EP4269863A1 - Vessel wall having a through-duct - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a waterproof and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 9, a secondary waterproof membrane 8, a primary thermally insulating barrier 7 and a primary waterproof membrane 6. The tank also includes a through pipe 5 arranged through the tank wall. Around the through pipe 5, the tank wall comprises secondary thermally insulating blocks 17 forming the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9, a first waterproof sheet 20 forming the secondary waterproof membrane 8, primary thermally insulating blocks 35 forming the primary thermally insulating barrier 6, and a closing plate sealed in a sealed manner to the primary waterproof membrane 6.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of manufacturing waterproof and thermally insulating tanks. In particular, the present invention relates to tanks intended to contain cold or hot liquids, and more particularly tanks for the storage and/or transport of liquefied gas by sea arranged in a supporting structure.

Technology background

Airtight and thermally insulating tanks can be used in different industries to store a hot or cold product. For example, in the energy field, such a product may be liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is a liquid that can be stored at atmospheric pressure at around -163°C in land-based storage tanks or in tanks on board floating structures. Such floating structures are in particular barges, LNG ships for transporting the product and off-shore installations, known in particular by the acronyms FPSO and FSRU, for the storage, liquefaction or regasification of the product.

These waterproof and thermally insulating tanks are made up of one or more waterproof membranes associated with insulating layers. We know, in particular described in FR-A-2781557 , a waterproof and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall fixed to a supporting structure, in which the tank wall has a multilayer structure which successively comprises a primary waterproof membrane intended to be in contact with the product contained in the tank, a barrier primary thermally insulating, a secondary waterproof membrane and a secondary thermally insulating barrier.

The waterproof membranes have sufficient elasticity to resist forces resulting for example from hydrostatic pressure, dynamic pressure in the event of movement of the cargo, and/or temperature variations. However, such waterproof membranes and the underlying thermal insulation material are relatively fragile and cannot necessarily support the weight of a mat such as that for loading/unloading LNG tanks. For this a support foot can be provided as in FR-A-2961580 .

In addition, the thermodynamic conditions of the sealed and thermally insulating tanks during the storage of such a liquid lead to the evaporation of a certain quantity of vapor which causes the internal pressure of the tanks to vary. To control the pressure of these tanks, the evaporation gases are collected and sent to an evaporation collector to be, for example, reliquefied or burned in the propulsion engine of a ship. For this a collector pipe can be provided as in FR-A-2984454 .

There are therefore different functionalities which may require crossing the multi-layer structure of the tank wall with a through pipe.

Summary

In tanks of the aforementioned type, deformations occur in all the elements due to temperature changes affecting the tank wall during its filling with a very cold liquid such as LNG, and conversely, during its emptying resulting in a return to room temperature. In addition to these thermal effects of contraction and expansion, which are repeated over time during the life of the watertight and thermally insulating tank, ship tanks also undergo forces due to the deformation of the ship's hull at the Wed. This results in fatigue phenomena of the elements, which must be monitored over time to prevent any breakage.

An idea underlying the invention is to reinforce the fatigue resistance of the tank wall in the area around which the through pipe passes through the multilayer structure.

• une paroi de cuve ancrée contre la structure porteuse, la paroi de cuve présentant une structure multicouche qui comporte successivement, dans une direction d'épaisseur depuis l'extérieur vers l'intérieur de ladite cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante, une barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire, une membrane étanche secondaire portée par la barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire, une barrière thermiquement isolante primaire portée par la membrane étanche secondaire et une membrane étanche primaire portée par la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire et qui est destinée à être en contact avec le fluide contenu dans ladite cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante, la structure multicouche comportant un espace primaire disposé entre la membrane étanche primaire et la membrane étanche secondaire, l'espace primaire contenant la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire, et
• une conduite traversante disposée à travers la paroi de cuve, la membrane étanche primaire étant liée de manière étanche à la conduite traversante,
• ladite paroi de cuve comportant autour de la conduite traversante
• des blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires ancrés contre la structure porteuse, les blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires formant la barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire autour de la conduite traversante, chacun desdits blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires présentant au moins un côté latéral se développant selon la direction d'épaisseur de la paroi de cuve, lesdits blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires étant agencés entre eux de sorte à ménager une cheminée entre les côtés latéraux en regard l'un de l'autre de deux blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires adjacents,
• une nappe étanche recouvrant les blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires, la nappe étanche formant la membrane étanche secondaire,
• un plateau étanche disposé parallèlement à la paroi de cuve, le plateau étanche présentant une surface intérieure tournée vers l'intérieur de ladite cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante, la surface intérieure étant située au même niveau que la nappe étanche, le plateau étanche étant disposé autour de la conduite traversante, la membrane étanche secondaire étant prolongée jusqu'au plateau étanche,
• une conduite extérieure s'étendant parallèlement à la conduite traversante autour de la conduite traversante vers l'extérieur de ladite cuve étanche et thermiquement isolante depuis le plateau étanche, la conduite extérieure étant en communication avec l'espace primaire pour permettre la circulation d'un gaz d'inertage entre l'espace primaire et la conduite extérieure,
• des blocs thermiquement isolants primaires disposés sur la membrane étanche secondaire, les blocs thermiquement isolants primaires formant la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire autour de la conduite traversante, un premier et un deuxième desdits blocs thermiquement isolants primaires présentant un côté latéral se développant selon la direction d'épaisseur de la paroi de cuve, le côté latéral présentant une portion découpée pour recevoir une portion de la conduite traversante et au moins une portion d'interface adjacente à la portion découpée, la portion d'interface dudit premier bloc thermiquement isolant primaire étant agencée en regard de la portion d'interface dudit deuxième bloc thermiquement isolant primaire,
• lesdits blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires et lesdits premier et deuxième blocs thermiquement isolants primaires étant disposés entre eux de sorte que la portion d'interface dudit premier bloc thermiquement isolant primaire et la portion d'interface dudit deuxième bloc thermiquement isolant primaire ne présentent aucun recouvrement, dans la direction de l'épaisseur, avec la cheminée entre deux blocs thermiquement isolants secondaires adjacents.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides a waterproof and thermally insulating tank arranged in a supporting structure to contain a fluid, the waterproof and thermally insulating tank comprising

