EP3788293B1 - Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower - Google Patents

Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3788293B1
EP3788293B1 EP19733843.7A EP19733843A EP3788293B1 EP 3788293 B1 EP3788293 B1 EP 3788293B1 EP 19733843 A EP19733843 A EP 19733843A EP 3788293 B1 EP3788293 B1 EP 3788293B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
pump
loading
unloading
ship
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP19733843.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3788293C0 (en
EP3788293A1 (en
Inventor
Mickaël HERRY
Pierre Charbonnier
Mohammed OULALITE
Emmanuel HIVERT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
Original Assignee
Gaztransport et Technigaz SA
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3788293A1 publication Critical patent/EP3788293A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3788293C0 publication Critical patent/EP3788293C0/en
Publication of EP3788293B1 publication Critical patent/EP3788293B1/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
    • B63B25/02—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
    • B63B25/08—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
    • B63B25/12—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed
    • B63B25/16—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed heat-insulated
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/025—Bulk storage in barges or on ships
    • F17C3/027—Wallpanels for so-called membrane tanks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/04—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by other properties of handled fluid after transfer
    • F17C2225/042—Localisation of the filling point
    • F17C2225/046—Localisation of the filling point in the liquid
    • F17C2225/047—Localisation of the filling 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

  • the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks on board a ship and equipped with a loading/unloading tower for loading fluid into the tank and/or unloading it.
  • the loading/unloading tower has a tripod structure, i.e. it has three vertical masts, each of which is fixed to each other by crosspieces. Each of the vertical masts is hollow. Thus, two of the masts form a line for unloading the tank and are each associated with an unloading pump carried by the loading/unloading tower, near its lower end. The third mast forms an emergency well allowing the descent of an emergency pump and an unloading line in the event of failure of the other unloading pumps.
  • the loading/unloading tower also carries loading lines that do not constitute one of the three masts. Such loading/unloading towers are for example described in the documents KR20100103266 , KR20130017704 And KR20150015731 .
  • the loading/unloading towers of the state of the art are not entirely satisfactory, in particular in that their mechanical strength is not optimal for applications likely to be subject to significant sloshing phenomena, such as naval applications in which liquefied gas is used as fuel.
  • An idea underlying the invention is to propose a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid, mounted on a ship and equipped with a loading/unloading tower whose size is limited and whose mechanical resistance to sloshing phenomena is improved.
  • the invention provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid anchored in a supporting structure which is integrated into a ship, as defined by claim 1.
  • the first pump and the support foot being aligned transversely, that is to say in the preferred direction of the sloshing phenomena, the torsional or bending forces likely to be exerted, due to the sloshing phenomena, on the loading/unloading tower and, consequently, on the multilayer structure of the ceiling wall and/or the bottom wall in the areas adjacent to said loading/unloading tower, are reduced.
  • the bulk of the masts of the loading/unloading tower can be limited while allowing the first pump to have a suction member housed in a sump, which also has the effect of further limiting the stresses likely to be applied to the loading/unloading tower due to sloshing phenomena.
  • the first plane in which the first pump and the support foot are aligned is not orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ship but is inclined relative to said longitudinal direction by an angle different from 90° and between 75 and 105°, preferably between 80 and 100°. It has indeed been observed that such an arrangement also makes it possible to significantly reduce the torsional or bending forces likely to to be exercised, due to the sloshing phenomena, on the loading/unloading tower.
  • such a tank may have one or more of the following characteristics.
  • the first sump is centered or substantially centered relative to the axis of the first pump.
  • the loading/unloading tower supports a second pump, fixed to the base, and equipped with a suction member, the second pump being arranged outside the triangular prism and being aligned with the first pump and the support foot in the first transverse plane (P2).
  • the tank comprises a second sump formed in the bottom wall of the tank and in which the suction member of the second pump is housed.
  • the second sump is centered relative to the axis of the second pump.
  • the first sump is spaced from the support foot by a distance greater than or equal to 1 m.
  • the second sump is spaced from the support foot by a distance greater than or equal to 1 m.
  • the first and second masts are aligned in a second transverse plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the third mast extends in a longitudinal plane which is equidistant from the first and second masts.
  • the third mast has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first and second masts.
  • the third mast forms an emergency well allowing the descent of an emergency pump and an unloading line.
  • the loading/unloading tower supports a third pump fixed to the base, the third pump being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane and disposed between said first and second masts. This makes it possible to protect the third pump against sloshing phenomena.
  • the suction member of the third pump is not immersed in a sump. This makes it possible to limit the space requirement and in particular makes it possible to position the loading/unloading tower closer to a rear wall of the tank than if a sump had to be formed between the loading/unloading tower and said rear wall.
  • the first pump is connected to a first unloading line that extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower, the first unloading line being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane and arranged between the first and second masts. This makes it possible to protect the first unloading line against sloshing phenomena.
  • the second pump is connected to a second unloading line which extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower, the second unloading line being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane (P1) and arranged between the first and second masts.
  • the third pump is connected to a third unloading line which extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower, the third unloading line being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane and arranged between the first and second masts.
  • the pumps are each connected to one of the discharge lines by means of a connection device equipped with an expansion compensator.
  • the base comprises at least a first lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which the first pump is fixed.
  • the base comprises a second lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which the second pump is fixed.
  • the base comprises a central stiffening structure, said central stiffening structure comprising two stiffeners, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, one of the stiffeners extending in a straight line, between the third mast and the first mast, and preferably from the third mast to the first mast, and the other stiffener extending in a straight line, between the second mast and the third mast, and preferably from the second mast to the third mast.
  • Stiffeners having such a structure are particularly effective in distributing the forces over the entire structure.
  • the central stiffening structure is provided between the first and second lateral wings.
  • the central stiffening structure further comprises a plurality of stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel between the two stiffeners inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the first side wing comprises a half-box in which the first pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said first pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said first pump passes.
  • the second side wing comprises a half-box in which the second pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said second pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said second pump passes.
  • each half-box further comprises two vertical walls of transverse orientation and one vertical wall of longitudinal orientation, the horizontal bottom being connected to the vertical walls of transverse orientation and to the vertical wall of longitudinal orientation.
  • the first lateral wing and/or the second lateral wing comprise stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the first, second and third masts are fixed to each other by crosspieces.
  • the loading/unloading tower is equipped with a radar device for measuring the level of liquefied gas in the tank, the radar device comprising a transmitter and a waveguide that extends over substantially the entire height of the tank, the waveguide being fixed by means of support members to crosspieces that connect the third mast to the first or second mast, the support members extending in a third transverse plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ship.
  • the support members extend in the preferred direction of the sloshing phenomena so as to work mainly in tension/compression and not in bending under the effect of the sloshing phenomena, which makes it possible to improve their mechanical strength.
  • the first and/or the second pumps are arranged entirely outside the triangular section prism.
  • the support foot, the first sump and optionally the second sump are placed between the guidelines of two transverse undulations, and more particularly centered between them.
  • the base may include a central stiffening structure, said central stiffening structure comprising two stiffeners, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, one of the stiffeners extending in a straight line from the third mast to the first mast and the other stiffener extending in a straight line from the second mast to the third mast.
  • a central stiffening structure with such stiffeners is particularly effective in distributing forces across the entire structure.
  • such a tank may have one or more of the following characteristics.
  • the first, second and third vertical masts define a prism with a triangular section.
  • the tank has a support foot which is fixed to the supporting structure in an area of a bottom wall of the tank which extends in the extension of the triangular section prism, said support foot being arranged to ensure vertical translational guidance of the loading/unloading tower.
  • the first pump is arranged outside the triangular prism.
  • the loading/unloading tower comprises a second pump arranged outside the triangular prism.
  • the first pump and the second pump are aligned in a first transverse plane (P2) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the base comprises at least a first lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which a first pump is fixed.
  • the base comprises a second lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which the second pump is fixed.
  • the central stiffening structure is provided between the first and second lateral wings.
  • the central stiffening structure further comprises a plurality of stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel between the two stiffeners inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the first side wing comprises a half-box in which the first pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said first pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said first pump passes.
  • the second side wing comprises a half-box in which the second pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said second pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said second pump passes.
  • each half-box further comprises two vertical walls of transverse orientation and one vertical wall of longitudinal orientation, the horizontal bottom being connected to the vertical walls of transverse orientation and to the vertical wall of longitudinal orientation.
  • the first lateral wing and/or the second lateral wing comprise stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the first and second masts are aligned in a second transverse plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.
  • the third mast extends in a longitudinal plane which is equidistant from the first and second masts.
  • the invention also provides a ship comprising a supporting structure and one of the aforementioned tanks anchored in said supporting structure.
  • the invention also provides a method of loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.
  • the invention also provides a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising the aforementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the tank of the vessel.
  • an orthonormal reference frame defined by two axes x and y is used to describe the elements of the tank.
  • the x axis corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the ship and the y axis has a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ship.
  • a sealed and thermally insulating tank 1 for storing liquefied gas which is equipped with a loading/unloading tower 2 allowing in particular to load the liquefied gas into the tank 1 and/or to unload it.
  • the liquefied gas can in particular be a liquefied natural gas (LNG), that is to say a gas mixture mainly comprising methane as well as one or more other hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, n-butane, i-butane, n-pentane, i-pentane, neopentane, and nitrogen in small proportions.
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • the tank 1 is anchored in a supporting structure 3 on board a ship.
  • the supporting structure 3 is for example formed by the double hull of a ship but can more generally be formed by any type of rigid partition having appropriate mechanical properties.
  • the tank 1 can be intended for the transport of liquefied gas or for receiving liquefied gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the ship.
  • the tank 1 is a membrane tank.
  • each wall successively has, from the outside to the inside, in the thickness direction of the wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 4 comprising insulating elements resting against the supporting structure 3, a secondary sealing membrane 5 anchored to the insulating elements of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 4, a primary thermally insulating barrier 6 comprising insulating elements resting against the secondary sealing membrane 5 and a primary sealing membrane 7 anchored to the insulating elements of the primary thermally insulating barrier 5 and intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank 1.
  • each wall may in particular be of type Mark III, as described for example in FR2691520 , of type NO96 as described for example in FR2877638 , or of type Mark V as described for example in WO14057221 .
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 is installed in the vicinity of the rear wall 8 of the tank 1, which makes it possible to optimize the quantity of cargo likely to be unloaded by the loading/unloading tower 2 since the ships are generally tilted towards the rear using the ballasts in a particular way, in particular in order to limit vibrations.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 is suspended from an upper wall 9 of the supporting structure 3.
  • the upper wall 9 of the supporting structure 3 comprises, near the rear wall 8, a space, of rectangular parallelepiped shape not shown, projecting upwards, called a liquid dome.
  • the liquid dome is defined by two transverse walls, front and rear, and by two side walls which extend vertically and project upwards from the upper wall 9.
  • the liquid dome further comprises a cover 10 horizontal, shown on the figures 2 And 3 , from which the loading/unloading tower 2 is suspended.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 extends over substantially the entire height of the tank 1.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 comprises a tripod structure, that is to say that it comprises three vertical masts 11, 12, 13, each of which is fixed to each other by crosspieces 14. Each of the masts 11, 12, 13 is hollow and passes through the cover 10 of the liquid dome.
  • the three masts 11, 12, 13 define with the crosspieces 14 a prism with a triangular section.
