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
  • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
  • F17C13/004—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels for large storage vessels not under pressure
• • 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
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/58—Arrangements of pumps
  • B67D7/62—Arrangements of pumps power operated
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/78—Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/84—Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D9/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships
  • B67D9/02—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships using articulated pipes
• • 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
  • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
  • F17C13/02—Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment
• • 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
  • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
  • F17C13/08—Mounting arrangements for vessels
  • F17C13/082—Mounting arrangements for vessels for large sea-borne storage vessels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • 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
• • 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
  • F17C6/00—Methods and apparatus for filling vessels not under pressure with liquefied or solidified gases
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
  • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
  • F04B15/00—Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts
  • F04B15/06—Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts for liquids near their boiling point, e.g. under subnormal pressure
  • F04B15/08—Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts for liquids near their boiling point, e.g. under subnormal pressure the liquids having low boiling points
  • F04B2015/081—Liquefied gases
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/01—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
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/05—Size
  • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 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
  • F17C2203/06—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
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/018—Supporting feet
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
  • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
  • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
  • F17C2205/0355—Insulation thereof
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • 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
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/04—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by other properties of handled fluid before transfer
  • F17C2223/042—Localisation of the removal point
  • F17C2223/046—Localisation of the removal point in the liquid
  • F17C2223/047—Localisation of the removal point in the liquid with a dip tube
• • 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
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
  • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
  • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
• • 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
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
  • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
  • F17C2227/0171—Arrangement
  • F17C2227/0178—Arrangement in the vessel
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
  • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
  • F17C2250/0408—Level of content in the vessel
  • F17C2250/0417—Level of content in the vessel with electrical means
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
  • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
  • F17C2250/0491—Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
  • F17C2260/011—Improving strength
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
  • F17C2260/016—Preventing slosh
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
  • F17C2265/06—Fluid distribution
  • F17C2265/066—Fluid distribution for feeding engines for propulsion
• • 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
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
  • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
  • F17C2270/0105—Ships
  • F17C2270/0107—Wall panels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
  • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
  • F17C2270/0118—Offshore

Definitions

• Tank for storing and / or transporting a cargo of liquid gas for a ship
• the present invention relates to the field of ships carrying a fluid, such as for example liquefied natural gas. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of tanks equipping such vessels, in which natural gas is stored in the liquid state and which include towers for loading and / or unloading liquefied natural gas.
• These vessels thus conventionally comprise tanks which contain natural gas in the liquid state. Natural gas being liquid at temperatures below - 163 ° C, these tanks are waterproof and thermally insulating. The walls of these tanks, furthermore have undulations, necessary for their mechanical strength. Indeed, these tanks are subject to mechanical constraints related to their own weight, the weight of the ship, the movement of this vessel on the water, and the sloshing it undergoes. The production of corrugations on the walls of these tanks thus gives them sufficient flexibility to withstand these constraints.
• These tanks also include loading and / or unloading towers for loading and unloading the liquefied natural gas.
• These loading and / or unloading towers each comprise a tripod structure, that is to say a structure which comprises three poles which are each fixed to each other by crosspieces. At least two of these masts are associated with unloading pumps so that they thus form unloading lines that allow the liquid natural gas to be evacuated in order to empty, at least partially, the tank concerned.
• these loading and / or unloading towers are most often arranged near a rear side wall of the tank, in other words, near angles formed between this rear side wall and the bottom wall of the tank. tank.
• the propulsion engines of these ships may be powered, at least in part, by natural gas.
• At least one accessory pump is thus arranged in the tank.
• Such an accessory pump is configured to allow the natural gas supply of the propulsion engines of the ship and / or a heat engine of an electric generator and / or for spraying liquid gas in the empty tank, in order to lower the temperature before starting to fill it and / or to completely empty the tank concerned.
• the manufacturers of these vessels are now seeking to reduce as much as possible the volume of liquefied natural gas that is impassable, ie the volume of this liquefied natural gas that can not be removed from the tank, or the unloading pumps. nor by the accessory pump.
• One way of reducing this volume is for example to have at least one of the pumps of each tank, at least parriellemenr, in a sump formed in the bottom wall of the tank concerned.
• the establishment of such a sump causes a cut of the corrugations made on the bottom wall, resulting in stiffening of the mechanical structure of the vessel which causes stress concentrations exceeding the acceptable thresholds for corrugated tank technology.
• the present invention is in this context and provides a simple and inexpensive way to reduce the impompatible volume of gas, without the mechanical strength of the tank is not impacted.
• An object of the present invention thus relates to a tank for storing and / or transporting a fluid intended for a ship, the tank comprising at least one loading and / or unloading tower of the fluid, at least one sump being provided in a bottom wall of the tank, the loading and / or unloading tower comprising at least one base located at a lower end of this loading and / or unloading tower, the loading and / or unloading tower comprising at least March 3 integral with the base, the charging tower and / or unloading being carrying at least one pump, the masts defining, by axial projection on the bottom wall of the tank, a perimeter.