• a tank wall anchored against the supporting structure, the tank wall having a multilayer structure which successively comprises, in a thickness direction from the outside towards the inside of said sealed and thermally insulating tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier, a secondary waterproof membrane carried by the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier carried by the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane carried by the primary thermally insulating barrier and which is intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in said tank waterproof and thermally insulating, the multilayer structure comprising a primary space disposed between the primary waterproof membrane and the secondary waterproof membrane, the primary space containing the primary thermally insulating barrier, and
• a through pipe arranged through the tank wall, the primary waterproof membrane being sealed in a sealed manner to the through pipe,
• said tank wall comprising around the through pipe
• secondary thermally insulating blocks anchored against the supporting structure, the secondary thermally insulating blocks forming the secondary thermally insulating barrier around the through pipe, each of said secondary thermally insulating blocks having at least one lateral side developing in the direction of thickness of the tank wall, said secondary thermally insulating blocks being arranged together so as to provide a chimney between the lateral sides facing each other of two adjacent secondary thermally insulating blocks,
• a waterproof layer covering the secondary thermally insulating blocks, the waterproof layer forming the secondary waterproof membrane,
• a sealed plate arranged parallel to the tank wall, the sealed plate having an interior surface facing the inside of said sealed and thermally insulating tank, the interior surface being located at the same level as the waterproof layer, the waterproof plate being arranged around of the through pipe, the secondary waterproof membrane being extended to the waterproof plate,
• an external pipe extending parallel to the through pipe around the through pipe towards the outside of said sealed and thermally insulating tank from the sealed plate, the external pipe being in communication with the primary space to allow the circulation of a inerting gas between the primary space and the external pipe,
• primary thermally insulating blocks arranged on the secondary waterproof membrane, the primary thermally insulating blocks forming the primary thermally insulating barrier around the through pipe, a first and a second of said primary thermally insulating blocks having a lateral side developing in the direction of thickness of the tank wall, the lateral side having a cut-out portion to receive a portion of the through pipe and at least one interface portion adjacent to the cut-out portion, the interface portion of said first primary thermally insulating block being arranged in view of the interface portion of said second primary thermally insulating block,
• said secondary thermally insulating blocks and said first and second primary thermally insulating blocks being arranged between them so that the interface portion of said first primary thermally insulating block and the interface portion of said second primary thermally insulating block have no overlap, in the thickness direction, with the chimney between two adjacent secondary thermally insulating blocks.

Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to increase the fatigue resistance of the secondary waterproof membrane, while retaining a flexible sheet waterproofing membrane straddling the secondary thermally insulating blocks. Indeed,
the absence of overlap, in the thickness direction, between the interface portions of two adjacent primary thermally insulating blocks and the chimneys of the adjacent secondary thermally insulating blocks avoids the risk of increased stress on the secondary waterproof membrane due to thermal contractions or pressure forces.

According to embodiments, such a waterproof and thermally insulating tank may include one or more of the following characteristics.

According to one embodiment, the waterproof layer is a first waterproof layer covering the secondary thermally insulating blocks and in which said tank wall comprises a second waterproof layer fixed in a sealed manner astride the first waterproof layer and on the interior surface of the plate waterproof around the through pipe, the second waterproof layer extending the secondary waterproof membrane to the waterproof plate.

According to one embodiment, the second waterproof sheet comprises at least two waterproof strips, each waterproof strip being arranged astride two adjacent secondary thermally insulating blocks.

According to one embodiment, the second waterproof sheet comprises two waterproof strips located in the extension of one another, on either side of the through pipe so as to cover the chimney.

According to one embodiment, the two waterproof strips of the second waterproof layer are positioned perpendicular to said at least interface portion of the first primary thermally insulating block and said at least one interface portion of the second primary thermally insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the tank wall comprises two prefabricated panels arranged on either side of the through pipe, each of the prefabricated panels comprising a lower thermally insulating block constituting a said thermally secondary block, the first waterproof layer covering the block secondary thermally insulating layer, and an upper thermally insulating block arranged on a central zone of the first waterproof layer and the thermally insulating block lower without covering a peripheral zone of the first waterproof layer, the upper thermally insulating block forming part of the primary thermally insulating barrier, said primary thermally insulating blocks being arranged between the upper thermally insulating blocks of the two prefabricated panels on said peripheral zone of the first waterproof layer of the two prefabricated panels and on said chimney.

According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises waterproof plates connected together in a watertight manner at the edges of the waterproof plates, and the upper thermally insulating blocks of the two prefabricated panels carry anchoring strips to the right of said edges of the plates. waterproof to anchor the waterproof plates to said prefabricated panels, the primary thermally insulating blocks comprising thermal protection strips at the right of said edges of the waterproof plates so that the waterproof plates are not anchored to said primary thermally insulating blocks.

According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises at least one series of corrugations comprising corrugations extending along direction lines parallel to each other, said corrugations projecting towards the interior of said waterproof and thermally insulating tank, and in which a window interrupts at least one direction line of an undulation of said series of undulations,
said corrugation preferably having an open end at the window, said sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising at least one end piece to close the open end of said at least one corrugation.

According to one embodiment, the window interrupts at least two undulation guidelines of said at least one series of undulations, and the through pipe is centered at a position located between two of said interrupted undulation guidelines.

The arrangements and characteristics set out above with respect to a series of parallel undulations can, where appropriate, be applied to several series of parallel undulations having different directions.

According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises a first series of undulations and a second series of undulations secant to the first series of undulations, the window interrupts at least two direction lines of the undulations of the first series of undulations and at least two direction lines of the undulations of the second series of undulations, and the through pipe is centered at a position located between two direction lines of the interrupted undulations of said first series of undulations and two direction lines of the interrupted undulations of said second series of undulations.

According to one embodiment, the direction lines of the undulations of the first series of undulations are perpendicular to the direction lines of the undulations of the second series of undulations.

The aforementioned window can have different shapes, in particular depending on the shape of the through pipe and/or the shape of the constituent elements of the primary waterproof membrane.

According to one embodiment, the window is a quadrilateral having two sides parallel to the direction lines of the undulations of the first series of undulations and two sides parallel to the direction lines of the undulations of the second series of undulations. In particular, the window can be a square, a rectangle or a parallelogram.

According to one embodiment, the through pipe has a circular section and crosses the window in its center.

