FR3133900A1 - Waterproof and thermally insulating tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a waterproof and thermally insulating tank integrated into a supporting structure, the tank comprising primary anchoring members for anchoring the primary thermally insulating barrier to the secondary thermally insulating barrier, in which a primary anchoring member (50) comprises: a first stud (51) and a second stud (52) fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier between a first primary corner insulating panel (40a) and a second primary corner insulating panel an anchoring plate (56 ) engaging the first primary corner insulating panel (40a) and the second primary corner insulating panel in order to anchor the first and second primary corner insulating panels to the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a bar anchor (57) crossed by the first and second studs (51, 52), the anchor bar (57) being located at a distance from the anchor plate (56) in the direction of the primary waterproof membrane. Figure for abstract: Fig. 7

Description

Waterproof and thermally insulating tank

The invention relates to the field of waterproof and thermally insulating membrane tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks for the storage and/or transport of fluid at negative temperature, such as tanks for the transport of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called LPG) presenting for example a temperature between -50°C and 0°C, or for the transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be intended for the transport of liquefied gas or to receive liquefied gas serving as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.

Technology background

Different techniques are known for the construction of a waterproof and thermally insulating tank with membranes integrated into a supporting structure having a substantially polyhedral internal surface and comprising successively, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulation barrier, a barrier of secondary sealing, a primary insulation barrier and a primary sealing barrier.

The document WO2019086788A1 discloses a waterproof and thermally insulating tank in which the insulation barrier comprises insulating elements arranged in several parallel rows, in which an anchoring member comprises a support element mounted on the support surface between two insulating elements of a first of said parallel rows and movable relative to the support surface transversely to said first row between: a retracted position in which the support element is housed entirely between the two insulating elements so as to leave the location free of a second of said parallel rows, the second row being adjacent to the first row, and a deployed position in which the support element projects over the location of the second row and is engaged with at least one insulating element of the second row to retain said insulating element of the second row on the support surface.

Document WO2021074435 discloses another waterproof and thermally insulating tank integrated into a supporting structure.

Summary

An idea underlying the invention is to produce a tank comprising an anchoring system suitable for anchoring primary insulating panels at the level of a corner of the tank, in particular at the level of the edge of a longitudinal chamfer in a polyhedral tank.

Another idea underlying the invention is to create a tank comprising an efficient, robust and adjustable insulating panel anchoring system, with an adaptable position.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides a waterproof and thermally insulating tank integrated into a supporting structure, the tank being intended for the storage of fluid, the tank comprising a first tank wall fixed to a first supporting wall and a second wall of tank fixed to a second load-bearing wall joining the first load-bearing wall at an edge of the load-bearing structure,
in which each of the first and second tank walls comprises a multilayer structure comprising from the outside towards the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier anchored against the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane which is carried by the thermally insulating barrier secondary, a primary thermally insulating barrier and a primary waterproof membrane which is carried by the primary thermally insulating barrier and which is intended to be in contact with the fluid stored in the tank,
in which the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises a row of primary corner insulating panels arranged parallel to the edge and a row of plane primary insulating panels juxtaposed to the row of primary corner insulating panels,
the tank comprising primary anchoring members for anchoring the primary thermally insulating barrier to the secondary thermally insulating barrier,
in which a primary anchoring member comprises:
a first stud and a second stud fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier and mutually spaced in a direction intersecting said edge, the first stud and second stud projecting from the secondary thermally insulating barrier between a first primary corner insulating panel and a second primary corner insulating panel towards the primary waterproof membrane,
an anchor plate crossed by the first stud and the second stud, the anchor plate engaging the first primary corner insulating panel and the second primary corner insulating panel in order to anchor the first and second panels primary corner insulators on the secondary thermally insulating barrier),
an anchor bar crossed by the first and the second studs, the anchor bar being located at a distance from the anchor plate in the direction of the primary waterproof membrane, the anchor bar comprising a first portion crossed by the first stud and resting on a spacer positioned between the anchor plate and the anchor bar,
the anchor bar comprising an end portion opposite said first portion projecting beyond the row of primary corner insulating panels in the direction intersecting the edge to engage a planar primary insulating panel adjacent to the first and second primary corner insulating panels,
and an adjustment member positioned on the second stud to tighten the end portion of the anchor bar towards the secondary insulating barrier in order to exert pressure on the adjacent planar primary insulating panel.

