EP3074690B1 - Self-supporting box structure for the thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank - Google Patents

Self-supporting box structure for the thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3074690B1
EP3074690B1 EP14809468.3A EP14809468A EP3074690B1 EP 3074690 B1 EP3074690 B1 EP 3074690B1 EP 14809468 A EP14809468 A EP 14809468A EP 3074690 B1 EP3074690 B1 EP 3074690B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
box structure
self
insulating box
thermoplastic
load
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.)
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Application number
EP14809468.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3074690A1 (en
Inventor
Bruno Deletre
Sébastien DELANOE
Benoît CAPITAINE
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Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
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Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
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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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/20—External fittings
    • B65D25/24—External fittings for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs
    • 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
    • F17C3/04—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation by insulating layers
    • 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
    • F17C2203/0325—Aerogel
    • 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
    • F17C2203/0337—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
    • F17C2203/0345—Fibres
    • F17C2203/035—Glass wool
    • 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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks, with membranes, for storing and / or transporting fluid, such as a cryogenic fluid.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • these tanks can be installed on the ground or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be intended for the transport of liquefied natural gas or to receive liquefied natural gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.
  • the document FR 2,877,638 discloses a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall, fixed to the supporting structure of a floating structure and presenting successively, in the direction of the thickness, from the inside to the outside of the tank, a sealed barrier primary to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas, a primary insulating barrier, a secondary watertight barrier and a secondary insulating barrier, anchored to the supporting structure.
  • the insulating barriers consist of a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepiped heat insulating boxes.
  • the parallelepipedic boxes include a plywood bottom panel, a plywood cover panel, a thermal insulation liner disposed in the form of a layer parallel to the vessel wall, and load-bearing members that rise across the wall. thickness of the thermal insulation lining to take up the compressive forces between the cover panel and the bottom panel.
  • the walls of the tank are subjected to many stresses.
  • the walls are subjected to compressive forces due to the loading of the tank, to thermal stresses during cold setting and to forces due to dynamic shocks of the fluid contained in the tank.
  • efforts are made tangentially to the cover panels of the heat insulated boxes and are thus likely to cause the spill of the load-bearing members of the heat insulated boxes.
  • the section of the carrier elements is generally small in order to limit the thermal conduction through the carrier elements.
  • carrier elements of small section are likely to damage the cover panels and bottom punching.
  • the carrier elements interposed between the bottom and cover panels each comprise a row of pillars, trays, upper and lower, arranged on the row of pillars and respectively resting against the cover panel and the bottom panel , upper lateral reinforcements attached to the pillars and the upper plate and lower lateral reinforcements attached to the pillars and the lower plate.
  • the upper and lower lateral reinforcements prevent spilling of the pillars.
  • An idea underlying the invention is to provide an insulating self-supporting body which has good thermal insulation performance while having good resistance to stress and in particular to the forces exerted tangentially and orthogonally to the walls.
  • the invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating fluid storage tank comprising a thermal insulation barrier comprising a plurality of aforementioned boxes juxtaposed, and a sealing membrane resting against the barrier of thermal insulation.
  • a sealed and thermally insulating fluid storage tank comprising a thermal insulation barrier comprising a plurality of aforementioned boxes juxtaposed, and a sealing membrane resting against the barrier of thermal insulation.
  • Such a tank may be made with a single sealing membrane or with two alternating sealing membranes with two thermal insulation barriers.
  • 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 for loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a fluid is conveyed through isolated pipes from or to a floating or land storage facility to or from the tank of the vessel. ship.
  • the invention also provides a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising the abovementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the vessel installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or ground storage facility. and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel.
  • Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating box where the efforts are transmitted homogeneously. Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating box that is easy to manufacture.
  • thermoplastic will be used to denote, unless otherwise stated, both fiber-reinforced composite thermoplastic materials and unreinforced thermoplastic materials.
  • FIG. 1 On the figure 1 a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank is shown.
  • the general structure of such a tank is well known and has a polyhedral shape. It will therefore focus only to describe a wall zone of the tank, it being understood that all the walls of the tank may have a similar general structure.
  • the wall of the tank comprises, from the outside to the inside of the tank, a carrier structure 1, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 which is formed of insulating boxes 3 juxtaposed on the carrier structure 1 and anchored thereto by secondary holding members 4, a secondary sealing membrane 5 carried by the insulating boxes 3, a primary heat-insulating barrier 6 formed of insulating boxes 7 juxtaposed and anchored to the secondary sealing membrane 5 by primary retaining members 8 and a primary waterproofing membrane 9, carried by the insulating boxes 7 and intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid contained in the tank.
  • the supporting structure 1 may in particular be a self-supporting metal sheet or, more generally, any type of rigid partition having suitable mechanical properties.
  • the supporting structure may in particular be formed by the hull or the double hull of a ship.
  • the carrying structure comprises a plurality of walls defining the general shape of the tank.
  • the primary 9 and secondary 5 waterproofing membranes are, for example, constituted by a continuous sheet of metal strakes with raised edges, said strakes being welded by their raised edges to parallel welding supports held on the insulating boxes 3, 7
  • the metal strakes are, for example, made of Invar ®: that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose expansion coefficient is typically between 1.2 ⁇ 10 -6 and 2 ⁇ 10 -6 K -1 , or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose expansion coefficient is typically of the order of 7.10 -6 K -1 .
  • the insulating boxes 3, 7 have a general shape of rectangular parallelepiped.
  • the insulating boxes 3 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 and the insulating boxes 7 of the primary thermally insulating barrier 6 can equally well have identical or different structures and equal or different dimensions.
  • the figure 2 illustrates the structure of an insulating box 3, 7.
  • the insulating box 3, 7 comprises a bottom panel 10 and a cover panel 11 parallel, spaced in the thickness direction of the insulating box 3, 7.
  • the panel bottom 10 and the cover panel 11 are planar and define the main faces of the insulating box 3, 7.
  • the cover panel 11 has an outer support surface for receiving the primary or secondary sealing membrane 9.
  • the cover panel 11 has, in addition, on its outer face, grooves 12 for the housing of the welding supports for welding the metal strakes of the primary 9 or secondary 5 waterproofing membranes.
  • Supporting elements 13 extend in the thickness direction of the insulating block 3, 7 and are fixed, on the one hand, to the bottom panel 10 and, on the other hand, to the cover panel 11.
  • the load-bearing members 13 allow to resume compression efforts.
  • the carrier elements 13 are aligned in a plurality of rows and distributed in staggered rows. The distance between the load-bearing members 13 is determined so as to allow a good distribution of compressive forces. In one embodiment, the carrier elements 13 are distributed equidistantly.
  • the carrying elements 13 comprise a pillar 14 extending in the thickness direction of the insulating box 3, 7 between, on the one hand, a lower base 15 resting against the bottom panel 10 and fixed thereto and, on the other hand, an upper base 16 resting against the cover panel 11 and fixed thereto.
  • a heat-insulating lining 17 extends in the spaces formed between the carrying elements 13.
  • the heat-insulating lining 17 is, for example, made of glass wool, wadding or a polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam or polyvinyl chloride foam. Such a polymer foam may be disposed between the pillars 13 by an injection operation during the manufacture of the insulating box 3, 7.
  • the heat-insulating lining 17 is made of an insulating material in bulk.
  • an insulating material may be a granular or powdery material - such as perlite, vermiculite or glass wool - or a nanoporous airgel material.
  • the insulating box 3, 7 is equipped with peripheral partitions, not shown, extending in the thickness direction of the box, at the periphery thereof and for retaining the heat-insulating packing 17.
  • the peripheral walls are plywood boards which are fixed to the bottom panel 10 and to the cover panel 11.
  • the attachment of the partitions can in particular be carried out by gluing, stapling, pointing and / or screwing.
  • Two opposite side walls are provided with a bore for circulating an inerting gas.
  • a gas-permeable fabric such as fiberglass cloth, is adhered to the inner surface of the side walls in front of the bores.
  • the peripheral partitions are made of a thermoplastic material and are fixed to the bottom panel 10 and the cover panel 11 by thermoplastic welding.
  • the panels 10, 11 are covered with a thermoplastic film, are made of a composite thermoplastic material or comprises a wooden body impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix, to allow operations thermoplastic welding.
  • Peripheral partitions may in particular be made of a thermoplastic strip having a thickness of between 0.1 and 1 millimeter or a thermoplastic film.
  • two side walls are provided with holes which are covered by a gas-permeable fabric.
  • the peripheral walls consist of a thermoplastic gas-permeable fabric.
  • the thermoplastic material of the peripheral partitions comprises a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibers.
  • a material may in particular be a material designated by the acronym GMT, for "glass fiber mat reinforced thermoplastics" in English.
  • a GMT material is formed from a set comprising a glass mat and a matrix in the form of a mat of thermoplastic polymer entangled in the glass mat and thus forming a fabric to be hot pressed.
  • such a material is marketed by the company Vperitex under the name Twintex®.
  • the base 15, 16 comprise a load-distributing soleplate 17.
  • the load-distribution soleplate is provided with a flat bearing surface resting against the bottom panel 10 or the cover panel 11.
  • the distribution soleplate Loads 17 provide a bearing surface greater than the section of a pillar 14.
  • the load distribution plates 17 prevent stress concentration on a small section and thus make it possible to limit the deterioration phenomena of the bottom panels 10 and cover 11 by punching.
  • the base 15, 16 also comprises a body 18 extending in the direction of thickness of the body 3, 7.
  • the body 18 of the base is hollow so as to define a sleeve 19 for receiving by interlocking one end of pillar 14.
  • the sheath 19 is here intended to receive a cylindrical pillar 14, it has a generally cylindrical shape.
  • the base 15, 16 is provided with anti-spill ribs 20 regularly distributed around the periphery of the base 15, 16.
  • the anti-spill ribs 20 can oppose the spill phenomenon affecting the carrier member 13 when he undergoes a moment of flexion. To do this, the anti-spill ribs 20 are able to take up the forces exerted on the carrier member 13 transversely to its longitudinal direction and transmit them to the load distribution plate 17.
  • the anti-spill ribs 20 have come of material with the load distribution soleplate 17 and the body 18 of the base 15, 16.
  • the anti-spill ribs 20 have a generally square shape of the faces 20a, 20b arranged perpendicularly and forming the right angle s extend respectively along the load repair sole 17 and along the body 18 of the base 15, 16.
  • the load distribution sole 17 is provided with notches 21 extending between each of the anti-spill ribs. 20.
  • each base 15, 16 has four anti-spill ribs 20.
  • Each anti-spill rib 20 therefore extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the adjacent ribs 20.
  • the bases 15, 16 are advantageously arranged relative to the bottom panel 10 and the cover 11 so that each of said ribs 20 is arranged parallel to two opposite sides of the insulating box 3, 7.
  • the base 15, 16 is made by molding a thermoplastic material.
  • the thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibers.
  • the thermoplastic matrix may comprise any suitable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate ( PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polyurethane (PU) in thermoplastic form, a mixture of these polymers or the like, the fibers may be glass fibers, carbon fiber or a mixture of carbon fibers and glass fibers
  • the base 15, 16 may in particular be made in a GMT material, as described above.
  • the base 15, 16, shown on the Figures 3 to 5 consists of two identical molded parts 22a, 22b. Each of these parts 22a, 22b forms a half-shell which when the two parts 22a, 22b are joined define the sleeve 19 intended to receive one end of a pillar 14.
  • Such a base structure 15, 16 consists of two parts molded 22a, 22b facilitates the molding operations of the bases 15, 16 and the operations of placing the bases 15, 16 against the bottom panels 10 or lid 11.
  • the base 15, 16 consists of a single piece integrally molded.
  • the bases 15, 16 of each carrier member 13 are formed integrally with the pillar 14. In other words, the entire carrier member 13 is a integrally molded piece in one piece.
  • the bases 15, 16 are fixed by a thermoplastic welding operation to the bottom panel 10 and to the cover panel 11.
  • the bottom panels 10 and cover 11 have a plywood body.
  • the inner faces of the bottom panel 10 and lid 11, turned towards the inside of the box 3, 7, are covered with thermoplastic films 23.
  • a plastic welding operation is performed in the interface areas between the thermoplastic films 23 and the load distribution flanges 17 of the bases 15, 16.
  • protective masks are previously arranged on the inner faces of the bottom panels 10 and of the cover 11 between the interface zones between the supporting elements 13 and the panels 10. 11. When welding operations have been performed, the protective masks can then be removed. Thus, the thermoplastic films 23 are not deteriorated during welding operations.
  • Such protective masks are, for example, made of metal, ceramic and / or glass materials.
  • Such masks are advantageously equipped with a cooling circuit in which a fluid circulates, such as water, air or oil in order to regulate the temperature of said masks.
  • the outer face of the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 is also covered with thermoplastic films.
  • thermoplastic films Such an arrangement makes it possible to balance the bending of the cover panels 11 and the bottom panels 10, in particular when they are under considerable thermal stress during the cold-setting of the tank.
  • thermoplastic films cover only partially the inner faces of the bottom panels 10 and lid 11.
  • thermoplastic films are arranged only in the interface areas between the bottom panels 10 and cover 11 and the bases 15, 16.
  • Thermoplastic films 23 are, for example, made of a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibers.
  • Thermoplastic films 23 may especially be made in a GMT material.
  • thermoplastic films contribute to increasing the mechanical strength of the bottom panels 10 and the cover 11, by increasing their bending rigidity and improving their punching behavior.
  • thermoplastic films 23 typically have a thickness of the order of 0.5 to 5 mm.
  • the thermoplastic films 23 are fixed to the body of the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 by gluing.
  • the glue used is for example an acrylic glue, a polyurethane glue, or an epoxy glue.
  • the thermoplastic films 23 are fixed to the body of the panels 10, 11 by a hot pressing process. In such a case, it is conceivable to integrate the fixing of the thermoplastic films 23 directly to the plywood manufacturing process. To do this, the wood plies, previously glued, and the thermoplastic films 23 are superimposed, and then the stack thus obtained is subjected to hot pressing. For example, for such hot pressing, the stack is subjected to a temperature of the order of 190 to 200 ° C and a pressure of the order of 0.2 MPa for a period of 5 minutes.
  • thermoplastic films 23 comprise a thermoplastic matrix identical to the thermoplastic matrix of the bases 15, 16.
  • the panels of bottom 10 and cover 11 comprise a body made of a composite material comprising a thermoplastic matrix, identical to that of the bases, reinforced by fibers.
  • the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 are made of a wooden body, impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix, of the same nature as that of the bases 15, 16. The body may be manufactured by agglomeration of fibers previously impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix.
  • the body may be made of plywood whose inner ply, and optionally the outer ply, are made of a wood sufficiently porous to diffuse the plastic matrix hot and under pressure within said plies.
  • a wood is for example selected from birch, fir, beech or others.
  • the welding operation is, for example, carried out by infrared radiation.
  • any other suitable plastic welding method such as ultrasonic welding, induction heating, friction welding, fusion welding, hot air jet welding or the flaming.
  • induction welding it is necessary to have the metal inserts on the bases 15, 16 and / or on the bottom panels 10 and / or cover 11, at the interface between the bases 15 , 16 and the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 so as to allow heating of the thermoplastic material.
  • the Figures 6 and 7 represent a pillar 14 whose end is nested in the sleeve 19 of a base 15, 16.
  • the pillars 14 are made of a thermoplastic material.
  • the thermoplastic material is advantageously a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix, reinforced by fibers.
  • the examples of materials and fibers given above in relation to the bases 15, 16 are also applicable to the pillars 14.
  • the pillars 14 are fixed to the bases 15, 16 by a thermoplastic welding operation.
  • the pillars 14 may be formed in a material comprising a thermoplastic matrix identical to the thermoplastic matrix of the bases 15, 16.
  • the pillars 14 have a hollow section, circular in shape.
  • the invention is not limited to this type of section, and the section of the pillars can also be full and have another shape: square, rhombus or rectangular for example.
  • the section of a pillar 14 is hollow, it is advantageously lined with an insulating material to limit thermal losses through the pillar 14.
  • the pillars 14 have a solid section, square.
  • Such solid section pillars may also have a rhomboid or rectangular section.
  • the pillars 17 can be made in many materials.
  • the pillars 14 can also be made of wood or thermosetting plastic, such as polyurethane (PU), unsaturated polyesters, epoxides, acrylics, vinylesters or other.
  • thermosetting plastic materials may in particular be reinforced with fibers.
  • the pillars 14 can not be secured to the bases 15, 16 by thermoplastic welding, the pillars 14 are secured to the bases 15, 16 by any other means.
  • the fixing of the pillars 14 to the bases 15, 16 can in particular be ensured by gluing, by stapling or by means of screws passing through orifices provided in the bases 15, 16 and in the pillars 14.
  • the carrier element 14 comprises a pillar of solid section of square shape, one end of which is received by interlocking in a sleeve 19 formed in the body 18 of the base.
  • the sheath 19 thus has a square section defined by four walls.
  • the base 15, 16, shown in detail on the figure 11 comprises four ribs 20 having a generally square shape each extending along one of the four walls.
  • the base 15 has a circular load distribution sole.
  • the base comprises a ring-shaped reinforcing flange 27 projecting towards the inside of the box 3, 7 from the soleplate for distributing the loads 17.
  • the reinforcing flange 27 is arranged around the body 18 of the base and extends substantially midway between the body 18 of the base and the periphery of the load distribution flange 17.
  • the reinforcing flange 27 is integral with the load distribution flange 17. In other words, the reinforcing flange 27 is formed integrally with the load distribution flange 17.
  • the figure 12 represents a base 15, 16 according to an alternative embodiment which differs from the base of the figure 11 in that it does not include a reinforcing collar 27.
  • the Figures 13 and 14 represent bases 15, 16 respectively provided and devoid of a reinforcing flange 27.
  • the base 15, 16 comprises two reinforcing ribs 20 extending along each of the four side walls defining the body 18 of the base.
  • the figure 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the insulating box 3, 7 further comprises anti-spill devices.
  • the anti-spill devices consist of two bars 24, 25, forming an X and extending diagonally between the bases 15, 16 of two adjacent carrying elements 13.
  • the two bars 24, 25 may also be made of thermoplastic material reinforced with fibers and welded to the bases 15, 16 by thermoplastic welding operations. Note that in the embodiment shown, the bars 25, 26 are welded against the anti-spill ribs 20.
  • Such an X structure provides a particularly high shear stiffness while having a limited impact on the performance of thermal insulation.
  • such anti-spill devices are arranged only along the lateral faces of the insulating box 3, 7.
  • such anti-spill devices can be arranged between all the carrier elements. 14.
  • 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 15 represents an example of a marine terminal including a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipe 76 and an onshore installation 77.
  • the loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed off-shore 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 connection pipe (not shown) extends inside the tower 78.
  • the loading and unloading station 75 enables the loading and unloading of the LNG tank 70 from or to the shore facility 77.
  • the underwater line 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a large distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the tanker vessel 70 at 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.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention se rapporte au domaine des cuves, étanches et thermiquement isolantes, à membranes, pour le stockage et/ou le transport de fluide, tel qu'un fluide cryogénique.The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks, with membranes, for storing and / or transporting fluid, such as a cryogenic fluid.

