Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
  • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
  • F17C3/025—Bulk storage in barges or on ships
  • F17C3/027—Wallpanels for so-called membrane tanks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B73/00—Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms
  • B63B73/20—Building or assembling prefabricated vessel modules or parts other than hull blocks, e.g. engine rooms, rudders, propellers, superstructures, berths, holds or tanks
• • 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
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B73/00—Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms
  • B63B73/40—Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms characterised by joining methods
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B2231/00—Material used for some parts or elements, or for particular purposes
  • B63B2231/32—Vegetable materials or material comprising predominately vegetable material
  • B63B2231/34—Wood or wood products
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B2231/00—Material used for some parts or elements, or for particular purposes
  • B63B2231/40—Synthetic materials
  • B63B2231/50—Foamed synthetic materials
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/01—Shape
  • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
  • F17C2201/0157—Polygonal
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
  • F17C2201/05—Size
  • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
  • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
  • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
  • F17C2203/0329—Foam
  • F17C2203/0333—Polyurethane
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
  • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
  • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
  • F17C2203/0358—Thermal insulations by solid means in form of panels
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
  • F17C2209/22—Assembling processes
  • F17C2209/227—Assembling processes by adhesive 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
  • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
  • F17C2209/22—Assembling processes
  • F17C2209/228—Assembling processes by screws, bolts or rivets
• • 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
  • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
  • F17C2209/23—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations
  • F17C2209/232—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations of walls
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
  • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
  • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
  • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
  • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, 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
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
  • F17C2260/013—Reducing manufacturing time or effort
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
  • F17C2260/031—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
  • F17C2260/033—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer by enhancing insulation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
  • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
  • F17C2270/0105—Ships
  • F17C2270/0107—Wall panels

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks for the storage and/or transport of a liquefied gas, such as tanks for the transport of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called LPG) having for example a temperature between between -50°C and 0°C, or for transporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure.
• LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• LNG Liquefied Natural Gas
• tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure.
• the tank may be intended for the transport of liquefied gas or to receive liquefied gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.
• Document WO19092384 discloses a method for manufacturing a thermally insulating barrier for a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank.
• the wall of the tank comprises a multilayer structure successively presenting, in the direction of the thickness, from the outside towards the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier comprising insulating panels retained on a load-bearing structure, a membrane of secondary sealing resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier comprising insulating panels resting against the secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane resting against the primary thermally insulating barrier and intended to be in contact with the gas natural liquid contained in the tank.
• Each insulating panel of the primary thermally insulating barrier has cutouts along its edges and at its corners. These cutouts define recesses forming housings in which are housed anchoring devices ensuring the fixing of the insulating panels of the primary thermally insulating barrier to the insulating panels of the secondary thermally insulating barrier.
• Insulating plugs comprising a layer of insulating polymer foam are housed in the housings formed in the primary thermally insulating barrier in order to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation.
• this document provides for inserting each insulating plug inside a respective housing and pushing it in the direction of the supporting structure until the insulating plug is irreversibly damaged at the level of a support of said plug. insulation against a support member housed inside the housing. Each insulating plug is pushed until the inner end of the insulating plug reaches a predetermined position inside said housing.
• An idea underlying the invention is to propose a method of manufacturing a thermally insulating barrier, intended to define an internal support surface of a sealing membrane and having housings as well as insulating plugs housed in said dwellings, which is simple to implement and which limits the presence of unevenness in the internal support surface of the waterproofing membrane at the level of the dwellings.
• the invention proposes a method for manufacturing a thermally insulating barrier for a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank fixed to a supporting structure, said method comprising the following steps: - anchoring a plurality of insulating panels directly or indirectly to the load-bearing structure by means of at least one anchoring device, said plurality of insulating panels defining an internal surface intended to support a sealing membrane and comprising a housing emerging at the level of the inner surface and in which the anchoring device is housed; - providing an insulating plug intended to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation at the level of said housing, said insulating plug comprising an internal end and an external end and having a dimension d1 between the internal end and the external end, the insulating plug comprising a layer of insulating polymer foam and an internal rigid plate fixed to the layer of insulating polymer foam and forming the internal end of the insulating plug; - insert the insulating plug inside the housing and push it in the direction of the supporting structure until the outer
• such a method may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.
• the internal rigid plate is made of plywood.