• the pump is entirely disposed outside the perimeter and extends, at least parriellemenr, into the sump.
• the term "pump” designates an assembly consisting of an electric motor and a pump body configured to suck a fluid, in this case to suck up the cryogenic liquid present in the tank.
• the axial projection of the masts on the bottom wall is understood as the projection of an outer perimeter of these mars. Otherwise, the projection Axial of the masts on the bottom wall is understood as the projection of the largest perimeter possibly delimited by these masts.
• the terms "entirely outside the perimeter” mean here that the entire pump is arranged outside this perimeter, that is to say both the electric motor and the pump body which extend outside the perimeter formed by the axial projection of the masts on the bottom wall of the tank.
• the perimeter formed by the axial projection of the masts on the bottom wall of the tank is at a non-zero distance from an axial projection of a contour of the pump on the bottom wall of the tank.
• the sump is also provided outside the perimeter formed by the axial projection of the masts on the bottom wall of the tank.
• the axial projections of the masts and / or pump mentioned above are determined by observing an image of the object concerned projected on the bottom wall by placing itself on an axis perpendicular to the bottom wall of the tank. It is noted that the general shape of the axial projection of the masts is generally a triangle.
• the bottom wall of the tank has at least one corrugation.
• the bottom wall comprises a plurality of corrugations which give flexibility to this bottom wall, which allows it a better mechanical resistance to the various stresses during the life and movements of the ship for which it is intended.
• the invention and what is described below applies to other type of wall when the mechanical constraints require to provide a distance between two structural elements that interrupt the wall.
• cleaning the sump outside the perimeter defined by the axial projection of the masts on the bottom wall of the tank makes it possible to ensure that a sufficient number of corrugations made on the bottom wall of the tank remain interrupted between two points of the bottom wall where these ripples are interrupted.
• the invention makes it possible to keep a minimum number of uninterrupted undulations between a corner located at the intersection of the bottom wall with a side wall of the tank, and the sump.
• the invention makes it possible to keep a minimum number of uninterrupted ripples between a supporting leg of the load tower and / or unloading anchored in the bottom wall and the sump.
• the tank comprises at least one side wall which extends substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall of this tank, the bottom wall having at least three corrugations between the side wall of the tank. and the sump.
• the bottom wall comprises a support leg of the loading tower and / or unloading, the bottom wall having at least three corrugation steps between the support foot of the tower of loading and / or unloading and sump. It is understood that these are the minimum numbers of corrugations necessary for the bottom wall retains its flexibility and therefore its mechanical strength, despite the presence of the sump which cuts these undulations.
• the pump located outside the perimeter is an accessory pump configured to supply fluid to a vessel engine and / or to cool the tank by spraying fluid present in the tank and / or to completely empty the tank before an intervention in the tank.
• the loading and / or unloading tower may comprise an unloading pump dedicated to unloading the fluid, the pump located outside the perimeter and in the sump being incidental with respect to the unloading pump. because it manages one or more auxiliary functions to the unloading of the cargo.
• the unloading pump flow rate is significantly higher than the flow rate of the accessory pump.
• the accessory pump supplies the propulsion engine (s) of the vessel.
• the accessory pump circulates the fluid taken from the sump in a circuit that opens into an upper part of the tank, so as to cool it.
• the accessory pump empties the entire cargo, emptying the sump. This guarantees a total emptying of the tank.
• the pump located outside the perimeter is an unloading pump configured to discharge at least a portion of the fluid contained in the tank.
• the term "pump” designates, without distinction, the accessory pump or the unloading pump, according to the embodiment implemented.
• At least one support is arranged between the base and the pump. More particularly, this support is mounted integral with the base of the loading tower and / or unloading and the pump. In other words, this support forms a mechanical link between this pump and the loading tower and / or unloading.
• the at least one support comprises at least a first docking area on which is fixed the base of the loading tower and / or unloading and at least a second docking area on which the pump is fixed, the first docking zone and the second docking zone being connected to one another by a body of the support, the first docking zone extending in a first plane, the second docking zone extending in a second plane, the first plane and the second plane being distinct.
• the body of the support extends mainly in a third plane intersecting the first plane and the second plane.
• the first plane in which extends the first docking area of the support is parallel to the second plane in which extends the second docking area of the support.
• the third plane in which the body of the support mainly extends is perpendicular to the first plane of the first landing zone of the support and to the second plane of the second landing zone of the support.
• the first docking area may be formed by a first plate extending in the first plane from the support body in a first direction and the second docking area may be formed by a second plate extending, in the second plane, from the body of the support in a second direction contrary to the first direction.
• the first docking area and the second docking area extend away from each other.
• a first distance measured between the bottom wall of the tank and the first support docking zone, along a line perpendicular to the bottom wall is greater than a second distance measured along the line perpendicular to the bottom wall, between the bottom wall of the tank and the second docking zone of the support.