  • the three masts 11, 12, 13 are arranged at equal distances from each other so that the section of the prism is an equilateral triangle.
  • the three masts 11, 12, 13 are arranged such that at least one of the faces of the prism extends in a transverse plane P1 which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the ship.
  • two of the masts 11, 12 are aligned in the transverse plane P1.
  • the two masts 11, 12 which are aligned in the transverse plane P1 are the two rear masts, that is to say the ones closest to the rear wall 8 of the tank 1.
  • the front mast 13 has a larger diameter than the two rear masts 11, 12.
  • the front mast 13 forms an emergency well allowing the descent of an emergency pump and an unloading line in the event of failure of the other unloading pumps.
  • the two masts 11, 12 form sheaths for the passage of electrical power supply cables ensuring in particular the power supply of the unloading pumps supported by the loading/unloading tower 2.
  • the installation comprises three unloading conduits 15, 16, 17, shown in the figure 2 , which are each connected to an unloading pump 18, 19, 20.
  • the three unloading conduits 15, 16, 17 are arranged in the transverse plane P1.
  • the three unloading conduits 15, 16, 17 are more particularly placed between the two masts 11, 12.
  • the two masts 11, 12 are each connected to an unloading pump and form an unloading line.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 is then equipped with sheaths for the passage of electrical power supply cables which are arranged in the transverse plane P1, and are placed between the two masts 11, 12.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 is also equipped with two loading lines 21, 22 which are attached to the front mast.
  • One of the two loading lines 21, only shown in the figure 2 extends only in the upper portion of the tank 1 while the other loading line 22 extends substantially over the entire height of the tank 1 up to the vicinity of the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1.
  • the loading line 22 which extends substantially over the entire height of the tank 1 is aligned with the mast 13 according to a transverse plane 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 22.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 is equipped with a radar device 24, visible on the Figures 3 and 4 , for measuring the level of liquefied gas in the tank 1.
  • the radar device 24 comprises a transmitter, not shown, and a waveguide 25, which is supported by the loading/unloading tower 2.
  • the waveguide 25 extends over substantially the entire height of the tank 1.
  • the waveguide 25 is fixed to crosspieces 14 which connect the front mast 13 to one of the rear masts 11, 12 by means of support members 26 which are regularly spaced along the waveguide 25.
  • the support members 26, one of which is shown in the Figures 3 and 4 extend in a transverse plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the vessel, which improves their mechanical strength.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 is also equipped with a base 27, notably shown in the Figures 4 to 6 , which is fixed to the lower end of the three masts 11, 12, 13 and which supports three unloading pumps 18, 19, 20, namely a central pump 19 and two lateral pumps 18, 20.
  • the presence of three unloading pumps 18, 19, 20 ensures redundancy which in particular makes it possible to reduce the risks of breakdowns requiring the intervention of a maintenance operator in the tank 1.
  • the maximum flow rate of the three unloading pumps is less than 40 m 3 /h, and advantageously between 10 and 20 m 3 /h, which makes it possible to limit the size of said pumps and consequently their exposure to sloshing phenomena.
  • the unloading pumps 18, 19, 20 are each connected to one of the unloading lines 15, 16, 17 described above. As shown in the figure 4 , the unloading pumps 18, 19, 20 are each connected to one of the unloading lines 15, 16, 17 by means of connection devices 28 provided with an expansion compensator 29 making it possible to absorb deformations, in particular during the cooling of the tank 1 and/or the cooling of the unloading lines.
  • the central pump 19 is arranged, in the transverse plane P1, between the masts 11, 12, which allows it to be protected against sloshing phenomena.
  • the two lateral pumps 18, 20 are aligned with each other in a transverse plane P2, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the ship.
  • the side pumps 18, 20 are arranged outside the triangular prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13. This allows for a sufficient distance between the side pumps 18, 20 so that their suction member can be housed in sumps 30, described below, without further increasing the dimensions of the loading/unloading tower 2. Indeed, to ensure acceptable mechanical strength of the walls of the tank 1, it is necessary to ensure a minimum distance between the equipment interrupting the multilayer structure of the walls, such as the sumps 30 or the support foot 31 of the loading/unloading tower 2.
  • the distance in the transverse direction y between the two lateral pumps 18, 20 is greater than 2 m, for example of the order of 4 to 5 meters. Furthermore, in order to ensure sufficient mechanical strength of the bottom wall 23, the minimum distance between a sump 30 and the support foot 31 is greater than 1 meter.
  • the distance between a sump 30 and the support foot 31 is greater than three wave steps extending in the longitudinal direction of the ship.
  • the sumps 30 are intended to keep the suction members of the side pumps 18, 20 immersed in a certain quantity of liquefied gas, despite the phenomena of sloshing of said liquefied gas, so as to avoid losing the prime and/or damaging said side pumps 18, 20.
  • the sump 30 receives the suction member of one of the lateral pumps 18, 20.
  • the sump 30 comprises a primary cylindrical bowl 32 which provides a first container in communication with the interior of the tank 1 and a secondary cylindrical bowl 33 which provides a second container surrounding the lower part of the primary cylindrical bowl 32.
  • the primary cylindrical bowl 32 is continuously connected to the primary membrane 7 which it thus completes in a sealed manner.
  • the secondary cylindrical bowl 33 is continuously connected to the secondary membrane 5 which it thus completes in a sealed manner.
  • the sump 30 is centered relative to the axis of the pump 18, 20 which it receives.
  • the supporting structure 3 of the bottom wall 23 has a circular opening through which the sump 30 is engaged and which allows the sump 30 to protrude outside the plane of the supporting structure 3 of the bottom wall 23.
  • a hollow cylindrical bowl is fixed to the supporting structure 3 around the opening and projects outwardly from the supporting structure 3 in order to form an extension structure which provides additional space for housing the sump 30.
  • the central pump 19 cannot be used and it is the side pumps 18, 20 which are exclusively used to discharge liquefied gas.
  • Such an arrangement is advantageous in particular in that it allows the central pump 19 to be positioned between the two masts 11, 12 and in that it allows the loading/unloading tower 2 to be positioned closer to the rear wall 8 than if a sump 30 had to be formed between the loading/unloading tower and the rear wall 8 of the tank 1.
  • the base 27 comprises rings 34, 35, 36 through which the lower ends of the three masts 11, 12, 13 pass.
  • the rings 34, 35, 36 are welded to the masts 11, 12, 13 so as to fix said base 27 to the lower end of the three masts 11, 12, 13.
  • the base 27 comprises a central stiffening structure 27 making it possible to increase the stiffness of the base 27 and thus increase the resistance of the loading/unloading tower 2 to sloshing phenomena.
  • the central stiffening structure 37 comprises two stiffeners 38, 39, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction x of the ship, which each extend in a straight line, between the central axis of one of the masts 11, 12 and the central axis of the mast 13. Note that such an arrangement offering significant stiffness is notably permitted by the positioning of the lateral pumps 18, 20 outside the triangular section prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13.
  • the central stiffening structure 37 comprises a plurality of stiffeners 40, 41, 42, 43 that extend transversely and join the two inclined stiffeners 39, 39.
  • the central stiffening structure 37 further comprises stiffeners 44 that 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 that are welded to the flat sheet.
  • the base 27 further comprises two lateral wings 45, 46 which project in the transverse direction y beyond the triangular section prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13.
  • the lateral wings 45, 46 ensure the fixing of the lateral pumps 18, 20 to the base 27, and this outside the triangular prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13.
  • the side pumps 18, 20 are more particularly housed in half-boxes 47, 48 open towards the outside of the loading/unloading tower 2.
  • the half-boxes 47, 48 project relative to the rest of the base 27 towards the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1, which allows the side pumps 18, 20 to be lowered sufficiently so that their suction member is housed in a sump 30.
  • Each half-box 47, 48 is formed by a horizontal bottom 49, which is connected to two vertical walls 50, 51 of transverse orientation and a vertical wall 52 of longitudinal orientation.
  • the bottom 49 has a cutout through which the body of one of the side pumps 18, 20 is placed.
  • the side pumps 18, 20 are each equipped with fixing lugs ensuring their fixing on the bottom 49, around the cutout.
  • the side wings 45, 46 are also equipped with stiffeners, for example formed of vertical plates, which extend in the transverse direction and stiffeners, for example also formed of vertical plates, which extend from the half-boxes 47, 48 towards one of the masts 11, 12, 13.
  • the base 27 also includes a central wing 53 which is positioned between the two masts 11, 12.
  • the central wing 53 includes a cutout through which the body of the central pump 19 is placed.
  • the central pump 19 includes fixing lugs ensuring its fixing on the central wing 53 around the cutout.
  • the loading/unloading tower 2 comprises a guide device which is fixed against the lower face of the base 27 and which cooperates with a support foot 31 which is fixed to the bottom wall of the supporting structure 3.
  • a guide device aims to allow the relative movements of the loading/unloading tower 2 with respect to the support foot 31 in the height direction of the tank 1 in order to allow the loading/unloading tower 2 to contract or expand depending on the temperatures to which it is subjected while preventing the horizontal movements of the base 27 of the loading/unloading tower 2.
  • the support foot 31 has a circular section revolution shape, with a truncated cone-shaped lower part 54 which connects at its smaller diameter end to a cylindrical upper part 55.
  • the larger diameter base of the truncated cone-shaped part bears against the bottom wall of the supporting structure 3.
  • the truncated cone-shaped lower part 54 extends through the thickness of the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1 beyond the level of the primary sealing membrane 7.
  • the cylindrical upper part 55 is sealed by a circular plate 56.
  • the primary 7 and secondary 5 sealing membranes are sealedly connected to the truncated cone-shaped lower part 54.
  • two guide elements 57, 58 are welded to the support foot 6 and extend respectively towards the rear and towards the front of the tank 1.
  • Each of the two guide elements 57, 58 is equipped with two longitudinal faces and one transverse face, each of the longitudinal and transverse faces being in contact with a guide element 59 fixed on the base 27 of the loading/unloading tower 2.
  • the support foot 31 is aligned with the side pumps 18, 20 in the plane P2 and is more particularly centered between the two side pumps 18, 20.
  • Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it makes it possible to limit the forces due to the sloshing phenomenon acting on the side pumps 18, 20 and on the support foot 31.
  • the primary waterproofing membrane 7 is a corrugated membrane, as shown in the figure 10 , in which the corrugations extend in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the ship, such an arrangement makes it possible to limit the number of interrupted corrugations and thus to limit the loss of elasticity of the primary waterproofing membrane 7 resulting from such interruptions.
  • the sumps 30 and the support foot 31 are placed between the guidelines of two transverse corrugations and more particularly centered between them. This makes it possible to interrupt the corrugations over the shortest possible distance, given that these interruptions are likely to locally reduce the flexibility of the primary waterproofing membrane 7 and therefore to locally promote its fatigue and wear.
  • a cutaway view of a ship 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship.
  • the wall of the tank 71 comprises a sealing membrane primary intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72.
  • loading/unloading pipelines 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a maritime or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the tank 71.
  • FIG 11 represents an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and/or unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77.
  • the loading and/or unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the mobile arm 74.
  • the mobile arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading/unloading pipelines 73.
  • the orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all vessel sizes.
  • a connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78.
  • the loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the ship 70 from or to the shore installation 77.
  • the latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the subsea pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75.
  • the subsea pipe 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the shore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the ship 70 at a great distance from the coast during the loading and unloading operations.
  • pumps on board the ship 70 and/or pumps equipping the onshore installation 77 and/or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

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

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical field

L'invention se rapporte au domaine des cuves, étanches et thermiquement isolantes embarquées dans un navire et équipées d'une tour de chargement/déchargement permettant de charger du fluide dans la cuve et/ou de le décharger.The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks on board a ship and equipped with a loading/unloading tower for loading fluid into the tank and/or unloading it.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnological background

Dans l'état de la technique, il est connu des cuves étanches et thermiquement isolantes de stockage de gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) embarquées dans un navire et équipées d'une tour de chargement/déchargement. La tour de chargement/déchargement comporte une structure tripode, c'est-à-dire qu'elle comporte trois mâts verticaux qui sont chacun fixés les uns aux autres par des traverses. Chacun des mâts verticaux est creux. Ainsi, deux des mâts forment une ligne de déchargement de la cuve et sont pour ce faire chacun associés à une pompe de déchargement portée par la tour de chargement/déchargement, à proximité de son extrémité inférieure. Le troisième mât forme quant à lui un puit de secours permettant la descente d'une pompe de secours et d'une ligne de déchargement en cas de défaillance des autres pompes de déchargement. La tour de chargement/déchargement porte également des lignes de chargement qui ne constituent pas l'un des trois mâts. De telles tours de chargement/déchargement sont par exemple décrites dans les documents KR20100103266 , KR20130017704 et KR20150015731 .In the state of the art, sealed and thermally insulating tanks for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) are known, which are loaded on a ship and equipped with a loading/unloading tower. The loading/unloading tower has a tripod structure, i.e. it has three vertical masts, each of which is fixed to each other by crosspieces. Each of the vertical masts is hollow. Thus, two of the masts form a line for unloading the tank and are each associated with an unloading pump carried by the loading/unloading tower, near its lower end. The third mast forms an emergency well allowing the descent of an emergency pump and an unloading line in the event of failure of the other unloading pumps. The loading/unloading tower also carries loading lines that do not constitute one of the three masts. Such loading/unloading towers are for example described in the documents KR20100103266 , KR20130017704 And KR20150015731 .

