme générale prismatique montée dans la double coque 72 du navire. La paroi de la cuve 71 comporte une barrière étanche primaire destinée à être en contact avec le GNL contenu dans la cuve, une barrière étanche secondaire agencée entre la barrière étanche primaire et la double coque 72 du navire, et deux barrières isolante agencées respectivement entre la barrière étanche primaire et la barrière étanche secondaire et entre la barrière étanche secondaire et la double coque 72.With reference to the figure 9 , a cutaway view of a LNG tanker 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealed barrier intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealed barrier arranged between the primary waterproof barrier and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary watertight barrier and the secondary watertight barrier and between the secondary watertight barrier and the double hull 72.

De manière connue en soi, des canalisations de chargement/déchargement 73 disposées sur le pont supérieur du navire peuvent être raccordées, au moyen de connecteurs appropriées, à un terminal maritime ou portuaire pour transférer une cargaison de GNL depuis ou vers la cuve 71.In a manner known per se, loading / unloading lines 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a marine or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the tank 71.

La figure 9 représente un exemple de terminal maritime comportant un poste de chargement et de déchargement 75, une conduite sous-marine 76 et une installation à terre 77. Le poste de chargement et de déchargement 75 est une installation fixe off-shore comportant un bras mobile 74 et une tour 78 qui supporte le bras mobile 74. Le bras mobile 74 porte un faisceau de tuyaux flexibles isolés 79 pouvant se connecter aux canalisations de chargement/déchargement 73. Le bras mobile 74 orientable s'adapte à tous les gabarits de méthaniers. Une conduite de liaison non représentée s'étend à l'intérieur de la tour 78. Le poste de chargement et de déchargement 75 permet le chargement et le déchargement du méthanier 70 depuis ou vers l'installation à terre 77. Celle-ci comporte des cuves de stockage de gaz liquéfié 80 et des conduites de liaison 81 reliées par la conduite sous-marine 76 au poste de chargement ou de déchargement 75. La conduite sous-marine 76 permet le transfert du gaz liquéfié entre le poste de chargement ou de déchargement 75 et l'installation à terre 77 sur une grande distance, par exemple 5 km, ce qui permet de garder le navire méthanier 70 à grande distance de la côte pendant les opérations de chargement et de déchargement.The figure 9 represents an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipe 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is an off-shore fixed installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can connect to the loading / unloading pipes 73. The movable arm 74 can be adapted to all gauges LNG carriers. A link pipe (not shown) extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the tanker 70 from or to the onshore installation 77. This includes liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting lines 81 connected by the underwater pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75. The underwater pipe 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a great distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the tanker tank 70 at a great distance from the coast during the loading and unloading operations.

Pour engendrer la pression nécessaire au transfert du gaz liquéfié, on met en oeuvre des pompes embarquées dans le navire 70 et/ou des pompes équipant l'installation à terre 77 et/ou des pompes équipant le poste de chargement et de déchargement 75.In order to generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the shore installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

Bien que l'invention ait été décrite en liaison avec plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers, il est bien évident qu'elle n'y est nullement limitée et qu'elle comprend tous les équivalents techniques des moyens décrits ainsi que leurs combinaisons si celles-ci entrent dans le cadre de l'invention, telle que définie par les revendications. L'usage du verbe « comporter », « comprendre » ou « inclure » et de ses formes conjuguées n'exclut pas la présence d'autres éléments ou d'autres étapes que ceux énoncés dans une revendication. L'usage de l'article indéfini « un » ou « une » pour un élément ou une étape n'exclut pas, sauf mention contraire, la présence d'une pluralité de tels éléments ou étapes.Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The use of the verb "to include", "to understand" or "to include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps other than those set out in a claim. The use of the indefinite article "a" or "an" for an element or a step does not exclude, unless otherwise stated, the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

Dans les revendications, tout signe de référence entre parenthèses ne saurait être interprété comme une limitation de la revendication.In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses can not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims (12)

