EP3762643A1

EP3762643A1 - Container for storing and transporting liquefied gas

Info

Publication number: EP3762643A1
Application number: EP19715153.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Luc FOURNEL; Romain BOIS; Marine GARCIA
Original assignee: Air Liquide SA; LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Current assignee: Air Liquide SA; LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Priority date: 2018-03-08
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-27
Also published as: KR20200128683A; ZA202005990B; JP2021515151A; CN111771080B; JP7279058B2; FR3078764B1; EP3762643B1; PT3762643T; CN111771080A; US11408561B2; US20210164614A1; FR3078764A1; RU2020130840A; CA3092175A1; WO2019170981A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for storing and transporting liquefied gas, comprising a first reservoir (2) intended to store the liquefied gas, a second, external reservoir (3) that is disposed around the first reservoir (2), a third, annular reservoir (4) that is disposed between the first reservoir (2) and the second reservoir (3) and contains a liquefied gas for forming a heat shield, the container (1) comprising a device for holding the first reservoir (2) and third reservoir (4) in the second reservoir (3), configured to allow displacement of the first reservoir (2) and third reservoir (4) in the second reservoir (3) when they undergo dimensional variations caused by variations in temperature, the holding system comprising a set of tie bars (5, 6), at least some of the tie bars (5, 6) having a first end (7) connected in an articulated manner to the second reservoir (3) and a second end (8, 9) connected rigidly to the first reservoir (2) or to the third reservoir (4) or to a structural component rigidly joined to the latter, said articulated tie bars (5, 6) being movable between two given angular positions that respectively define two different positions of the second end (8, 9) of the tie bars and correspond respectively to the extremes of the dimensional variations of the first reservoir (2) and third reservoir (4) with respect to the second reservoir (3).

Description

Container for storing and transporting liquefied gas

The invention relates to a container for storing and transporting liquefied gas.

1 / invention relates more particularly to a container for storing and transporting liquefied gas, in particular cryogenic fluid such as helium, comprising a first internal reservoir extending in a longitudinal direction and intended to store the liquefied gas, a second external reservoir disposed around the first reservoir with a vacuum-isolated spacing between the first and second reservoir, the container comprising a third annular reservoir disposed around the first reservoir, between the first and second reservoir, the third annular reservoir extending around at least a portion of the first tank and containing a liquefied gas to form a heat shield providing thermal insulation of the first tank, the container comprising a holding device of the first and third tank in the second tank, the holding system being configured to allow a limited travel of the first and t third reservoirs in the second tank in particular in the longitudinal direction during their dimensional changes due to temperature variations, the holding system comprising a set of tie rods.

The transport of liquefied gas, in particular helium, generally uses insulated containers or "iso containers" under vacuum.

Indeed, the transport of liquid helium over a long distance is only possible if the cryogenic storage has excellent thermal performance. The heat input of a cryogenic container with a capacity of 41 0001 must be of the order of 4.5W for example. Radiation represents the largest contribution of heat inputs. To achieve these performances, it is necessary to protect the liquid helium reservoir from the radiation by an active heat shield (aluminum or copper for example) cooled for example by liquid nitrogen. See for example US5005362.

The radiation flux slowly vaporizes the nitrogen. The evaporation enthalpy maintains the temperature of the screen at about -196 ° C. The nitrogen thus vaporized is vented to the atmosphere via a pipe to maintain the nitrogen guard at low pressure typically 0.5 bar. Liquid nitrogen is thus "consumed" during the transport period. The nitrogen tank is sized by the consumption per unit of time and the maximum duration of transport.

The autonomy of the container is dependent on this nitrogen reserve. The increase of this nitrogen reserve increases the autonomy (the duration during which the insulation is guaranteed) but reduces the amount of space available for the inner tank which stores the helium. For a transport time of 45 days, the nitrogen tank is typically 1200 liters. To reach a 75-day transport time, the nitrogen capacity must be more than 3,000 liters.

In addition, the structural arrangement of these elements (including piping) in the outer casing must be able to withstand forces during transport or relative dimensional variations between the outer casing and the internal storage tanks (cold state filled with fluid cryogenic or hot state at room temperature).

US2863297 discloses a reservoir comprising a reserve of fluid interposed between the outer and inner walls.