• the second docking area of the support is closer to the bottom wall of the tank than the first docking zone of this support.
• the second distance measured between the bottom of the tank and the second docking area of the support is non-zero.
• the use of this support thus makes it possible to generate a space between an inlet of the sump located flush with the bottom wall of the tank and the base of the loading tower and / or unloading, so as to leave free this entrance of the sump despite the congestion of the pump that extends there.
• this distance between the base and the bottom wall of the tank it ensures the removal of the base, which ensures that the base will not limit the flow of liquid to the entrance of the sump.
• the body of the support comprises at least one aperture.
• the body of the support comprises two openings. Whatever their number, these openings allow the fluid in the tank to circulate to reach the sump, especially to join the encrusted sump. In other words, this support is perforated so as not to hinder the smooth flow of this fluid.
• the first docking zone, the second docking zone and the support body form a one-piece assembly.
• the support forms a single assembly which can not be separated without causing the deterioration of the first docking zone, the second docking zone or the support body.
• the base comprises at least one side wing which protrudes from the loading tower and / or unloading, the support being fixed to this side wing.
• the at least one side wing comprises a perforated box, the box comprising at least three walls which define a recess through which extends, at least partially, the support. More specifically, a portion of the support body extends through this recess. Optionally, part of the pump carried by the support can also extend through this recess.
• the three walls of this perforated box are U-shaped, a base of the U being fixed to the base of the loading tower and / or unloading and two branches of this U-shape extending from the base of this U shape, on both sides of the pump.
• the recess of the box may be delimited by four walls. According to this alternative, the four walls can take a rectangular configuration, substantially rectangular or square.
• the box is for example welded to the lateral flange of the base.
• the box can be bolted to the side wing of the base.
• Each wall of the box comprises at least one lower face facing towards the bottom wall of the tank and at least one upper face facing away from the lower face, the first docking area of the support being fixed against the upper face of the tank. one of the walls of the box.
• this makes it possible to insert the support from above, until the first docking zone comes into abutment against the upper face of at least one of the walls of the caisson carried by the lateral wing of the based.
• the tank can comprise at least two supports respectively fixed on the one hand to the box of the base of the loading tower and / or unloading and secondly to the pump. It is understood that these two supports are identical to each other and both comprise the characteristics which have just been described with reference to one of them.
• each of these two supports comprises a first docking zone which forms a mechanical link between the base of the loading and / or unloading tower and the support, a second docking zone which forms a mechanical link between the pump and the support, and a body which forms a mechanical link between the first berthing zone and the second berthing zone, that is to say, indirectly, between the base of the loading tower and / or unloading and the pump.
• the first docking area of a first support is for example fixed on an upper face of a first wall of the perforated box
• the first docking area of a second support is fixed on an upper face of a second wall of the perforated box.
• the second docking zone of the first support and the second docking zone of the second support are both attached to the pump.
• the first wall of the box against which is fixed the first docking area of the first support faces the second wall of the box on which is fixed the first docking area of the second support.
• the first docking area of the first support is fixed on a first branch of this U shape and the first docking area of the second support is fixed on a second branch of this U shape, this first branch and this second branch of the U shape being two roads connected to the base of this U shape.
• the perforated box is rectangular, the first wall and the second wall which receive, respectively, the first docking zone of the first support and the first docking zone of the second support are parallel.
• such arrangements make it possible to distribute the forces supported by the supports and therefore by the walls of the perforated box which receives these supports, so that the assembly has a better mechanical strength.
• the mars are arranged equidistant from each other so that the perimeter formed by the axial projection of these poles on the bottom wall of the tank is the perimeter of an equilateral triangle.
• At least one fluid evacuation tube is in fluid communication with the pump arranged outside the perimeter, the vessel comprising at least one holding arm configured to make a force recovery of the tube. evacuation.
• this holding arm is fixed on one of the supports arranged between the base of the loading and / or unloading tower and the pump, advantageously on the first docking area of the support concerned.
• the present invention also comprises a vessel comprising at least one vessel according to the invention and at least one carrying structure, the vessel being anchored in the carrier structure.
• the invention also relates to a method of loading or unloading a vessel according to the invention, in which a fluid is conveyed through pipes from or to a floating or land storage facility to or from the tank of the vessel.
• the invention relates to a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising a vessel according to the invention, pipes arranged to connect the tank of the vessel to a floating or land storage installation and a pump for driving a fluid. through the pipelines to or from the floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel's vessel.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic cutaway view of a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid according to the invention, this vessel being equipped with a loading tower and / or unloading.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a loading and / or unloading tower according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a detailed view from below of the loading tower and / or unloading illustrating a guide of the loading tower and / or unloading on a support foot;
• FIG. 4 is a view from above of a base of the loading and / or unloading tower according to a first embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 5 is a view from above of a base of the loading and / or unloading tower according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a perforated box carried by a lateral wing of the base of the loading / unloading tower according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;
• FIG. 7 is a representation of a support configured to form a mechanical link between the box and at least one of the pumps;
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the side wing partially illustrated in Figure 6, on which is fixed the support, this support also carrying one of the pumps of the loading tower and / or unloading;
• FIG. 9 illustrates, in perspective, an area of the tank at which the loading and / or unloading tower extends
• FIG. 10 is a schematic cutaway representation of a tank of LNG tanker and a terminal for loading and / or unloading of the tank.