• the internal rigid plate is glued to the layer of insulating polymer foam, for example by means of a polyurethane glue or an epoxy glue.
• the internal rigid plate is stapled to the layer of insulating polymer foam.
• the anchoring device housed inside said housing comprises a pin fixed directly or indirectly to the supporting structure.
• a retaining member is mounted on the stud so that it cooperates with a retaining zone of at least one of the insulating panels so as to retain said insulating panel towards the supporting structure and a nut is screwed onto the stud so as to secure the retaining member to the stud.
• the retaining member forms the bearing surface against which the outer end of the insulating plug is pushed.
• the insulating plug comprises an outer rigid plate having an outer face forming the outer end of said insulating plug and an inner face in contact against the layer of insulating polymer foam of the insulating plug, the outer rigid plate having a recess formed in the outer face of the outer rigid plate and in which is housed the nut of the anchoring device. This allows the layer of insulating polymer foam to provide better absorption of compression forces.
• the inner face of the outer rigid plate at least partially covers the recess.
• the outer rigid plate has a hole which opens into the recess and in which is housed one end of the stud, the hole having a diameter smaller than that of the recess.
• the hole is blind.
• the outer rigid plate is fixed to the layer of insulating polymer foam.
• the outer rigid plate is glued to the layer of insulating polymer foam, for example by means of a polyurethane glue or an epoxy glue.
• the outer rigid plate is stapled to the layer of insulating polymer foam.
• the outer rigid plate is free with respect to the layer of insulating polymer foam, the insertion of the insulating plug inside the housing comprising a phase of inserting the outer rigid plate into said housing then a phase of inserting the layer of insulating polymer foam into said housing.
• the layer of insulating polymer foam has a density of between 100 and 260 kg/m 3 .
• the outer rigid plate is stapled to one of the insulating panels.
• the invention also proposes a thermally insulating barrier for a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank fixed to a supporting structure, said thermally insulating barrier comprising: - a plurality of insulating panels anchored directly or indirectly to the load-bearing structure by means of at least one anchoring device, said plurality of insulating panels defining an internal surface intended to support a sealing membrane and comprising a housing emerging at the level of the inner surface and in which the anchoring device is housed, - the anchoring device housed inside said housing comprising a pin fixed directly or indirectly to the supporting structure, a retaining member mounted on the pin so that it cooperates with a retaining zone of at least one of the insulating panels and a nut screwed onto the stud so as to secure the retaining member to the stud; - an insulating plug housed inside the housing so as to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation at the level of said housing, the insulating plug comprising a layer of insulating polymer foam,
• the support zone of the layer of insulating polymer foam that is to say the zone through which the compression forces pass, under the effect of the dynamic and hydrostatic pressures exerted by the liquid contained in the tank, is greater.
• This allows the layer of insulating polymer foam to ensure better absorption of compressive forces without the layer of insulating polymer foam having a higher density.
• the invention relates to a vessel wall comprising a thermally insulating barrier mentioned above and a sealing membrane which rests against the thermally insulating barrier and is intended to be in contact with the fluid stored in the vessel.
• the invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising an aforementioned wall.
• a tank according to one of the aforementioned embodiments can be part of an onshore storage installation, for example for storing LNG or be installed in a floating, coastal or deep-water structure, in particular an ethane or LNG carrier, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others.
• the tank may be intended to receive liquefied natural gas serving as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.
• the aforementioned thermally insulating barrier is a primary thermally insulating barrier, the vessel wall further comprising a secondary thermally insulating barrier and a secondary sealing membrane placed between the primary thermally insulating barrier and the secondary thermally insulating barrier .
• a vessel for transporting a fluid comprises a hull, such as a double hull, and a aforementioned tank disposed in the hull.
• the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a ship, in which a fluid is routed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or terrestrial storage installation to or from the tank of the ship.
• the invention also provides a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising the aforementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged so as to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or terrestrial storage installation and a pump for driving a flow of fluid through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or onshore storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.
• The is a representation in cutaway perspective of a wall of a watertight and thermally insulating tank.
• each wall 1 of the tank comprises successively, in the direction of the thickness, from the outside towards the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 3 retained on the supporting structure 2, a secondary sealing membrane 4 resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier 3, a primary thermally insulating barrier 5 resting against the secondary sealing membrane 4 and a primary sealing membrane 6 intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank.