This solution is however unsuitable to solve all or part of the above constraints. An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

To this end, the container according to the invention, furthermore in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that at least a portion of the tie rods have a first end articulately connected to the second reservoir and a second end rigidly connected to the first reservoir or the third reservoir or to a structural part rigidly connected thereto, said articulated tie rods being movable between two defined angular positions respectively defining two distinct positions of the second end of the tie rods; and respectively corresponding to the extremes of the dimensional variations of the first and third reservoirs relative to the second reservoir.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:

the container comprises a first set of tie rods having a first end connected to the second tank and a second end rigidly connected to the first tank, the first set of tie rods comprising a plurality of tie rods, in particular four tie rods whose first end is located at a first longitudinal end of the second reservoir, the second end of the tie rods being connected to a first longitudinal end of the first reservoir,

the first set of tie rods comprises two upper tie rods having their first end connected in the upper part of the second tank and their second end connected in the lower part of the first tank and two lower rods having their first end connected in the lower part of the second tank and their second tank; end connected in the upper part of the first tank, the container comprises a second set of tie rods having a first end connected to the second tank and a second end rigidly connected to the first tank, the second set of tie rods comprising a plurality of tie rods, in particular four tie rods whose first end is situated at a second longitudinal end of the second reservoir, the second end of the tie rods being connected to the second longitudinal end of the first reservoir,

the second set of tie rods comprises two upper tie rods whose first ends are connected in the upper part of the second tank and the second ends are connected in the lower part of the first tank and two lower rods having their first ends connected in the lower part of the second tank and their second ends connected in the upper part of the first tank,

in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the upper tie rods intersect at an angle between 70 and 130 degrees and preferably between 90 and 120 degrees and in that the lower tie rods intersect at an angle between 70 and 130 degrees and preferably between 90 and 120 degrees,

in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction, the upper tie rods intersect with the lower tie rods,

- The second tank has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction with a determined radius, the tie rods of the first set of tie rods, respectively of the second set of tie rods, have a length of between 80 and 150% and preferably between 90 and and 120% of the length of said radius,

the container comprises a third set of tie rods, in particular four tie rods having a first end connected to the second tank and a second end to the third; tank or a support rigidly connected thereto, the first end of the tie rods of the third set being located at the first longitudinal end of the second tank, the second end of said tie rods being located at the first longitudinal end of the container,

the third set of tie rods comprises two upper tie rods whose first end is located in the upper part of the second tank and the second end is located in the upper part of the first tank, and two lower tie rods whose first end is connected in the lower part of the second tank; tank and the second end is located in the lower part of the first tank,

the container comprises a fourth set of tie rods, in particular four tie rods having a first end connected to the second tank and a second end connected to the third tank or to a support rigidly connected thereto, the first end of the tie rods of the third set being located at level the second longitudinal end of the second tank, the second end of said tie rods being located at the second longitudinal end of the container,

in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the two upper tie rods are oriented relatively at an angle of between 60 and 110 degrees and preferably between 70 and 90 degrees and the two lower tie rods are relatively oriented with an angle of between 60 and 110 degrees and preferably between 70 and 90 degrees, the tie rods of the third set of tie rods, respectively of the fourth set of tie rods, have a length of between 30 and 80% and preferably between 40 and 60% of the length of the radius of the section the second tank, the articulated tie rods are configured to pivot about their end connected to the second reservoir at an angle of 10 and 20 degrees and corresponding to a displacement in the longitudinal direction of their second end between 1 and 50mm and in particular between 30 and 40mm,

the container comprises a fixed and rigid connection between, on the one hand, a longitudinal end of the second reservoir and, on the other hand, the adjacent longitudinal end of the first reservoir and an end of the third reservoir or a solidarity support element; of the latter, that is to say that the fixed and rigid connection blocks at least the longitudinal displacement of a longitudinal end of the first and third reservoir relative to the second reservoir while allowing a longitudinal deflection of the opposite end the first and third tanks relative to the second tank

the fixed and rigid connection comprises walls forming the round-trips in the longitudinal direction to constitute an insulation thermal path between, on the one hand, the second reservoir and, on the other hand, the first and third reservoirs,

at least a portion of the ends of the tie rods connected to the lower part of the second tank are mounted on an elastic support allowing and damping a limited vertical displacement relative to the second tank,

the container comprises one or more screen walls thermally connected to the third reservoir and disposed at the ends of the reservoir between the first and the second reservoir,

the screen walls form lids at each longitudinal end of the third tank so as to enclose the first tank in a screen formed by the third tank and the screen walls, at least one of the tie rods passes through the screen wall (s) via orifices,

the third reservoir is delimited by two concentric cylindrical walls spaced apart by spacers and closed at both longitudinal ends,

the spacers comprise walls which extend in the longitudinal direction,

the two concentric cylindrical walls and the spacers (16) are made by extrusion.