En mer, sous l'action de la houle, les cuves de stockage de gaz liquéfié sont sujettes à des phénomènes de ballottement de la cargaison, appelés « sloshing » en langue anglaise. Ces phénomènes sont susceptibles d'être très violents à l'intérieur de la cuve et par conséquent de générer des efforts importants dans la cuve et notamment sur ses équipements, tels que la tour de chargement/déchargement.At sea, under the action of the swell, liquefied gas storage tanks are subject to cargo sloshing phenomena, called "sloshing" in English. These phenomena are likely to be very violent inside the tank and consequently generate significant forces in the tank and in particular on its equipment, such as the loading/unloading tower.

Les risques de subir des phénomènes de ballottement de fortes amplitudes sont plus restreints lorsque le taux de remplissage de la cuve est proche de son maximum ou que la cuve ne comporte qu'un talon de gaz liquéfié. Ainsi, les cuves de méthanier ayant pour vocation de transporter du gaz liquéfié, leur taux de remplissage est proche du maximum lors du voyage aller et ne comporte qu'un talon de gaz liquéfié lors du voyage retour, de sorte que les risques de subir des phénomènes de ballottement importants sont limités.The risks of experiencing high amplitude sloshing phenomena are more limited when the filling rate of the tank is close to its maximum or that the tank has only one heel of liquefied gas. Thus, since LNG tanks are intended to transport liquefied gas, their filling rate is close to the maximum on the outward journey and only has one heel of liquefied gas on the return journey, so that the risks of experiencing significant sloshing phenomena are limited.

Tel n'est pas le cas pour des cuves dans lesquelles est stocké du gaz liquéfié servant de carburant pour les besoins du navire, notamment pour sa propulsion, puisque le niveau de remplissage de la cuve est alors nécessairement susceptible de varier sur la totalité de la plage de remplissage. En outre, de telles cuves présentent généralement des dimensions plus faibles de sorte que les contraintes d'encombrement pesant sur les équipements de la cuve, et notamment sur la tour de chargement/déchargement sont plus fortes.This is not the case for tanks in which liquefied gas is stored as fuel for the needs of the ship, in particular for its propulsion, since the filling level of the tank is then necessarily likely to vary over the entire filling range. In addition, such tanks generally have smaller dimensions so that the space constraints on the tank equipment, and in particular on the loading/unloading tower, are greater.

Aussi, les tours de chargement/déchargement de l'état de la technique ne sont pas totalement satisfaisantes, en particulier en ce que leur tenue mécanique n'est pas optimale pour des applications susceptibles d'être soumises à des phénomènes de ballottement conséquents, telles que les applications navales dans lesquels le gaz liquéfié sert de carburant.Also, the loading/unloading towers of the state of the art are not entirely satisfactory, in particular in that their mechanical strength is not optimal for applications likely to be subject to significant sloshing phenomena, such as naval applications in which liquefied gas is used as fuel.

RésuméSummary

Une idée à la base de l'invention est de proposer une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante de stockage d'un fluide, embarquée dans un navire et équipée d'une tour de chargement/déchargement dont l'encombrement est limité et dont la tenue mécanique aux phénomènes de ballottement est améliorée.An idea underlying the invention is to propose a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid, mounted on a ship and equipped with a loading/unloading tower whose size is limited and whose mechanical resistance to sloshing phenomena is improved.

Selon un premier aspect, l'invention fournit une cuve, étanche et thermiquement isolante, de stockage d'un fluide ancrée dans une structure porteuse qui est intégrée dans un navire, ainsi que définit par la revendication 1.According to a first aspect, the invention provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid anchored in a supporting structure which is integrated into a ship, as defined by claim 1.

Ainsi, la première pompe et le pied de support étant alignés transversalement, c'est-à-dire selon la direction préférentielle des phénomènes de ballottement, les efforts de torsion ou de flexion susceptibles de s'exercer, en raison des phénomènes de ballottement, sur la tour de chargement/déchargement et, par conséquent, sur la structure multicouche de la paroi de plafond et/ou de la paroi de fond dans les zones adjacentes à ladite tour de chargement/déchargement, sont réduits.Thus, the first pump and the support foot being aligned transversely, that is to say in the preferred direction of the sloshing phenomena, the torsional or bending forces likely to be exerted, due to the sloshing phenomena, on the loading/unloading tower and, consequently, on the multilayer structure of the ceiling wall and/or the bottom wall in the areas adjacent to said loading/unloading tower, are reduced.

En outre, la première pompe étant disposée à l'extérieur du prisme à section triangulaire défini par les trois mâts, l'encombrement des mâts de la tour de chargement/déchargement peut être limité tout en autorisant la première pompe à présenter un organe d'aspiration logé dans un puisard, ce qui a en outre pour effet de limiter encore davantage les contraintes susceptibles de s'appliquer sur la tour de chargement/déchargement en raison des phénomènes de ballottement.Furthermore, the first pump being arranged outside the triangular section prism defined by the three masts, the bulk of the masts of the loading/unloading tower can be limited while allowing the first pump to have a suction member housed in a sump, which also has the effect of further limiting the stresses likely to be applied to the loading/unloading tower due to sloshing phenomena.

Un tel agencement de la pompe et de la tour de chargement/déchargement est donc compact et particulièrement résistant aux phénomènes de ballottement.Such an arrangement of the pump and the loading/unloading tower is therefore compact and particularly resistant to sloshing phenomena.

Selon un mode de réalisation, premier plan dans lequel sont alignés la première pompe et le pied de support n'est pas orthogonal à la direction longitudinale du navire mais est incliné par rapport à ladite direction longitudinale d'un angle différent de 90° et compris entre 75 et 105°, de préférence entre 80 et 100°. Il a en effet été observé qu'un tel agencement permettait également de réduire significativement les efforts de torsion ou de flexion susceptibles de s'exercer, en raison des phénomènes de ballottement, sur la tour de chargement/déchargement.According to one embodiment, the first plane in which the first pump and the support foot are aligned is not orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ship but is inclined relative to said longitudinal direction by an angle different from 90° and between 75 and 105°, preferably between 80 and 100°. It has indeed been observed that such an arrangement also makes it possible to significantly reduce the torsional or bending forces likely to to be exercised, due to the sloshing phenomena, on the loading/unloading tower.

Selon des modes de réalisation avantageux, une telle cuve peut présenter une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes.According to advantageous embodiments, such a tank may have one or more of the following characteristics.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le premier puisard est centré ou sensiblement centré par rapport à l'axe de la première pompe.According to one embodiment, the first sump is centered or substantially centered relative to the axis of the first pump.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la tour de chargement/déchargement supporte une deuxième pompe, fixée à la base, et équipée d'un organe d'aspiration, la deuxième pompe étant disposée à l'extérieur du prisme triangulaire et étant alignée avec la première pompe et le pied de support dans le premier plan transversal (P2).According to one embodiment, the loading/unloading tower supports a second pump, fixed to the base, and equipped with a suction member, the second pump being arranged outside the triangular prism and being aligned with the first pump and the support foot in the first transverse plane (P2).

Selon un mode de réalisation, la cuve comporte un deuxième puisard ménagé dans la paroi de fond de la cuve et dans lequel est logé l'organe d'aspiration de la deuxième pompe.According to one embodiment, the tank comprises a second sump formed in the bottom wall of the tank and in which the suction member of the second pump is housed.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le deuxième puisard est centré par rapport à l'axe de la deuxième pompe.According to one embodiment, the second sump is centered relative to the axis of the second pump.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le premier puisard est écarté du pied de support d'une distance supérieure ou égale à 1 m. Selon un mode de réalisation, le deuxième puisard est écarté du pied de support d'une distance supérieure ou égale à 1 m. Les caractéristiques ci-dessus permettent ainsi d'assurer une tenue mécanique acceptable de la paroi de fond de la cuve tout en permettant à l'organe d'aspiration d'une pompe et de préférence des deux d'être logé dans un puisard.According to one embodiment, the first sump is spaced from the support foot by a distance greater than or equal to 1 m. According to one embodiment, the second sump is spaced from the support foot by a distance greater than or equal to 1 m. The above characteristics thus make it possible to ensure acceptable mechanical strength of the bottom wall of the tank while allowing the suction member of a pump and preferably of both to be housed in a sump.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le premier et le deuxième mâts sont alignés dans un deuxième plan transversal qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the first and second masts are aligned in a second transverse plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le troisième mât s'étend dans un plan longitudinal qui est à égale distance du premier et du deuxième mât.According to one embodiment, the third mast extends in a longitudinal plane which is equidistant from the first and second masts.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le troisième mât présente un diamètre supérieur au diamètre du premier et du deuxième mâts.According to one embodiment, the third mast has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first and second masts.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le troisième mât forme un puit de secours permettant la descente d'une pompe de secours et d'une ligne de déchargement.According to one embodiment, the third mast forms an emergency well allowing the descent of an emergency pump and an unloading line.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la tour de chargement/déchargement supporte une troisième pompe fixée à la base, la troisième pompe étant alignée avec lesdits premier et deuxième mâts dans le deuxième plan transversal et disposée entre lesdits premier et deuxième mâts. Ceci permet de protéger la troisième pompe contre les phénomènes de ballottement.According to one embodiment, the loading/unloading tower supports a third pump fixed to the base, the third pump being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane and disposed between said first and second masts. This makes it possible to protect the third pump against sloshing phenomena.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'organe d'aspiration de la troisième pompe n'est pas immergé dans un puisard. Ceci permet de limiter l'encombrement et permet notamment de positionner la tour de chargement/déchargement plus près d'une paroi arrière de la cuve que si un puisard devait être formé entre la tour de chargement/déchargement et ladite paroi arrière.According to one embodiment, the suction member of the third pump is not immersed in a sump. This makes it possible to limit the space requirement and in particular makes it possible to position the loading/unloading tower closer to a rear wall of the tank than if a sump had to be formed between the loading/unloading tower and said rear wall.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première pompe est reliée à une première ligne de déchargement qui s'étend verticalement le long de la tour de chargement/déchargement, la première ligne de déchargement étant alignée avec lesdits premier et deuxième mâts dans le deuxième plan transversal et disposée entre le premier et le deuxième mâts. Ceci permet de protéger la première ligne de déchargement contre les phénomènes de ballottement.According to one embodiment, the first pump is connected to a first unloading line that extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower, the first unloading line being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane and arranged between the first and second masts. This makes it possible to protect the first unloading line against sloshing phenomena.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la deuxième pompe est reliée à une deuxième ligne de déchargement qui s'étend verticalement le long de la tour de chargement/déchargement, la deuxième ligne de déchargement étant alignée avec lesdits premier et deuxième mâts dans le deuxième plan transversal (P1) et disposée entre le premier et le deuxième mâts.According to one embodiment, the second pump is connected to a second unloading line which extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower, the second unloading line being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane (P1) and arranged between the first and second masts.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la troisième pompe est reliée à une troisième lignes de déchargement qui s'étend verticalement le long de la tour de chargement/déchargement, la troisième ligne de déchargement étant alignée avec lesdits premier et deuxième mâts dans le deuxième plan transversal et disposées entre le premier et le deuxième mâts.According to one embodiment, the third pump is connected to a third unloading line which extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower, the third unloading line being aligned with said first and second masts in the second transverse plane and arranged between the first and second masts.