Thanks to these characteristics, the first and second primary corner insulating panels, and the flat primary insulating panel are firmly retained on the secondary insulating barrier. In addition, such a primary anchoring member makes it possible to adapt and engage insulating panels of different types and dimensions. Indeed, the spacer part makes it possible to adapt the distance which separates the anchor bar and the metal plate in order to optimize the anchoring of the flat insulating panel on the secondary insulating barrier, in particular so that this distance corresponds to the height of an element or portion of the flat primary insulating panel that the anchor bar engages. The spacer can also provide a pivot point for the anchor bar in order to absorb small level differences between the anchor bar and the element or portion of the flat primary insulating panel to be engaged.

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

According to one embodiment, the anchor bar is slidably mounted in the intersecting direction at the edge, the anchor bar being able to be moved, when the adjustment member is in a loosened state, between a deployed position in which the end portion projects beyond the row of primary corner insulating panels and a retracted position in which the anchor bar is entirely housed between the first and second primary corner insulating panels to free up space of the flat primary insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the first stud and the second stud are spaced in a direction perpendicular to the edge.

According to one embodiment, the adjustment member is chosen from: a clamping ring, a stop ring, a toothed clamping clip, a nut, a nut-lock nut system.

According to one embodiment, the second stud is a threaded stud and the adjustment member comprises a first adjustment nut. According to one embodiment, the adjustment nut is chosen from a slotted nut or a self-locking nut.

According to one embodiment, the first and second studs are threaded, and in which the anchor plate engages the bottom plate of the first primary corner insulating panel and the bottom plate of the second corner insulating panel primary via a first lower nut located on the first threaded stud and a second lower nut located on the second threaded stud.

According to one embodiment, the anchor plate engages a bottom plate of the first primary corner insulating panel and a bottom plate of the second primary corner insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, a second adjustment nut screwed onto the first threaded stud is capable of tightening the first portion of the anchor bar against the spacer to immobilize the anchor bar in the secant direction to the fish bone.

According to one embodiment, the spacer surrounds the first threaded stud.

According to one embodiment, the spacer has the shape of a cylinder of revolution.

According to one embodiment, the spacer is a hollow cylinder having a side wall with a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm, for example 3 mm.

According to one embodiment, the side wall of the hollow cylinder has a diameter greater than or equal to 30 mm, preferably a diameter of between 30 and 60 mm, for example 38 or 5 mm.

According to one embodiment, the hollow cylinder has a diameter less than or equal to the width of the metal plate.

According to one embodiment, the hollow cylinder has a diameter greater than the diameter of the first stud or the external diameter of the first lower nut.

According to one embodiment, the height of the spacer piece is between 10 and 40 mm, for example 25 mm. That is to say, the distance between the anchor bar and the metal plate is between 10 and 40 mm.

According to one embodiment, the anchoring member is partially or completely metallic.

According to one embodiment, the planar primary insulating panel comprises insulating material located between a primary bottom plate and a primary cover plate.

According to one embodiment, the end portion of the anchor bar, where appropriate in the deployed position, engages the primary bottom plate or a primary cleat resting on the bottom plate of the flat primary insulating panel .

According to one embodiment, the flat primary insulating panel has a chimney to accommodate the end portion of the anchor bar, and in which an insulating cap is placed to cover said chimney.

According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier comprises a row of secondary corner insulating panels arranged in line with the edge.

According to one embodiment, a said secondary corner insulating panel comprises insulating material located between a secondary bottom plate and a secondary cover plate.

According to one embodiment, the secondary bottom plate and the secondary cover plate are made from rigid plywood.

According to one embodiment, the insulating material is polymer foam, preferably polyurethane foam and very preferably polyurethane foam reinforced with fiberglass.