• a fluid such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• LNG liquefied natural gas
• the load-bearing structure 2 may in particular comprise self-supporting metal sheets or, more generally, any type of rigid partitions having appropriate mechanical properties.
• the load-bearing structure 2 can in particular be formed by the hull or the double hull of a ship.
• the support structure 2 comprises a plurality of walls defining the general shape of the tank, usually a polyhedral shape.
• the secondary thermally insulating barrier 3 comprises a plurality of secondary insulating panels 7 anchored to the supporting structure 2 by means of resin beads and studs welded to the supporting structure 2.
• the secondary insulating panels 7 have substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and are juxtaposed in parallel rows and separated from each other by interstices guaranteeing a functional mounting clearance. The gaps are filled with a heat-insulating filling such as glass wool, rock wool or open-cell flexible synthetic foam, for example.
• the secondary insulating panels 7 each comprise a layer of polymer foam 8 sandwiched between an internal plate 9 and an external plate 10.
• the internal 9 and external 10 plates are, for example, plywood plates glued to said layer of foam polymer 8.
• the polymer foam 8 may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally reinforced with fibers, such as glass fibers for example.
• the secondary sealing membrane 4 comprises a continuous layer of strakes, metallic, with raised edges.
• the strakes are welded by their raised edges to parallel welding supports which are fixed in the grooves provided on the internal plates 9 of the secondary insulating panels 7.
• the strakes are, for example, made of Invar ®: that is to say say an alloy of iron and nickel whose coefficient of expansion is typically between 1.2.10 -6 and 2.10 -6 K -1 .
• the secondary sealing membrane 4 comprises a plurality of corrugated metal sheets each having a substantially rectangular shape which are welded to each other overlapping.
• the corrugated metal sheets are welded to metal plates which are fixed to the internal plate 9 of the secondary insulating panels 7.
• the corrugations project, for example, towards the outside of the tank and are housed in grooves provided in the internal plate 9 of the secondary insulating panels 7.
• the primary thermally insulating barrier 5 comprises a plurality of primary insulating panels 11 of substantially rectangular parallelepipedic shape.
• the primary insulating panels 11 are offset here with respect to the secondary insulating panels 7 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 3 so that each primary insulating panel 11 is staggered on four secondary insulating panels 7.
• the primary insulating panels 11 are fixed on the secondary insulating panels 7 by means of anchoring devices 12 which will be described later.
• each primary insulating panel 11 has a layer of polymer foam 13 sandwiched between two rigid plates, namely an outer plate 15 and an inner plate 14.
• the outer 15 and inner 14 plates are for example made of plywood.
• the layer of polymer foam 13 is, for example, polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with fibers, such as glass fibers.
• the primary waterproofing membrane 6 is obtained by assembling a plurality of corrugated metal sheets.
• the corrugated metal sheets each have a substantially rectangular shape.
• the corrugations protrude inward from the tank.
• the corrugated metal sheets of the primary waterproofing membrane 6 are arranged offset from the primary insulating panels 11 such that each of said corrugated metal sheets extends jointly over four adjacent primary insulating panels 11.
• the corrugated metal sheets are overlap welded together and are further welded along their edges to metal plates which are fixed to the primary insulating panels 11 and more particularly to their internal plate 14.
• the internal plates 14 of the primary insulating panels 11 define the internal support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.
• each primary insulating panel 11 has a recess 16 at each of its corners.
• Each recess 16 passes through the inner plate 14 and extends over the entire thickness of the polymer foam layer 13.
• each of the recesses 16 projects beyond the polymer foam layer 13 and the inner plate 14 so as to form a support zone 17 cooperating with an anchoring device 12.
• Each recess 16 formed in the corner of one of the primary insulating panels 11 is arranged opposite the recesses 16 formed in the corner of the three adjacent primary insulating panels 11 so that the four recesses 16 together define a housing 18 in the thermal barrier primary insulating 5.
• a single anchoring device 12 disposed in said housing 18 can cooperate with four bearing areas 17 respectively belonging to four primary insulating panels 11 adjacent.
• a cleat 19, for example made of plywood, is fixed to the support zone 17 of each primary insulating panel 11 so as to reinforce it.
• each housing 18 is formed by several recesses 16 made at the corners of the primary insulating panels 11.