The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.

Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the following description, made with reference to the figures in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view illustrating an exemplary structure of a container according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 to 4 represent different cross-sectional views, diagrammatic and partial, of a longitudinal end of the container,

FIG. 5 represents a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view illustrating a possible embodiment of an enlarged detail of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 represents a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view illustrating an exemplary possible embodiment of an enlarged detail of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic and partial perspective views illustrating an exemplary possible embodiment of an enlarged detail in section of a reservoir of FIG. The container 1 for storing and transporting liquefied gas, in particular cryogenic fluid such as helium, illustrated in the figures, preferably has a generally cylindrical shape which is understood in a longitudinal direction A which is horizontal in the use position.

This container 1 comprises a first internal reservoir 2, preferably of cylindrical general shape, which extends in the longitudinal direction A.

This first tank 2, or internal tank, is intended to store the liquefied gas (helium or other liquid mixture / cryogenic gas).

The walls of the first tank 2 are for example made of a metallic material, for example austenitic stainless steel or any other suitable material.

The container 1 comprises a second reservoir 3, or "outer" envelope disposed around the first reservoir 1 with a vacuum-isolated spacing between the first 2 and the second reservoir 3 (and one or more layers of insulating material).

The second reservoir 3 is for example of generally cylindrical shape and may be concentric around the first reservoir 1.

The walls of the second tank 3 are for example made of a metallic material, for example a steel or austenitic stainless steel or any other suitable material.

The container 1 comprises a third reservoir 4 disposed around the first reservoir 2, between the first 2 and the second reservoir 3.

The third reservoir 4 (for example annular in section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A) and extends around at least a portion of the first reservoir 2 in the longitudinal direction A. Preferably, this third reservoir 4 has a cylindrical shape and can be arranged concentrically around the first reservoir 2. This third reservoir 4 or intermediate reservoir is intended to contain a liquefied gas, for example nitrogen, to form a heat shield providing thermal insulation of the first 2 reservoir.

For example, the third tank 4 may comprise or consist of two concentric cylindrical ferrules spaced (different diameters) and connected and closed at their ends by partitions. These two cylindrical walls thus form an annular capacity having the dual function of storing the liquid nitrogen and the heat shield of the first reservoir 2.

For a low annular height, for example 40mm, the volume thus created can be 3100 liters for an ISO 40-foot storyteller (about 12 meters).

Preferably, the container 1 further comprises one or more walls 11, 12 which are thermally connected to the third tank 4 and arranged at the ends of the tank between the first 2 and the second tank.

These walls 11, 12 (aluminum or copper plates for example) form lids at the ends or bottoms of the tank to close the screen around the first tank 2. These plates are "thermalized" (ie meaning cold) by the third tank 4.

The container 1 comprises a device for holding the first 2 and third 4 tanks in the second tank 3.

The holding system provides support / suspension of the first 2 and third 4 tanks in the second tank 3.

This holding system is configured to allow a limited travel of the first 2 and third 4 tanks in the second tank 3 in particular in the direction longitudinal A during their dimensional variations

(dilations / retractions according to hot or cold conditions).

As shown in the figures, the holding system comprises a set of rods 5, 6, at least a portion of which have a first end 7 hingedly connected to the second tank 3 and a second end 8, 9 rigidly connected to the first tank 2 or the third tank 4 (or a structural part rigidly connected thereto).