• an orthonormal frame defined by two x and y axes is used to describe the elements of the tank.
• the x axis corresponds to a longitudinal direction of a ship and the y axis has a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ship.
• the terms “forward” and “rear” refer to a direction of main movement of the ship along the longitudinal direction.
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a tank 1 for storing and / or transporting a fluid.
• this fluid is liquefied natural gas but it is understood that it could be a different fluid without departing from the context of the present invention.
• this fluid could be a gaseous mixture mainly comprising methane and one or more other hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, n-butane, i-butane, n-pentane, pentane, neopentane, and nitrogen in a small proportion.
• the terms "fluid” and "liquefied natural gas” are used without distinction.
• the tank 1 is equipped with a tower 2 for loading and / or unloading, in particular for loading and / or unloading the liquefied gas into / from the tank 1.
• This tank 1 is moreover anchored in a structure carrier 3 embarked on a ship.
• the carrier structure 3 is for example formed by an inner shell of a ship but may more generally be formed of any type of rigid partition having suitable mechanical properties.
• the tank 1 may be intended for the transport of liquefied gas or for receiving liquefied gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the vessel or for the supply of a fuel. thermal engine of an electric generator of the ship.
• the tank 1 is a membrane tank.
• each wall has successively, from the outside towards the inside, in the direction of thickness of the wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 4 comprising insulating elements resting against the supporting structure 3, a membrane of secondary seal 5 anchored to the insulating elements of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 4, a primary thermally insulating barrier 6 having insulating elements resting against the primary waterproofing membrane 7 anchored to the insulating elements of the primary insulating thermal barrier 5 and intended to wander in contact with the fluid contained in the tank 1.
• each wall scared especially wanders Mark III, as described for example in FR2691520, type N096 as described for example in FR2877638, or type Mark V as described for example in WO 14057221.
• the tower 2 for loading and / or unloading is installed in the vicinity of a side wall 8 of the vessel 1, and more particularly in the vicinity of a rear side wall 8 of the vessel 1, which makes it possible to optimize the quantity cargo likely to be unloaded by the tower 2 loading and / or unloading insofar as the ships are generally tilted back using ballasts in particular way in particular to limit the vibrations.
• the terms "tower” and "loading and / or unloading tower” will be used without distinction to designate the same structure.
• the tower 2 is suspended from an upper wall 9 of the supporting structure 3 and extends substantially along the height of the vessel 1 between an upper end 200 and a lower end 201.
• the upper end 200 forms the end of the tower 2 by which it is suspended from the upper wall 9 of the carrier structure 3 and the lower end 201 forms the end of the tower 2 closest to a bottom wall 23 of the 1.
• the tower 2 for loading and / or unloading is arranged near a first stress zone of the tank 1 formed by a wedge 24 and situated at the intersection between the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1 and the rear side wall 8 of this tank 1.
• Figures 2 to 5 illustrate at least parriellemenr the tower 2 loading and / or unloading, respectively, in a perspective view, in a view from below, and in two views from above, the tower 2 being made according to a first example embodiment in Figure 4 and according to a second embodiment in Figures 2 and 5.
• the tower 2 for loading and / or unloading thus comprises a rripode structure, that is to say that it comprises at least three masts 11, 12, 13 which are each fixed to each other by crosspieces 14. Each of these masts 11, 12, 13 is hollow and passes through a cover 10 which closes the upper wall of the tank. Note that these masts 11, 12, 13 are not illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 on which is visible only a base 27 comprising rings 34, 35, 36 configured to receive these March 11, 12, 13, March 11 , 12, 13 being secured to these rings 34, 35, 36.
• the three March 11, 12, 13 define with the cross 14 a prism riangular section. According to the embodiment illustrated here, these masts 11, 12, 13 are arranged equidistant from each other so that the section of the prism is an equilateral triangle.
• the three March 11, 12, 13 are arranged such that at least one of the faces of the prism extends in a transverse plane Pl which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the ship.
• two of the March 11, 12 are aligned in the transverse plane Pl.
• the two March 11, 12 which are aligned in the transverse plane Pl are the two rear masts, that is to say closest to the rear side wall of the tank.
• the mast 13 before that is to say the mast farthest from the rear side wall of the tank, has a larger diameter than the two masts 11, 12 rear.
• the front mast 13 forms a relief well allowing the descent of a backup pump and an unloading line in case of failure of the other unloading pumps.
• the two rear masts 11, 12 form sheaths for the passage of electrical supply cables ensuring, in particular, the supply of unloading pumps supported by the loading tower 2 and / or unloading.