Selon un mode de réalisation, les pompes sont chacune reliées à l'une des lignes de déchargement au moyen d'un dispositif de raccordement équipé d'un compensateur de dilatation.According to one embodiment, the pumps are each connected to one of the discharge lines by means of a connection device equipped with an expansion compensator.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base comporte au moins une première aile latérale qui fait saillie selon la direction transversale au-delà du prisme à section triangulaire et sur laquelle est fixée la première pompe. Ainsi, la fixation de la première pompe sur la tour de chargement/déchargement n'augmente pas ou faiblement la prise de la tour de chargement/déchargement aux phénomènes de ballottement.According to one embodiment, the base comprises at least a first lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which the first pump is fixed. Thus, the fixing of the first pump on the loading/unloading tower does not increase or only slightly increases the grip of the loading/unloading tower to sloshing phenomena.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base comporte une deuxième aile latérale qui fait saillie selon la direction transversale au-delà du prisme à section triangulaire et sur laquelle est fixée la deuxième pompe.According to one embodiment, the base comprises a second lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which the second pump is fixed.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base comporte une structure de raidissement centrale, ladite structure de raidissement centrale comprenant deux raidisseurs, inclinés par rapport à la direction longitudinale du navire, l'un des raidisseurs s'étendant en ligne droite, entre le troisième mât et le premier mât, et de préférence du troisième mât jusqu'au premier mât, et l'autre raidisseur s'étendant en ligne droite, entre le deuxième mât et le troisième mât, et de préférence du deuxième mât jusqu'au troisième mât. Des raidisseurs présentant une telle structure sont particulièrement efficaces pour répartir les efforts sur l'ensemble de la structure.According to one embodiment, the base comprises a central stiffening structure, said central stiffening structure comprising two stiffeners, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, one of the stiffeners extending in a straight line, between the third mast and the first mast, and preferably from the third mast to the first mast, and the other stiffener extending in a straight line, between the second mast and the third mast, and preferably from the second mast to the third mast. Stiffeners having such a structure are particularly effective in distributing the forces over the entire structure.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la structure de raidissement centrale est ménagée entre la première et la deuxième ailes latérales.According to one embodiment, the central stiffening structure is provided between the first and second lateral wings.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la structure de raidissement centrale comporte en outre une pluralité de raidisseurs qui s'étendent transversalement à la direction longitudinale du navire entre les deux raidisseurs inclinés par rapport à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the central stiffening structure further comprises a plurality of stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel between the two stiffeners inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première aile latérale comporte un demi-caisson dans lequel est logée la première pompe, le demi-caisson comprenant un fond horizontal sur lequel sont fixées des pattes de fixation de ladite première pompe, le fond présentant une découpe au travers de laquelle passe ladite première pompe.According to one embodiment, the first side wing comprises a half-box in which the first pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said first pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said first pump passes.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la deuxième aile latérale comporte un demi-caisson dans lequel est logée la deuxième pompe, le demi-caisson comprenant un fond horizontal sur lequel sont fixées des pattes de fixation de ladite deuxième pompe, le fond présentant une découpe au travers de laquelle passe ladite deuxième pompe.According to one embodiment, the second side wing comprises a half-box in which the second pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said second pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said second pump passes.

Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque demi-caisson comporte en outre deux parois verticales d'orientation transversale et à une paroi verticale d'orientation longitudinale, le fond horizontal étant relié aux parois verticales d'orientation transversale et à la paroi verticale d'orientation longitudinale.According to one embodiment, each half-box further comprises two vertical walls of transverse orientation and one vertical wall of longitudinal orientation, the horizontal bottom being connected to the vertical walls of transverse orientation and to the vertical wall of longitudinal orientation.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première aile latérale et/ou la deuxième aile latérale comprennent des raidisseurs qui s'étendent transversalement à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the first lateral wing and/or the second lateral wing comprise stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le premier, le deuxième et le troisième mâts sont fixés l'un à l'autre par des traverses.According to one embodiment, the first, second and third masts are fixed to each other by crosspieces.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la tour de chargement/déchargement est équipée d'un dispositif radar permettant de mesurer le niveau de gaz liquéfié dans la cuve , le dispositif radar comportant un émetteur et un guide d'onde qui s'étend sur sensiblement toute la hauteur de la cuve, le guide d'onde étant fixé au moyen d'organes de support à des traverses qui relient le troisième mât au premier ou au deuxième mât, les organes de support s'étendant dans un troisième plan transversal qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale du navire. Ainsi, les organes de support s'étendent selon la direction préférentielle des phénomènes de ballottement de manière à travailler principalement en traction/compression et non en flexion sous l'effet des phénomènes de ballottement, ce qui permet d'améliorer leur tenue mécanique.According to one embodiment, the loading/unloading tower is equipped with a radar device for measuring the level of liquefied gas in the tank, the radar device comprising a transmitter and a waveguide that extends over substantially the entire height of the tank, the waveguide being fixed by means of support members to crosspieces that connect the third mast to the first or second mast, the support members extending in a third transverse plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ship. Thus, the support members extend in the preferred direction of the sloshing phenomena so as to work mainly in tension/compression and not in bending under the effect of the sloshing phenomena, which makes it possible to improve their mechanical strength.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première et/ou la deuxième pompes sont disposées intégralement à l'extérieur du prisme à section triangulaire.According to one embodiment, the first and/or the second pumps are arranged entirely outside the triangular section prism.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le pied de support, le premier puisard et optionnellement le deuxième puisard sont placés entre les lignes directrices de deux ondulations transversales, et plus particulièrement centrée entre celles-ci.According to one embodiment, the support foot, the first sump and optionally the second sump are placed between the guidelines of two transverse undulations, and more particularly centered between them.

Selon un aspect, base peut comporter une structure de raidissement centrale, ladite structure de raidissement centrale comprenant deux raidisseurs, inclinés par rapport à la direction longitudinale du navire, l'un des raidisseurs s'étendant en ligne droite, du troisième mât jusqu'au premier mât et l'autre raidisseur s'étendant en ligne droite du deuxième mât jusqu'au troisième mât.In one aspect, the base may include a central stiffening structure, said central stiffening structure comprising two stiffeners, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, one of the stiffeners extending in a straight line from the third mast to the first mast and the other stiffener extending in a straight line from the second mast to the third mast.

Une structure de raidissement centrale présentant de tels raidisseurs est particulièrement efficace pour répartir les efforts sur l'ensemble de la structure.A central stiffening structure with such stiffeners is particularly effective in distributing forces across the entire structure.

Selon des modes de réalisation avantageux, une telle cuve peut présenter une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes.According to advantageous embodiments, such a tank may have one or more of the following characteristics.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le premier, le deuxième et le troisième mâts verticaux définissent un prisme à section triangulaire.According to one embodiment, the first, second and third vertical masts define a prism with a triangular section.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la cuve présente un pied de support qui est fixé à la structure porteuse dans une zone d'une paroi de fond de la cuve qui s'étend dans le prolongement du prisme à section triangulaire, ledit pied de support étant agencé pour assurer un guidage en translation verticale de la tour de chargement/déchargement.According to one embodiment, the tank has a support foot which is fixed to the supporting structure in an area of a bottom wall of the tank which extends in the extension of the triangular section prism, said support foot being arranged to ensure vertical translational guidance of the loading/unloading tower.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première pompe disposée à l'extérieur du prisme triangulaire.According to one embodiment, the first pump is arranged outside the triangular prism.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la tour de chargement/déchargement comporte une deuxième pompe disposée à l'extérieur du prisme triangulaire.According to one embodiment, the loading/unloading tower comprises a second pump arranged outside the triangular prism.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première pompe et le deuxième pompe sont alignés dans un premier plan transversal (P2) qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the first pump and the second pump are aligned in a first transverse plane (P2) which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base comporte au moins une première aile latérale qui fait saillie selon la direction transversale au-delà du prisme à section triangulaire et sur laquelle est fixée une première pompe.According to one embodiment, the base comprises at least a first lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which a first pump is fixed.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la base comporte une deuxième aile latérale qui fait saillie selon la direction transversale au-delà du prisme à section triangulaire et sur laquelle est fixée la deuxième pompe.According to one embodiment, the base comprises a second lateral wing which projects in the transverse direction beyond the triangular section prism and on which the second pump is fixed.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la structure de raidissement centrale est ménagée entre la première et la deuxième ailes latérales.According to one embodiment, the central stiffening structure is provided between the first and second lateral wings.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la structure de raidissement centrale comporte en outre une pluralité de raidisseurs qui s'étendent transversalement à la direction longitudinale du navire entre les deux raidisseurs inclinés par rapport à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the central stiffening structure further comprises a plurality of stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel between the two stiffeners inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première aile latérale comporte un demi-caisson dans lequel est logée la première pompe, le demi-caisson comprenant un fond horizontal sur lequel est fixé des pattes de fixation de ladite première pompe, le fond présentant une découpe au travers de laquelle passe ladite première pompe.According to one embodiment, the first side wing comprises a half-box in which the first pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said first pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said first pump passes.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la deuxième aile latérale comporte un demi-caisson dans lequel est logée la deuxième pompe, le demi-caisson comprenant un fond horizontal sur lequel est fixé des pattes de fixation de ladite deuxième pompe, le fond présentant une découpe au travers de laquelle passe ladite deuxième pompe.According to one embodiment, the second side wing comprises a half-box in which the second pump is housed, the half-box comprising a horizontal bottom on which fixing lugs for said second pump are fixed, the bottom having a cutout through which said second pump passes.

Selon un mode de réalisation, chaque demi-caisson comporte en outre deux parois verticales d'orientation transversale et à une paroi verticale d'orientation longitudinale, le fond horizontal étant relié aux parois verticales d'orientation transversale et à la paroi verticale d'orientation longitudinale.According to one embodiment, each half-box further comprises two vertical walls of transverse orientation and one vertical wall of longitudinal orientation, the horizontal bottom being connected to the vertical walls of transverse orientation and to the vertical wall of longitudinal orientation.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la première aile latérale et/ou la deuxième aile latérale comprennent des raidisseurs qui s'étendent transversalement à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the first lateral wing and/or the second lateral wing comprise stiffeners which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le premier et le deuxième mâts sont alignés dans un deuxième plan transversal qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale du navire.According to one embodiment, the first and second masts are aligned in a second transverse plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Selon un mode de réalisation, le troisième mât s'étend dans un plan longitudinal qui est à égale distance du premier et du deuxième mât.According to one embodiment, the third mast extends in a longitudinal plane which is equidistant from the first and second masts.