As shown schematically in Figure 1, the tie rods 5, 6 hinged are movable between two defined angular positions respectively defining two distinct positions of the second end 8, 9 of the tie rods. These two positions respectively correspond to the extremes of the dimensional variations, in particular longitudinal, of the first 2 and third 4 tanks relative to the second tank 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the container 1 may comprise a fixed and rigid connection between, on the one hand, a longitudinal end of the second reservoir 3 and, on the other hand, the adjacent longitudinal end of the first reservoir 2 and an end the third tank 4 or a support member integral with the latter. That is to say, the fixed and rigid connection blocks the longitudinal displacement of a longitudinal end of the first 2 and the third tank 4 relative to the second tank 3 while allowing a longitudinal displacement of the opposite end of the first one. 2 and third tank 4 relative to the second tank 3.

Thus, in this case, the tie rods 5, 6 articulated 7 are preferably located at the other end (opposite to the fixed link) which has a minus this degree of longitudinal freedom.

The holding system may comprise a first set of tie rods 5, having a first end 7 connected to the second tank 3 and a second end 8 rigidly connected to the first tank 2. This first set of tie rods 5 comprises a plurality of tie rods 5, in particular four tie rods 5 whose first end 7 is located at a first longitudinal end of the second reservoir 3 (for example the left end in FIG. 1), the second end 8 of the tie rods 5 is connected to a first longitudinal end of the first tank 2 (left end in Figure 1).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, the first set of tie rods 5 may comprise two upper tie rods having their first end 7 connected in the upper part of the second reservoir 3 and their second end 8 connected in the lower part of the first reservoir 2. Moreover, the other lower tie rods may have their first end connected to the lower part of the second tank 3 and their second end connected to the upper part of the first tank 2.

The upper and lower parts may be defined according to whether they are above or below the central longitudinal axis A of the tank 2 or the container 1.

In the variant of FIG. 2, the lower tie rods have their second end 8 connected in the lower or central part of the first reservoir 2 and the upper tie rods have their second end 8 connected in the upper or central part of the first reservoir 2.

The second reservoir 3 preferably has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction A with a determined radius of, for example, between 90 and 121.9 cm. The tie rods 5 of the first set of tie rods, respectively of the second set of tie rods, have a length preferably between 80 and 150% and preferably between 90 and 130% of the length of said radius.

As seen in FIG. 1, in side view, preferably the upper tie rods intersect with the tie rods lower (in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction).

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 or 2, the second ends 8 of the tie-rods 5 can be housed in tubes 18 or metal sheaths for connecting to the first tank 2 by lengthening the thermal path. That is to say that each tube 18 is fixed (welded for example) to the first reservoir 2 but the attachment of the second end 8 of the tie rod 5 to its tube 18 is offset relative to the attachment between the tube and the reservoir 2 to lengthen the thermal path.

For example, the second end 8 of each tie rod 5 is bolted (or secured in any other suitable manner) to a sheath or any which is itself welded (or otherwise) to the first tank 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, these second ends 8 of the tie rods 5 can be fixed to a ring or ring secured to the end of the first tank 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 (which, for the sake of simplification, represents only the first set of tie rods 5), in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A, the upper tie rods 5 can intersect at an angle B between 70 and 130 degrees and preferably between 90 and 120 degrees. Likewise, the lower tie rods can intersect at an angle of between 70 and 130 degrees and preferably between 90 and 120 degrees. See also Figure 4.

Preferably, this first set of tie rods 5 is not articulated or slightly articulated to ensure a fixed hold (or a low displacement tolerance) of the first end of the first reservoir 2 relative to the second reservoir 3 (particularly in the case of the fixed link 15).

The container 1 comprises a second set of tie rods 5 of the same nature as the first set at the level of the other longitudinal end of the container 1 (right in Figure 1). These tie rods 5 of the second set have a first end 7 connected to the second tank 3 and a second end 8 rigidly connected to the first tank 2. This second set of tie rods comprises a plurality of tie rods 5, in particular four tie rods 5 whose first end 7 is located at the second longitudinal end of the second reservoir 3. The second end 8 of the tie rods 5 is connected to the second longitudinal end of the first reservoir 2 (as previously preferably via a ring or tube secured to the end of the first reservoir 2.

The tie rods of the second set of tie rods 5 can be arranged as those of the first set (see Figure 2 or 4 and description above).

At each longitudinal end of the container 1, the second ends 8 of the tie rods 5 can be connected to the first tank 2 or to a neck fixed thereto.

In addition, preferably, the ends 7 of the rods 5 of the second assembly are hinged to allow in particular a movement of the second end of the first reservoir 2 in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 1 the retracted position in dashed lines).