Des cuves étanches et thermiquement isolées à membranes sont notamment employées pour le stockage de gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL), qui est stocké, à pression atmosphérique, à environ -162°C. Ces cuves peuvent être installées à terre ou sur un ouvrage flottant. Dans le cas d'un ouvrage flottant, la cuve peut être destinée au transport de gaz naturel liquéfié ou à recevoir du gaz naturel liquéfié servant de carburant pour la propulsion de l'ouvrage flottant.Watertight and thermally insulated membrane tanks are used in particular for the storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is stored at atmospheric pressure at about -162 ° C. These tanks can be installed on the ground or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be intended for the transport of liquefied natural gas or to receive liquefied natural gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnological background

Le document FR 2 877 638 décrit une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante comprenant une paroi de cuve, fixée à la structure porteuse d'un ouvrage flottant et présentant successivement, dans le sens de l'épaisseur, depuis l'intérieur vers l'extérieur de la cuve, une barrière étanche primaire destinée à être contact avec le gaz naturel liquéfié, une barrière isolante primaire, une barrière étanche secondaire et une barrière isolante secondaire, ancrée à la structure porteuse.The document FR 2,877,638 discloses a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall, fixed to the supporting structure of a floating structure and presenting successively, in the direction of the thickness, from the inside to the outside of the tank, a sealed barrier primary to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas, a primary insulating barrier, a secondary watertight barrier and a secondary insulating barrier, anchored to the supporting structure.