  1. Insulating block (20) for manufacturing a wall of a fluid-tight and insulating tank, the insulating block (20) having a bottom panel (8), a cover panel (7) and a plurality of elongate spacer structures (1) located between the cover panel (7) and the bottom panel (8), the bottom panel and the cover panel being planar and parallel,
    wherein the spacer structure (1) has in each case a lower plate (5), an upper plate (3) and a row of pillars (2) that are disposed between the lower plate and the upper plate and are fixed to the lower plate and the upper plate, the lower plate and the upper plate being kept spaced apart and parallel to one another by the row of pillars,
    the insulating block comprising a thermally insulating liner (11) disposed between the bottom panel (8) and the cover panel (7) so as to fill the spaces between the pillars (2) of a spacer structure (1) and the spaces between the respective spacer structures (1), and characterized in that the spacer structures are disposed parallel to one another with the lower plate fixed to the bottom panel parallel to the bottom panel and the upper plate fixed to the cover panel parallel to the cover panel.
  2. Insulating block according to Claim 1, characterized in that a spacer structure has an upper lateral reinforcement (4) positioned along the row of pillars (2), the upper lateral reinforcement being connected both to the set of pillars in the row and to the upper plate (3).
  3. Insulating block according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a spacer structure (1) has a lower lateral reinforcement (6) positioned along the row of pillars (2), the lower lateral reinforcement being connected both to the set of pillars in the row and to the lower plate (5).
  4. Insulating block according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a spacer structure has a pair of upper lateral reinforcements (4) and/or a pair of lower lateral reinforcements (6) which are positioned on either side of the row of pillars.
  5. Insulating block according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the lateral reinforcement is a rod having a square or rectangular cross section.
  6. Insulating block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pillars (2) have a square or rectangular cross section.
  7. Insulating block according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer structure (1) is produced from wood.
  8. Method for manufacturing an insulating block according to one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of:
    positioning a plurality of spacer structures (1) parallel to one another in the cavity of a mould, the upper plates (3) of the spacer structures being placed on a bottom wall of the mould,
    fixing a bottom panel (8) to the lower plates (5) of the spacer structures parallel to the lower plates,
    introducing a thermally insulating liner (11) into the space between the bottom panel (8) and the bottom wall of the mould so as to embed the pillars of the spacer structures in the insulating liner,
    turning over the block thus obtained,
    fixing a cover panel (7) to the upper plates of the spacer structures parallel to the upper plates, and removing the insulating block from the cavity of the mould.
  9. Fluid-tight and insulating tank having a tank wall held on a load-bearing structure, the tank wall including, in the direction of the thickness from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier held on the load-bearing structure, a secondary fluid-tight membrane (15) held on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier held on the secondary fluid-tight membrane and a primary fluid-tight membrane (16) held on the primary insulating barrier, characterized in that the primary insulating barrier and/or the secondary insulating barrier consist(s) essentially of a plurality of insulating blocks (20) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, which are juxtaposed in a repeating pattern.
  10. Ship (70) for transporting a cold liquid product, the ship having a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to claim 9 disposed in the double hull.
  11. Use of a ship (70) according to Claim 10, in which a cold liquid product is carried through insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or on-shore storage facility (77) to or from the tank (71) of the ship in order to load or offload from the ship.
  12. System for transferring a cold liquid product, the system comprising a ship (70) according to Claim 10, insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged so as to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or on-shore storage facility (77), and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or on-shore storage facility to or from the tank of the ship.
EP12750432.2A 2011-08-01 2012-07-20 Insulating block for manufacturing a tank wall Not-in-force EP2739896B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1157036A FR2978749B1 (en) 2011-08-01 2011-08-01 INSULATING BLOCK FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF A TANK WALL
PCT/FR2012/051725 WO2013017773A2 (en) 2011-08-01 2012-07-20 Insulating block for manufacturing a tank wall

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2739896A2 EP2739896A2 (en) 2014-06-11
EP2739896B1 true EP2739896B1 (en) 2018-08-08

Family

ID=46724497

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12750432.2A Not-in-force EP2739896B1 (en) 2011-08-01 2012-07-20 Insulating block for manufacturing a tank wall