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the container 1 comprises a third set of tie rods 6, in particular four tie rods 6 having a first end 10 connected to the second tank 3 and a second end 9 connected to the third tank 4 via a support 11, 12, 13 rigidly connected to the latter. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first end 10 of the tie rods 6 of the third assembly is situated at the first longitudinal end of the second reservoir 3. The second end 9 of said tie rods 6 is located at the first longitudinal end of the container 1 . The third set of tie rods 6 preferably comprises two upper tie rods 6 whose first end 10 is located in the upper part of the second reservoir 3 and the second end 9 is situated in the upper part of the first reservoir 2 (see FIGS. The two lower tie rods 6 preferably have the first end 10 is connected in the lower part of the second reservoir 3 and the second end 9 located in the lower part of the first reservoir 2.

Preferably, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A (see FIG. 3 or 4), the two upper tie rods 6 are relatively oriented with an angle of between 60 and 110 degrees and preferably between 70 and 90 degrees and the two tie rods 6 lower are relatively oriented with an angle between 60 and 110 degrees and preferably between 60 and 90 degrees.

The container 1 comprises a fourth set of tie rods 6 at the other end of the container 1 which can be arranged in the same configuration as the third set (see above and Figures 3 and 4).

The tie rods 6 of the third set of tie rods, respectively of the fourth set of tie rods, have a length of between 30 and 80% and preferably between 40 and 60% of the length of the radius of the section of the second reservoir.

2.

Thus, the two internal tanks 2, 4 are carried and suspended in the first external tank 1 via tie rods 5, 6 located at both ends of the container 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the second ends of the tie rods 6 supporting the third reservoir 4 may be connected to rings 13 or plates secured to the third reservoir 4 via the screen walls 11, 12. That is to say that the second ends 9 of the tie rods 6 can be connected to respective rings 13 also forming the support of the screen walls 11, 12.

In addition, as shown in Figure 4, all or part of the tie rods 5, 6 can pass through these screen walls 11, 12 via respective holes 17.

Other tie rods or holding / support members may optionally optionally be provided between these two ends of the container 1.

The tie rods 5, 6 articulated (at the free end of the first and third tanks) are configured to pivot around their end 7, 10 connected to the second reservoir 3 at an angle of, for example, between 10 and 20 degrees and corresponding to a clearance in the longitudinal direction of their second end 8, 9 for example between 1 and 50mm and in particular between 30 and 40mm (for a container having a length of the order of 12 meters).

In the case of a fixed and rigid connection at one longitudinal end, this blocks the longitudinal displacement of a longitudinal end of the first 2 and the third tank 4 relative to the second tank 3 while allowing a longitudinal displacement of the opposite longitudinal end of the first 2 and third tank 4 relative to the second tank 3. This movement is made possible via the tie rods 5, 6 hinged.

In addition, preferably, at least a portion of the ends 10 and 7 of the tie rods 5, 6 connected to the lower part of the second reservoir 3 are mounted on respective resilient supports 14 and damping a limited vertical travel relative to the second reservoir 3 These resilient supports 14 may comprise, for example, a stack of Belleville washers, a shock absorber, a spring or any other suitable member. Conventionally, the fixed and rigid connection may comprise tubular walls forming the round-trips in the longitudinal direction A to constitute an insulation thermal path between, on the one hand, the second reservoir 3 and, on the other hand, the first 2 and third 4 tanks (see for example DE102014206370A1). This thermal path may comprise an epoxy / glass composite tube or the like on the thermal path.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6, the axial fixed connection (in the longitudinal direction A) between the second reservoir 3 and the first reservoir 2 may comprise a wall 25 (epoxy / glass or metal composite such as titanium for example), one of which end 125 is blocked longitudinally by a longitudinal stop 225 secured to the first reservoir 2. The longitudinal stop 225 is for example fixing clamp preventing relative rotation of the two parts).