• the loading tower and / or unloading can be equipped with ducts for the passage of power supply cable which are then arranged in the transverse plane Pl, between the two masts 11, 12 rear.
• the installation comprises three ducts 15, 16, 17 discharge or discharge, which are each connected to a pump 18, 19, 20.
• the three ducts 15, 16, 17 are arranged in the transverse plane Pl.
• the three ducts 15, 16, 17 are more particularly placed between the two masts 11, 12 rear.
• Each of the pumps 18, 19, 20 of the tower 2 for loading and / or unloading comprises at least one electric motor and a pump body, this pump body comprising at least one suction element which forms a fluid inlet in the pump concerned.
• the tower 2 for loading and / or unloading is also equipped with two loading lines 21, 22 which are fixed to the mast 13 before.
• One of the two loading lines 22, extends only in an upper portion of the tank while the other loading line 21 extends substantially over the entire height of the tank to near the bottom wall of the tank 1.
• the loading line 21 which extends substantially over the entire height of the tank 1 is aligned with the mast 13 before a transverse plane P2 which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the ship. This makes it possible to limit the stresses due to the sloshing phenomena exerted on this loading line 21.
• the tower 2 for loading and / or unloading is also equipped with a base 27, which is fixed to the lower end 201 of the tower 2 and which supports the three pumps 18, 19, 20.
• the the presence of three pumps 18, 19, 20 makes it possible, among other things, to provide redundancy which makes it possible in particular to reduce the risks of breakdown requiring the intervention of a maintenance operator in the tank.
• the loading and / or unloading tower 2 comprises a guiding device which is fixed against a lower face of the base 27, that is to say a face of this base 27 facing the bottom wall 23, and which cooperates with a support leg 31 which is fixed to the bottom wall 23 of the vessel 1.
• a guiding device aims to allow the relative movements of the turn 2 loading and / or unloading relative to the support foot 31 in the direction of height of the tank to allow the tower 2 to load and / or unload to contract or expand depending on the temperatures to which it is subjected to by preventing the horizontal or transverse movements of the base 27 of the tower 2 loading and / or unloading.
• the support leg 31 has a circular section of revolution shape, with a frustoconical lower portion which connects at its end of more perishing diameter to a cylindrical upper portion.
• the larger diameter base of the frustoconical portion bears against the supporting structure of the vessel 1.
• the frustoconical lower portion 54 extends through the thickness of the bottom wall 23 of the vessel beyond the level of the vessel. the primary waterproofing membrane.
• the cylindrical upper part is sealed by a circular plate.
• the primary and secondary waterproofing membranes are sealingly connected to the frustoconical lower portion 54.
• At least two guide elements 57, 58 are welded to the support foot 31 and respectively extend towards the rear and front of the vessel 1.
• Each of the two guide elements 57, 58 is equipped with two longitudinal faces and a transverse face, each longitudinal and transverse faces being in contact with a guide element 59 fixed on the base 27 of the tower 2 loading and / or unloading.
• the support foot 31 passes through the bottom wall 23 of the tank, so that the corrugations formed on this bottom wall 23 are cut off, thereby generating a second stress zone of the tank.
• at least one of these pumps 18, 19, 20 is arranged outside a perimeter P defined by the three March 11, 12, 13 of the tower 2 loading and / or unloading.
• At least one of these pumps 18, 19, 20 is arranged entirely outside this perimeter P, that is to say that the pump body and the electric motor are both arranged outside. of this perimeter P.
• a contour P 'of this pump is at a distance dl nonzero of the perimeter P delimited by the March 11, 12, 13 of the tower 2.
• the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 differs from the second exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 by the type of pump arranged outside the perimeter P defined by March 11, 12, 13.
• the pump 19 arranged outside the perimeter P is an accessory pump, that is to say an auxiliary or additional pump to a dedicated pump specifically for the unloading of the cargo present in the tank.
• the base 27 thus carries at least one unloading pump 18, 20 which cuts the perimeter P of the masts or which is located in the perimeter P of the mars, and at least one pump, say accessory, which extends into a sump of the tank and outside the perimeter P of the masts.
• the accessory pump is configured to supply fluid, in this case natural gas in the liquid state, the propulsion engine (s) of the ship and / or a heat engine of an electric generator of the ship and / or for spraying the liquefied natural gas in the empty tank to cool the latter before filling, and / or to perform a complete emptying of the tank.
• fluid in this case natural gas in the liquid state
• the propulsion engine (s) of the ship and / or a heat engine of an electric generator of the ship and / or for spraying the liquefied natural gas in the empty tank to cool the latter before filling, and / or to perform a complete emptying of the tank.
• two pumps 18, 20 are arranged outside the perimeter P, these two pumps 18, 20 being specifically unloading pumps of the tank, that is to say pumps having a flow rate compatible with a liquefied natural gas unloading operation. It is understood that this is only a embodiment of the present invention and that it could be expected that a single evening unloading pump arranged outside the perimeter without departing from the context of the present invention.