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2739896B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6134712B2 (en)
KR (1) KR102092210B1 (en)
CN (1) CN103857954B (en)
FR (1) FR2978749B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013017773A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101919166B1 (en) * 2013-04-05 2018-11-16 현대중공업 주식회사 Cargo tank for extremely low temperature substance carrier
FR3004512B1 (en) * 2013-04-15 2016-09-30 Gaztransport Et Technigaz SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATED TANK
FR3017924B1 (en) * 2014-02-21 2016-08-26 Gaztransport Et Technigaz METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INERTING A WALL OF A STORAGE TANK OF A LIQUEFIED FUEL GAS
FR3026459B1 (en) * 2014-09-26 2017-06-09 Gaztransport Et Technigaz SEALED AND INSULATING TANK WITH A BRIDGING ELEMENT BETWEEN THE PANELS OF THE SECONDARY INSULATING BARRIER
CN105711756B (en) * 2014-12-03 2017-11-21 江南造船(集团)有限责任公司 The installation method of the vertical bearing insulation of A type independent liquid cargo tank inside bottom surfaces
CN105711753B (en) * 2014-12-03 2017-12-05 江南造船(集团)有限责任公司 The installation method of A type independent liquid cargo tank top surfaces floatation stopping device insulation
FR3030014B1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2017-10-13 Gaztransport Et Technigaz INSULATING BLOCK SUITABLE FOR MAKING AN INSULATING WALL IN A WATERPROOF TANK
FR3037843B1 (en) 2015-06-24 2018-01-05 Gaztransport Et Technigaz METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CUTTING FIBROUS OR ALVEOLA INSULATING MATERIAL
FR3072758B1 (en) 2017-10-20 2019-11-01 Gaztransport Et Technigaz SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK WITH SEVERAL ZONES
WO2019077253A1 (en) 2017-10-20 2019-04-25 Gaztransport Et Technigaz Sealed and thermally insulating tank with several areas
FR3107941B1 (en) 2020-03-09 2022-03-11 Gaztransport Et Technigaz INSULATING MODULAR BLOCK FOR WATERTIGHT AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2068995A5 (en) * 1969-11-29 1971-09-03 Bridgestone Liquefied Gas Co
JPS4931075B1 (en) * 1969-11-29 1974-08-19
US3972166A (en) * 1974-08-23 1976-08-03 Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Heat insulation structure for liquefied gas storage tank
DE2441392C3 (en) * 1974-08-29 1978-09-28 Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo K.K., Tokio Liquid gas tanks, in particular for ships
JPS52109615A (en) * 1976-03-11 1977-09-14 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Manufacturing method for inside insulated storage tank
FR2781557B1 (en) * 1998-07-24 2000-09-15 Gaz Transport & Technigaz IMPROVEMENT FOR A WATERPROOF AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK WITH PREFABRICATED PANELS
FR2877638B1 (en) * 2004-11-10 2007-01-19 Gaz Transp Et Technigaz Soc Pa THERMALLY INSULATED AND THERMALLY INSULATED TANK WITH COMPRESSION-RESISTANT CALORIFIC ELEMENTS
KR100644217B1 (en) * 2006-04-20 2006-11-10 한국가스공사 Lng storage tank having improved insulation structure and manufacturing method
FR2931535B1 (en) * 2008-05-21 2010-08-20 Gaztransp Et Technigaz BONDING FIXING OF INSULATION BLOCKS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS STORAGE TANK USING CORRUGATED CORDS
KR101122556B1 (en) * 2009-08-24 2012-03-16 삼성중공업 주식회사 Insulation structure for a lng carrier tank

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR102092210B1 (en) 2020-03-23
JP6134712B2 (en) 2017-05-24
FR2978749B1 (en) 2014-10-24
FR2978749A1 (en) 2013-02-08
JP2014521556A (en) 2014-08-28
EP2739896A2 (en) 2014-06-11
CN103857954B (en) 2016-05-04
KR20140049579A (en) 2014-04-25
WO2013017773A2 (en) 2013-02-07
WO2013017773A3 (en) 2013-08-08
CN103857954A (en) 2014-06-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2739896B1 (en) Insulating block for manufacturing a tank wall
EP3362732B1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulating tank
EP2739895B1 (en) Sealed, thermally-insulating vessel
EP2859267B1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulating tank
WO2016097578A2 (en) Insulating unit suitable for making an insulating wall in a sealed tank
WO2014096600A1 (en) Sealed, thermally insulating vessel
EP3114387B1 (en) Sealed and insulating vessel comprising a deflection element allowing the flow of gas at a corner
EP2880356B1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulating tank wall comprising spaced-apart support elements
EP3803187A2 (en) Thermally-insulating sealed tank
WO2017207938A1 (en) Insulating block and thermally-insulating sealed tank built into a polyhedral load-bearing structure
WO2021074435A1 (en) Sealed and thermally insulating tank
WO2012123656A1 (en) Insulating block for producing a tight wall of a tank
WO2017207904A1 (en) Thermally-insulating sealed tank incorporated into a polyhedron-shaped load-bearing structure
WO2020039134A1 (en) Thermally insulating and leaktight tank wall
WO2019239048A1 (en) Thermally insulating sealed tank
EP2986885B1 (en) Tight and thermally insulating vessel
EP3596383A1 (en) Thermally insulating sealed tank comprising a reinforcing insulating plug
WO2013182776A1 (en) Lagging element for a fluidtight and thermally insulated tank comprising a reinforced lid panel
FR3061260A1 (en) SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK FOR STORAGE OF A FLUID
WO2019239053A1 (en) Fluid-tight vessel provided with an undulating joint element
FR3089597A1 (en) Watertight and thermally insulating tank
EP3948055B1 (en) Storage facility for liquefied gas
FR3094452A1 (en) Storage facility for liquefied gas

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20140227

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ S.A.

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20150205

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20180410

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: GAZTRANSPORT ET TECHNIGAZ

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1027416

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180815

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602012049485

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20180808

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1027416

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181208

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181109

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181108

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181108

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602012049485

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190509

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602012049485

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190720

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20190731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190720

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200201

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190720

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190731

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190731

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20181208

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190720

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20120720

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180808

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190108