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the two cylindrical walls delimiting the third reservoir 4 can comprise spacers or stiffeners separating them. This makes it possible to minimize the thickness of the walls or ferrules by balancing the effect of the pressure and by reinforcing the assembly in particular axially (in the longitudinal direction A). The arrow of the cylindrical part is a few millimeters in full load of liquid nitrogen and under 4g of acceleration during handling. The evaporated nitrogen can be vented to the atmosphere by piping not shown for the sake of simplification. The pressure can be maintained at typically 0.5 bar by a discharger. This third annular tank 4 can also be equipped with filling pipe and a safety line connected to a valve.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 and without this being limiting, the spacers 16 or stiffeners may extend in the longitudinal direction A. this configuration makes it possible to in particular a manufacture of the two walls and their spacer (s) by extrusion.

Thus, while being of simple and inexpensive structure, the container 1 can increase the nitrogen capacity, for example from 1200 liters to 3000 liters with an annular height of 40 mm (distance separating the two concentric walls of the third tank 4 ). This configuration minimizes the reduction of the capacity of the first tank 2.

The hyperstatic structure of support allows a homogeneous distribution of the mass of the third tank 4 to avoid an overload on the rear axles in case of road transport or an imbalance during handling

This architecture ensures a very good thermalization (no need for cooling circuit). This concept works even with a very small amount of nitrogen at the end of the trip. The heat inputs are transmitted by conduction by the ferrules 4 to the liquid nitrogen. There is no risk of malfunction of the cooling circuit with low evaporation rate and temperature rise in the upper part of the third tank

The two cylindrical walls of the third tank 4 (ferrules) act as two heat shields in series. The outer wall receives the flow of heat from the second tank 3. The inner wall receives the heat flow from the outer wall which has a temperature of, for example, 90K. This reduces the heat flow to the first tank 2 (for example at 4K).

The hyperstatic structure of support and support allows a good distribution of the masses, a support allowing the dilations and retractions and a holding during the trans orts, The third tank 4 (and the screen walls 11, 12) is a rigid assembly that can be self-supported by the tie rods 6 from the wall of the second tank 3. This avoids compression of the inter-wall insulation. This therefore avoids thermal defects and improves the degassing of the insulation by avoiding the local settlement of the insulating material.

The third reservoir 4 forming a screen may be in direct abutment on the insulation disposed around the first reservoir 2. This insulation, not shown, may comprise layers of insulating materials conventionally used.

The container can be housed (fixed) to a parallelepiped frame allowing transport.

Claims

1. Container for storing and transporting liquefied gas, in particular cryogenic fluid such as helium, comprising a first internal reservoir (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (A) and intended to store the liquefied gas, a second external reservoir (3) disposed around the first reservoir (2) with a vacuum-isolated space between the first (2) and the second (3) reservoir, the container comprising a third annular reservoir (4) disposed around the first (2) ) reservoir, between the first (2) and the second (3) reservoir, the third reservoir (4) extending around at least a portion of the first (2) reservoir and containing a liquefied gas to form a heat shield ensuring a thermal insulation of the first (2) tank, the container (1) comprising a holding device of the first (2) and third (4) tank in the second tank (3), the holding system being configured to allow a limited movement of the first (2) and third (4) tanks in the second tank (3) in particular in the longitudinal direction (A) during their dimensional variations due to temperature variations, the holding system comprising a set of tie rods (5, 6 ), characterized in that at least a portion of the tie rods (5, 6) have a first end (7) hingedly connected to the second (3) reservoir and a second end (8, 9) rigidly connected to the first reservoir (2) or the third reservoir (4) or to a structural part rigidly connected thereto, said articulated tie rods (5, 6) being movable between two defined angular positions respectively defining two distinct positions of the second end (8, 9) tie rods and corresponding respectively to the extremes of the dimensional variations of the first (2) and third (4) reservoirs relative to the second reservoir (3).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first set of tie rods (5) having a first end (7) connected to the second reservoir (3) and a second end (8) rigidly connected to the first reservoir ( 2), the first set of tie rods (5) comprising a plurality of tie rods (5), in particular four tie rods (5) whose first end (7) is located at a first longitudinal end of the second reservoir (3), the second end (8) tie rods (5) being connected to a first longitudinal end of the first tank (2).

Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the first set of tie rods (5) comprises two upper tie rods (5) having their first end (7) connected in the upper part of the second reservoir (3) and their second end (8). ) connected in the lower part of the first reservoir (2) and two lower tie rods (5) having their first end (7) connected in the lower part of the second reservoir (3) and their second end (8) connected in the upper part of the first reservoir ( 2).