• pump designates exclusively the pump (s) arranged (s) outside the perimeter.
• the characteristics described for a pump with reference to one of the two embodiments of the invention are directly transferable to the pump of the other embodiment or to the other pump carried by the same loading tower and / or unloading.
• the pump arranged outside the perimeter P delimited by the March 11, 12, 13 is disposed at least partially in a sump.
• this arrangement of the pump in the sump reduces a volume of liquefied natural gas impompable, ie the volume of gas that does not fear removed from the tank.
• the base 27 comprises rings 34, 35, 36 through which pass the lower ends of March 3.
• the rings 34, 35, 36 are welded to the braces so as to fix said base 27 at the lower end of the three mars, and thus at the lower end of the loading and / or unloading tower.
• the base 27 comprises a central stiffening structure 37 making it possible to increase the stiffness of the base 27 and thus to increase the resistance of the loading and / or unloading tower to the phenomena of sloshing.
• the central stiffening structure 37 comprises two stiffeners 38, 39, inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction x of the ship, which each extend in a straight line, between the central axis of one of the rear legs and the central axis the front bumper, otherwise dir, between a ring 36 front carrier of the front mast and one of the rings 34, 35 rear carrier of one of the rear march.
• the central stiffening structure 37 comprises several stiffeners 40, 41, 42, 43 which extend transversely and join the two inclined stiffeners 38, 39.
• the central stiffening structure 37 further comprises stiffeners 44 which extend in the longitudinal direction between the transversely extending stiffeners 40, 41, 42, 43.
• the base 27 comprises a flat sheet and the stiffeners 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 are metal beams which are welded to the flat sheet.
• This central stiffening structure 37 is also present on the basis of the first embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen in FIG. 4.
• the base 27 further comprises at least one side wing 45, 46 which projects in the transverse direction y beyond the perimeter P defined by the three poles. As illustrated, this at least one side wing 45, 46 carries the pump arranged outside the perimeter P defined by the poles. As previously mentioned, according to the first embodiment, a single pump 19 is arranged outside the perimeter P, so that the base 27 may comprise only one side wing 45. In contrast, according to the second embodiment two pumps 18, 20 are arranged outside the perimeter P so that the base 27 comprises two lateral wings 45, 46, each carrying one of these pumps 18, 20.
• each pump 18, 19, 20 arranged outside the perimeter P is more particularly housed in a box 47, 48, for example open towards the outside of the loading tower and / or unloading and carried by one of the side wings 45, 46 of base 27 of the loading tower and / or unloading.
• the base 27 of the loading and / or unloading tower comprises as many caissons as pump (s) arranged (s) to outside the perimeter P delimited by the masts.
• each box 47, 48 perforated comprises at least three walls 49, 50, 51 which define a recess 52 through which extends, at least partially, the pump.
• these walls 49, 50, 51 have a U-shaped configuration, a first wall 50 and a second wall 51 forming two branches of this U-shape interconnected by a third wall 49 which thus forms a base of the shape U.
• Each wall 49, 50, 51 has a lower face 490, 500, 510 facing towards the wall of bottom of the tank and an upper face 491, 501, 51 1 facing away from the corresponding lower face 490, 500, 510.
• each wall 49, 50, 51 which delimits the recess 52 has a vertical extension 492, 502, 512 which extends from the bottom face 490, 500, 510 of the corresponding wall 49, 50, 51, perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicular to this wall 49,
• the box 47, 48 has a fixing plate 53 carried by the third wall 49, and more particularly by a wafer of this third wall 49, that is to say a portion of this third wall 49 which connects its lower face 490 on its upper face 491.
• this fixing plate 53 has a plurality of holes 530 through which the box 47, 48 is bolted to the base of the loading tower and / or unloading.
• the fixing plate is welded to the base of the loading tower and / or unloading.
• these receiving members 503 , 513 each receive a support- for example illustrated in Figure 7- which carries the pump arranged outside the perimeter delimited by the masts.
• a support- for example illustrated in Figure 7- which carries the pump arranged outside the perimeter delimited by the masts.
• such a configuration makes it possible to insert the support concerned by the top, until it comes into abutment against the upper face of the wall concerned.
• the box may take a closed conformation, in particular rectangular, substantially rectangular or square.
• the recess of this box is delimited by four walls, instead of three.
• the pumps carried by the lateral wings of the base are the pumps which are arranged outside the perimeter defined by the masts and which are also the only pumps which extend, in part, each in a sump.
• Such a sump is formed in the bottom wall of the tank, so that an inlet of each sump is formed flush with the bottom wall of the tank. tank. Also, it is understood that to allow the fluid in the tank to reach the sump, it should be left free entry, despite the place occupied by the pump in this
• the present invention proposes to use at least one support 60 such as that illustrated in Figure 7.