According to one embodiment, the first stud and the second stud are fixed on a metal plate secured to the secondary cover plate.

According to one embodiment, the first and second studs are fixed via the metal plate which is retained between the secondary cover plate and the insulating material. According to one embodiment, the metal plate comprises a first hole and a second hole, the first stud being fixed in the first hole and the second stud being fixed in the second hole.

According to one embodiment, the first and second holes are threaded, and the first and second studs have the corresponding thread in order to be fixed to the first and second holes.

According to one embodiment, the first stud and the second stud are fixed to the metal plate by welding.

According to one embodiment, the first stud and the second stud are fixed to the metal plate via a first base and a second base respectively fixed in the first and second holes of the metal plate.

According to one embodiment, the first base and the second base each comprise an external thread, the first base and the second base being screwed into the first hole and the second hole of the metal plate.

According to one embodiment, the first base and the second base each comprise an internal thread, the first stud and the second stud being screwed into the first base and the second base.

According to one embodiment, the first stud, respectively the second stud, is formed in one piece with the first base, respectively the second base,

According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane is a corrugated metal membrane and the secondary waterproof membrane is a flat metal membrane. For example, a primary waterproof membrane and a secondary waterproof membrane suitable for this embodiment are described in document WO2021074435.

According to one embodiment, the secondary waterproof membrane comprises a plurality of alloy strakes with a low coefficient of expansion, a strake comprising a flat central portion resting on an upper surface of the insulating barrier and two raised edges projecting towards the inside of the tank in relation to the central portion, the strakes being juxtaposed and welded together in a watertight manner at the raised edges, in which a longitudinal direction of the strake is parallel to the edge,
and wherein the primary waterproof membrane comprises metal plates having undulations resting on an upper surface of the primary insulating barrier.

According to one embodiment, the metal plates have first parallel corrugations, second corrugations perpendicular to the first corrugations and flat portions located between the first corrugations and between the second corrugations.

According to one embodiment, the edge has an angle of between 125 and 145 degrees, for example 135 degrees.

In one embodiment, the fluid is a liquefied gas, for example LNG, namely a mixture with a high methane content stored at a temperature of approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure. Other liquefied gases can also be considered, notably ethane, propane, butane or ethylene. Liquefied gases can also be stored under pressure, for example at a relative pressure of between 2 and 20 bar, and in particular at a relative pressure close to 2 bar. The tank can be made using different techniques, notably in the form of an integrated membrane tank or a self-supporting tank.

Such a tank can be part of a land or submerged storage installation, for example to store LNG or be installed in a floating, coastal or deep water structure, in particular an LNG ship, a floating storage and regasification unit ( FSRU), a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others. Such a tank can also be used as a fuel tank in any type of ship.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a vessel for transporting a fluid comprising a double hull and a aforementioned tank placed in the double hull.

According to one embodiment, 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 pipelines to or from the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel tank.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method of loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or terrestrial storage installation to or from the tank of the ship.

Brief description of the figures

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 attached drawings.

There represents a partial schematic view of a waterproof and thermally insulating tank intended to contain a fluid at negative temperature according to one embodiment.

There represents a partial perspective view, in section, of the corner zone II illustrated on the according to one embodiment.

There is a partial perspective view of the corner area of the .

There illustrates an exploded perspective view of a primary anchoring member suitable for the corner area of the .

There illustrates a partial perspective view, in section, of the corner area of the during manufacture, with the primary anchoring member which is in a retracted position.

There illustrates a view similar to the in a more advanced manufacturing stage, including the primary anchoring member of the engaging first and second primary corner insulating panels.

There illustrates a partial, enlarged view of zone VII of the , the primary membrane being omitted.

There is a stripped-down schematic representation of an LNG ship tank and a loading/unloading terminal for this tank.