According to one embodiment, the external pipe comprises a first peripheral connection plate and a second peripheral connection plate, the second peripheral connection plate being fixed in a sealed manner to the first peripheral connection plate all around said first connection plate peripheral, the first peripheral connecting plate extending parallel to the through pipe towards the outside of said sealed and thermally insulating tank from the second peripheral connecting plate, said second peripheral connecting plate being fixed in a sealed manner to the sealed plate and projecting towards the supporting structure parallel to the through pipe.

According to one embodiment, the tank wall further comprises, around the through pipe, at least one closure plate arranged on the primary thermally insulating blocks and sealed in a sealed manner to the through pipe.

According to one embodiment, the closure plate consists of a single piece metal plate surrounding the through pipe.

According to one embodiment, at least one of said primary thermally insulating blocks comprises at least one groove, and the closing plate comprises at least one groove covered by one of said end pieces and superimposed on said groove of the thermally insulating block primary so as to allow the circulation of an inerting gas between the corrugation and the external pipe.

According to one embodiment, the tank wall comprises a thermal protection sheet interposed between the primary thermally insulating blocks and the closure plate.

Advantageously, the thermally protective sheet is filmed in one piece around the through pipe.

Advantageously, the thermal protection sheet comprises at least one groove superimposed on one said groove of the primary thermally insulating block and positioned under one said groove of the closing plate.

According to one embodiment, the through pipe defines a passage between the interior of the sealed and thermally insulating tank and a steam collector arranged outside of said sealed and thermally insulating tank.

Such a tank can be part of a land storage installation, for example to store liquefied gas or be installed in a floating, coastal or deep water structure, in particular an LNG ship, an LPG transport ship, a floating unit storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a ship for transporting a cold liquid product, the ship comprising a double hull and a waterproof and thermally insulating tank placed in the double hull.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides the use of a vessel for loading or unloading a cold liquid product, in which a cold liquid product is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a processing installation. floating or land storage to or from the ship's watertight and thermally insulating tank.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a cold liquid, the system comprising a ship, insulated pipes arranged so as to connect the waterproof and thermally insulating tank installed in the hull of the ship to an installation of floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipelines to or from the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's sealed and thermally insulated tank.

Brief description of the figures

• [Fig. 1] La figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'une paroi de cuve selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention comportant un dispositif de collecte de fluides.
• [Fig. 2] La figure 2 est une vue en coupe agrandie de la zone II de la figure 1.
• [Fig. 3] La figure 3 est une vue partielle en perspective éclatée de la zone de paroi de cuve présentée à la figure 2.
• [Fig. 4] La figure 4 est une vue plane dans l'axe de la conduite traversante de la zone de la paroi de cuve présentée à la figure 2 montrant la réalisation de la barrière thermiquement isolante secondaire, la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire étant omise, autour de la conduite traversante.
• [Fig. 5] La figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 montrant la réalisation de la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire.
• [Fig. 6] La figure 6 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un bloc thermiquement isolant primaire pouvant être utilisé dans la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire.
• [Fig. 7] La figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 5 montrant le positionnement de la feuille de protection thermique et des bandes de protection thermique sur la barrière thermiquement isolante primaire.
• [Fig. 8] La figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 7 à un stade intermédiaire de montage de la membrane étanche primaire.
• [Fig. 9] La figure 9 est une vue analogue à la figure 8 mais à un stade plus avancé de montage de la membrane étanche primaire.
• [Fig. 10] La figure 10 est une vue analogue à la figure 9 montrant la réalisation de la membrane étanche primaire.
• [Fig. 11] La figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'une pièce de bout pouvant être utilisée dans la fabrication de la membrane étanche primaire présentée à la figure 10.
• [Fig. 12] La figure 12 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 aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings.

• [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a sectional view of a tank wall according to one embodiment of the invention comprising a fluid collection device.
• [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of zone II of the figure 1 .
• [ Fig. 3 ] There Figure 3 is a partial exploded perspective view of the tank wall area presented in the figure 2 .
• [ Fig. 4 ] There Figure 4 is a planar view in the axis of the through pipe of the zone of the tank wall presented in the figure 2 showing the creation of the secondary thermally insulating barrier, the primary thermally insulating barrier being omitted, around the through pipe.
• [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a view analogous to the figure 4 showing the creation of the primary thermally insulating barrier.
• [ Fig. 6 ] There Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a primary thermally insulating block suitable for use in the primary thermally insulating barrier.
• [ Fig. 7 ] There Figure 7 is a view analogous to the figure 5 showing the positioning of the thermal protection sheet and thermal protection strips on the primary thermally insulating barrier.
• [ Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is a view analogous to the Figure 7 at an intermediate stage of assembly of the primary waterproof membrane.
• [ Fig. 9 ] There Figure 9 is a view analogous to the figure 8 but at a more advanced stage of assembly of the primary waterproof membrane.
• [ Fig. 10 ] There Figure 10 is a view analogous to the Figure 9 showing the creation of the primary waterproof membrane.
• [ Fig. 11 ] There Figure 11 is a perspective view of an end piece which can be used in the manufacture of the primary waterproof membrane presented in the Figure 10 .
• [ Fig. 12 ] There Figure 12 is a cut-away schematic representation of an LNG ship tank and a loading/unloading terminal for this tank.

Description of embodiments

In reference to the figure 1 , a waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 comprises tank walls 2 fixed to the interior surface of corresponding walls of a supporting structure 3. The supporting structure 3 is for example the inner shell of a double-hulled vessel or construction located on land. There figure 1 is a partial of the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 showing only a ceiling wall.

By convention, the terms "on", "above", "superior" and "top" generally refer to a position located towards the inside of the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 while the terms "under", " below”, “lower” and “bottom” generally refer to a position located towards the outside of the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1, regardless of the orientation of the tank wall 2 in relation to the gravity field earthly.

The waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 can be produced according to different geometries, for example a prismatic geometry in the hull of a ship or a cylindrical geometry on land or other.

The embodiments below are described in relation to a waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 intended for the storage and/or transport of liquefied natural gas by sea. In variants not described, such a waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 can be a tank used for the land storage of other cold or hot products.

THE figures 1 And 2 present a fluid collection device 4. Such a device comprises a through pipe 5 passing through a tank wall 2, for example the ceiling wall of the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1.