Les barrières isolantes sont constituées d'une pluralité de caisses calorifuges parallélépipédiques juxtaposées. Les caisses parallélépipédiques comportent un panneau de fond en contreplaqué, un panneau de couvercle en contreplaqué, une garniture d'isolation thermique disposée sous la forme d'une couche parallèle à la paroi de cuve et des éléments porteurs qui s'élèvent à travers l'épaisseur de la garniture d'isolation thermique pour reprendre les efforts de compression entre le panneau de couvercle et le panneau de fond.The insulating barriers consist of a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepiped heat insulating boxes. The parallelepipedic boxes include a plywood bottom panel, a plywood cover panel, a thermal insulation liner disposed in the form of a layer parallel to the vessel wall, and load-bearing members that rise across the wall. thickness of the thermal insulation lining to take up the compressive forces between the cover panel and the bottom panel.

En service, les parois de la cuve sont soumises à de nombreuses sollicitations. En particulier, les parois sont soumises à des efforts de compression dus au chargement de la cuve, à des contraintes thermiques lors de la mise à froid et à des efforts dus aux chocs dynamiques du fluide contenu dans la cuve. Aussi, des efforts s'exercent tangentiellement aux panneaux de couvercle des caisses calorifuges et sont ainsi susceptibles d'entraîner le déversement des éléments porteurs des caisses calorifuges.In use, the walls of the tank are subjected to many stresses. In particular, the walls are subjected to compressive forces due to the loading of the tank, to thermal stresses during cold setting and to forces due to dynamic shocks of the fluid contained in the tank. As well, efforts are made tangentially to the cover panels of the heat insulated boxes and are thus likely to cause the spill of the load-bearing members of the heat insulated boxes.

En outre, la section des éléments porteurs est généralement faible afin de limiter la conduction thermique au travers des éléments porteurs. Toutefois, des éléments porteurs de faible section sont susceptibles d'abimer les panneaux de couvercle et de fond par poinçonnement.In addition, the section of the carrier elements is generally small in order to limit the thermal conduction through the carrier elements. However, carrier elements of small section are likely to damage the cover panels and bottom punching.

Il est par ailleurs divulgué dans un document WO2013124597 une caisse isolante dans laquelle les éléments porteurs interposés entre les panneaux de fond et de couvercle comportent chacun une rangée de piliers, des plateaux, supérieur et inférieur, disposés sur la rangée de piliers et reposant respectivement contre le panneau de couvercle et le panneau de fond, des renforts latéraux supérieurs fixés aux piliers et au plateau supérieur et des renforts latéraux inférieurs fixé aux piliers et au plateau inférieur. Les renforts latéraux supérieurs et inférieurs permettent d'éviter le déversement des piliers.It is also disclosed in a document WO2013124597 an insulating box in which the carrier elements interposed between the bottom and cover panels each comprise a row of pillars, trays, upper and lower, arranged on the row of pillars and respectively resting against the cover panel and the bottom panel , upper lateral reinforcements attached to the pillars and the upper plate and lower lateral reinforcements attached to the pillars and the lower plate. The upper and lower lateral reinforcements prevent spilling of the pillars.

Résumésummary

Une idée à la base de l'invention est de proposer une caisse autoporteuse isolante qui présente de bonnes performances d'isolation thermique tout en ayant une bonne résistance aux efforts et notamment aux efforts exercés tangentiellement et orthogonalement aux parois.An idea underlying the invention is to provide an insulating self-supporting body which has good thermal insulation performance while having good resistance to stress and in particular to the forces exerted tangentially and orthogonally to the walls.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit une caisse isolante autoporteuse destinée à l'isolation thermique d'une cuve de stockage d'un fluide comportant :

  • un panneau de fond et un panneau de couvercle espacés selon une direction d'épaisseur de la caisse ;
  • des éléments porteurs interposés entre lesdits panneaux de fond et de couvercle et comportant chacun une embase inférieure fixée contre le panneau de fond, une embase supérieure fixée contre le panneau de couvercle et un pilier, solidaire des embases inférieure et supérieure, et s'étendant dans la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse entre l'embase supérieure et l'embase inférieure; et
  • une garniture calorifuge disposée entre les éléments porteurs ;
dans laquelle les embases comportent chacune :
  • une semelle de répartition des charges pourvue d'une surface d'appui plane reposant contre le panneau de fond ou le panneau de couvercle ; et
  • des nervures anti-déversement régulièrement réparties en périphérie de l'embase et agencées pour reprendre des efforts s'exerçant sur l'élément porteur transversalement à la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse et les transmettre à la semelle de répartition des charges.
According to one embodiment, the invention provides a self-supporting insulating box for thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank comprising:
  • a bottom panel and a cover panel spaced in a thickness direction of the body;
  • carrier members interposed between said bottom and cover panels and each having a lower base affixed to the bottom panel, an upper base affixed to the cover panel and a pillar, integral with the lower and upper bases, and extending into the direction of thickness of the box between the upper base and the lower base; and
  • an insulating lining disposed between the load-bearing members;
in which the bases each comprise:
  • a load distribution pad having a flat bearing surface resting against the bottom panel or the cover panel; and
  • anti-spill ribs regularly distributed around the periphery of the base and arranged to take up forces exerted on the carrier member transversely to the direction of thickness of the body and transmit them to the load distribution soleplate.

Ainsi, de telles embases permettent, grâce à leur semelle de répartition des charges, d'éviter les phénomènes de poinçonnement du panneau de couvercle et du panneau de fond. En outre, la résistance de la caisse à des sollicitations latérales et à des sollicitations de flexion est renforcée par la présence des nervures s'opposant au phénomène de déversement des éléments porteurs.Thus, such bases allow, thanks to their sole distribution of loads, to avoid punching phenomena of the cover panel and the bottom panel. In addition, the resistance of the body to lateral stresses and bending stresses is enhanced by the presence of the ribs opposing the spill phenomenon of the carrier elements.

Selon des modes de réalisation, une telle caisse isolante peut comporter une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivante :

  • les embases comportent un corps s'étendant dans la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse et dans laquelle les nervures anti-déversement présentent une forme d'équerre présentant deux faces formant un angle droit s'étendant respectivement contre la semelle de répartition des charges et contre le corps de l'embase.
  • les embases sont réalisées dans un matériau thermoplastique et sont fixées par soudage thermoplastique sur un élément thermoplastique du panneau de fond ou du panneau de couvercle. Ainsi, les éléments porteurs peuvent être assemblés au panneau de fond et/ou au panneau de couvercle de manière simple et fiable puisque aucun organe de fixation ne vient dégrader l'intégrité structurelle des éléments porteurs ou des panneaux de fond et de couvercle.
  • les embases sont réalisées dans un matériau thermoplastique composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique et des fibres de renforcement.
  • le panneau de fond et le panneau de couvercle présentent chacun une face intérieure tournée vers l'intérieur de la caisse, les faces intérieures du panneau de fond et du panneau de couvercle étant revêtues de films thermoplastiques pour la fixation des embases des éléments porteurs.
  • les films thermoplastiques sont réalisés dans un matériau thermoplastique composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique et des fibres de renforcement.
  • le panneau de fond et/ou le panneau de couvercle comporte un corps réalisé dans un matériau thermoplastique composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique renforcée par des fibres, ledit corps formant un élément thermoplastique pour la fixation des embases des éléments porteurs.
  • le panneau de fond et/ou le panneau de couvercle comporte un corps en bois imprégné d'une matrice thermoplastique pour la fixation des embases des éléments porteurs.
  • les embases de chaque élément porteur sont formées d'un seul tenant avec le pilier de l'élément porteur.
  • les embases d'un élément porteur comportent chacune un fourreau dans lequel est emboîtée une extrémité d'un pilier de l'élément porteur.
  • les embases comportent deux demi-coques définissant ensemble le fourreau dans lequel est emboîtée une extrémité d'un pilier.
  • les embases sont réalisées dans un matériau thermoplastique et les piliers sont réalisés dans un matériau thermoplastique et comportent des extrémités fixées par soudage thermoplastique, respectivement à l'intérieur du fourreau de l'embase inférieure et à l'intérieur du fourreau de l'embase supérieure.
  • les piliers sont réalisés dans un matériau thermoplastique composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique et des fibres de renforcement.
  • les piliers sont en bois.
  • la caisse isolante présente une forme parallélépipédique et chaque embase comporte d'au moins quatre nervures anti-déversement régulièrement réparties, chacune desdites nervures anti-déversement étant disposée parallèlement à deux côtés opposés de la caisse isolante autoporteuse.
  • les semelles de répartition des charges présentent une échancrure entre chaque nervure anti-déversement.
  • les embases comportent une collerette de renfort s'étendant vers l'intérieur de la caisse à partir de la semelle de répartition des charges.
  • la caisse isolante comporte en outre des structures de renfort anti-déversement comportant chacune deux barres disposées diagonalement en forme de X et s'étendant chacune entre une embase inférieure et une embase supérieure de deux éléments porteurs adjacents.
  • la garniture calorifuge est constituée d'au moins un bloc de laine de verre, d'ouate ou de mousse polymère.
  • la garniture calorifuge est un matériau isolant en vrac choisi parmi la perlite, la vermiculite, la laine de verre ou les aérogels et ladite caisse isolante comporte des cloisons périphériques s'étendant dans la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse permettant de retenir la garniture calorifuge.
  • les cloisons périphériques sont réalisées dans un matériau thermoplastique et sont fixées par soudage thermoplastique sur un élément thermoplastique du panneau de fond ou du panneau de couvercle.
According to embodiments, such an insulating box may comprise one or more of the following features:
  • the bases comprise a body extending in the direction of thickness of the body and in which the anti-spill ribs have a square shape having two faces forming a right angle respectively extending against the sole plate of load distribution and against the body of the base.
  • the bases are made of a thermoplastic material and are fixed by thermoplastic welding on a thermoplastic element of the bottom panel or the cover panel. Thus, the carrier elements can be assembled to the bottom panel and / or the cover panel in a simple and reliable manner since no fastener does degrade the structural integrity of the carrier elements or the bottom and cover panels.
  • the bases are made of a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers.
  • the bottom panel and the cover panel each have an inner face facing the interior of the box, the inner faces of the bottom panel and the cover panel being coated with thermoplastic films for fixing the bases of the supporting elements.
  • the thermoplastic films are made of a thermoplastic composite material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers.
  • the bottom panel and / or the cover panel comprises a body made of a composite thermoplastic material comprising a fiber reinforced thermoplastic matrix, said body forming a thermoplastic element for fixing the bases of the supporting elements.
  • the bottom panel and / or the cover panel comprises a wooden body impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix for fixing the bases of the supporting elements.
  • the bases of each carrier element are formed in one piece with the pillar of the carrier element.
  • the bases of a carrier element each comprise a sleeve in which is fitted one end of a pillar of the carrier element.
  • the bases comprise two half-shells together defining the sleeve in which is fitted one end of a pillar.
  • the bases are made of a thermoplastic material and the pillars are made of a thermoplastic material and have ends fixed by thermoplastic welding, respectively inside the sheath of the lower base and inside the sheath of the upper base .
  • the pillars are made of a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers.
  • the pillars are made of wood.
  • the insulating box has a parallelepipedal shape and each base comprises at least four anti-spill ribs regularly distributed, each of said anti-spill ribs being arranged parallel to two opposite sides of the self-supporting insulating box.
  • the load distribution soles have a notch between each anti-spill rib.
  • the bases comprise a reinforcing flange extending inwardly of the body from the load distribution soleplate.
  • the insulating box further comprises anti-spill reinforcing structures each comprising two diagonally arranged bars X-shaped and each extending between a lower base and an upper base of two adjacent support members.
  • the heat-insulating lining consists of at least one block of glass wool, wadding or polymer foam.
  • the heat insulating material is a bulk insulating material selected from perlite, vermiculite, glass wool or aerogels and said insulating body has peripheral partitions extending in the thickness direction of the body to retain the heat-insulating material .
  • the peripheral partitions are made of a thermoplastic material and are fixed by thermoplastic welding on a thermoplastic element of the bottom panel or the cover panel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante de stockage d'un fluide comportant une barrière d'isolation thermique comprenant une pluralité de caisses susmentionnées juxtaposées, et une membrane d'étanchéité reposant contre la barrière d'isolation thermique. Une telle cuve peut être réalisée avec une seule membrane d'étanchéité ou avec deux membranes d'étanchéité alternées avec deux barrières d'isolation thermique.According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating fluid storage tank comprising a thermal insulation barrier comprising a plurality of aforementioned boxes juxtaposed, and a sealing membrane resting against the barrier of thermal insulation. Such a tank may be made with a single sealing membrane or with two alternating sealing membranes with two thermal insulation barriers.