In relation to the , we observe a tank 1 intended to receive a fluid at negative temperature. The tank 1 rests on a supporting structure formed by the internal hull (not shown) of a double-hulled ship (not shown). The tank 1 has a general polyhedral or prismatic shape. The tank 1 has a first transverse wall 2 and a second transverse wall 3, here of octagonal shape. On the , the first transverse wall 2 is only partially shown in order to allow visualization of the internal space of the tank 1. The tank 1 also includes a ceiling wall 4, a bottom wall 5, lower chamfer walls 6 , side walls 7 and upper chamfer walls 8. The ceiling wall 4, the bottom wall 5, the lower chamfer walls 6, the side walls 7, and the upper chamfer walls 8 extend in the direction longitudinal of the ship, connect the first and second transverse walls 2, 3 at the level of transverse edges 9, and meet at the level of longitudinal edges 10.

The tank is a membrane tank for storing fluid at negative temperature, such as liquefied gas.

Each flat wall of the tank generally has a multilayer structure comprising, from the outside towards the inside, a secondary thermally insulating barrier comprising a plurality of secondary insulating panels, resting against a supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier comprising a plurality of primary insulating panels, resting against the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane intended to be in contact with the fluid at negative temperature contained in the tank. The primary sealed membrane defines an internal space intended to receive the fluid at negative temperature.

The fluid at negative temperature is for example a liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank, for example liquefied natural gas (LNG), that is to say a gas mixture comprising mainly methane as well as one or more other hydrocarbons. The liquefied gas can also be ethane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), that is to say a mixture of hydrocarbons resulting from petroleum refining essentially comprising propane and butane.

We will describe below more particularly the angle zone II, located along a longitudinal edge 10, as visible on the .

In Figures 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, we observe the structure of the walls of the tank at the level of a longitudinal edge 10 between a first supporting wall 11 and a second supporting wall 12. The angle formed between the first wall load-bearing wall 11 and the second load-bearing wall 12 is approximately 135° (degrees).

There illustrates the angle zone II shown on the .

The secondary thermally insulating barrier comprises a row of secondary corner insulating panels 20 arranged along the edge 10.

Each of the secondary corner insulating panels 20 has a sandwich structure comprising insulating material 21, such as reinforced polyurethane foam, located between a secondary bottom plate 22 and a secondary cover plate 23. The secondary bottom plate 22 and the secondary cover plate 23 are rigid and manufactured for example from plywood or a composite composed of resin and fibers.

There also shows flat insulating pads 101, for example made of glass wool or synthetic insulating foam, arranged between the secondary corner insulating panels 20.

The secondary cover plate 23 is further equipped with a secondary metal angle 30, for example made of stainless steel or an alloy with a low coefficient of thermal expansion, in particular invar®, intended for anchoring the edges of the waterproof membrane secondary. The secondary metal angle 30 is fixed for example in recesses made in the secondary cover plate 23 and fixed thereto or directly on the surface of the secondary cover plate 23, by screws, rivets or staples for example . Alternatively, the secondary metal angle 30 is fixed directly to the layer of insulating material 21, for example by gluing, when the secondary corner insulating panel 20 does not include a secondary cover plate 23.

Over the entire row of secondary corner insulating panels, the secondary cover plates 23 are equipped with a succession of metal plates 24 intended to ensure the fixing of a series of primary anchoring members 50 and 150 making it possible to fix a row of primary corner insulating panels 40 against the row of secondary corner insulating panels 20. The metal plate 24 is for example housed in a recess 102 of the secondary cover plate 23 or glued to the secondary cover plate 23 and/or fixed to it, by screws, rivets or staples for example.

The metal plate 24 comprises a first hole 25 and a second hole 26 each having an internal thread cooperating with an external thread of a base 53 and a base 54 of the primary anchoring member 50 or 150.

Furthermore, the secondary metal angle 30 has two orifices located respectively opposite the first hole and the second hole, through which the studs of the primary anchoring member 50 or 150 pass.

The primary thermally insulating barrier comprises, along the longitudinal edge 10 of the tank, the row of primary corner insulating panels 40. The primary corner insulating panel 40 is a pre-assembled assembly comprising insulating material 41 located between a plate primary bottom 42 and a primary corner cover plate 103. The primary cover plate 103 supports a primary metal angle 43 on which the primary waterproof membrane 45 is fixed. The primary metal angle 43 is intended for anchoring the edges of the primary waterproof membrane 45 and end piece 104 intended to connect the undulations perpendicular to the longitudinal edge 10.