In reference to the figure 1 , the tank wall 2 presents, successively, in a thickness direction, from the inside of the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1 towards the supporting structure 3, a primary sealing membrane 6 in contact with the liquefied gas, a primary thermally insulating barrier 7, a secondary waterproof membrane 8 and a secondary thermally insulating barrier 9. The primary thermally insulating barrier 7, the secondary waterproof membrane 8 and the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9 are essentially constituted by a set of prefabricated panels resting on beads of putty 11 and fixed to the supporting structure 3.

The fluid collection device 4 comprises a barrel 12 which extends outside the supporting structure 3, as well as the through pipe 5, anchored inside the barrel 12. The barrel 12 and the through pipe 5 have here a cylindrical shape of revolution with a circular section. However, other forms can be considered. The supporting structure 3 has a circular opening 13. The barrel 12 is welded around the circular opening 13. The through pipe 5 passes through the tank wall 2 at the center of the circular opening 13. Thus, the through pipe 5 passes through the membranes primary 6 and secondary 8 waterproof barriers, and the primary 7 and secondary 9 thermally insulating barriers, to open inside the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1. The through pipe 5 is in particular connected to a steam collector outside of the sealed and thermally insulating tank which extracts this vapor and transmits it for example to the ship's propulsion device to power the ship's propulsion or to a liquefaction device to then reintroduce the liquefied gas into the tank.

The primary waterproof membrane 6 is connected in a sealed manner to the through pipe 5. The secondary waterproof membrane 8 is also connected in a sealed manner to the through pipe 5 except in a passage allowing a gas phase present between the primary waterproof membrane 6 and the secondary waterproof membrane 8 to circulate towards two secondary pipes 14, 15. The gas phase is typically dinitrogen or another inerting gas. In this way, the space between the primary waterproof membrane 6 and the secondary waterproof membrane 8 forms a primary sealed space connected to the two secondary pipes 14, 15.

Furthermore, the barrel 12 is connected in a sealed manner to the supporting structure 3. A layer of insulation 16 is uniformly distributed over the outer span of the through pipe 5 which has a diameter smaller than the circular opening 13. In this way , the spacing between the insulation layer 16 and the circular opening 13 allows the circulation of a gas phase between the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9 and an intermediate space present between the barrel 12 and the insulation layer 16. gas phase is typically dinitrogen or another inerting gas. The intermediate space and the space between the supporting structure 3 and the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9 thus form a secondary sealed space.

The two secondary pipes 14, 15 extend parallel to the through pipe 5 in the insulation layer 16, from the exterior of the barrel 12 to the primary sealed space. The first secondary pipe 14 makes it possible to create a passage between the primary sealed space and an evacuation member not shown which makes it possible to control the gas phase present in the primary space. The second secondary pipe 15 makes it possible to create a passage between the primary space and a pressure measuring member not shown. These two secondary pipes 14, 15 make it possible in particular to carry out a sweep with an inert gas, for example a nitrogen sweep, in the primary sealed space.

Two other pipes not shown are welded to the barrel 12 and open inside the barrel 12 in the secondary sealed space to also allow the management of the gas phase and pressure measurement in the secondary sealed space. The pipes connected to the secondary sealed space also allow scanning with an inert gas, for example nitrogen scanning, in the secondary sealed space.

With reference to figures 2 to 10 , we will now describe in more detail a zone II of the tank wall 2 crossed by the through pipe 5.

Two prefabricated panels 10a, 10b are placed near the through pipe 5. With reference to the figure 4 , the prefabricated panel 10a, 10b comprises a secondary thermally insulating block 17 anchored against the supporting structure 3. The secondary thermally insulating block 17 comprises a rigid lower panel 18 supported by the beads of mastic 11 and a layer of thermal insulation 19 in foam polyurethane.

A first waterproof sheet 20 of composite material comprising for example a metal sheet and sheets of glass fibers embedded in a resin adheres over the entire surface of the thermal insulating layer 19 of the secondary thermally insulating block 17. The first waterproof sheet 20 constitutes an element of the secondary waterproof membrane 8.

The prefabricated panel 10a, 10b also includes an upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b. The upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b comprises a thermal insulating layer 22 of polyurethane foam which partially covers the first waterproof layer 20 and adheres to it. A rigid upper panel 23 covers the thermal insulating layer 22 and constitutes with it an element of the primary thermally insulating barrier 7.

As explained above with reference to the figure 1 , the through pipe 5 passes through the circular opening 13, the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9, the secondary waterproof membrane 8, the primary thermally insulating barrier 7 and the primary waterproof membrane 6. A closing plate 24 of circular shape extends around the through pipe 5 in an area located beyond the supporting structure 3. The closing plate 24 has an upper surface parallel to the tank wall 2 to which the insulation layer 16 which surrounds the pipe is glued through 5. This closing plate 24 also includes two orifices 25, 26 to which the two secondary pipes 14, 15 are welded.

The seal between the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9 and the through pipe 5 is achieved via the shutter plate 24, a first peripheral connection plate 27, a second peripheral connection plate 28 and of a sealed plate 29. The first peripheral connecting plate 27, of tubular shape, is fixed in a sealed manner over its entire periphery on the shutter plate 24 and extends parallel to the through pipe 5 towards the interior of the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 to form an external pipe. At its end, opposite the shutter plate 24, it is connected via the second peripheral connecting plate 28, also of tubular shape, to the sealed plate 29 of circular shape. In this way, the closing plate 24, the sealed plate 29 and the peripheral connection plates 27, 28 form an internal space 30 of the external pipe, leaning against the external wall of the through pipe 5. A second waterproof layer 31 is fixed in a watertight manner astride the first waterproof sheet 20 and the waterproof plate 29 to seal the secondary waterproof membrane 8.

The sealed plate 29 comprises a circular passage 32 crossed by the through pipe 5. This circular passage 32 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the through pipe 5 so as to leave a spacing between the sealed plate 29 and the through pipe 5. Thanks to this spacing, the gas phase can circulate from the primary sealed space located between the primary sealed member 6 and the secondary sealed membrane 8 towards the internal space 30.

To allow the evacuation of the vapors present in the internal space 30, the two secondary pipes 14, 15 are connected in a sealed manner to the shutter plate 24. This architecture makes it possible to carry out scanning with an inert gas. To guarantee insulation, the internal space 30 is filled with an insulator permeable to vapors or gases.