4. Container according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a second set of tie rods (5) having a first end (7) connected to the second reservoir (3) and a second end (8). rigidly connected to the first reservoir (2), the second set of tie rods comprising a plurality of tie rods (5), in particular four tie rods (5) whose first end (7) is located at a second longitudinal end of the second reservoir (3), the second end (8) of the tie rods (5) being connected to the second longitudinal end of the first tank (2).

Container according to claim 4, characterized in that the second set of tie rods (5) comprises two upper tie rods (5) whose first ends (7) are connected in the upper part of the second reservoir (3) and the second ends ( 8) are connected in the lower part of the first reservoir (2) and two lower tie rods (5) having their first ends (7) connected in the lower part of the second reservoir (3) and their second ends (8) connected in the upper part of the first tank (2).

6. Container according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (A), the upper tie rods (5) intersect at an angle of between 70 and 130 degrees and preferably between 90 and 120 degrees and in that the tie rods (5) below intersect at an angle between 70 and 130 degrees and preferably between 90 and 120 degrees.

7. Container according to claim 3, 5 or 6, characterized in that, in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction (A), the upper tie rods (5) intersect with the tie rods (5) below.

8. Container according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the second tank (3) has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction (A) with a given radius and in that the tie rods ( 5) of the first set of tie rods, respectively of the second set of tie rods, have a length of between 80 and 150% and preferably between 90 and 120% of the length of said radius.

Container according to any one of the claims

1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a third set of tie rods (6), in particular four tie-rods (6) having a first end (10) connected to the second reservoir (3) and a second end (9) to the third reservoir (4) or a support (11, 12, 13) rigidly connected thereto, the first end (10) of the tie rods (6) of the third assembly being located at the first longitudinal end of the second reservoir (3), the second end (9) of said tie rods (6) being located at the first longitudinal end of the second reservoir.

10. Container according to claim 9, characterized in that the third set of tie rods (6) comprises two tie rods (6) whose upper end (10) is located in the upper part of the second tank (3) and the second end ( 9) is located in the upper part of the first tank (2), and two lower tie rods (6) whose first end (10) is connected in the lower part of the second tank (3) and the second end (9) is located in part lower of the first tank (2).

11. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a fourth set of tie rods (6), including four tie rods (6) having a first end (10) connected to the second reservoir (3). and a second end (9) connected to the third tank (4) or to a support (11, 12, 13) rigidly connected thereto, the first end (10) of the tie rods (6) of the third set being located at the second longitudinal end of the second reservoir (3), the second end (9) of said tie rods (6) being located at the second longitudinal end of the second reservoir.

12. Container according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (A), the two upper tie rods (6) are relatively oriented with an angle of between 60 and 110 degrees and preferably between 70 and 110 degrees. and 90 degrees and the two lower tie rods (6) are oriented relatively at an angle of between 60 and 110 degrees and preferably between 70 and 90 degrees.

13. Container according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the tie rods (6) of the third set of tie rods, respectively of the fourth set of tie rods, have a length of between 30 and 80% and preferably between 40 and and 60% of the length of the radius of the section of the second tank (3).

Container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the articulated tie rods (5, 6) are configured to pivot about their end (7, 10) connected to the second reservoir (3) at an angle 10 and 20 degrees and corresponding to a deflection in the longitudinal direction of their second end (8, 9) between 1 and 50mm and in particular between 30 and 40mm.

15. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a connection (15) fixed and rigid between on the one hand, a longitudinal end of the second reservoir (3) and on the other hand , the adjacent longitudinal end of the first reservoir (2) and an end of the third reservoir (4) or a support element integral with the latter, that is to say that the link (15) fixed and rigid blocks at least the longitudinal displacement of a longitudinal end of the first (2) and third (4) reservoir relative to the second reservoir (3) while allowing a travel longitudinal axis of the opposite end of the first (2) and third (4 reservoir relative to the second reservoir

(3).

16. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that the fixed and rigid connection (15) comprises walls forming the roundtrips in the longitudinal direction (A) to form a thermal isolation path between, on the one hand, the second tank (3) and, on the other hand, the first (2) and third (4) tanks.

Container according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that at least a portion of the ends (10, 7) of the rods connected to the lower part of the second tank (3) are mounted on an elastic support ( 14) allowing and damping a limited vertical travel relative to the second tank (3).