• Figure 8 illustrates the cooperation between two of these supports 60 and a box 47 carried by a side wing 45 .
• the support 60 comprises at least one body 61 of the support 60 from which extend at least a first docking area 62 and at least a second docking area 63. As shown these first and second docking areas 62, 63 extend from two opposite ends of the body 61 of the support 60.
• the first docking zone 62 extends mainly in a first plane XI distinct from a second X2 plane in which extends mainly the second docking zone 63.
• a third plane X3 in which mainly extends the body 61 of the support 60 is secant of the first plane XI and the second plane X2.
• the first plane XI and the second plane X 2 are more particularly parallel planes, so that the third plane X 3 is a plane perpendicular to the first plane XI and having the second plane X 2.
• the first docking zone 62 has at least two bores 620 through which the first docking zone 62, and consequently the support 60, is fixed on the upper face 501, 511 of the one of the first or second walls of the box, as described above.
• the second docking area 63 of the support 60 is inserted first through the recess of the box concerned, for example from above, then the support 60 is translated or lowered until the first zone of docking 62 comes into abutment against the upper face of the wall of the box on which this first docking area 62 is intended to be fixed.
• this first docking zone 62 is fixed to the box by means of screws. It is understood that this is only an exemplary embodiment and that any other means of attachment can be envisaged without departing from the context of the present invention.
• the first docking area may be welded to the upper face of one of the first or second walls of the box.
• the second docking area 63 of the support 60 comprises a plurality of orifices 630 configured to receive means for fixing the pump on the support 60.
• the second docking area 63 of the support 60 allows connect the pump concerned to the base of the tower.
• the body 61 of the support 60 comprises in turn a main wall 610 which is part of the third plane X3 and from which two secondary walls 611 extend.
• each secondary wall 611 is extends perpendicularly, or substantially perpendicularly, to the main wall 610.
• the main wall 610 and the two secondary walls 611 are three roads connected to both the first docking area 62 and the second docking zone.
• at least one and preferably two openings 612 are formed in the main wall 610 of the body 61 of the support 60, these two openings 612 thus being aligned one above the other in the third plane X3. .
• an opening 612 allows the fluid present in the tank to reach more easily the sump in which partially extends the pump carried by the support 60 concerned.
• the support 60 is not a brake that limits the flow to the sump.
• first docking zone 62 and the second docking area 63 have, respectively, a first cut 621 and a second cut 631 which take two paths in a circular arc shape in order to adapt to the shapes of the pump carried by the support, as is for example illustrated in Figure 7.
• the arc-of-circle of the first cut 621 has a diameter less than a diameter of the arc-of-circle which forms the second cut 631.
• the support comprises two identical brackets 65, respectively arranged between each secondary wall 611 and the main wall 610 of the body 61 of the support 60.
• FIG. 8 illustrates, in sectional view, an assembly of the pump 18, 19, 20 on the support
• the section being made in a plane in which is inscribed a main axis Z of the pump 18, 19, 20, this plane being secant of the first plane XI in which is inscribed the first berthing zone
• Figure 8 illustrates an assembly which comprises two supports 60, each connected to the base 27, and more particularly to a box 47 carried by this base.
• the pump 18, 19, 20 extends through the recess 52 of the box 47 and at least another portion of the pump 18, 19, 20 extends as to it in a sump 30 formed through the bottom wall 23 of the vessel.
• the sump 30 receives the suction member of the pump 18, 19, 20.
• This sump 30 comprises a primary cylindrical bowl 32 which provides a first container in communication with the inside of the tank and a cylindrical bowl secondary body 33 which provides a second container surrounding the lower portion of the primary cylindrical bowl 32.
• the primary cylindrical bowl 32 is connected continuously to the bottom wall 23 of the tank and thus completes tightly.
• an inlet 300 of the sump 30, that is to say an opening through which the fluid in the tank can join the interior of the sump 300, is formed flush with the bottom wall 23 of the tank.
• the primary cylindrical bowl 32 is continuously connected to the primary sealing membrane of the bottom wall 23 of the tank and the secondary cylindrical bowl 33 is in turn continuously connected to the secondary sealing membrane of the wall. bottom 23 of the tank.
• this secondary sealing membrane of the bottom wall 23 of the tank is not shown in FIG. 8.
• the sump 30 is centered on the main axis Z of the pump 18, 19, 20 'he receives. It is understood from this FIG. 8 that the use of supports 60 as previously described makes it possible to provide a non-zero distance between the base 27, and more particularly the box 47, and the primary insulating membrane of the bottom wall 23. As a result, a space W is disengaged between the box 47 and the inlet 300 of the sump 30 which partially receives the pump 18, 19, 20.
• the fluid present in the tank can easily reach the sump 30 in order to to be pumped by the pump 18, 19, 20 which extends there.
• the openings 612 formed in the body 61 of the support 60 allow the fluid present in the tank to pass through the support 60 and thus further facilitate the access of the fluid to the sump 30, by running along the pump 18, 19, 20 to reach the interior of this sump 30.