The second peripheral connecting plate 28 of tubular shape is welded to the lower surface of the sealed plate 29. The interior surface of the second peripheral connecting plate 28 has a diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the first peripheral connecting plate 27. In this way, the peripheral connecting plates 27, 28 can fit together and cooperate to slide when they are not welded. Thus, when welding the second peripheral connecting plate 28 with the first peripheral connecting plate 27, the spacing between the sealed plate 29 and the supporting structure 3 can be adjusted to place the sealed plate 29 precisely at the level of the membrane secondary seal 8. Furthermore, the interlocking of the first peripheral connecting plate 27 with the second peripheral connecting plate 28 allows the centering of the through pipe 5 relative to the opening 13, as well as the orientation of the sealed plate 29. The welds between the shutter plate 24 and the first peripheral connection plate 27, between the first peripheral connection plate 27 and the second peripheral connection plate 28, and between the second peripheral connection plate 28 and the sealed plate 29 are made so as to obtain sealing between these elements.

The shutter plate 24, the sealed plate 29, the first peripheral connection plate 27 and the second peripheral connection plate 28 are metallic elements, for example made of stainless steel.

In reference to the figure 1 , to reduce the stresses exerted on the bondings carried out around the through pipe 5, the anchoring of the through pipe is made in a part 33 of the through pipe spaced in an opposite direction inside the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1 relative to the supporting structure 3. Thus, the stresses on the bonding of the tank wall 2 are reduced. This anchoring comprises a frustoconical metal element 34 extending inside the barrel 12.

With reference to figures 1 And 2 , fins 40 are arranged regularly inside the internal space 30 between the through pipe 5 and the first peripheral connection plate 27 in order to position and fix the first peripheral connection plate 27 relative to the through pipe 5 .

With reference to figures 2 to 5 , two primary thermally insulating blocks 35 are placed astride the secondary thermally insulating blocks 17 of the prefabricated panels 10a, 10b and on the waterproof plate 29 to form the primary thermally insulating barrier 7 between the through pipe 5 and the prefabricated panels 10a, 10b . The primary thermally insulating block 35 comprises, like the upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b, an insulating layer 36 resting on the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9. The insulating layer 36 is surmounted by an upper panel 37.

The upper thermally insulating blocks 21a, 21b of the prefabricated panels 10a, 10b and the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 support the primary waterproof membrane 6 produced in the form of metal plates having undulations 38a, 38b. These undulations 38a, 38b form elastic zones to absorb thermal contraction and static and dynamic pressure forces. Such sealing barriers made of corrugated or embossed sheet metal have in particular been described in FR-A-1379651 , FR-A-1376525 , FR-A-2781557 And FR-A-2861060 .

The primary waterproof membrane 6 is connected in a sealed manner to the through pipe 5 via a flange 39 of section forming an “L”. There collar 39 is welded to the primary waterproof membrane 6 and to the through pipe 5.

In reference to the Figure 3 , we see in more detail the structure of the elements forming the tank wall 2 around the through pipe 5.

The through pipe 5 and the first peripheral connecting plate 27 pass through the supporting structure 3 at the center of the opening 13. The first peripheral connecting plate 27 is centered in the opening.

A glass wool lining is introduced into the internal space 30. As previously mentioned, this lining is porous to allow the free circulation of the gas phase in the internal space 30 between the primary sealed space and the secondary pipes 14, 15 (not shown on the Figure 3 ).

The waterproof plate 29 is positioned so as to be precisely at the same level as the secondary waterproof membrane 8 by welding the second peripheral connection plate 28 to the first peripheral connection plate 27. To avoid a risk of burning the wool lining glass, a thermal protection not shown is previously placed between the lining and the peripheral connecting plates 27, 28.

With reference to figures 3 to 5 , the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9, the secondary waterproof membrane 8 and the primary thermally insulating barrier 7 are produced by means of two prefabricated panels 10a, 10b. Each of the prefabricated panels 10a, 10b around the through pipe 5 generally has a stepped shape with a secondary thermally insulating block 17 constituting an element of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9, a first waterproof layer 20 completely covering the upper surface of the thermally insulating block secondary insulator 17, and an upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b of smaller size and constituting an element of the primary thermally insulating barrier 7. The upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b of the prefabricated panel 10a, 10b has a “shaped” section. U" in top view and is positioned relative to the secondary thermally insulating block 17 so as to leave a peripheral zone of the first waterproof layer 20 exposed.

More precisely, each secondary thermally insulating block 17 has a side 41 with a cutout in the shape of a semicircle to accommodate the first peripheral connecting plate 27 and the second peripheral connecting plate 28. The semicircle has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first peripheral connection plate 27 and the second peripheral connection plate 28, as is visible on the figure 2 , which allows space for a wool trim of glass 73 between the first and second peripheral connecting plates 27, 28 and the secondary thermally insulating blocks 17.

The two secondary thermally insulating blocks 17 are designed to provide spaces between them in the form of two radial inter-panel chimneys 42a, 42b. To ensure continuity of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 9, each of the two radial inter-panel chimneys 42a, 42b is stuffed with a glass wool lining (not shown) allowing the circulation of the gas phase through the thermally insulating barrier secondary 9, in particular for inerting the tank wall with an inert gas such as dinitrogen.

The prefabricated panel 10a, 10b can be prefabricated by gluing with polyurethane foam and plywood for the primary thermally insulating barriers 7 and secondary 9. Thus the secondary thermally insulating block 17 comprises the lower panel 18 and the layer of insulating foam 19 and the upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b comprises the insulating layer 22 and the upper panel 23. The upper panel 23 of the upper thermally insulating block 21a, 21b comprises transverse and longitudinal countersinks in which anchoring strips 43 are housed on to which the primary waterproof membrane 6 is welded, as described below.

The two prefabricated panels 10a, 10b are juxtaposed to surround the through pipe 5. Each prefabricated panel 10a, 10b further comprises chimneys 44 which allow access, during assembly, to the studs 71 previously welded to the supporting structure allowing anchor the prefabricated panels 10a, 10b.

The second waterproof sheet 31 is glued astride the first waterproof sheet 20 and on the waterproof plate 29. The second waterproof sheet 31 also includes two radial waterproof strips 31a, 31b arranged astride the two secondary thermally insulating blocks 17 above chimneys 42a and 42b.

Two primary thermally insulating blocks 35 and two middle blocks 45 are positioned over the second waterproof layer 31 and the first waterproof layer 20 to complete the primary thermally insulating barrier 7. The middle blocks 45 are installed on the radial waterproof strips 31a, 31b of the second waterproof sheet 31.