• each housing 18 is not made either at the level of an edge of a primary insulating panel 11, nor at one of its corners, but is provided through the polymer foam layer 13 of a single primary insulating panel 11.
• each anchoring device 12 comprises a stud 20 which protrudes from a metal plate, not shown, which is fixed to the internal plate 9 of one of the secondary insulating panels 7.
• the studs 20 each pass through an orifice formed in the secondary sealing membrane 4.
• the secondary sealing membrane 4 is welded in a leaktight manner to the metal plate all around the orifice so as to ensure sealing the passage of the studs 20 through the secondary sealing membrane 4.
• each anchoring device 12 comprises a retaining member 21 which is fixed to each of the studs 20 and which bears against the support zones 17 of each of the four adjacent primary insulating panels 11, here via the cleats 19.
• a fixing member such as a nut 22 cooperates with a thread of the stud 20 and bears against the internal face of the retaining member 21 so that the retaining member 21 is fixed on stud 20 and thus exerts a retaining force against bearing zones 17.
• nut 22 is a split nut and has the advantage of not loosening in operation.
• the retainer 21 is an annular plate which has an orifice threaded onto the pin 20.
• one or more elastic washers such as Belleville washers, are threaded onto the stud 20, between the nut 22 and the retaining member 21, which makes it possible to ensure a elastic anchoring of the primary insulating panels 11 on the secondary insulating panels 7.
• the primary thermally insulating barrier 5 comprises an insulating plug 25 which is intended to be inserted into the housing 18 so as to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation.
• the insulating plug 25 comprises a layer of insulating polymer foam 23.
• the layer of insulating polymer foam 23 is, for example, a polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with fibers, such as glass fibers.
• the layer of insulating polymer foam 23 has a density of between 100 and 260 kg/m 3 and advantageously between 110 and 150 kg/m 3 , for example of the order of 130 kg/m 3 .
• the insulating plug 25 further comprises an internal rigid plate 24, for example made of plywood, forming the internal end of the insulating plug 25.
• the internal rigid plate 24 is advantageously glued to the layer of insulating polymer foam 23, for example by means of polyurethane glue or epoxy glue.
• the internal rigid plate 24 is stapled to the layer of insulating polymer foam 23.
• the staples are advantageously positioned at a distance from the internal face of the internal rigid plate 24, for example by being arranged in cavities made in the internal face of the internal rigid plate 24, so as not to prejudice the subsequent sanding operations described below.
• the insulating plug 25 has an outer end which bears in the direction of the carrier structure 2 against a bearing surface housed in the housing 18.
• the bearing surface is formed by the retainer 21.
• the support surface is positioned at a distance d2 from the internal support surface of the primary waterproofing membrane 6.
• the insulating plug 25 has a recess 26 which opens at the outer end of said insulating plug 25 and in which is formed the nut 22 of the anchoring device 12.
• the insulating plug 25 also comprises a blind hole 27 which opens in said recess 26 and in which the end of stud 20 is housed. the outer end of said insulating plug 25.
• the dimension d1 is less than d2.
• the insulating plug 25 is inserted inside the housing 18 then pushed in the direction of the load-bearing structure 2 until the outer end of the insulating plug 25 comes to bear against the support surface, that is to say against the retaining member 21.
• This operation thus makes it possible to level the internal face of the internal rigid plate 24 of the insulating plug 25 with the internal surface of the primary insulating panels 11.
• This leveling operation is for example carried out by means of a plane.
• a plane is typically provided with one or more handles, with a sole intended to cooperate with the surface to be planed, here the internal face of the internal rigid plate 24, and with a tool flush with the sole and making it possible to machine the surface to be planed.
• the tool is a roller fitted with blades or a cutter and is driven in rotation by a motor.
• the internal rigid plate 24 is fixed to the primary thermally insulating barrier 5.
• the internal rigid plate 24 is, for example, fixed to one of the four insulating panels primary 11 bordering the housing 18 by means of one or more staples arranged astride between the internal rigid plate and one of the primary insulating panels 11.
• Such a method is advantageous in that it makes it possible to prevent the insulating plugs 25 locally causing unevenness which affects the flatness of the support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.
• the insulating plug 25 comprises an internal rigid plate 24 which is leveled in order to bring its internal face level with the internal support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.
• the insulating plug 25 of the embodiment of the differs from the embodiment described above in connection with the in that it further comprises an outer rigid plate 28, for example made of plywood.