Selon un mode de réalisation, l'invention fournit aussi un navire comportant une structure porteuse et l'une des cuves précitées ancrée dans ladite structure porteuse.According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a ship comprising a supporting structure and one of the aforementioned tanks anchored in said supporting structure.

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

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

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

L'invention sera mieux comprise, et d'autres buts, détails, caractéristiques et avantages de celle-ci apparaîtront plus clairement au cours de la description suivante de plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, donnés uniquement à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés.

  • La figure 1 est une vue schématique en écorchée d'une cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante de stockage d'un fluide équipée d'une tour de chargement/déchargement.
  • La figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'une tour de chargement/déchargement.
  • La figure 3 est une vue en perspective détaillée de la partie supérieure de la tour de chargement/déchargement de la figure 2.
  • La figure 4 est vue de dessus de la partie inférieure de la tour de chargement/déchargement de la figure 2.
  • La figure 5 est une vue en perspective de la base de la tour de chargement/déchargement supportant trois pompes.
  • La figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la base de la tour de chargement/déchargement supportant trois pompes.
  • La figure 7 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un puisard.
  • La figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe d'un pied de support destiné à assurer un guidage en translation vertical de la tour de chargement/déchargement,
  • La figure 9 est vue détaillée de dessous de la tour de déchargement illustrant le guidage de la tour de chargement/déchargement sur le pied de support.
  • La figure 10 est une vue de dessus de la paroi de fond au droit de la tour de chargement/déchargement.
  • La figure 11 est une représentation schématique écorchée d'une cuve de navire méthanier et d'un terminal de chargement/déchargement de cette cuve.
The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  • There figure 1 is a schematic cutaway view of a sealed and thermally insulating fluid storage tank equipped with a loading/unloading tower.
  • There figure 2 is a perspective view of a loading/unloading tower.
  • There figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the upper part of the loading/unloading tower of the figure 2 .
  • There figure 4 is a top view of the lower part of the loading/unloading tower of the figure 2 .
  • There figure 5 is a perspective view of the base of the loading/unloading tower supporting three pumps.
  • There figure 6 is a top view of the base of the loading/unloading tower supporting three pumps.
  • There figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sump.
  • There figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of a support foot intended to provide vertical translational guidance of the loading/unloading tower,
  • There figure 9 is a detailed view from below of the unloading tower illustrating the guidance of the loading/unloading tower on the support foot.
  • There figure 10 is a top view of the back wall to the right of the loading/unloading tower.
  • There figure 11 is a schematic cutaway representation of a LNG carrier tank and a loading/unloading terminal for this tank.

Description détaillée de modes de réalisationDetailed description of embodiments

Par convention, sur les figures, un repère orthonormé défini par deux axes x et y est utilisé pour décrire les éléments de la cuve. L'axe x correspond à une direction longitudinale du navire et l'axe y a un axe transversal perpendiculaire à la direction longitudinale du navire.By convention, in the figures, an orthonormal reference frame defined by two axes x and y is used to describe the elements of the tank. The x axis corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the ship and the y axis has a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the ship.

En relation avec la figure 1, l'on observe une cuve 1 étanche et thermiquement isolante de stockage de gaz liquéfié qui est équipée d'une tour de chargement/déchargement 2 permettant notamment de charger le gaz liquéfié dans la cuve 1 et/ou de le décharger. Le gaz liquéfié peut notamment être un gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL), c'est-à-dire un mélange gazeux comportant majoritairement du méthane ainsi qu'un ou plusieurs autres hydrocarbures, tels que l'éthane, le propane, le n-butane, le i-butane, le n-pentane le i-pentane, le néopentane, et de l'azote en faible proportion.In relation to the figure 1 , we observe a sealed and thermally insulating tank 1 for storing liquefied gas which is equipped with a loading/unloading tower 2 allowing in particular to load the liquefied gas into the tank 1 and/or to unload it. The liquefied gas can in particular be a liquefied natural gas (LNG), that is to say a gas mixture mainly comprising methane as well as one or more other hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, n-butane, i-butane, n-pentane, i-pentane, neopentane, and nitrogen in small proportions.

La cuve 1 est ancrée dans une structure porteuse 3 embarquée dans un navire. La structure porteuse 3 est par exemple formée par la double coque d'un navire mais peut plus généralement être formée de tout type de cloison rigide présentant des propriétés mécaniques appropriées. La cuve 1 peut être destinée au transport de gaz liquéfié ou à recevoir du gaz liquéfié servant de carburant pour la propulsion du navire.The tank 1 is anchored in a supporting structure 3 on board a ship. The supporting structure 3 is for example formed by the double hull of a ship but can more generally be formed by any type of rigid partition having appropriate mechanical properties. The tank 1 can be intended for the transport of liquefied gas or for receiving liquefied gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the ship.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la cuve 1 est une cuve à membranes. Dans une telle cuve 1, chaque paroi présente successivement, de l'extérieur vers l'intérieur, selon la direction d'épaisseur de la paroi, une barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire 4 comportant des éléments isolants reposant contre la structure porteuse 3, une membrane d'étanchéité secondaire 5 ancrée aux éléments isolants de la barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire 4, une barrière thermiquement isolante primaire 6 comportant des éléments isolants reposant contre la membrane d'étanchéité secondaire 5 et une membrane d'étanchéité primaire 7 ancrée aux éléments isolants de la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire 5 et destinée à être en contact avec le fluide contenu dans la cuve 1.According to one embodiment, the tank 1 is a membrane tank. In such a tank 1, each wall successively has, from the outside to the inside, in the thickness direction of the wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 4 comprising insulating elements resting against the supporting structure 3, a secondary sealing membrane 5 anchored to the insulating elements of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 4, a primary thermally insulating barrier 6 comprising insulating elements resting against the secondary sealing membrane 5 and a primary sealing membrane 7 anchored to the insulating elements of the primary thermally insulating barrier 5 and intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank 1.

A titre d'exemple, chaque paroi peut notamment être de type Mark III, tel que décrit par exemple dans FR2691520 , de type NO96 tel que décrit par exemple dans FR2877638 , ou de type Mark V tel que décrit par exemple dans WO14057221 .For example, each wall may in particular be of type Mark III, as described for example in FR2691520 , of type NO96 as described for example in FR2877638 , or of type Mark V as described for example in WO14057221 .

La tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est installée au voisinage de la paroi arrière 8 de la cuve 1, ce qui permet d'optimiser la quantité de cargaison susceptible d'être déchargée par la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 dans la mesure où les navires sont généralement penchés vers l'arrière en utilisant les ballasts de façon particulière, notamment afin de limiter les vibrations.The loading/unloading tower 2 is installed in the vicinity of the rear wall 8 of the tank 1, which makes it possible to optimize the quantity of cargo likely to be unloaded by the loading/unloading tower 2 since the ships are generally tilted towards the rear using the ballasts in a particular way, in particular in order to limit vibrations.

La tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est suspendue à une paroi supérieure 9 de la structure porteuse 3. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, la paroi supérieure 9 de la structure porteuse 3 comporte, à proximité de la paroi arrière 8, un espace, de forme parallélépipédique rectangle non représentée, en saillie vers le haut, appelé dôme liquide. Le dôme liquide est défini par deux parois transversales, avant et arrière, et par deux parois latérales qui s'étendent verticalement et font saillie de la paroi supérieure 9 vers le haut. Le dôme liquide comporte en outre un couvercle 10 horizontal, représenté sur les figures 2 et 3, auquel la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est suspendue.The loading/unloading tower 2 is suspended from an upper wall 9 of the supporting structure 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper wall 9 of the supporting structure 3 comprises, near the rear wall 8, a space, of rectangular parallelepiped shape not shown, projecting upwards, called a liquid dome. The liquid dome is defined by two transverse walls, front and rear, and by two side walls which extend vertically and project upwards from the upper wall 9. The liquid dome further comprises a cover 10 horizontal, shown on the figures 2 And 3 , from which the loading/unloading tower 2 is suspended.

La tour de chargement/déchargement 2 s'étend sur sensiblement toute la hauteur de la cuve 1. La tour de chargement/déchargement 2 comporte une structure tripode, c'est-à-dire qu'elle comporte trois mâts 11, 12, 13, verticaux, qui sont chacun fixés les uns aux autres par des traverses 14. Chacun des mâts 11, 12, 13 est creux et traverse le couvercle 10 du dôme liquide.The loading/unloading tower 2 extends over substantially the entire height of the tank 1. The loading/unloading tower 2 comprises a tripod structure, that is to say that it comprises three vertical masts 11, 12, 13, each of which is fixed to each other by crosspieces 14. Each of the masts 11, 12, 13 is hollow and passes through the cover 10 of the liquid dome.

Les trois mâts 11, 12, 13 définissent avec les traverses 14 un prisme à section triangulaire. Selon un mode de réalisation, les trois mâts 11, 12, 13 sont disposés à égale distance les uns des autres de sorte que la section du prisme est un triangle équilatéral. De manière avantageuse, les trois mâts 11, 12, 13 sont disposés de telle sorte qu'au moins l'une des faces du prisme s'étend dans un plan transversal P1 qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale x du navire. En d'autres termes, deux des mâts 11, 12 sont alignés dans le plan transversal P1. Plus particulièrement, les deux mâts 11, 12 qui sont alignés dans le plan transversal P1 sont les deux mâts arrière, c'est-à-dire les plus proches de la paroi arrière 8 de la cuve 1.The three masts 11, 12, 13 define with the crosspieces 14 a prism with a triangular section. According to one embodiment, the three masts 11, 12, 13 are arranged at equal distances from each other so that the section of the prism is an equilateral triangle. Advantageously, the three masts 11, 12, 13 are arranged such that at least one of the faces of the prism extends in a transverse plane P1 which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the ship. In other words, two of the masts 11, 12 are aligned in the transverse plane P1. More particularly, the two masts 11, 12 which are aligned in the transverse plane P1 are the two rear masts, that is to say the ones closest to the rear wall 8 of the tank 1.

Comme représenté sur les figures 2 à 4, le mât 13 avant présente un diamètre plus important que les deux mâts 11, 12 arrière. Le mât 13 avant forme un puit de secours permettant la descente d'une pompe de secours et d'une ligne de déchargement en cas de défaillance des autres pompes de déchargement.As shown in the Figures 2 to 4 , the front mast 13 has a larger diameter than the two rear masts 11, 12. The front mast 13 forms an emergency well allowing the descent of an emergency pump and an unloading line in the event of failure of the other unloading pumps.

Par ailleurs, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, les deux mâts 11, 12 forment des gaines pour le passage de câbles d'alimentation électrique assurant notamment l'alimentation des pompes de déchargement supportées par le tour de chargement/déchargement 2. En outre, l'installation comporte trois conduits de déchargement 15, 16, 17, représentés sur la figure 2, qui sont chacun reliés à une pompe de déchargement 18, 19, 20. Les trois conduits de déchargement 15, 16, 17 sont disposés dans le plan transversal P1. Les trois conduits de déchargement 15, 16, 17 sont plus particulièrement placés entre les deux mâts 11, 12. Ainsi, la direction préférentielle des phénomènes de ballottement étant orientée transversalement à la direction longitudinale x du navire, une telle disposition des conduits de déchargement 15, 16, 17 entre les deux mâts 11, 12 permet de les protéger des phénomènes de ballottement.Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the two masts 11, 12 form sheaths for the passage of electrical power supply cables ensuring in particular the power supply of the unloading pumps supported by the loading/unloading tower 2. In addition, the installation comprises three unloading conduits 15, 16, 17, shown in the figure 2 , which are each connected to an unloading pump 18, 19, 20. The three unloading conduits 15, 16, 17 are arranged in the transverse plane P1. The three unloading conduits 15, 16, 17 are more particularly placed between the two masts 11, 12. Thus, the preferential direction of the sloshing phenomena being oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction x of the ship, such an arrangement of the unloading conduits unloading 15, 16, 17 between the two masts 11, 12 protects them from sloshing phenomena.