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 fluide 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 for loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a fluid is conveyed through isolated pipes from or to a floating or land storage facility to or from the tank of the vessel. ship.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi un système de transfert pour un fluide, 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 fluide 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 fluid, the system comprising the abovementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the vessel installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or ground storage facility. and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel.

Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de fournir une caisse isolante où les efforts sont transmis de manière homogène. Certains aspects de l'invention partent de l'idée de fournir une caisse isolante qui soit facile à fabriquer.Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating box where the efforts are transmitted homogeneously. Some aspects of the invention start from the idea of providing an insulating box that is easy to manufacture.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

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.

  • La figure 1 est une vue en perspective, écorchée, d'une paroi de cuve selon un mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'une caisse isolante selon un mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'une embase d'un élément porteur selon un mode de réalisation.
  • Les figures 4 et 5 sont respectivement des vues de dessus et de face de l'embase de la figure 3.
  • Les figures 6 et 7 sont respectivement une vue en perspective et une vue de face d'un élément porteur comportant un pilier dont une extrémité est emboîtée dans une embase.
  • La figure 8 est une vue en coupe d'une caisse isolante selon un mode de réalisation comportant des dispositifs anti-déversement constitués de deux barres formant un X et s'étendant entre les embases de deux éléments porteurs adjacents.
  • La figure 9 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un élément porteur selon un mode de réalisation comportant un pilier dont une extrémité est emboîtée dans une embase.
  • La figure 10 est une vue partielle, en perspective, d'un élément porteur selon un troisième mode de réalisation.
  • La figure 11 est une vue détaillée d'une embase de l'élément porteur de la figure 10.
  • Les figures 11 à 14 illustrent des embases selon trois autres variantes de réalisation.
  • La figure 15 est une représentation schématique écorchée d'une cuve de navire méthanier et d'un terminal de chargement/déchargement de cette cuve.
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.
  • The figure 1 is a perspective view, cut away, of a vessel wall according to one embodiment.
  • The figure 2 is a sectional view of an insulating box according to one embodiment.
  • The figure 3 is a perspective view of a base of a carrier element according to one embodiment.
  • The Figures 4 and 5 are respectively top and front views of the base of the figure 3 .
  • The Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a perspective view and a front view of a bearing element comprising a pillar whose one end is fitted into a base.
  • The figure 8 is a sectional view of an insulating box according to one embodiment comprising anti-spill devices consisting of two bars forming an X and extending between the bases of two adjacent support members.
  • The figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a carrier element according to an embodiment comprising a pillar whose one end is nested in a base.
  • The figure 10 is a partial view, in perspective, of a carrier element according to a third embodiment.
  • The figure 11 is a detailed view of a base of the carrier element of the figure 10 .
  • The Figures 11 to 14 illustrate bases according to three other variants.
  • The figure 15 is a cutaway schematic representation of a tank of LNG tanker and a loading / unloading terminal of this tank.

Description détaillée de modes de réalisationDetailed description of embodiments

Dans la description et les revendications, on utilisera le terme générique « thermoplastique » afin de désigner, sauf mention contraire, à la fois des matériaux thermoplastiques composites renforcés par des fibres et des matériaux thermoplastiques non renforcés.In the description and the claims, the generic term "thermoplastic" will be used to denote, unless otherwise stated, both fiber-reinforced composite thermoplastic materials and unreinforced thermoplastic materials.

Sur la figure 1, une paroi d'une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante est représentée. La structure générale d'une telle cuve est bien connue et présente une forme polyédrique. On ne s'attachera donc qu'à décrire une zone de paroi de la cuve, étant entendu que toutes les parois de la cuve peuvent présenter une structure générale similaire.On the figure 1 a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank is shown. The general structure of such a tank is well known and has a polyhedral shape. It will therefore focus only to describe a wall zone of the tank, it being understood that all the walls of the tank may have a similar general structure.

La paroi de la cuve comporte, depuis l'extérieur vers l'intérieur de la cuve, une structure porteuse 1, une barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire 2 qui est formée de caisses isolantes 3 juxtaposées sur la structure porteuse 1 et ancrées à celle-ci par des organes de retenue secondaires 4, une membrane d'étanchéité secondaire 5 portée par les caisses isolantes 3, une barrière thermiquement isolante primaire 6 formée de caisses isolantes 7 juxtaposées et ancrées à la membrane d'étanchéité secondaire 5 par des organes de retenue primaires 8 et une membrane d'étanchéité primaire 9, portée par les caisses isolantes 7 et destinée à être en contact avec le fluide cryogénique contenu dans la cuve.The wall of the tank comprises, from the outside to the inside of the tank, a carrier structure 1, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 which is formed of insulating boxes 3 juxtaposed on the carrier structure 1 and anchored thereto by secondary holding members 4, a secondary sealing membrane 5 carried by the insulating boxes 3, a primary heat-insulating barrier 6 formed of insulating boxes 7 juxtaposed and anchored to the secondary sealing membrane 5 by primary retaining members 8 and a primary waterproofing membrane 9, carried by the insulating boxes 7 and intended to be in contact with the cryogenic fluid contained in the tank.

La structure porteuse 1 peut notamment être une tôle métallique autoporteuse ou, plus généralement, tout type de cloison rigide présentant des propriétés mécaniques appropriées. La structure porteuse peut notamment être formée par la coque ou la double coque d'un navire. La structure porteuse comporte une pluralité de parois définissant la forme générale de la cuve.The supporting structure 1 may in particular be a self-supporting metal sheet or, more generally, any type of rigid partition having suitable mechanical properties. The supporting structure may in particular be formed by the hull or the double hull of a ship. The carrying structure comprises a plurality of walls defining the general shape of the tank.

Les membranes d'étanchéité primaire 9 et secondaire 5 sont, par exemple, constituées d'une nappe continue de virures métalliques à bords relevés, lesdites virures étant soudées par leurs bords relevés sur des supports de soudure parallèles maintenus sur les caisses isolantes 3, 7. Les virures métalliques sont, par exemple, réalisées en Invar ® : c'est-à-dire un alliage de fer et de nickel dont le coefficient de dilatation est typiquement compris entre 1,2.10-6 et 2.10-6 K-1, ou dans un alliage de fer à forte teneur en manganèse dont le coefficient de dilatation est typiquement de l'ordre de 7.10-6 K-1.The primary 9 and secondary 5 waterproofing membranes are, for example, constituted by a continuous sheet of metal strakes with raised edges, said strakes being welded by their raised edges to parallel welding supports held on the insulating boxes 3, 7 The metal strakes are, for example, made of Invar ®: that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose expansion coefficient is typically between 1.2 × 10 -6 and 2 × 10 -6 K -1 , or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose expansion coefficient is typically of the order of 7.10 -6 K -1 .

Les caisses isolantes 3, 7 présentent une forme générale de parallélépipède rectangle. Les caisses isolantes 3 de la barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire 2 et les caisses isolantes 7 de la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire 6 peuvent indifféremment présenter des structures identiques ou différentes et des dimensions égales ou différentes.The insulating boxes 3, 7 have a general shape of rectangular parallelepiped. The insulating boxes 3 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 2 and the insulating boxes 7 of the primary thermally insulating barrier 6 can equally well have identical or different structures and equal or different dimensions.