The primary metal angles 43 are for example made of stainless steel.

The primary waterproof membrane 45 is a corrugated membrane having two series of undulations in two directions perpendicular to each other. Other details of such a membrane are described in particular in document WO2010040922A1.

There illustrates a partial view in which a secondary corner insulating panel 20 has been released to show in greater detail the primary metal angles 43 and the secondary metal angle 30 as well as the primary anchoring members 50.

The secondary metal angle 30 has two wings resting against the first row of secondary corner insulating panels 20 and a second row of secondary corner insulating panels 20. The two rows of secondary corner insulating panels 40 are arranged symmetrically relative to each other. at the longitudinal edge 10.

Analogously, the primary metal angle 43 has two wings resting against respectively two rows of primary corner insulating panels 40 arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal edge 10. Each wing of the primary metal angle 43 has studs 105 which are welded on the external face of said wing and project towards the inside of the tank. The studs 105 make it possible to anchor welding equipment when welding the elements of the primary waterproof membrane to the primary metal angles 43 and can be used for handling the primary corner insulating panels 40 with the primary metal angle 43.

On either side of the longitudinal edge 10, the row of primary corner insulating panels 40 is located on the row of secondary corner insulating panels 20.

The row of primary corner insulating panels 40 comprises a plurality of adjacent primary corner insulating panels 40 along the edge 10, including a first primary corner insulating panel and a second primary corner insulating panel. In each of the spaces between the primary corner insulating panels 40 of the row of primary corner insulating panels 40 is located a primary anchoring member.

As visible in Figures 5 and 6, two types of primary anchoring member 50 and 150 are used here, for example alternately. Anchoring members 50 and 150 will be described below.

Insulating joint elements 46 are further inserted into the space between the two primary corner insulating panels 40, around the primary anchoring members 50 and 150, so as to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation.

There illustrates a partial view of the corner portion being manufactured after assembly of the secondary waterproof membrane and the primary insulating barrier, the primary waterproof membrane being omitted.
The secondary waterproof membrane 47 is a flat membrane comprising metal strakes with raised edges. Other details of such a membrane are for example disclosed in document WO2012072906A1. The secondary waterproof membrane 47 is welded to the secondary metal angle 30. The secondary metal angle 30 carries the first row of primary corner insulating panels 40 and the secondary waterproof membrane 47 carries a plurality of flat primary insulating panels 48. The insulating panels primary planes 48 each comprise reinforced polyurethane foam 39 sandwiched between a primary flat bottom plate 31 positioned on the secondary waterproof membrane 47 and a primary flat cover plate 32 intended to support the primary waterproof membrane (not shown). The planar primary cover plate 32 carries primary anchoring strips 33 intended to anchor the primary waterproof membrane (not shown) on the planar primary cover plate 32.

The structure of the primary anchoring member 50 according to one embodiment will be described in relation to Figures 4 and 7. The illustrates an exploded perspective view of the primary anchoring member 50 and the shows the primary anchoring member 50 in section.

The primary anchoring member 50 comprises a first threaded stud 51 and a second threaded stud 52 mutually spaced from one another and respectively fixed on a first base 53 and a second base 54. Each base 53, 54 comprises in in addition to a collar 55. The metal plate 24 has the two threaded holes 25 and 26 intended to respectively receive the first base 53 and the second base 54. The periphery of the collar 55 is intended to be welded to the secondary metal angle 30 in order to ensure the continuity of the secondary seal and prevent rotation of the base.

The first threaded stud 51 and the second threaded stud 52 are mutually spaced in a direction perpendicular to the edge. The first and second threaded studs 51, 52 are fixed to a metal plate 24 which is retained between the secondary cover plate 23 and the insulating material 21, via the first base 53 and the second base 54 which are respectively screwed into the first tapped hole 25 and the second tapped hole 26 of the metal plate 24. The first base 53 and the second base 54 each have a blind bore comprising an internal thread corresponding respectively to the first and second threaded studs 51, 52.