Selon un mode de réalisation alternatif, non représenté, les deux mâts 11, 12 sont chacun reliés à une pompe de déchargement et forment une ligne de déchargement. La tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est alors équipée de gaines pour le passage de câbles d'alimentation électrique qui sont disposés dans le plan transversal P1, et sont placés entre les deux mâts 11, 12.According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the two masts 11, 12 are each connected to an unloading pump and form an unloading line. The loading/unloading tower 2 is then equipped with sheaths for the passage of electrical power supply cables which are arranged in the transverse plane P1, and are placed between the two masts 11, 12.

Par ailleurs, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est également équipée de deux lignes de chargement 21, 22 qui sont fixées au mât avant. L'une des deux lignes de chargement 21, uniquement représentée sur la figure 2, s'étend uniquement dans la portion supérieure de la cuve 1 tandis que l'autre ligne de chargement 22 s'étend sensiblement sur toute la hauteur de la cuve 1 jusqu'à proximité de la paroi de fond 23 de la cuve 1. De manière avantageuse, la ligne de chargement 22 qui s'étend sensiblement sur toute la hauteur de la cuve 1 est alignée avec le mât 13 selon un plan transversal qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale x du navire. Ceci permet de limiter les contraintes dues aux phénomènes de ballottement s'exerçant sur cette ligne de chargement 22.Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the loading/unloading tower 2 is also equipped with two loading lines 21, 22 which are attached to the front mast. One of the two loading lines 21, only shown in the figure 2 , extends only in the upper portion of the tank 1 while the other loading line 22 extends substantially over the entire height of the tank 1 up to the vicinity of the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1. Advantageously, the loading line 22 which extends substantially over the entire height of the tank 1 is aligned with the mast 13 according to a transverse plane 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 22.

Par ailleurs, la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est équipée d'un dispositif radar 24, visible sur les figures 3 et 4, permettant de mesurer le niveau de gaz liquéfié dans la cuve 1. Le dispositif radar 24 comporte un émetteur, non représenté, et un guide d'onde 25, qui est supporté par la tour de chargement/déchargement 2. Le guide d'onde 25 s'étend sur sensiblement toute la hauteur de la cuve 1. Le guide d'onde 25 est fixé à des traverses 14 qui relient le mât 13 avant à l'un des mâts 11, 12 arrière au moyen d'organes de support 26 qui sont régulièrement espacés le long du guide d'onde 25. Les organes de support 26, dont un est représenté sur les figures 3 et 4, s'étendent dans un plan transversal qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale x du navire, ce qui permet d'améliorer leur tenue mécanique.Furthermore, the loading/unloading tower 2 is equipped with a radar device 24, visible on the Figures 3 and 4 , for measuring the level of liquefied gas in the tank 1. The radar device 24 comprises a transmitter, not shown, and a waveguide 25, which is supported by the loading/unloading tower 2. The waveguide 25 extends over substantially the entire height of the tank 1. The waveguide 25 is fixed to crosspieces 14 which connect the front mast 13 to one of the rear masts 11, 12 by means of support members 26 which are regularly spaced along the waveguide 25. The support members 26, one of which is shown in the Figures 3 and 4 , extend in a transverse plane which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the vessel, which improves their mechanical strength.

La tour de chargement/déchargement 2 est également équipée d'une base 27, notamment représentée sur les figures 4 à 6, qui est fixée à l'extrémité inférieure des trois mâts 11, 12, 13 et qui supporte trois pompes de déchargement 18, 19, 20, à savoir une pompe centrale 19 et deux pompes latérales 18, 20. La présence de trois pompes de déchargement 18, 19, 20 assure une redondance qui permet notamment de réduire les risques de pannes nécessitant l'intervention d'un opérateur de maintenance dans la cuve 1. Le débit maximum des trois pompes de déchargement est inférieur à 40 m3/h, et avantageusement compris entre 10 et 20 m3/h, ce qui permet de limiter l'encombrement desdites pompes et par conséquent leur prise aux phénomènes de ballottement.The loading/unloading tower 2 is also equipped with a base 27, notably shown in the Figures 4 to 6 , which is fixed to the lower end of the three masts 11, 12, 13 and which supports three unloading pumps 18, 19, 20, namely a central pump 19 and two lateral pumps 18, 20. The presence of three unloading pumps 18, 19, 20 ensures redundancy which in particular makes it possible to reduce the risks of breakdowns requiring the intervention of a maintenance operator in the tank 1. The maximum flow rate of the three unloading pumps is less than 40 m 3 /h, and advantageously between 10 and 20 m 3 /h, which makes it possible to limit the size of said pumps and consequently their exposure to sloshing phenomena.

Les pompes de déchargement 18, 19, 20 sont chacune reliées à l'une des lignes de déchargement 15, 16, 17 décrites précédemment. Comme représenté sur la figure 4, les pompes de déchargement 18, 19, 20 sont chacune reliées à l'une des lignes de déchargement 15, 16, 17 au moyen de dispositifs de raccordement 28 pourvus d'un compensateur de dilatation 29 permettant d'absorber les déformations, notamment lors de la mise à froid de la cuve 1 et/ou la mise à froid des lignes de déchargement.The unloading pumps 18, 19, 20 are each connected to one of the unloading lines 15, 16, 17 described above. As shown in the figure 4 , the unloading pumps 18, 19, 20 are each connected to one of the unloading lines 15, 16, 17 by means of connection devices 28 provided with an expansion compensator 29 making it possible to absorb deformations, in particular during the cooling of the tank 1 and/or the cooling of the unloading lines.

La pompe centrale 19 est disposée, dans le plan transversal P1, entre les mâts 11, 12, ce qui permet de la protéger contre les phénomènes de ballottement. Les deux pompes latérales 18, 20 sont quant à elles alignées l'une avec l'autre dans un plan transversal P2, qui est orthogonal à la direction longitudinale x du navire.The central pump 19 is arranged, in the transverse plane P1, between the masts 11, 12, which allows it to be protected against sloshing phenomena. The two lateral pumps 18, 20 are aligned with each other in a transverse plane P2, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction x of the ship.

Les pompes latérales 18, 20 sont disposées à l'extérieur du prisme triangulaire défini par les trois mâts 11, 12, 13. Ceci permet de disposer d'une distance suffisante entre les pompes latérales 18, 20 pour que leur organe d'aspiration puisse être logé dans des puisards 30, décrits par la suite, sans pour autant augmenter davantage les dimensions de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2. En effet, pour assurer une tenue mécanique acceptable des parois de la cuve 1, il est nécessaire d'assurer une distance minimale entre les équipements interrompant la structure multicouche des parois, tels que les puisards 30 ou le pied de support 31 de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2. Dès lors, un pied de support 31, décrit par la suite, étant localisé dans la zone de la paroi de fond 23 en regard de l'axe central de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2, les puisards 30 destinés à loger l'organe d'aspiration des pompes latérales 18, 20 doivent être suffisamment écartés de l'axe central de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 pour ne pas dégrader le comportement mécanique de la paroi de fond 23 de la cuve 1.The side pumps 18, 20 are arranged outside the triangular prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13. This allows for a sufficient distance between the side pumps 18, 20 so that their suction member can be housed in sumps 30, described below, without further increasing the dimensions of the loading/unloading tower 2. Indeed, to ensure acceptable mechanical strength of the walls of the tank 1, it is necessary to ensure a minimum distance between the equipment interrupting the multilayer structure of the walls, such as the sumps 30 or the support foot 31 of the loading/unloading tower 2. Therefore, a support foot 31, described below, being located in the area of the bottom wall 23 opposite the central axis of the loading/unloading tower 2, the sumps 30 intended to house the suction member of the pumps lateral 18, 20 must be sufficiently spaced from the central axis of the loading/unloading tower 2 so as not to degrade the mechanical behavior of the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1.

Selon un mode de réalisation, la distance selon la direction transversale y entre les deux pompes latérales 18, 20 est supérieure à 2m, par exemple de l'ordre de 4 à 5 mètres. En outre, afin d'assurer une tenue mécanique suffisante de la paroi de fond 23, la distance minimale entre un puisard 30 et le pied de support 31 est supérieure à 1 mètre. De manière avantageuse, lorsque la membrane d'étanchéité primaire 7 est une membrane ondulée, la distance entre un puisard 30 et le pied de support 31 est supérieur à trois pas d'ondes s'étendant selon la direction longitudinale du navire. Les puisards 30 visent à maintenir les organes d'aspiration des pompes latérales 18, 20, immergés dans une certaine quantité de gaz liquéfié, malgré les phénomènes de ballotement dudit gaz liquéfié, de manière à éviter de désamorcer et/ou de dégrader lesdites pompes latérales 18, 20. Un puisard 30, selon un exemple de réalisation, est illustré sur la figure 7. Le puisard 30 reçoit l'organe d'aspiration de l'une des pompes latérales 18, 20. Le puisard 30 comporte une cuvette cylindrique primaire 32 qui fournit un premier récipient en communication avec l'intérieur de la cuve 1 et une cuvette cylindrique secondaire 33 qui fournit un deuxième récipient entourant la partie inférieure de la cuvette cylindrique primaire 32. La cuvette cylindrique primaire 32 est raccordée de manière continue à la membrane primaire 7 qu'elle complète ainsi de manière étanche. De même, la cuvette cylindrique secondaire 33 est raccordée de manière continue à la membrane secondaire 5 qu'elle complète ainsi de manière étanche. Le puisard 30 est centré par rapport à l'axe de la pompe 18, 20 qu'il reçoit.According to one embodiment, the distance in the transverse direction y between the two lateral pumps 18, 20 is greater than 2 m, for example of the order of 4 to 5 meters. Furthermore, in order to ensure sufficient mechanical strength of the bottom wall 23, the minimum distance between a sump 30 and the support foot 31 is greater than 1 meter. Advantageously, when the primary sealing membrane 7 is a corrugated membrane, the distance between a sump 30 and the support foot 31 is greater than three wave steps extending in the longitudinal direction of the ship. The sumps 30 are intended to keep the suction members of the side pumps 18, 20 immersed in a certain quantity of liquefied gas, despite the phenomena of sloshing of said liquefied gas, so as to avoid losing the prime and/or damaging said side pumps 18, 20. A sump 30, according to an exemplary embodiment, is illustrated in the figure 7 . The sump 30 receives the suction member of one of the lateral pumps 18, 20. The sump 30 comprises a primary cylindrical bowl 32 which provides a first container in communication with the interior of the tank 1 and a secondary cylindrical bowl 33 which provides a second container surrounding the lower part of the primary cylindrical bowl 32. The primary cylindrical bowl 32 is continuously connected to the primary membrane 7 which it thus completes in a sealed manner. Similarly, the secondary cylindrical bowl 33 is continuously connected to the secondary membrane 5 which it thus completes in a sealed manner. The sump 30 is centered relative to the axis of the pump 18, 20 which it receives.