La figure 2 illustre la structure d'une caisse isolante 3, 7. La caisse isolante 3, 7 comporte un panneau de fond 10 et un panneau de couvercle 11 parallèles, espacés selon la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse isolante 3, 7. Le panneau de fond 10 et le panneau de couvercle 11 sont plans et définissent les faces principales de la caisse isolante 3, 7.The figure 2 illustrates the structure of an insulating box 3, 7. The insulating box 3, 7 comprises a bottom panel 10 and a cover panel 11 parallel, spaced in the thickness direction of the insulating box 3, 7. The panel bottom 10 and the cover panel 11 are planar and define the main faces of the insulating box 3, 7.

Le panneau de couvercle 11 présente une surface extérieure de support permettant de recevoir la membrane d'étanchéité primaire 9 ou secondaire 5. Le panneau de couvercle 11 présente, en outre, sur sa face externe, des rainures 12 pour le logement des supports de soudure permettant de souder les virures métalliques des membranes d'étanchéité primaire 9 ou secondaire 5.The cover panel 11 has an outer support surface for receiving the primary or secondary sealing membrane 9. The cover panel 11 has, in addition, on its outer face, grooves 12 for the housing of the welding supports for welding the metal strakes of the primary 9 or secondary 5 waterproofing membranes.

Des éléments porteurs 13 s'étendent dans la direction d'épaisseur du bloc isolant 3, 7 et sont fixés, d'une part, au panneau de fond 10 et, d'autre part, au panneau de couvercle 11. Les éléments porteurs 13 permettent de reprendre les efforts de compression. Les éléments porteurs 13 sont alignés selon une pluralité de rangés et répartis en quinconce. La distance entre les éléments porteurs 13 est déterminée de sorte à permettre une bonne répartition des efforts de compression. Dans un mode de réalisation, les éléments porteurs 13 sont répartis de manière équidistante.Supporting elements 13 extend in the thickness direction of the insulating block 3, 7 and are fixed, on the one hand, to the bottom panel 10 and, on the other hand, to the cover panel 11. The load-bearing members 13 allow to resume compression efforts. The carrier elements 13 are aligned in a plurality of rows and distributed in staggered rows. The distance between the load-bearing members 13 is determined so as to allow a good distribution of compressive forces. In one embodiment, the carrier elements 13 are distributed equidistantly.

Les éléments porteurs 13 comportent un pilier 14 s'étendant dans la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse isolante 3, 7 entre, d'une part, une embase inférieure 15 reposant contre le panneau de fond 10 et fixée à celui-ci et, d'autre part, une embase supérieure 16 reposant contre le panneau de couvercle 11 et fixée à celui-ci.The carrying elements 13 comprise a pillar 14 extending in the thickness direction of the insulating box 3, 7 between, on the one hand, a lower base 15 resting against the bottom panel 10 and fixed thereto and, on the other hand, an upper base 16 resting against the cover panel 11 and fixed thereto.

Une garniture calorifuge 17 s'étend dans les espaces ménagés entre les éléments porteurs 13. La garniture calorifuge 17 est, par exemple, constituée de laine de verre, d'ouate ou d'une mousse polymère, telle que de la mousse de polyuréthane, de la mousse de polyéthylène ou de la mousse de polychlorure de vinyle. Une telle mousse polymère peut être disposée entre les piliers 13 par une opération d'injection lors de la fabrication de la caisse isolante 3, 7. De manière alternative, il est possible de réaliser la garniture calorifuge 17 en ménageant, dans un bloc pré-découpé de mousse polymère, de laine de verre ou d'ouate, des orifices pour accueillir les éléments porteurs 13.A heat-insulating lining 17 extends in the spaces formed between the carrying elements 13. The heat-insulating lining 17 is, for example, made of glass wool, wadding or a polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam or polyvinyl chloride foam. Such a polymer foam may be disposed between the pillars 13 by an injection operation during the manufacture of the insulating box 3, 7. Alternatively, it is possible to produce the heat-insulating lining 17 by providing, in a pre-assembled block, cut of polymer foam, glass wool or wadding, orifices to accommodate the supporting elements 13.

Selon d'autres modes de réalisation, la garniture calorifuge 17 est constituée d'un matériau isolant en vrac. Un tel matériau isolant peut être un matériau granulaire ou pulvérulent - tel que la perlite, la vermiculite ou la laine de verre - ou un matériau nanoporeux de type aérogel. Dans ce cas, la caisse isolante 3, 7 est équipée de cloisons périphériques, non représentées, s'étendant dans la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse, en périphérie de celle-ci et permettant de retenir la garniture calorifuge 17.According to other embodiments, the heat-insulating lining 17 is made of an insulating material in bulk. Such an insulating material may be a granular or powdery material - such as perlite, vermiculite or glass wool - or a nanoporous airgel material. In this case, the insulating box 3, 7 is equipped with peripheral partitions, not shown, extending in the thickness direction of the box, at the periphery thereof and for retaining the heat-insulating packing 17.

Selon une variante de réalisation, les cloisons périphériques sont des planches de bois contreplaqué qui sont fixées au panneau de fond 10 et au panneau de couvercle 11. La fixation des cloisons peut notamment être réalisée par collage, agrafage, pointage et/ou vissage. Deux cloisons latérales opposées sont munies de perçage permettant de faire circuler un gaz d'inertage. Pour éviter les fuites de garnitures calorifuges à travers lesdits perçages, un tissu perméable aux gaz, tel qu'un tissu de fibres de verre, est collé sur la surface intérieure des cloisons latérales devant les perçages.According to an alternative embodiment, the peripheral walls are plywood boards which are fixed to the bottom panel 10 and to the cover panel 11. The attachment of the partitions can in particular be carried out by gluing, stapling, pointing and / or screwing. Two opposite side walls are provided with a bore for circulating an inerting gas. To prevent leakage of heat-insulating linings through said bores, a gas-permeable fabric, such as fiberglass cloth, is adhered to the inner surface of the side walls in front of the bores.

Selon une autre variante de réalisation, les cloisons périphériques sont réalisées dans un matériau thermoplastique et sont fixées sur le panneau de fond 10 et le panneau de couvercle 11 par soudage thermoplastique. Dans ce cas, comme il sera détaillé par la suite, les panneaux 10, 11 sont recouverts d'un film thermoplastique, sont réalisés dans un matériau thermoplastique composite ou comporte un corps en bois imprégné d'une matrice thermoplastique, afin de permettre les opérations de soudage thermoplastique. Les cloisons périphériques peuvent notamment être constituées d'un feuillard thermoplastique, présentant une épaisseur comprise entre 0.1 et 1 millimètre ou d'un film thermoplastique. Dans ce cas, comme mentionné précédemment, deux cloisons latérales sont munies de perçages qui sont recouverts par un tissu perméable au gaz. De manière alternative, les cloisons périphériques sont constituées d'un tissu thermoplastique perméable aux gaz. De manière optionnelle, le matériau thermoplastique des cloisons périphériques comporte une matrice thermoplastique renforcée par des fibres. Un tel matériau peut notamment être un matériau désigné par le sigle GMT, pour « glass fiber mat reinforced thermoplastics » en langue anglaise. Un matériau GMT est constitué à partir d'un ensemble comportant une mat de verre et une matrice sous forme d'un mat de polymère thermoplastique enchevêtré dans le mat de verre et formant ainsi un tissu destiné à être pressé à chaud. A titre d'exemple, un tel matériau est commercialisé par la société Vétrotex sous la dénomination Twintex®.According to another variant embodiment, the peripheral partitions are made of a thermoplastic material and are fixed to the bottom panel 10 and the cover panel 11 by thermoplastic welding. In this case, as will be detailed later, the panels 10, 11 are covered with a thermoplastic film, are made of a composite thermoplastic material or comprises a wooden body impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix, to allow operations thermoplastic welding. Peripheral partitions may in particular be made of a thermoplastic strip having a thickness of between 0.1 and 1 millimeter or a thermoplastic film. In this case, as previously mentioned, two side walls are provided with holes which are covered by a gas-permeable fabric. Alternatively, the peripheral walls consist of a thermoplastic gas-permeable fabric. Optionally, the thermoplastic material of the peripheral partitions comprises a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibers. Such a material may in particular be a material designated by the acronym GMT, for "glass fiber mat reinforced thermoplastics" in English. A GMT material is formed from a set comprising a glass mat and a matrix in the form of a mat of thermoplastic polymer entangled in the glass mat and thus forming a fabric to be hot pressed. By way of example, such a material is marketed by the company Vétrotex under the name Twintex®.

En relation, avec les figures 3 à 5, on va maintenant décrire la structure d'une embase 15, 16 selon un mode de réalisation.In relation, with Figures 3 to 5 the structure of a base 15, 16 according to one embodiment will now be described.

L'embase 15, 16 comportent une semelle de répartition des charges 17. La semelle de répartition des charges est pourvue d'une surface d'appui plane reposant contre le panneau de fond 10 ou le panneau de couvercle 11. La semelle de répartition des charges 17 offre une surface d'appui supérieure à la section d'un pilier 14. Ainsi, les semelles de répartition des charges 17 empêchent une concentration des contraintes sur une faible section et permettent ainsi de limiter les phénomènes de détérioration des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 par poinçonnement.The base 15, 16 comprise a load-distributing soleplate 17. The load-distribution soleplate is provided with a flat bearing surface resting against the bottom panel 10 or the cover panel 11. The distribution soleplate Loads 17 provide a bearing surface greater than the section of a pillar 14. Thus, the load distribution plates 17 prevent stress concentration on a small section and thus make it possible to limit the deterioration phenomena of the bottom panels 10 and cover 11 by punching.

L'embase 15, 16 comporte également un corps 18 s'étendant dans la direction d'épaisseur de la caisse 3, 7. Le corps 18 de l'embase est creux de sorte à définir un fourreau 19 destiné à recevoir par emboîtement une extrémité du pilier 14. Le fourreau 19 étant ici destiné à recevoir un pilier 14 cylindrique, il présente une forme générale cylindrique.The base 15, 16 also comprises a body 18 extending in the direction of thickness of the body 3, 7. The body 18 of the base is hollow so as to define a sleeve 19 for receiving by interlocking one end of pillar 14. The sheath 19 is here intended to receive a cylindrical pillar 14, it has a generally cylindrical shape.