In reference to the Figure 6 , the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 each have a lateral side 46 having a cutout 76 in the shape of a semicircle to accommodate the through pipe 5, and interface portions 47 adjacent to the cutout 76 and rectilinear. When the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 are assembled, the cutouts 76 delimit a diameter having a diameter greater than the diameter of the through pipe 5 as is visible on the figure 2 .

In reference to the Figure 5 , the two primary thermally insulating blocks 35 are designed to meet without contact at the level of two interface portions 47. The two primary thermally insulating blocks 35 are positioned over the second waterproof layer 31 so that the interface portions 47 have no overlap, in the direction of the thickness, with the radial inter-panel chimneys 42a, 42b. On the Figure 3 , the direction D ₁ of the interface portions 47 of the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 is perpendicular to the direction D ₂ of the inter-panel radial chimneys 42a, 42b.

With reference to figures 9 And 10 , the primary waterproof membrane 6 is made up of a plurality of corrugated waterproof plates 48 whose so-called internal face is intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1. The waterproof plates 48 are fine elements made of metal such as stainless steel sheet. To allow the passage of the through pipe 5, these corrugated waterproof plates 48 are cut so as to delimit a square window 49 around the through pipe 5. The window 49 here has a square shape which facilitates the cutting of the waterproof plates 48 at the desired shape. However, other shapes of windows 49 can also be implemented, depending in particular on the geometry of the through pipe 5.

The waterproof plates 48 of the primary waterproof membrane 6 comprise a plurality of undulations 38a, 38b projecting towards the inside of the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1. More particularly, the primary waterproof membrane 6 comprises a first series of undulations 38a called transverse and a second series of undulations 38b called longitudinal whose respective directions are perpendicular. The second series of corrugations 38b has a height lower than the first series of corrugations 38a.

On the Figure 9 the edges of the waterproof plates 48 are represented in continuous lines. The waterproof plates 48 are welded together at the level of marginal overlap zones 77 in order to ensure the sealing of the primary waterproof membrane 6. The welds are of the overlap welding type, the process of which is described in detail for example in the patent FR-A-1387955 . The waterproof plates 48 can be designed in various ways in terms of their shapes and dimensions, so that the welding zones can be variously positioned.

Unlike the upper thermally insulating blocks 21a, 21b of the prefabricated panels 10a, 10b, the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 do not include anchoring strips 43. Indeed, to produce the primary waterproof membrane 6 around the through pipe 5, a closing plate 51, as illustrated on the figures 3 And 8 to 10 , placed on a thermal protection sheet 72, delimits a square of slightly larger size than the window 49 provided in the waterproof plates 48. An opening is cut in the center of the closing plate 51 to allow the passage of the through pipe 5. The closing plate 51 is welded in a watertight manner to the through pipe 5 via the flange 39.

With reference to figures 7 to 9 , the waterproof plates 48 of the primary waterproof membrane 6 are welded to the anchoring strips 43 of the upper thermally insulating blocks 21a, 21b and the middle blocks 45. The welding of the waterproof plates 48 to the anchoring strips 43 makes it possible to retain the primary waterproof membrane 6 on the primary thermally insulating barrier 7. To avoid degradation, in particular, of the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 when welding the waterproof plates 48 together, thermal protection strips 50 are arranged on the thermally insulating blocks primaries 35 to the right of the edges of the waterproof plates 48. The thermal protection sheet 72 and the thermal protection strips 50 are made of heat-resistant material, for example of composite material based on glass fibers. An opening is cut in the center of the thermal protection sheet 72 to allow the passage of the through pipe 5.

The primary waterproof membrane 6 around the through pipe 5 is completed, on the one hand by welding the edges of the waterproof plates 48 delimiting the window 49 on the closing plate 51 and on the other hand by sealingly closing the ends of the corrugations 38a, 38b interrupted with end pieces 52. Indeed, as the diameter of the through pipe 5 is greater than the spacing between the undulations of the first series of undulations 38a, some of the transverse undulations whose direct line intersects the through pipe were interrupted at the window 49. Likewise, as the diameter of the through pipe 5 is greater than the spacing between the undulations of the second series of undulations 38b, some of the longitudinal undulations of which the guideline intersects the through pipe 5 were interrupted at the window 49 surrounding the through pipe 5.

In reference to the Figure 11 , the end piece 52 comprises a sole in two parts 53, 54 intended to be welded in a sealed manner respectively on the closing plate 51 and on a waterproof plate 48, and a shell 55 intended to be welded tightly to the end of the corrugation. A recess 56 between the parts 53, 54 of the sole has an amplitude substantially equal to the thickness of the waterproof plate 48.

With reference to figures 3 , 5 And 6 , the upper panel 37 of a primary thermally insulating block 35 has four grooves 57 passing right through the upper panel 37, the closing plate 51 has grooves 69 superimposed on the grooves 57 of the primary thermally insulating blocks 35, and the sheet thermal protection 72 has grooves 70 superimposed on the grooves 57 of the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 and positioned under the grooves 69 of the closing plate 51. When installing the primary waterproof membrane 6, the end pieces 52 are superimposed on the grooves 57, 69, 70 so as to allow the circulation of the gas phase present in the undulations 38a, 38b towards the insulating layer 36 of the primary thermally insulating block 35. The insulating layer 36 also includes connecting grooves 74 positioned under the grooves 57 of the upper panel 37 from which three parallel grooves 75 extend respectively in the direction of the semi-circular cutout 76 of the primary thermally insulating block 35. In this way, the gas phase which has passed through the upper panel 37 can circulate to the outside of the primary thermally insulating block 35, in the space between the primary thermally insulating block 35 and the through pipe 5.

This specific structure of the primary thermally insulating blocks 35 coupled to the spacing between the circular passage 32 and the through pipe 5, and to the internal space 30 comprising a porous lining makes it possible to create a circuit facilitating the circulation of the gas phase in the the primary sealed space, in particular from the undulations 38a, 38b to the secondary pipes 14, 15, and vice versa. Likewise, as previously described, the space between the opening 13 and the first peripheral connection plate 27 and between the supporting structure 3 and the secondary thermally insulating blocks 17 makes it possible to create a circuit facilitating the circulation of this gas phase between the secondary sealed space and the drum 12. These circuits allow in particular the inerting of the tank wall 2 with an inert gas such as dinitrogen.