The first and second threaded studs 51.52 can be fixed to the first base 53 and the second base 54 by screwing, for example by performing a welding point making it possible to block the rotation of the first and second threaded studs 51.52 in each blind bore.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first and second threaded studs are each formed in one piece with their threaded base. Such one-piece studs allow direct fixing in the metal plate 24.

In addition, the primary anchoring member 50 comprises an anchoring plate 56 crossed by the first and second threaded studs 51, 52, the anchoring plate 56 is intended to engage the bottom plate 42 of the insulating panels primary corners 40 located on either side of the primary anchoring member 50 via a first nut 59 located on the first threaded stud 51 and a second nut 60 located on the second threaded stud 52. The plate anchor 56 is a rectangular metal piece with rounded edges.

The anchoring plate 56 of the primary anchoring member 50 engages the bottom plate 42 of the first primary corner insulating panel 40a and the bottom plate of the second primary corner insulating panel (not shown) via a first nut 59 located on the first threaded stud 51 and a second nut 60 located on the second threaded stud 52.

The primary anchoring member 50 further comprises a metal anchoring bar 57 whose cross section has a “U” shape, which is crossed by the first threaded stud 51 and the second threaded stud 52 at the level of the two grooves longitudinal 111 and 112 which allow the anchor bar 57 to slide between a retracted position visible on the and a deployed position visible on the . The “U” shape is particularly suitable for receiving and maintaining the insulating joint elements 46.

The anchor bar 57 is spaced from the metal plate 56 by a spacer 58 positioned between the anchor plate 56 and the anchor bar 57. The spacer 58 is a metal part having the shape of a hollow cylinder which is crossed by the first threaded stud 51.

By tightening a third nut 61 screwed onto the first threaded stud 51, the anchor bar 57 can tighten the spacer 58 against the anchor plate 56. The spacer 58 is thus clamped between the bar anchor 57 and the anchor plate 56 via the third nut 61 screwed onto the first threaded stud 51.

Furthermore, the anchor bar 57 comprises an end portion intended to project beyond the row of primary corner insulating panels 40 in the direction intersecting the longitudinal edge 10 to engage an insulating panel plane primary adjacent to the primary anchoring member 50. That is to say that the anchoring bar 57 has a length greater than the anchoring plate 56.

The primary anchoring member 50 further comprises an adjustment nut 62 screwed onto the second threaded stud 52. The adjustment nut 62 makes it possible to adjust the gripping force of the anchor bar 57 in the deployed position on the primary plane insulating panel 48 in order to anchor it against the secondary thermally insulating barrier. The adjustment nut 62 also makes it possible to absorb the level differences between the primary corner insulating panels 40 and the flat primary insulating panels 48. In this case, the spacer 58 constitutes a pivot point for the bar anchor 57.

In addition, it should be noted that one or more metal washers 63 may precede the nuts 59, 60, 61 and 62 in order to increase the pressurizing surface against the anchoring plate 56 or the anchoring bar 57 Optionally, the adjustment nut 62 comprises a protuberance 67 oriented towards the anchor bar 57 and allowing centering of the position of the adjustment nut 62. In addition, the washers 63 under the adjustment nut 62 are preferably Belleville washers in order to be able to adjust the force exerted by the adjustment nut 62 on the anchor bar 57.

It is further illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 the primary anchoring member 150 also intended to anchor two insulating panels of primary angles 40. The primary anchoring member 150 is identical to the primary anchoring member 50 to anchor plate 56. It does not include anchor bar 57, so shorter studs can be used.

On the a second primary corner insulating panel 40b which is adjacent to the first primary corner panel 40a illustrated in the has been added to better show the operation of the primary anchoring member 150. The primary anchoring member 50 is located between the first primary corner panel 40a and the second primary corner insulating panel 40b, in a inter-panel space. The inter-panel space comprising the primary anchoring member 50 further comprises insulating joint elements 46 making it possible to ensure the continuity of the thermal insulation of the thermally insulating barrier.