Par ailleurs, l'embase 15, 16 est pourvue des nervures anti-déversement 20 régulièrement réparties en périphérie de l'embase 15, 16. Les nervures anti-déversement 20 permettent de s'opposer au phénomène de déversement affectant l'élément porteur 13 lorsqu'il subit un moment de flexion. Pour ce faire, les nervures anti-déversement 20 sont aptes à reprendre les efforts s'exerçant sur l'élément porteur 13 transversalement à sa direction longitudinale et les transmettre à la semelle de répartition des charges 17. Les nervures anti-déversement 20 sont venues de matière avec la semelle de répartition des charges 17 et le corps 18 de l'embase 15, 16. Les nervures anti-déversement 20 présentent une forme générale d'équerre dons les faces 20a, 20b disposés perpendiculairement et formant l'angle droit s'étendent respectivement le long de la semelle de réparation des charges 17 et le long du corps 18 de l'embase 15, 16. La semelle de répartition des charges 17 est pourvue d'échancrures 21 s'étendant entre chacune des nervures anti-déversement 20.Furthermore, the base 15, 16 is provided with anti-spill ribs 20 regularly distributed around the periphery of the base 15, 16. The anti-spill ribs 20 can oppose the spill phenomenon affecting the carrier member 13 when he undergoes a moment of flexion. To do this, the anti-spill ribs 20 are able to take up the forces exerted on the carrier member 13 transversely to its longitudinal direction and transmit them to the load distribution plate 17. The anti-spill ribs 20 have come of material with the load distribution soleplate 17 and the body 18 of the base 15, 16. The anti-spill ribs 20 have a generally square shape of the faces 20a, 20b arranged perpendicularly and forming the right angle s extend respectively along the load repair sole 17 and along the body 18 of the base 15, 16. The load distribution sole 17 is provided with notches 21 extending between each of the anti-spill ribs. 20.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, chaque embase 15, 16 comporte quatre nervures anti-déversement 20. Chaque nervure anti-déversement 20 s'étend donc dans un plan perpendiculaire au plan des nervures 20 adjacentes. Les embases 15, 16 sont avantageusement disposées par rapport au panneau de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 de telle sorte que chacune desdites nervures 20 est disposée parallèlement à deux côtés opposés de la caisse isolante 3, 7.In the embodiment shown, each base 15, 16 has four anti-spill ribs 20. Each anti-spill rib 20 therefore extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the adjacent ribs 20. The bases 15, 16 are advantageously arranged relative to the bottom panel 10 and the cover 11 so that each of said ribs 20 is arranged parallel to two opposite sides of the insulating box 3, 7.

L'embase 15, 16 est réalisée par moulage d'un matériau thermoplastique. Selon un mode de réalisation, le matériau thermoplastique comporte une matrice thermoplastique renforcée par des fibres. La matrice thermoplastique peut comporter tout matériau thermoplastique approprié, tel que le polypropylène (PP), le polyéthylène (PE), les polyamides (PA), le polyetherimide (PEI), le polychlorure de vinyle (PVC), le polytéréphtalate d"éthylène (PET), le polytéréphtalate de butylène (PBT), le copolymère acrylonitrile-butadiène-styrène (ABS), le polyuréthane (PU) sous sa forme thermoplastique, un mélange de ces polymères ou autres. Les fibres peuvent être des fibres de verre, des fibres de carbone ou un mélange de fibres de carbone et de fibres de verre. L'embase 15, 16 peut notamment être réalisée dans un matériau GMT, tel que décrit précédemment.The base 15, 16 is made by molding a thermoplastic material. According to one embodiment, the thermoplastic material comprises a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibers. The thermoplastic matrix may comprise any suitable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate ( PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polyurethane (PU) in thermoplastic form, a mixture of these polymers or the like, the fibers may be glass fibers, carbon fiber or a mixture of carbon fibers and glass fibers The base 15, 16 may in particular be made in a GMT material, as described above.

L'embase 15, 16, représentée sur les figures 3 à 5, est constituée de deux pièces moulées identiques 22a, 22b. Chacune de ces pièces 22a, 22b forme une demi-coque qui lorsque les deux pièces 22a, 22b sont réunies définissent le fourreau 19 destiné à recevoir une extrémité d'un pilier 14. Une telle structure d'embase 15, 16 constituée de deux pièces moulées 22a, 22b permet de faciliter les opérations de moulage des embases 15, 16 et les opérations de mise en place des embases 15, 16 contre les panneaux de fond 10 ou de couvercle 11.The base 15, 16, shown on the Figures 3 to 5 , consists of two identical molded parts 22a, 22b. Each of these parts 22a, 22b forms a half-shell which when the two parts 22a, 22b are joined define the sleeve 19 intended to receive one end of a pillar 14. Such a base structure 15, 16 consists of two parts molded 22a, 22b facilitates the molding operations of the bases 15, 16 and the operations of placing the bases 15, 16 against the bottom panels 10 or lid 11.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'embase 15, 16 est constituée d'une seule pièce moulée monobloc. En outre, dans encore un autre mode de réalisation, les embases 15, 16 de chaque élément porteur 13 sont formées d'un seul tenant avec le pilier 14. En d'autres termes, l'ensemble de l'élément porteur 13 est une pièce monobloc moulée d'un seul tenant.In another embodiment, the base 15, 16 consists of a single piece integrally molded. In addition, in yet another embodiment, the bases 15, 16 of each carrier member 13 are formed integrally with the pillar 14. In other words, the entire carrier member 13 is a integrally molded piece in one piece.

Afin d'assurer l'assemblage des éléments porteurs 13 aux panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11, les embases 15, 16 sont fixées par une opération de soudage thermoplastique au panneau de fond 10 et au panneau de couvercle 11.In order to assemble the carrier elements 13 to the bottom panels 10 and cover 11, the bases 15, 16 are fixed by a thermoplastic welding operation to the bottom panel 10 and to the cover panel 11.

Dans le mode de réalisation, illustré sur la figure 2, les panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 présentent un corps en bois contreplaqué. Les faces intérieures du panneau de fond 10 et de couvercle 11, tournés vers l'intérieur de la caisse 3, 7, sont recouvertes de films thermoplastiques 23. Une opération de soudage plastique est réalisée dans les zones d'interface entre les films thermoplastiques 23 et les semelles de répartition des charges 17 des embases 15, 16.In the embodiment, illustrated on the figure 2 , the bottom panels 10 and cover 11 have a plywood body. The inner faces of the bottom panel 10 and lid 11, turned towards the inside of the box 3, 7, are covered with thermoplastic films 23. A plastic welding operation is performed in the interface areas between the thermoplastic films 23 and the load distribution flanges 17 of the bases 15, 16.

Dans un mode de réalisation, avant de procéder aux opérations de soudage, des masques de protection sont préalablement disposés sur les faces intérieures des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 entre les zones d'interface entre les éléments porteurs 13 et les panneaux 10, 11. Lorsque les opérations de soudage ont été effectuées, les masques de protection peuvent alors être retirés. Ainsi, les films thermoplastiques 23 ne sont pas détériorés lors des opérations de soudage. De tels masques de protection sont, par exemple, réalisés en matériaux métalliques, céramiques et/ou en verre. De tels masques sont avantageusement équipés d'un circuit de refroidissement dans lequel circule un fluide, tel que de l'eau, de l'air ou de l'huile afin de réguler la température desdits masques.In one embodiment, before carrying out the welding operations, protective masks are previously arranged on the inner faces of the bottom panels 10 and of the cover 11 between the interface zones between the supporting elements 13 and the panels 10. 11. When welding operations have been performed, the protective masks can then be removed. Thus, the thermoplastic films 23 are not deteriorated during welding operations. Such protective masks are, for example, made of metal, ceramic and / or glass materials. Such masks are advantageously equipped with a cooling circuit in which a fluid circulates, such as water, air or oil in order to regulate the temperature of said masks.

Selon une variante de réalisation, non illustrée, la face extérieure des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 est également recouverte de films thermoplastiques. Un tel agencement permet d'équilibrer la flexion des panneaux de couvercle 11 et de fond 10, notamment lorsqu'ils sont sous soumis à d'importantes contraintes thermiques, lors de la mise à froid de la cuve.According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the outer face of the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 is also covered with thermoplastic films. Such an arrangement makes it possible to balance the bending of the cover panels 11 and the bottom panels 10, in particular when they are under considerable thermal stress during the cold-setting of the tank.

Selon une autre variante non illustrée, les films thermoplastiques ne recouvrent que partiellement les faces intérieures des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11. Dans ce cas, les films thermoplastiques ne sont disposés que dans les zones d'interface entre les panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 et les embases 15, 16.According to another variant not illustrated, the thermoplastic films cover only partially the inner faces of the bottom panels 10 and lid 11. In this case, the thermoplastic films are arranged only in the interface areas between the bottom panels 10 and cover 11 and the bases 15, 16.

Les films thermoplastiques 23 sont, par exemple, réalisés dans un matériau thermoplastique composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique renforcée par des fibres. Les films thermoplastiques 23 peuvent notamment être réalisés dans un matériau GMT. Ainsi, de tels films thermoplastiques contribuent à augmenter la résistance mécanique des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11, en augmentant leur rigidité en flexion et en améliorant leur tenue au poinçonnement. De tels films thermoplastiques 23 présentent typiquement une épaisseur de l'ordre de 0,5 à 5 mm.Thermoplastic films 23 are, for example, made of a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix reinforced with fibers. Thermoplastic films 23 may especially be made in a GMT material. Thus, such thermoplastic films contribute to increasing the mechanical strength of the bottom panels 10 and the cover 11, by increasing their bending rigidity and improving their punching behavior. Such thermoplastic films 23 typically have a thickness of the order of 0.5 to 5 mm.