Selon un mode de réalisation non illustré, afin d'augmenter la capacité du puisard 30, la structure porteuse 3 de la paroi de fond 23 présente une ouverture circulaire à travers laquelle le puisard 30 est engagé et qui permet au puisard 30 de dépasser à l'extérieur du plan de la structure porteuse 3 de la paroi de fond 23. Dans ce cas, une cuvette cylindrique creuse est fixée à la structure porteuse 3 autour de l'ouverture et fait saillie vers l'extérieur de la structure porteuse 3 afin de former une structure d'extension qui fournit un espace supplémentaire pour loger le puisard 30.According to a non-illustrated embodiment, in order to increase the capacity of the sump 30, the supporting structure 3 of the bottom wall 23 has a circular opening through which the sump 30 is engaged and which allows the sump 30 to protrude outside the plane of the supporting structure 3 of the bottom wall 23. In this case, a hollow cylindrical bowl is fixed to the supporting structure 3 around the opening and projects outwardly from the supporting structure 3 in order to form an extension structure which provides additional space for housing the sump 30.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, seules les pompes latérales 18, 20 sont immergées dans des puisards 30. Ainsi, lorsque le niveau de gaz liquéfié dans la cuve descend en dessous d'un seuil, la pompe centrale 19 ne peut pas être utilisée et ce sont les pompes latérales 18, 20 qui sont exclusivement utilisées pour décharger le gaz liquéfié. Un tel agencement est avantageux notamment en ce qu'il permet le positionnement de la pompe centrale 19 entre les deux mâts 11, 12 et en ce qu'il permet de positionner la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 plus près de la paroi arrière 8 que si un puisard 30 devait être formé entre la tour de chargement/déchargement et la paroi arrière 8 de la cuve 1.In the embodiment shown, only the side pumps 18, 20 are submerged in sumps 30. Thus, when the level of liquefied gas in the tank falls below a threshold, the central pump 19 cannot be used and it is the side pumps 18, 20 which are exclusively used to discharge liquefied gas. Such an arrangement is advantageous in particular in that it allows the central pump 19 to be positioned between the two masts 11, 12 and in that it allows the loading/unloading tower 2 to be positioned closer to the rear wall 8 than if a sump 30 had to be formed between the loading/unloading tower and the rear wall 8 of the tank 1.

En revenant aux figures 4 à 6, on décrit maintenant la structure de la base 27. La base 27 comporte des bagues 34, 35, 36 au travers desquelles passent les extrémités inférieures des trois mâts 11, 12, 13. Les bagues 34, 35, 36 sont soudées aux mâts 11, 12, 13 de manière à fixer ladite base 27 à l'extrémité inférieure des trois mâts 11, 12, 13.Returning to the Figures 4 to 6 , the structure of the base 27 is now described. The base 27 comprises rings 34, 35, 36 through which the lower ends of the three masts 11, 12, 13 pass. The rings 34, 35, 36 are welded to the masts 11, 12, 13 so as to fix said base 27 to the lower end of the three masts 11, 12, 13.

Par ailleurs, la base 27 comporte une structure de raidissement centrale 27 permettant d'augmenter la raideur de la base 27 et d'augmenter ainsi la résistance de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 aux phénomènes de ballottement. La structure de raidissement centrale 37 comporte deux raidisseurs 38, 39, inclinés par rapport à la direction longitudinale x du navire, qui s'étendent chacun en ligne droite, entre l'axe central de l'un des mâts 11, 12 et l'axe central du mât 13. Notons qu'un tel agencement offrant une raideur conséquente est notamment permis par le positionnement des pompes latérales 18, 20 à l'extérieur du prisme à section triangulaire défini par les trois mâts 11, 12, 13.Furthermore, the base 27 comprises a central stiffening structure 27 making it possible to increase the stiffness of the base 27 and thus increase the resistance of the loading/unloading tower 2 to sloshing phenomena. The central stiffening structure 37 comprises two stiffeners 38, 39, inclined relative to the longitudinal direction x of the ship, which each extend in a straight line, between the central axis of one of the masts 11, 12 and the central axis of the mast 13. Note that such an arrangement offering significant stiffness is notably permitted by the positioning of the lateral pumps 18, 20 outside the triangular section prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13.

Par ailleurs, la structure de raidissement centrale 37 comporte plusieurs raidisseurs 40, 41, 42, 43 qui s'étendent transversalement et rejoignent les deux raidisseurs 39, 39 inclinés. La structure de raidissement centrale 37 comporte en outre des raidisseurs 44 qui s'étendent selon la direction longitudinale entre les raidisseurs 40, 41, 42, 43 s'étendant transversalement. Dans le mode de réalisation illustré, la base 27 comporte une tôle plane et les raidisseurs 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 sont des poutres métalliques qui sont soudées sur la tôle plane.Furthermore, the central stiffening structure 37 comprises a plurality of stiffeners 40, 41, 42, 43 that extend transversely and join the two inclined stiffeners 39, 39. The central stiffening structure 37 further comprises stiffeners 44 that extend in the longitudinal direction between the transversely extending stiffeners 40, 41, 42, 43. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 27 comprises a flat sheet and the stiffeners 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 are metal beams that are welded to the flat sheet.

La base 27 comporte en outre deux ailes latérales 45, 46 qui font saillie selon la direction transversale y au-delà du prisme à section triangulaire défini par les trois mâts 11, 12, 13. Les ailes latérales 45, 46 assurent la fixation des pompes latérales 18, 20 à la base 27, et ceci à l'extérieur du prisme triangulaire défini par les trois mâts 11, 12, 13.The base 27 further comprises two lateral wings 45, 46 which project in the transverse direction y beyond the triangular section prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13. The lateral wings 45, 46 ensure the fixing of the lateral pumps 18, 20 to the base 27, and this outside the triangular prism defined by the three masts 11, 12, 13.

Comme illustré sur la figure 5, les pompes latérales 18, 20 sont plus particulièrement logées dans des demi-caissons 47, 48 ouverts vers l'extérieur de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2. Les demi-caissons 47, 48 font saillie par rapport au reste de la base 27 en direction de la paroi de fond 23 de la cuve 1, ce qui permet de descendre suffisamment les pompes latérales 18, 20 pour que leur organe d'aspiration soit logé dans un puisard 30. Chaque demi-caisson 47, 48 est formé par un fond 49, horizontal, qui est reliée à deux parois verticales 50, 51 d'orientation transversale et une paroi verticale 52 d'orientation longitudinale. Le fond 49 présente une découpe au travers de laquelle est placé le corps de l'une des pompes latérales 18, 20. Les pompes latérales 18, 20 sont chacune équipées de pattes de fixation assurant leur fixation sur le fond 49, autour de la découpe.As illustrated in the figure 5 , the side pumps 18, 20 are more particularly housed in half-boxes 47, 48 open towards the outside of the loading/unloading tower 2. The half-boxes 47, 48 project relative to the rest of the base 27 towards the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1, which allows the side pumps 18, 20 to be lowered sufficiently so that their suction member is housed in a sump 30. Each half-box 47, 48 is formed by a horizontal bottom 49, which is connected to two vertical walls 50, 51 of transverse orientation and a vertical wall 52 of longitudinal orientation. The bottom 49 has a cutout through which the body of one of the side pumps 18, 20 is placed. The side pumps 18, 20 are each equipped with fixing lugs ensuring their fixing on the bottom 49, around the cutout.

Les ailes latérales 45, 46 sont également équipées de raidisseurs, par exemple formés de plaques verticales, qui s'étendent selon la direction transversale et de raidisseurs, par exemple également formés de plaques verticales, qui s'étendent depuis les demi-caissons 47, 48 vers l'un des mâts 11, 12, 13.The side wings 45, 46 are also equipped with stiffeners, for example formed of vertical plates, which extend in the transverse direction and stiffeners, for example also formed of vertical plates, which extend from the half-boxes 47, 48 towards one of the masts 11, 12, 13.

La base 27 comporte également une aile centrale 53 qui est positionnée entre les deux mâts 11, 12. L'aile centrale 53 comporte une découpe au travers de laquelle est placé le corps de la pompe centrale 19. La pompe centrale 19 comporte des pattes de fixation assurant sa fixation sur l'aile centrale 53 autour de la découpe.The base 27 also includes a central wing 53 which is positioned between the two masts 11, 12. The central wing 53 includes a cutout through which the body of the central pump 19 is placed. The central pump 19 includes fixing lugs ensuring its fixing on the central wing 53 around the cutout.

En relation avec la figure 9, l'on observe que la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 comporte un dispositif de guidage qui est fixé contre la face inférieure de la base 27 et qui coopère avec un pied de support 31 qui est fixé à la paroi de fond de la structure porteuse 3. Un tel dispositif de guidage vise à autoriser les mouvements relatif de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 par rapport au pied de support 31 selon la direction de hauteur de la cuve 1 afin de permettre à la tour de chargement/déchargement 2 de se contracter ou de se dilater en fonction des températures à laquelle elle est soumise tout en empêchant les mouvement horizontaux de la base 27 de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2.In relation to the figure 9 , it is observed that the loading/unloading tower 2 comprises a guide device which is fixed against the lower face of the base 27 and which cooperates with a support foot 31 which is fixed to the bottom wall of the supporting structure 3. Such a guide device aims to allow the relative movements of the loading/unloading tower 2 with respect to the support foot 31 in the height direction of the tank 1 in order to allow the loading/unloading tower 2 to contract or expand depending on the temperatures to which it is subjected while preventing the horizontal movements of the base 27 of the loading/unloading tower 2.

Comme représenté schématiquement sur la figure 8, le pied de support 31 présente une forme de révolution à section circulaire, avec une partie inferieure tronconique 54 qui se raccorde au niveau de son extrémité de plus petit diamètre à une partie supérieure cylindrique 55. La base de plus grand diamètre de la partie tronconique est en appui contre la paroi de fond de la structure porteuse 3. La partie inferieure tronconique 54 s'étend à travers l'épaisseur de la paroi de fond 23 de la cuve 1 au-delà du niveau de la membrane d'étanchéité primaire 7. La partie supérieure cylindrique 55 est fermée de manière étanche par une plaque circulaire 56. Les membranes d'étanchéité primaire 7 et secondaire 5 sont raccordées de manière étanche à la partie inférieure tronconique 54.As schematically shown in the figure 8 , the support foot 31 has a circular section revolution shape, with a truncated cone-shaped lower part 54 which connects at its smaller diameter end to a cylindrical upper part 55. The larger diameter base of the truncated cone-shaped part bears against the bottom wall of the supporting structure 3. The truncated cone-shaped lower part 54 extends through the thickness of the bottom wall 23 of the tank 1 beyond the level of the primary sealing membrane 7. The cylindrical upper part 55 is sealed by a circular plate 56. The primary 7 and secondary 5 sealing membranes are sealedly connected to the truncated cone-shaped lower part 54.

Par ailleurs, comme représenté sur la figure 9, deux éléments de guidage 57, 58 sont soudées sur le pied de support 6 et s'étendent respectivement vers l'arrière et vers l'avant de la cuve 1. Chacune des deux éléments de guidage 57, 58 est équipé de deux faces longitudinales et d'une face transversale, chacune des faces longitudinales et transversales étant en contact avec un élément de guidage 59 fixé sur la base 27 de la tour de chargement/déchargement 2.Furthermore, as shown in the figure 9 , two guide elements 57, 58 are welded to the support foot 6 and extend respectively towards the rear and towards the front of the tank 1. Each of the two guide elements 57, 58 is equipped with two longitudinal faces and one transverse face, each of the longitudinal and transverse faces being in contact with a guide element 59 fixed on the base 27 of the loading/unloading tower 2.