Furthermore, the illustrates a primary anchoring member 50 in the retracted position, that is to say that the metal anchoring bar 57 is housed entirely between two primary corner insulating panels 40 without protruding beyond the row of insulating panels primary corners 40. This position makes it possible to leave a space free for housing an adjacent flat primary insulating panel 48.

The operation of the primary anchoring member 50 will now be described with reference to the .

By having previously loosened the nuts 61 and 62, the anchor bar 57 can slide from the retracted position to the deployed position and vice versa. By tightening nuts 61 and 62, you can lock the anchor bar in its position. The anchor bar 57 is initially in the retracted position during assembly of the primary insulating barrier. Then the primary flat insulating panels 48 can be juxtaposed with the row of primary corner insulating panels 40.

The primary flat insulating panels 48 have chimneys 36 to the right of the anchoring members 50 and a primary batten 35 each time at the bottom of the chimney 36. The primary batten 35 is for example made from plywood.

The anchor bar 57 is then slid into the deployed position so that the end portion projects into the chimney 36 directly above the primary batten 35. The height of the spacer 58 is adapted to the height of the primary cleat 35. Thus, the anchor bar 57 is substantially parallel to the anchor plate 56. Then the nut 61 is tightened.

Then, in order to tighten the anchor bar 57 on the primary cleat 35, the adjustment nut 62 is tightened on the second threaded stud 52, over the anchor bar 57. This screwing will lead to a reduction in the distance between the second end of the anchor bar 57 and the anchor plate 56 in order to exert pressure by screwing on the primary batten 35.

Thus, such a primary anchoring member 50 makes it possible to engage, on the one hand, a first and a second adjacent corner insulating panels, and on the other hand at least one first planar primary insulating panel 48.

The chimney 36 will then be closed via an insulating plug 37, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

In reference to the , a cutaway view of an LNG ship 70 shows a waterproof and thermally insulating tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary waterproof membrane intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary waterproof membrane arranged between the primary waterproof membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two thermally insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary waterproof membrane and the secondary waterproof membrane and between the secondary waterproof membrane and the double hull 72.

In a manner known per se, 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.

There represents an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed off-shore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the mobile arm 74. The mobile arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can connect to the loading/unloading pipes 73. The adjustable mobile arm 74 adapts to all LNG carrier templates. A connection pipe not shown extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG tanker 70 from or to the onshore installation 77. This includes 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 onshore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG ship 70 at a long distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the fluid at negative temperature, pumps on board the ship 70 and/or pumps fitted to the on-shore installation 77 and/or pumps fitted to the loading and unloading station 75 are used. .

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 (18)