With reference to figures 9 And 10 , we see that the size of the window 49 is in practice larger than the diameter of the through pipe 5. Thus, the window 49 provided in the primary waterproof membrane 6 would be likely to similarly interrupt undulations including the guideline, without effectively cut the through pipe 5, would be in too close proximity to the through pipe 5.

The center of the through pipe 5 is positioned between the direction lines of the interrupted transverse undulations 38a and between the direction lines of the interrupted longitudinal undulations 38b, and more precisely, as illustrated on the figures 9 And 10 , in the middle of these guidelines. It results from this positioning that the guide line each time cuts the through pipe 5 along a chord shorter than the diameter of the through pipe 5. As a result, and taking into account the space existing between the edge of the window 49 and the through pipe 5, this positioning of the through pipe 5 makes it possible to interrupt transverse undulations 38a or longitudinal undulations 38b over a shorter distance than in the case where the guideline would cut the through pipe 5 according to its largest transverse dimension or longitudinal, that is to say its diameter since the through pipe 5 here has a cylindrical shape of revolution with a circular section. It is advantageous to interrupt the undulations 38a, 38b of the primary waterproof membrane 6 over the shortest possible distance, given that these interruptions are likely to locally reduce the flexibility of the primary waterproof membrane 6 and therefore to locally promote its fatigue and its wear.

Centering the through pipe 5 halfway between the interrupted transverse undulations 38a and the interrupted longitudinal undulations 38b offers an optimal result. However, other shapes for the through pipe 5 and other centerings can be considered. A principle which can be used to adapt each time the positioning of the through pipe 5 between the undulations 38a, 38b is to choose a position which minimizes, or at least reduces, the dimension of the through pipe 5 which the guide line of the undulation 38a, 38b interrupted. In the case where the particular geometry of the primary waterproof membrane 6 involves interrupting several undulations 38a, 38b over different lengths, a relevant optimization parameter for adapting the positioning of the through pipe 5 can be the length of the longest interruption or the cumulative length of the interruptions obtained.

The through pipe 5 requires a window 49 of size approximately equal to twice the spacing between two undulations 38a, 38b, which are here equidistant. For this, two undulations 38a, 38b of each series were interrupted. However, this arrangement of the through pipe 5 and of the tank wall 2 in its vicinity can be adapted to other dimensions of the through pipe 5. For example, for a wider through pipe, the corresponding window 49 can interrupt a greater number of undulations 38a, 38b in one or each series, for example three or four or more undulations.

Although in the embodiment described above the through pipe 5 passes through a ceiling wall of the sealed and thermally insulating tank 1, in another embodiment, the through pipe could pass through the tank wall 2 at the top of a side wall of the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 or at any other location in said waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1.

The waterproof and thermally insulating tanks 1 described above can be used in different types of installations such as land-based installations or in a floating structure such as an LNG ship or other.

In reference to the Figure 12 , a cutaway view of an LNG ship 58 shows a waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 59 of the LNG ship 58.

The tank wall 2 comprises a primary waterproof membrane 6 intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1, a secondary waterproof membrane 8 arranged between the primary waterproof membrane 6 and the double hull 59 of the LNG ship, and two thermally insulating barriers 7, 9 arranged respectively between the primary waterproof membrane 6 and the secondary waterproof membrane 8, and between the secondary waterproof membrane 8 and the double hull 59 of the LNG ship 58.

In a manner known per se, loading/unloading pipes 60 arranged on the upper deck of the LNG ship 58 can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a maritime or port terminal to transfer a cargo of liquefied gas, for example LNG , from or to the waterproof and thermally insulating tank 1.

There Figure 12 also represents a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 61, an underwater pipeline 62 and a land installation 63.

The loading and unloading station 61 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a movable arm 64 and a tower 65 which supports the movable arm 64. The movable arm 64 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 66 which can connect to the loading pipes /unloading 60. The adjustable movable arm 64 adapts to all sizes of LNG ships 58. A connection pipe not shown extends inside the tower 65. The loading and unloading station 61 allows loading and the unloading of the LNG ship 58 from or to the onshore installation 63. This includes liquefied gas storage tanks 67 and connecting pipes 68 connected by the underwater pipe 62 to the loading and unloading station 61.

The underwater pipe 62 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 61 and the onshore installation 63 over a large distance,
for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG ship 58 at a long distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps are used on board the LNG ship 58 and/or pumps fitted to the on-shore installation 63 and/or pumps fitted to the loading and unloading station 61.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

The use of the verb “include”, “understand” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

In the claims, any parenthetical reference sign shall not be construed as a limitation of the claim.

Claims (16)

Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) arranged in a supporting structure (3) to contain a fluid, the waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) comprising: - a tank wall (2) anchored against the supporting structure (3), the tank wall (2) having a multilayer structure which comprises successively, in a thickness direction from the outside towards the inside of said sealed tank and thermally insulating (1), a secondary thermally insulating barrier (9), a secondary waterproof membrane (8) carried by the secondary thermally insulating barrier (9), a primary thermally insulating barrier (7) carried by the secondary waterproof membrane (8 ) and a primary waterproof membrane (6) carried by the primary thermally insulating barrier (7) and which is intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in said waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1), the multilayer structure comprising a primary space arranged between the primary waterproof membrane (6) and the secondary waterproof membrane (8), the primary space containing the primary thermally insulating barrier (7), and - a through pipe (5) arranged through the tank wall (2), the primary waterproof membrane (6) being sealed in a sealed manner to the through pipe (5), said tank wall (2) comprising around the pipe crossing (5): - secondary thermally insulating blocks (17) anchored against the supporting structure (3), the secondary thermally insulating blocks (17) forming the secondary thermally insulating barrier (9) around the through pipe (5), each of said secondary thermally insulating blocks (17) having at least one lateral side developing in the direction of thickness of the tank wall (2), said secondary thermally insulating blocks (17) being arranged between them so as to provide a chimney (42a, 42b) between the lateral sides facing each other of two adjacent secondary thermally insulating blocks (17); - a waterproof layer (20) covering the secondary thermally insulating blocks (17), the waterproof layer (20) forming the waterproof membrane secondary (8); - a sealed plate (29) arranged parallel to the tank wall (2), the sealed plate (29) having an interior surface facing the interior of said sealed and thermally insulating tank (1), the interior surface being located at same level as the waterproof sheet (20), the waterproof plate being arranged around the through pipe (5), the secondary waterproof membrane (8) being extended up to the waterproof plate (29); - an external pipe (27, 28) extending parallel to the through pipe (5) around the through pipe (5) the external pipe (27, 28) being in communication with the primary space to allow the circulation of an inerting gas between the primary space and the external pipe (27, 28); - primary thermally insulating blocks (35) arranged on the secondary waterproof membrane (8), the primary thermally insulating blocks forming the primary thermally insulating barrier (7) around the through pipe (5), a first and a second of said thermally insulating blocks primary insulators (35) each having a lateral side developing in the direction of thickness of the tank wall (2), the lateral side (46) having a cut-out portion (76) to receive a portion of the through pipe (5 ) and at least one interface portion (47) adjacent to the cut portion (76), the interface portion (47) of said first primary thermally insulating block (35) being arranged facing the interface portion (47 ) of said second primary thermally insulating block (35); said secondary thermally insulating blocks (17) and said first and second primary thermally insulating blocks (35) being arranged between them so that the interface portion (47) of said first primary thermally insulating block (35) and the interface portion (47) of said second primary thermally insulating block (35) have no overlap, in the thickness direction, with the chimney (42a, 42b) between two adjacent secondary thermally insulating blocks (17). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to claim 1, in which the waterproof layer (20) is a first waterproof layer covering the secondary thermally insulating blocks (17) and in which said tank wall comprises a second layer waterproof (31) fixed in a sealed manner astride the first waterproof layer (20) and on the interior surface of the waterproof plate (29) around the through pipe (5), the second waterproof layer (31) extending the secondary waterproof membrane (8) to the waterproof plate (29). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to claim 2, in which the second waterproof layer (31) comprises at least two waterproof strips (31a, 31b), each waterproof strip (31a, 31b) being arranged astride two thermally insulating blocks. adjacent secondary insulators (17). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to claim 3, in which the two waterproof strips (31a, 31b) of the second waterproof layer (31) are located in the extension of one another, on either side other of the through pipe (5) so as to cover the chimney (42a, 42b). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to claim 3 or 4, in which the two waterproof strips (31a, 31b) of the second waterproof layer (31) are positioned perpendicular to said at least one interface portion (47) of the first primary thermally insulating block (35) and said at least one interface portion (47) of the second primary thermally insulating block (35). Tight and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, in which the tank wall (2) comprises two prefabricated panels (10a, 10b) arranged on either side of the through pipe (5) , each of the prefabricated panels comprising a lower thermally insulating block constituting a said secondary thermally insulating block (17), the first waterproof layer (20) covering the secondary thermally insulating block (17), and an upper thermally insulating block (21a, 21b) arranged on a central zone of the first waterproof layer (20) and of the lower thermally insulating block without covering a peripheral zone of said first waterproof layer (20), the upper thermally insulating block (21a, 21b) forming part of the thermally insulating barrier primary (6), said primary thermally insulating blocks (35) being arranged between the upper thermally insulating blocks (21a, 21b) of the two prefabricated panels (10a, 10b) on said peripheral zone of the first waterproof layer (20) of the two prefabricated panels (10a, 10b) and on said chimney (42a, 42b). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to claim 6, in which the primary waterproof membrane (6) comprises waterproof plates (48) connected together in a sealed manner at the edges (100) of the waterproof plates (48), and in which the upper thermally insulating blocks (21a, 21b) of the two prefabricated panels (10a, 10b) carry anchoring strips (43) to the right of said edges (100) of the waterproof plates (48) to anchor the waterproof plates (48 ) to said prefabricated panels (10a, 10b), the primary thermally insulating blocks (35) comprising thermal protection strips (50) to the right of said edges (100) of the waterproof plates (48) so that the waterproof plates (48) do not are not anchored to said primary thermally insulating blocks (35). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the primary waterproof membrane (6) comprises at least one series of corrugations comprising corrugations (38a, 38b) extending along directional lines parallel to each other, said undulations (38a, 38b) projecting towards the interior of said sealed and thermally insulating tank (1), and in which a window (49) interrupts at least one direct line of an undulation (38a , 38b) of said series of corrugations, said corrugation (38a, 38b) preferably having an open end at the level of the window (49), said sealed and thermally insulating tank (1) comprising at least one end piece (52 ) to close the open end of said at least one corrugation (38a, 38b). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the external pipe (27, 28) comprises a first peripheral connection plate (27) and a second peripheral connection plate (28), the second peripheral connection plate (28) being sealed in a sealed manner to the first peripheral connection plate (27) all around said first peripheral connection plate (27), the first peripheral connection plate (27) extending parallel to the through pipe (5) towards the outside of said sealed and thermally insulating tank (1) from the second connecting plate peripheral, said second peripheral connecting plate (28) being fixed in a sealed manner to the waterproof plate (29) and projecting towards the supporting structure (3) parallel to the through pipe (5). Tight and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the tank wall (2) further comprises, around the through pipe (5), at least one closing plate (51) arranged on the primary thermally insulating blocks (35) and tightly linked to the through pipe (5). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to claim 8 taken in combination with claim 10, in which at least one of said primary thermally insulating blocks (35) comprises at least one groove (57), and in which the plate of closure (51) comprises at least one groove (69) covered by one of said end pieces (52) and superimposed on said groove (57) of the primary thermally insulating block (35) so as to allow the circulation of a gas inerting between the corrugation (38a, 38b) and the external pipe. Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 10 or 11, in which the tank wall (2) comprises a thermal protection sheet (72) interposed between the primary thermally insulating blocks (35) and the plate. closure (51). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the through pipe (5) defines a passage between the interior of the sealed and thermally insulating tank (1) and a steam collector arranged at the exterior of said waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1). Vessel (58) for transporting a cold liquid product, the vessel (58) comprising a double hull (59) and a waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13 arranged in the double hull (59). Use of a vessel (58) according to claim 14 for loading or unloading a cold liquid product, wherein a cold liquid product is conveyed through insulated pipes (66) from or to a floating storage facility or terrestrial (63) to or from the waterproof and thermally insulating tank (1) of the ship (58). Transfer system for a cold liquid, the system comprising a ship (58) according to claim 14, insulated pipes (66) arranged so as to connect the sealed and thermally insulating tank (1) installed in the hull of the ship (58) to a floating or land storage facility (63) and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipes (66) to or from the floating or land storage facility (63) to or from the sealed tank and thermally insulating (1) of the ship (58).

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