• the outer rigid plate 28 has an outer face which forms the outer end of the insulating plug 25 and which is, therefore, intended to bear in the direction of the carrier structure 2 against the bearing surface, that is to say say against the retainer 21 in the embodiment shown.
• the outer rigid plate 28 has an inner face which is in contact against the layer of insulating polymer foam 23.
• the outer rigid plate 28 is glued to the layer of insulating polymer foam, for example by means of a polyurethane glue or epoxy glue.
• the outer rigid plate 28 is stapled to the layer of insulating polymer foam 23.
• the insulating plug 25 is made in two parts free relative to each other and respectively comprising the outer rigid plate 28, on the one hand, and the layer of insulating polymer foam 23 and the internal rigid plate 24, on the other hand.
• the insertion of the insulating plug 25 inside the housing is carried out in two stages.
• the outer rigid plate 28 is inserted into the housing 18 and pushed in the direction of the support structure 2 until it comes to rest against the retaining member 21.
• the layer of insulating polymer foam 23 and the internal rigid plate 24 are inserted into the housing 18 then pushed in the direction of the supporting structure 2 until the layer of insulating polymer foam 23 comes to bear against the external rigid plate 28.
• the outer rigid plate 28 has a recess 29 which is formed in the outer face of the outer rigid plate 28 and in which is housed the nut 22 of the anchoring device 12.
• the plate external rigid 28 also includes a hole 30 which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the recess 29 and in which the end of the stud 20 is housed.
• the hole 30 can either pass through and thus pass through the internal face of the external rigid plate 29, either blind, that is to say that it does not cross the internal face of the external rigid plate 28. Be that as it may, the internal face of the external rigid plate 28 at least partially covers the recess 29.
• the support zone of the layer of insulating polymer foam 23, that is to say the zone of the layer of insulating polymer foam 2 through which the compressive forces pass, under the effect dynamic and hydrostatic pressures exerted by the liquid contained in the tank, is greater than in the embodiment of the .
• the outer rigid plate 28 When the outer rigid plate 28 has been chosen, it is then, according to one embodiment, fixed, by gluing, by stapling or by means of one or more screws, to the layer of insulating polymer foam 22.
• This embodiment differs from that described above in relation to the in that each of the primary insulating panels 11 is positioned in line with one of the secondary insulating panels 7, in alignment with the latter in the thickness direction of the wall 1.
• the anchoring devices are preferably positioned at the level of the four corners of the secondary insulating panels 7 and primary insulating panels 11.
• Each stack of a secondary insulating panel 7 and of a primary insulating panel 11 is therefore anchored to the supporting structure 2 by means of four anchoring devices.
• each anchoring device cooperates with the corners of four adjacent secondary insulating panels 7 and with the corners of four adjacent primary insulating panels 11.
• the primary sealing membrane 6 comprises a continuous sheet of metal strakes with raised edges.
• the metal strakes are welded by their raised edges to parallel welding supports which are fixed in grooves provided on the internal plates of the primary insulating panels 11.
• a cutaway view of an LNG carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship.
• the wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary membrane intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary membrane arranged between the primary membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two thermally insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary membrane and the secondary membrane and between the secondary membrane and the double shell 72.
• loading/unloading pipes 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.
• The also shows an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an installation on land 77.
• the loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed off-shore installation comprising a mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the movable arm 74.
• the movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading/unloading pipes 73.
• the adjustable movable arm 74 adapts to all LNG tanker gauges.
• a connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78.
• the loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG carrier 70 from or to the shore installation 77.
• This comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the underwater pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75.
• the underwater pipe 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the shore installation 77 over a great distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG carrier 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.
• pumps on board the ship 70 and/or pumps fitted to the shore installation 77 and/or pumps fitted to the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

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

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• 2020
  • 2020-11-10 FR FR2011553A patent/FR3116100B1/fr active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-10-21 JP JP2023527678A patent/JP2023547708A/ja active Pending
  • 2021-10-21 EP EP21798634.8A patent/EP4244523A1/de active Pending
  • 2021-10-21 KR KR1020227000804A patent/KR20220068215A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2021-10-21 CN CN202180004831.4A patent/CN115066578A/zh active Pending
  • 2021-10-21 WO PCT/EP2021/079170 patent/WO2022100975A1/fr active Application Filing

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