En relation avec la figure 10, l'on observe que le pied de support 31 est aligné avec les pompes latérales 18, 20 dans le plan P2 et est plus particulièrement centré entre les deux pompes latérales 18, 20. Une telle disposition est avantageuse en ce qu'elle permet de limiter les efforts dus au phénomène de ballottement agissant sur les pompes latérales 18, 20 et sur le pied de support 31.In relation to the figure 10 , it is observed that the support foot 31 is aligned with the side pumps 18, 20 in the plane P2 and is more particularly centered between the two side pumps 18, 20. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it makes it possible to limit the forces due to the sloshing phenomenon acting on the side pumps 18, 20 and on the support foot 31.

En outre, lorsque la membrane d'étanchéité primaire 7 est une membrane ondulée, telle que représenté sur la figure 10, dans laquelle les ondulations s'étendent selon les directions transversales et longitudinales du navire, une telle disposition permet de limiter le nombre d'ondulations interrompues et ainsi de limiter la perte d'élasticité de la membrane d'étanchéité primaire 7 résultant de telles interruptions. En outre, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, les puisards 30 et le pied de support 31 sont placés entre les lignes directrices de deux ondulations transversales et plus particulièrement centrée entre celles-ci. Ceci permet d'interrompre les ondulations sur une distance la plus courte possible, étant donné que ces interruptions sont susceptibles de réduire localement la flexibilité de la membrane d'étanchéité primaire 7 et donc de favoriser localement sa fatigue et son usure.Further, when the primary waterproofing membrane 7 is a corrugated membrane, as shown in the figure 10 , in which the corrugations extend in the transverse and longitudinal directions of the ship, such an arrangement makes it possible to limit the number of interrupted corrugations and thus to limit the loss of elasticity of the primary waterproofing membrane 7 resulting from such interruptions. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the sumps 30 and the support foot 31 are placed between the guidelines of two transverse corrugations and more particularly centered between them. This makes it possible to interrupt the corrugations over the shortest possible distance, given that these interruptions are likely to locally reduce the flexibility of the primary waterproofing membrane 7 and therefore to locally promote its fatigue and wear.

En référence à la figure 11, une vue écorchée d'un navire 70 montre une cuve étanche et isolée 71 de forme générale prismatique montée dans la double coque 72 du navire. La paroi de la cuve 71 comporte une membrane d'étanchéité primaire destinée à être en contact avec le gaz liquéfié contenu dans la cuve, une membrane d'étanchéité secondaire agencée entre la membrane d'étanchéité primaire et la double coque 72 du navire, et deux barrières isolante agencées respectivement entre la membrane d'étanchéité primaire et la membrane d'étanchéité secondaire et entre la membrane d'étanchéité secondaire et la double coque 72.In reference to the figure 11 , a cutaway view of a ship 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a sealing membrane primary intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72.

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

La figure 11 représente un exemple de terminal maritime comportant un poste de chargement et/ou de déchargement 75, une conduite sous-marine 76 et une installation à terre 77. Le poste de chargement et/ou de déchargement 75 est une installation fixe off-shore comportant un bras mobile 74 et une tour 78 qui supporte le bras mobile 74. Le bras mobile 74 porte un faisceau de tuyaux flexibles isolés 79 pouvant se connecter aux canalisations de chargement/déchargement 73. Le bras mobile 74 orientable s'adapte à tous les gabarits de navire. Une conduite de liaison non représentée s'étend à l'intérieur de la tour 78. Le poste de chargement et de déchargement 75 permet le chargement et le déchargement du navire 70 depuis ou vers l'installation à terre 77. Celle-ci comporte des cuves de stockage de gaz liquéfié 80 et des conduites de liaison 81 reliées par la conduite sous-marine 76 au poste de chargement ou de déchargement 75. La conduite sous-marine 76 permet le transfert du gaz liquéfié entre le poste de chargement ou de déchargement 75 et l'installation à terre 77 sur une grande distance, par exemple 5 km, ce qui permet de garder le navire 70 à grande distance de la côte pendant les opérations de chargement et de déchargement.There figure 11 represents an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and/or unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and/or unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the mobile arm 74. The mobile arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading/unloading pipelines 73. The orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all vessel sizes. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the ship 70 from or to the shore installation 77. The latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the subsea pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75. The subsea pipe 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the shore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the ship 70 at a great distance from the coast during the loading and unloading operations.

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

Bien que l'invention ait été décrite en liaison avec plusieurs modes de réalisation particuliers, il est bien évident qu'elle n'y est nullement limitée et qu'elle combinaisons si celles-ci entrent dans le cadre de l'invention, telle que définie par les revendications.Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

L'usage du verbe « comporter », « comprendre » ou « inclure » et de ses formes conjuguées n'exclut pas la présence d'autres éléments ou d'autres étapes que ceux énoncés dans une revendication.The use of the verb “to comprise”, “to understand” or “to include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

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

Claims (15)

  1. A sealed and thermally insulating storage tank (1) for a fluid that is anchored in a load-bearing structure (3) that is built into a ship, the ship having a longitudinal direction (x), the tank (1) having a loading/unloading tower (2) suspended from a ceiling wall (9) of the load-bearing structure (3), the loading/unloading tower (2) including first, second and third vertical pylons (11, 12, 13) defining a prism of triangular section, each pylon having a lower end, the loading/unloading tower (2) also having a base (27) that extends horizontally and that is fastened to the lower end of the first, second and third pylons (11, 12, 13); the loading/unloading tower (2) carrying at least a first pump (18, 20) that is fastened to the base (27) and fitted with a suction member; the tank (1) having a support foot (31) that is fastened to the load-bearing structure (3) in a zone of the bottom wall (23) of the tank (1) that extends the prism of triangular section, said support foot (31) being arranged to guide a vertical translational movement of the loading/unloading tower (2); the tank (1) having at least one first sump (30) that is formed in the bottom wall (23) of the tank (1) and that houses the suction member of the first pump (18), the tank being characterized in that the first pump (18, 20) is arranged outside the triangular prism and is aligned with the support foot (31) in a first transverse plane (P2) that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the ship (x), or forms an angle other than 90° and between 75° and 105° with the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship.
  2. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the loading/unloading tower (2) carries a second pump (18, 20) that is fastened to the base (27) and fitted with a suction member, the second pump (18, 20) being arranged outside the triangular prism and being aligned with the first pump (18, 20) and the support foot (31) in the first transverse plane (P2).
  3. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 2, in which the tank (1) has a second sump (30) that is formed in the bottom wall of the tank (1) and that houses the suction member of the second pump (20).
  4. The tank (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first and second pylons (11, 12) are aligned in a second transverse plane (P1) that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship.
  5. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 4, in which the loading/unloading tower (2) carries a third pump (19) that is fastened to the base (27), the third pump (19) being aligned with said first and second pylons (11, 12) in the second transverse plane (P1) and arranged between said first and second pylons (11, 12).
  6. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the first pump (18, 20) is linked to a first unloading line (15, 17) that extends vertically along the loading/unloading tower (2), the first unloading line (15, 17) being aligned with said first and second pylons (11, 12) in the second transverse plane (P1) and arranged between the first and second pylons (11, 12).
  7. The tank (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the base (27) has at least one first lateral flange (45, 46) that projects in the transverse direction beyond the prism of triangular section and to which the first pump (18, 20) is fastened.
  8. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 7 taken in combination with claim 2, in which the base (27) has a second lateral flange (45, 46) that projects in the transverse direction beyond the prism of triangular section and to which the second pump (18, 20) is fastened.
  9. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 8, in which the base (27) has a central stiffening structure between the first and second lateral flanges (45, 46), said central stiffening structure (37) having two stiffening members (38, 39) that are inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship, one of the stiffening members (38) extending in a straight line between the third pylon (13) and the first pylon (11), and the other stiffening member (39) extending in a straight line between the second pylon (12) and the third pylon (13).
  10. The tank (1) as claimed in claim 9, in which the central stiffening structure (37) also has a plurality of stiffening members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship between the two stiffening members (38, 39) inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship.
  11. The tank (1) as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the first lateral flange (45, 46) has a half-box (47, 48) housing the first pump (18, 20), the half-box (47, 48) having a horizontal bottom (49) on which fastening lugs for said first pump (18, 20) are fastened, the bottom having a cutout through which said first pump (18, 20) can pass.
  12. The tank (1) as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, in which the first lateral flange (45, 46) has stiffening members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship.
  13. The tank (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the loading/unloading tower (2) is fitted with a radar device to measure the level of liquefied gas in the tank (1), the radar device including an emitter and a waveguide (25) that extends over substantially the entire height of the tank (1), the waveguide (25) being fastened using support members (26) to the cross members (14) that link the third pylon (13) to the first or second pylon (11, 12), the support members (26) extending in a third transverse plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (x) of the ship.
  14. A transfer system for a fluid, the system including a tank as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the ship to an onshore or floating storage facility (77) and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipes to or from the onshore or floating storage facility to or from the tank on the ship.
  15. A method for loading or unloading a tank as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, in which a fluid is channeled through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) to or from an onshore or floating storage facility (77) to or from the tank (71) on the ship.
EP19733843.7A 2018-05-02 2019-04-25 Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower Active EP3788293B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1853794A FR3080832B1 (en) 2018-05-02 2018-05-02 WATERPROOF AND THERMALLY INSULATED TANK EQUIPPED WITH A LOADING / UNLOADING TOWER
PCT/FR2019/050979 WO2019211550A1 (en) 2018-05-02 2019-04-25 Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower

Publications (3)

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EP3788293A1 EP3788293A1 (en) 2021-03-10
EP3788293C0 EP3788293C0 (en) 2024-11-13
EP3788293B1 true EP3788293B1 (en) 2024-11-13

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EP19720979.4A Pending EP3788292A1 (en) 2018-05-02 2019-04-05 Storage and/or transport tank for a liquid gas cargo intended for a vessel
EP19733844.5A Pending EP3788294A1 (en) 2018-05-02 2019-04-25 Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower
EP19733843.7A Active EP3788293B1 (en) 2018-05-02 2019-04-25 Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower

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EP19720979.4A Pending EP3788292A1 (en) 2018-05-02 2019-04-05 Storage and/or transport tank for a liquid gas cargo intended for a vessel
EP19733844.5A Pending EP3788294A1 (en) 2018-05-02 2019-04-25 Sealed and thermally insulating tank provided with a loading/unloading tower

Country Status (12)

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US (2) US11619350B2 (en)
EP (3) EP3788292A1 (en)
JP (1) JP7166360B2 (en)
KR (4) KR102746293B1 (en)
CN (3) CN112074685B (en)
ES (1) ES3008931T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3080832B1 (en)
MY (1) MY207135A (en)
PH (1) PH12020551842A1 (en)
PL (1) PL3788293T3 (en)
SG (3) SG11202010359QA (en)
WO (2) WO2019211537A1 (en)

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FR3129456B1 (en) * 2021-11-24 2024-05-31 Gaztransport Et Technigaz Waterproof and thermally insulating tank
CN114379706A (en) * 2021-12-16 2022-04-22 沪东中华造船(集团)有限公司 Combined dome structure for liquefied natural gas fuel tank on LNG power ship and LNG power ship
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US20210247026A1 (en) 2021-08-12
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JP7166360B2 (en) 2022-11-07
PL3788293T3 (en) 2025-03-17
RU2020135765A (en) 2022-05-04
EP3788293C0 (en) 2024-11-13
PH12020551842A1 (en) 2021-06-28
CN112119258A (en) 2020-12-22
SG11202010691QA (en) 2020-11-27
WO2019211537A1 (en) 2019-11-07
FR3080832B1 (en) 2020-10-30
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US11619350B2 (en) 2023-04-04
CN112074685A (en) 2020-12-11
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US12078298B2 (en) 2024-09-03
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CN112119258B (en) 2022-11-15
US20210254788A1 (en) 2021-08-19

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