Watertight and thermally insulating tank (1) integrated into a supporting structure, the tank (1) being intended for storing fluid, the tank (1) comprising a first tank wall fixed to a first supporting wall and a second tank wall fixed on a second load-bearing wall joining the first load-bearing wall at an edge of the load-bearing structure,
in which each of the first and second tank walls comprises a multilayer structure comprising from the outside towards the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier anchored against the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane (47) which is carried by the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier and a primary waterproof membrane (45) which is carried by the primary thermally insulating barrier and which is intended to be in contact with the fluid stored in the tank (1),
in which the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises a row of primary corner insulating panels (40) arranged parallel to the edge (10) and a row of planar primary insulating panels (48) juxtaposed to the row of corner insulating panels primary (40),
the tank (1) comprising primary anchoring members for anchoring the primary thermally insulating barrier to the secondary thermally insulating barrier,
in which a primary anchoring member (50) comprises:
a first stud (51) and a second stud (52) fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier and mutually spaced in a direction intersecting said edge (10), the first stud (51) and second stud (52) projecting from the secondary thermally insulating barrier between a first primary corner insulating panel (40a) and a second primary corner insulating panel (40b) in the direction of the primary waterproof membrane (45),
an anchor plate (56) crossed by the first stud (51) and the second stud (52), the anchor plate (56) engaging the first primary corner insulating panel (40a) and the second panel primary corner insulator (40b) in order to anchor the first and second primary corner insulating panels (40a, 40b) on the secondary thermally insulating barrier,
an anchor bar (57) crossed by the first and second studs (51, 52), the anchor bar (57) being located at a distance from the anchor plate (56) in the direction of the primary waterproof membrane , the anchor bar (57) comprising a first portion crossed by the first stud (51) and resting on a spacer (58) positioned between the anchor plate (56) and the anchor bar (57 ),
the anchor bar (57) comprising an end portion opposite said first portion projecting beyond the row of primary corner insulating panels (40) in the direction intersecting the edge (10) to place in engagement a planar primary insulating panel (48) adjacent to the first and second primary corner insulating panels (40a, 40b),
and an adjustment member (62) positioned on the second stud (52) to tighten the end portion of the anchor bar (57) towards the secondary insulating barrier in order to exert pressure on the primary insulating panel adjacent plane (48). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to claim 1, in which the anchor bar (57) is slidably mounted in the direction intersecting the edge (10), the anchor bar (57) being able to be moved, when the adjustment member (62) is in a loosened state, between a deployed position in which the end portion projects beyond the row of primary corner insulating panels (40) and a retracted position in which the bar The anchor (57) is entirely housed between the first and second primary corner insulating panels (40a, 40b) to free up a location for the planar primary insulating panel (48). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which the first and second studs (51, 52) are spaced in a direction perpendicular to the edge (10). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the second stud (52) is a threaded stud and the adjustment member (62) comprises a first adjustment nut (62). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the first and second studs (51, 52) are threaded, and in which the anchoring plate (56) engages a bottom plate ( 42) of the first primary corner insulating panel (40a) and a bottom plate of the second primary corner insulating panel (40b) via a first lower nut (59) located on the first threaded stud (51) and a second nut lower (60) located on the second threaded stud (52). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to claim 5, in which a second adjustment nut (61) screwed onto the first threaded stud (51) is capable of tightening the first portion of the anchor bar against the spacer part (58). ) to immobilize the anchor bar (57) in the direction intersecting the edge (10). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the flat primary insulating panel (48) has a chimney (36) to accommodate the end portion of the anchor bar, and in which a plug insulation (37) is arranged to cover said chimney (36). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which said planar primary insulating panel (48) comprises insulating material (39) located between a primary bottom plate (31) and a primary cover plate ( 32). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the end portion of the anchor bar in the deployed position engages the primary bottom plate (31) or a primary batten (35) resting on the bottom plate (31) of the flat primary insulating panel (48). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the secondary thermally insulating barrier comprises a row of secondary corner insulating panels (20) arranged in line with the edge (10). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to claim 10, wherein said secondary corner insulating panel (20) comprises insulating material (21) located between a secondary bottom plate (22) and a secondary cover plate (23). . Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to claim 11, in which the first and second studs (51, 52) are fixed on a metal plate (24) secured to the secondary cover plate (23). Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the secondary waterproof membrane (47) comprises a plurality of alloy strakes with a low coefficient of expansion, a strake comprising a flat central portion resting on an upper surface of the insulating barrier and two raised edges projecting towards the inside of the tank relative to the central portion, the strakes being juxtaposed and welded together in a sealed manner at the level of the raised edges, in which a longitudinal direction of the strake is parallel to the edge,
and wherein the primary waterproof membrane (45) comprises metal plates having corrugations resting on an upper surface of the primary insulating barrier. Waterproof and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which the edge has an angle of between 125 and 145 degrees. Tight and thermally insulating tank according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the fluid is liquefied natural gas. Vessel (70) for transporting a fluid, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 15 arranged in the double hull. Transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising a ship (70) according to claim 16, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged so as to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land storage facility (77) and a pump for driving a flow of fluid through the insulated pipes to or from the floating or land storage facility to or from the vessel vessel. A method of loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 16, in which a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or terrestrial storage installation (77). to or from the tank (71) of the ship (70).