Dans un mode de réalisation, les films thermoplastiques 23 sont fixés sur le corps des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 par collage. La colle utilisée est par exemple une colle acrylique, une colle polyuréthane, ou une colle époxyde. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, les films thermoplastiques 23 sont fixés sur le corps des panneaux 10, 11 par un procédé de pressage à chaud. Dans un tel cas, il est envisageable d'intégrer la fixation des films thermoplastiques 23 directement au procédé de fabrication du contreplaqué. Pour ce faire, l'on superpose les plis de bois, préalablement encollés, et les films thermoplastiques 23, puis l'on soumet l'empilage ainsi obtenu à un pressage à chaud. A titre d'exemple, pour un tel pressage à chaud, l'on soumet l'empilage à une température de l'ordre de 190 à 200°C et à une pression de l'ordre de 0,2 MPa pendant une durée de 5 minutes.In one embodiment, the thermoplastic films 23 are fixed to the body of the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 by gluing. The glue used is for example an acrylic glue, a polyurethane glue, or an epoxy glue. In another embodiment, the thermoplastic films 23 are fixed to the body of the panels 10, 11 by a hot pressing process. In such a case, it is conceivable to integrate the fixing of the thermoplastic films 23 directly to the plywood manufacturing process. To do this, the wood plies, previously glued, and the thermoplastic films 23 are superimposed, and then the stack thus obtained is subjected to hot pressing. For example, for such hot pressing, the stack is subjected to a temperature of the order of 190 to 200 ° C and a pressure of the order of 0.2 MPa for a period of 5 minutes.

Afin de faciliter les opérations de soudage, les films thermoplastiques 23 comportent une matrice thermoplastique identique à la matrice thermoplastique des embases 15, 16.In order to facilitate the welding operations, the thermoplastic films 23 comprise a thermoplastic matrix identical to the thermoplastic matrix of the bases 15, 16.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, c'est le corps des panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11, en tant que tel, qui forme l'élément thermoplastique pour la fixation des embases 15, 16. Selon une première variante, les panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 comportent un corps réalisé dans un matériau composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique, identique à celle des embases, renforcée par des fibres. Selon une seconde variante, les panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 sont fabriqués dans un corps en bois, imprégné d'une matrice thermoplastique, de même nature que celle des embases 15, 16. Le corps peut être fabriqué par agglomération de fibres préalablement imprégnées d'une matrice thermoplastique. De manière alternative, le corps peut être réalisé en bois contreplaqué dont le pli intérieur, et optionnellement le pli extérieur, sont fabriqués dans un bois suffisamment poreux pour faire diffuser la matrice plastique à chaud et sous pression à l'intérieur desdits plis. Un tel bois est par exemple choisi parmi le bouleau, le sapin, le hêtre ou autres.In another embodiment, it is the body of the bottom panels 10 and the cover 11, as such, which forms the thermoplastic element for fixing the bases 15, 16. According to a first variant, the panels of bottom 10 and cover 11 comprise a body made of a composite material comprising a thermoplastic matrix, identical to that of the bases, reinforced by fibers. According to a second variant, the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 are made of a wooden body, impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix, of the same nature as that of the bases 15, 16. The body may be manufactured by agglomeration of fibers previously impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix. Alternatively, the body may be made of plywood whose inner ply, and optionally the outer ply, are made of a wood sufficiently porous to diffuse the plastic matrix hot and under pressure within said plies. Such wood is for example selected from birch, fir, beech or others.

L'opération de soudage est, par exemple, réalisée par rayonnement infrarouge. Il est toutefois possible d'utiliser toute autre méthode de soudage plastique appropriée, telle que le soudage par ultrason, le chauffage par induction, le soudage par friction, le soudage par apport de matière en fusion, le soudage par jet d'air chaud ou le flammage. Notons que dans le cas d'un soudage par induction, il est nécessaire de disposer des inserts métalliques sur les embases 15, 16 et/ou sur les panneaux de fond 10 et/ou de couvercle 11, à l'interface entre les embases 15, 16 et les panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 de sorte à permettre un chauffage de la matière thermoplastique.The welding operation is, for example, carried out by infrared radiation. However, it is possible to use any other suitable plastic welding method, such as ultrasonic welding, induction heating, friction welding, fusion welding, hot air jet welding or the flaming. Note that in the case of induction welding, it is necessary to have the metal inserts on the bases 15, 16 and / or on the bottom panels 10 and / or cover 11, at the interface between the bases 15 , 16 and the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 so as to allow heating of the thermoplastic material.

Les figures 6 et 7 représentent un pilier 14 dont une extrémité est emboîtée dans le fourreau 19 d'une embase 15, 16.The Figures 6 and 7 represent a pillar 14 whose end is nested in the sleeve 19 of a base 15, 16.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les piliers 14 sont réalisés dans un matériau thermoplastique. Le matériau thermoplastique est avantageusement un matériau thermoplastique composite comportant une matrice thermoplastique, renforcée par des fibres. Les exemples de matériaux et de fibres donnés ci-dessus en relation avec les embases 15, 16 sont également applicables aux piliers 14. Les piliers 14 sont fixés aux embases 15, 16 par une opération de soudage thermoplastique. Ainsi, afin de faciliter les opérations de soudage, les piliers 14 pourront être formés dans un matériau comportant une matrice thermoplastique identique à la matrice thermoplastique des embases 15, 16. Il est possible d'assurer la fixation des piliers 13 aux embases 15, 16 avant de fixer les embases 15, 16 aux panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 ou, au contraire, d'assurer la fixation des embases 15, 16 aux panneaux de fond 10 et de couvercle 11 avant de fixer les piliers 14 aux embases 15, 16. Cette dernière variante est particulièrement avantageuse en qu'elle permet un pré-positionnement des embases 15, 16 et facilite ainsi la fabrication de caisses isolantes 3, 7. Selon encore une autre variante, il est envisageable de fixer simultanément, par soudage thermoplastique, une embase15, 16 à un panneau 10, 11 et à un pilier 14.According to one embodiment, the pillars 14 are made of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is advantageously a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix, reinforced by fibers. The examples of materials and fibers given above in relation to the bases 15, 16 are also applicable to the pillars 14. The pillars 14 are fixed to the bases 15, 16 by a thermoplastic welding operation. Thus, to facilitate the welding operations, the pillars 14 may be formed in a material comprising a thermoplastic matrix identical to the thermoplastic matrix of the bases 15, 16. It is possible to ensure the attachment of the pillars 13 to the bases 15, 16 before attaching the bases 15, 16 to the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 or, conversely, to secure the bases 15, 16 to the bottom panels 10 and lid 11 before fixing the pillars 14 to the bases 15, 16. This last variant is particularly advantageous in that it allows a pre-positioning of the bases 15, 16 and thus facilitates the manufacture of insulating boxes 3, 7. According to yet another variant, it is possible simultaneously fixing, by thermoplastic welding, a base 15, 16 to a panel 10, 11 and to a pillar 14.

L'on observe que, dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur les figures 6 et 7, les piliers 14 présentent une section creuse, de forme circulaire. Toutefois, l'invention n'est pas limitée à ce type de section, et la section des piliers peut également être pleine et présenter une autre forme : carré, losange ou rectangulaire par exemple. Lorsque la section d'un pilier 14 est creuse, celle-ci est avantageusement garnie avec un matériau isolant afin de limiter les pertes thermique au travers du pilier 14.It is observed that, in the embodiment shown on the Figures 6 and 7 , the pillars 14 have a hollow section, circular in shape. However, the invention is not limited to this type of section, and the section of the pillars can also be full and have another shape: square, rhombus or rectangular for example. When the section of a pillar 14 is hollow, it is advantageously lined with an insulating material to limit thermal losses through the pillar 14.

A titre d'exemple, dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur la figure 9, les piliers 14 présentent une section pleine, de forme carrée. De tels piliers à section pleine peuvent également présenter une section de forme losange ou rectangulaire.By way of example, in the embodiment shown on the figure 9 , the pillars 14 have a solid section, square. Such solid section pillars may also have a rhomboid or rectangular section.

Nous notons par ailleurs que les piliers 17 peuvent être réalisés dans de nombreux matériaux. Ainsi, outre les matériaux thermoplastiques mentionnés précédemment, les piliers 14 peuvent également être réalisés en bois ou en plastique thermodurcissant, tel que le polyuréthane (PU), les Polyesters Insaturés, les époxydes, les acryliques, les vinylesters ou autre. De tels matériaux en plastique thermodurcissant peuvent notamment être renforcés par des fibres. Dans ces cas, les piliers 14 ne pouvant être solidarisés aux embases 15, 16 par soudage thermoplastique, les piliers 14 sont solidarisés aux embases 15, 16 par tout autre moyen. A titre d'exemple, la fixation des piliers 14 aux embases 15, 16 peut notamment être assurée par collage, par agrafage ou au moyen de vis passant au travers d'orifices ménagés dans les embases 15, 16 et dans les piliers 14.We also note that the pillars 17 can be made in many materials. Thus, in addition to the thermoplastic materials mentioned above, the pillars 14 can also be made of wood or thermosetting plastic, such as polyurethane (PU), unsaturated polyesters, epoxides, acrylics, vinylesters or other. Such thermosetting plastic materials may in particular be reinforced with fibers. In these cases, the pillars 14 can not be secured to the bases 15, 16 by thermoplastic welding, the pillars 14 are secured to the bases 15, 16 by any other means. By way of example, the fixing of the pillars 14 to the bases 15, 16 can in particular be ensured by gluing, by stapling or by means of screws passing through orifices provided in the bases 15, 16 and in the pillars 14.

Sur la figure 10, l'élément porteur 14 comporte un pilier de section pleine de forme carrée dont une extrémité est reçue par emboîtement dans un fourreau 19 formé dans le corps 18 de l'embase. Le fourreau 19 présente donc une section carrée définit par quatre parois. L'embase 15, 16, représentée de manière détaillée sur la figure 11, comporte quatre nervures 20 présentant une forme générale d'équerre s'étendant chacune le long d'une des quatre parois. L'embase 15 comporte une semelle de répartition des charges17 circulaire.On the figure 10 , the carrier element 14 comprises a pillar of solid section of square shape, one end of which is received by interlocking in a sleeve 19 formed in the body 18 of the base. The sheath 19 thus has a square section defined by four walls. The base 15, 16, shown in detail on the figure 11 , comprises four ribs 20 having a generally square shape each extending along one of the four walls. The base 15 has a circular load distribution sole.