• a discharge tube 150 is fluidly connected to the pump 18, 19, 20 so as to allow the evacuation of the fluid sucked by this pump 18, 19, 20.
• a holding arm 151 of this tube 150 is attached to the casing 47, and more particularly, this holding arm 151 is fixed on the first docking area 62 of one of the supports 60 fixed to the casing 47. According to the example illustrated in FIG. this holding arm 151 is fixed on the first docking area 62 of the support 60 fixed on the upper face of the first wall 50. In any event, this holding arm 151 makes it possible to carry out a force recovery of the tube evacuation 150.
• the positioning of the pump 18, 19, 20 outside the perimeter defined by the masts of the loading tower and / or unloading allows to maintain a minimum flexibility of the bottom wall of the tank.
• FIG. 9 thus illustrates, in perspective, a zone of the tank 1 in which the loading and / or unloading tower is intended to be arranged, this tower not being shown in FIG. 9.
• the primary sealing membrane of the bottom wall 23 and the rear side wall 8 are corrugated membranes which confer sufficient flexibility to these walls to enable them to withstand the various mechanical stresses they undergo.
• the corrugations 230 extend, at least, along the transverse and longitudinal directions of the ship.
• This FIG. 9 also illustrates the first stress zone formed by the wedge 24 located at the junction between the bottom wall 23 and the wall rear side 8 and the second stress zone formed by the support leg 31 which passes through the bottom wall 23.
• An interruption of the corrugations 230 such as that generated by the construction of the sump 30 described and illustrated above, causes a loss of elasticity of the bottom wall 23, which may weaken the vessel.
• the support foot 31 is placed between the guidelines of two transverse corrugations 230 and more particularly centered therebetween. This makes it possible to interrupt the corrugations 230 over as short a distance as possible, since these interruptions are capable of locally reducing the flexibility of the bottom wall 23 and thus of promoting locally its fatigue and wear.
• FIG 10 is a broken view of a ship 70 which shows the tank 1 waterproof and insulated generally prismatic mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship.
• the wall of the tank 1 comprises a primary sealing membrane intended to wander in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary waterproofing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers respectively arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double shell 72.
• Loading and / or unloading pipes 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 the cargo of natural gas in the liquid state from or to the tank 1.
• Figure 10 also shows an example of a marine terminal with a station of loading and / or unloading 75, an underwater line 76 and an on-shore installation 77.
• the loading and / or unloading station 75 is an off-shore fixed installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the movable arm 74.
• the movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading and / or unloading pipes 73.
• the movable arm 74 can be adapted to all ship templates.
• the loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and / or unloading of the ship 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 shore facility 77 over a great distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the ship 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and / or unloading operations.
• the invention thus achieves the goal it had set for itself, and makes it possible to propose a tank equipped with a loading and / or unloading tower carrying at least a pump at least partially housed in a sump and located outside a perimeter of the loading tower and / or unloading.
• Variants not described here could be implemented without departing from the context of the invention, since, according to the invention, they comprise such an arrangement according to the aspect of the invention.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=62528733

Family Applications (3)

Family Applications After (2)

Country Status (9)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (36)

• 2018
  • 2018-05-02 FR FR1853794A patent/FR3080832B1/fr active Active
• 2019
  • 2019-04-05 WO PCT/FR2019/050807 patent/WO2019211537A1/fr unknown
  • 2019-04-05 EP EP19720979.4A patent/EP3788292A1/fr active Pending
  • 2019-04-05 SG SG11202010359QA patent/SG11202010359QA/en unknown
  • 2019-04-05 CN CN201980029695.7A patent/CN112074685B/zh active Active
  • 2019-04-05 KR KR1020207032315A patent/KR20210003145A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2019-04-25 KR KR1020207034198A patent/KR102490542B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2019-04-25 JP JP2020560886A patent/JP7166360B2/ja active Active
  • 2019-04-25 WO PCT/FR2019/050979 patent/WO2019211550A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2019-04-25 EP EP19733843.7A patent/EP3788293A1/fr active Pending
  • 2019-04-25 CN CN201980028978.XA patent/CN112119258B/zh active Active
  • 2019-04-25 SG SG11202010691QA patent/SG11202010691QA/en unknown
  • 2019-04-25 KR KR1020207034199A patent/KR20210003888A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2019-04-25 CN CN201980029008.1A patent/CN112236614B/zh active Active
  • 2019-04-25 US US17/049,811 patent/US20210254788A1/en active Pending
  • 2019-04-25 US US17/049,790 patent/US11619350B2/en active Active
  • 2019-04-25 SG SG11202010689VA patent/SG11202010689VA/en unknown
  • 2019-04-25 EP EP19733844.5A patent/EP3788294A1/fr active Pending
• 2020
  • 2020-11-03 PH PH12020551842A patent/PH12020551842A1/en unknown

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events