Par ailleurs, l'embase comporte une collerette de renfort 27, de forme annulaire, faisant saillie vers l'intérieur de la caisse 3, 7 à partir de la semelle de répartition des charges 17. La collerette de renfort 27 est disposée autour du corps 18 de l'embase et s'étend sensiblement à mi-distance entre le corps 18 de l'embase et la périphérie de la semelle de répartition des charges 17. La collerette de renfort 27 est venue de matière avec la semelle de répartition des charges 17. En d'autres termes, la collerette de renfort 27 est formée d'un seul tenant avec la semelle de répartition des charges 17.Furthermore, the base comprises a ring-shaped reinforcing flange 27 projecting towards the inside of the box 3, 7 from the soleplate for distributing the loads 17. The reinforcing flange 27 is arranged around the body 18 of the base and extends substantially midway between the body 18 of the base and the periphery of the load distribution flange 17. The reinforcing flange 27 is integral with the load distribution flange 17. In other words, the reinforcing flange 27 is formed integrally with the load distribution flange 17.

La figure 12 représente une embase 15, 16 selon une variante de réalisation qui ne diffère de l'embase de la figure 11 qu'en ce qu'elle ne comporte pas de collerette de renfort 27.The figure 12 represents a base 15, 16 according to an alternative embodiment which differs from the base of the figure 11 in that it does not include a reinforcing collar 27.

Les figures 13 et 14 représentent des embases 15, 16 respectivement pourvue et dépourvue d'une collerette de renfort 27. Dans ces modes de réalisation, l'embase 15, 16 comporte deux nervures de renfort 20 s'étendant le long de chacune des quatre parois latérales définissant le corps 18 de l'embase.The Figures 13 and 14 represent bases 15, 16 respectively provided and devoid of a reinforcing flange 27. In these embodiments, the base 15, 16 comprises two reinforcing ribs 20 extending along each of the four side walls defining the body 18 of the base.

La figure 8 illustre un mode de réalisation dans lequel la caisse isolante 3, 7 comporte en outre des dispositifs anti-déversement. Les dispositifs anti-déversement sont constitués de deux barres 24, 25, formant un X et s'étendant en diagonale entre les embases 15, 16 de deux éléments porteurs 13 adjacents. Les deux barres 24, 25 peuvent également être en matériau thermoplastique renforcée par des fibres et soudées sur les embases 15, 16 par des opérations de soudage thermoplastique. Notons que dans le mode de réalisation représenté, les barres 25, 26 sont soudées contre les nervures anti-déversement 20. Une telle structure en X permet d'obtenir une raideur en cisaillement particulièrement importante tout en présentant un impact limité sur les performances d'isolation thermique. Selon une variante de réalisation, de tels dispositifs anti-déversement ne sont disposés que le long des faces latérales de la caisse isolante 3, 7. Selon une autre variante de réalisation, de tels dispositifs anti-déversement peuvent être disposés entre tous les éléments porteurs 14.The figure 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the insulating box 3, 7 further comprises anti-spill devices. The anti-spill devices consist of two bars 24, 25, forming an X and extending diagonally between the bases 15, 16 of two adjacent carrying elements 13. The two bars 24, 25 may also be made of thermoplastic material reinforced with fibers and welded to the bases 15, 16 by thermoplastic welding operations. Note that in the embodiment shown, the bars 25, 26 are welded against the anti-spill ribs 20. Such an X structure provides a particularly high shear stiffness while having a limited impact on the performance of thermal insulation. According to an alternative embodiment, such anti-spill devices are arranged only along the lateral faces of the insulating box 3, 7. According to another variant embodiment, such anti-spill devices can be arranged between all the carrier elements. 14.

En référence à la figure 15, 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 15 , 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 15 représente un exemple de terminai 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 15 represents an example of a marine terminal including a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipe 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed off-shore 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 connection pipe (not shown) extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 enables the loading and unloading of the LNG tank 70 from or to the shore facility 77. liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting lines 81 connected by the underwater line 76 to the loading or unloading station 75. The underwater line 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a large distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the tanker vessel 70 at 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 (25)

  1. A self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) designed for the thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank comprising:
    - a bottom panel (10) and a top panel (11) which are spaced apart in a thickness direction of the box structure;
    - load-bearing elements (13) interposed between said bottom panel (10) and top panel (11) and each comprising a bottom foot (15) fixed to the bottom panel (10), a top foot (16) fixed to the top panel (11) and a pillar (14), fixed to the bottom foot (15) and top foot (16), and extending in the thickness direction of the box structure between the bottom foot (15) and the top foot (16); and
    - an insulating lining (17) arranged between the load-bearing elements (13);
    wherein the feet (15, 16) each comprise:
    - a load-spreading sole (17) provided with a planar bearing surface bearing against the bottom panel (10) or the top panel (11);
    said self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) being characterized in that the feet (15, 16) each comprise anti-topple ribs (20) uniformly distributed on the periphery of the foot (15, 16) and arranged so as to absorb the stresses exerted on the load-bearing element (13) transversely to the thickness direction of the box structure and to transmit said stresses to the load-spreading sole (17).
  2. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feet (15, 16) comprise a body (18) expending in the thickness direction of the box structure (3, 7) and wherein the anti-topple ribs (20) have an angled shape having two faces (20a, 20b) forming a right angle extending respectively against the load-spreading sole (17) and against the body (18) of the foot (15, 16).
  3. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the feet (15, 16) are produced in a thermoplastic material and are fixed by thermoplastic welding to a thermoplastic element (23) of the bottom panel (10) or the top panel (11).
  4. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the feet (15, 16) are produced in a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers.
  5. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom panel (10) and the top panel (11) each have an internal face facing the interior of the box structure (3, 7), the internal faces of the bottom panel and the top panel being covered with thermoplastic films (23) for the fixing of the feet (15, 16) of the load-bearing elements (14).
  6. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic films (23) are produced in a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers.
  7. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom panel (10) and/or the top panel (11) comprises a body produced in a composite thermoplastic material comprising a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic matrix, said body forming a thermoplastic element for fixing the feet (15, 16) of the load-bearing elements (14).
  8. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom panel (10) and/or the top panel (11) comprises a body made of wood impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix for fixing the feet (15, 16) of the load-bearing elements (14).
  9. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the feet (15, 16) of each load-bearing element (16) are formed in one piece with the pillar (14) of the load-bearing element (13).
  10. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the feet (15, 16) of a load-bearing element (13) each comprise a sleeve (19), one end of a pillar (14) of the load-bearing element (14) being nested therein.
  11. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the feet (15, 16) comprise two half-shells (22a, 22b) which together define the sleeve (19), one end of a pillar (14) being nested therein.
  12. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the feet (15, 16) are produced in a thermoplastic material and wherein the pillars (14) are produced in a thermoplastic material and comprise ends fixed, by thermoplastic welding, respectively inside the sleeve (19) of the bottom foot (15) and inside the sleeve (19) of the top foot (16).
  13. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pillars (14) are produced in a composite thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers.
  14. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the pillars are made of wood.
  15. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, having a parallelepipedal shape and wherein each foot (15, 16) comprises at least four uniformly distributed anti-topple ribs (20), each of said anti-topple ribs (20) being arranged in parallel on two opposing sides of the self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7).
  16. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the load spreading soles (17) have a notch (21) between each anti-topple rib (20).
  17. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the feet (15, 16) comprise a reinforcing collar (27) extending toward the inside of the box structure (3, 7) from the load-spreading sole (17).
  18. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising anti-topple reinforcing structures, each comprising two bars (24, 25) arranged diagonally in an X-shape and each extending between a bottom foot (15) and a top foot (16) of two adjacent load-bearing elements (14).
  19. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the insulating lining (17) consists of at least one block of glass wool, wadding or polymer foam.
  20. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the insulating lining is a bulk insulating material selected from perlite, vermiculite, glass wool or aerogels and wherein said insulating box structure (3, 7) comprises peripheral partitions extending in the thickness direction of the box structure (3, 7) permitting the insulating lining (17) to be retained.
  21. The self-supporting insulating box structure (3, 7) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the peripheral partitions are produced in a thermoplastic material and are fixed by thermoplastic welding to a thermoplastic element (23) of the bottom panel (10) or the top panel (11).
  22. A sealed and thermally insulating fluid storage tank comprising a thermally insulating barrier comprising a plurality of juxtaposed box structures (3, 7) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, and a sealing membrane bearing against the thermally-insulating barrier.
  23. A marine vessel (70) for the transport of a fluid, the marine vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) as claimed in claim 22, arranged in the double hull.
  24. A method for loading or unloading a marine vessel (70) as claimed in claim 23, wherein a fluid is conducted through insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based installation (77) to or from the tank of the marine vessel (71).
  25. A system for transferring a fluid, the system consisting of a marine vessel (70) as claimed in claim 23, insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) being arranged so as to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the marine vessel to a floating or land-based storage installation (77) and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land-based storage installation to or from the tank of the marine vessel.
EP14809468.3A 2013-11-29 2014-11-06 Self-supporting box structure for the thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank Active EP3074690B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR1361866A FR3014085B1 (en) 2013-11-29 2013-11-29 SELF-CONDUCTING BODY FOR THE THERMAL INSULATION OF A STORAGE TANK FOR A FLUID
PCT/FR2014/052825 WO2015079135A1 (en) 2013-11-29 2014-11-06 Self-supporting box structure for the thermal insulation of a fluid storage tank

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EP3074690B1 true EP3074690B1 (en) 2017-09-06

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JP6622201B2 (en) 2019-12-18
PH12016500892B1 (en) 2016-06-20
JP2017503121A (en) 2017-01-26
FR3014085A1 (en) 2015-06-05
FR3014085B1 (en) 2017-12-29
EP3074690A1 (en) 2016-10-05
RU2666377C1 (en) 2018-09-07
MY179125A (en) 2020-10-28
WO2015079135A1 (en) 2015-06-04
AU2014356315A1 (en) 2016-06-02
AU2014356315B2 (en) 2018-07-26
KR102277805B1 (en) 2021-07-15
ES2644459T3 (en) 2017-11-29
PH12016500892A1 (en) 2016-06-20
CN105874261A (en) 2016-08-17
KR20160093634A (en) 2016-08-08
CN105874261B (en) 2018-06-01

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