JP2023547708A - How to make a thermal barrier for tanks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an insulating barrier (5) for a wall (1) of a closed insulated tank that is fixed to a support structure (2), which method comprises: Fixing a plurality of heat insulating panels (11) each having a housing part (18) in which the device (12) is housed, inserting a heat insulating stopper (25) into the housing part (18), and inserting the heat insulating stopper (25) into the bearing part. pushing the insulation stopper (25) in the direction of the support structure (2) until the inner end of the insulation stopper (25) is pressed against the inner surface of the plurality of insulation panels (11); and trimming the heat insulating stopper (25) so that it is flush with the heat insulating stopper (25). [Selection diagram] Figure 2

Description

The invention relates to tanks such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also referred to as LPG) at temperatures of -50°C to 0°C or for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at about -162°C and atmospheric pressure, for example. It relates to the field of closed and insulated tanks for storing and/or transporting liquefied gases.

These tanks can be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be for the purpose of transporting liquefied gas or storing liquefied gas that serves as fuel for propulsion of the floating structure.

WO 19/092384 discloses a method for manufacturing an insulating barrier for the walls of a closed insulated tank. The wall of the tank includes, in the thickness direction, from the outside of the tank to the inside, a secondary insulation barrier with an insulation panel held on the support structure, a secondary sealing membrane resting on the secondary insulation barrier, successively comprising a primary insulating barrier having an insulating panel overlying the primary insulating barrier and a primary hermetic membrane overlying the primary insulating barrier and configured to contact liquefied natural gas contained within the tank; It has a multilayer structure. Each insulation panel of the primary insulation barrier has a cutout at its corner along its edge. These cutouts define a recess forming a receptacle in which a fixing device for securing the insulation panel of the primary insulation barrier to the insulation panel of the secondary insulation barrier is accommodated. To ensure insulation continuity, an insulation stopper with an insulation polymer foam layer is accommodated in a recess formed within the primary insulation barrier. To do this, in said document, each insulating stop is inserted into its respective receptacle and the insulating stop is moved in the direction of the support structure until it hits the support member accommodated in the receptacle and the insulating stop is irreversibly damaged. It is designed to be pushed into the Each insulating stopper is pushed in until the inner end of the insulating stopper reaches a predetermined position within the housing.

This prevents the insulating stop from causing localized differences in level (height) that adversely affect the flatness of the support surface of the primary sealing membrane, even if the manufacturing tolerances regarding the dimensions of the insulating stop are large. can do.

However, this method is not completely satisfactory. In particular, pushing in the insulation stop until it is irreversibly deformed requires the application of considerable force on the part of the operator, thereby prolonging the production time of the insulation barrier and worsening the working conditions for the operator. This is even more true if the polymeric foam of the insulating stopper is dense.

The idea underlying the invention is to produce an insulating barrier configured to define an inner support surface for a sealing membrane, the barrier having a receptacle and an insulating stop housed in the receptacle. The object of the present invention is to provide a method that is simple to implement and limits the presence of level differences on the inner support surface of the sealing membrane that is in line with the receptacle.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an insulating barrier for a wall of a closed insulated tank that is secured to a supporting structure, the method comprising: securing a plurality of insulating panels to the supporting structure by at least one securing device; the plurality of insulating panels defining an inner surface configured to support the sealing membrane and a receptacle opening at the inner surface in which the securing device is received; and a step of providing a heat insulating stopper configured to ensure continuity of heat insulation in the housing part, the heat insulating stopper having an inner end and an outer end, and the inner end and the outer end. and an insulating stopper having a dimension d1 between the ends, the insulating stopper having an insulating polymeric foam layer and an inner rigid sheet secured to the insulating polymeric foam layer and forming an inner end of the insulating stopper. pushing the insulating stop towards the support structure until the outer end of the insulating stop is pressed towards the support structure against a bearing surface spaced from the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels by a distance d2 which is less than d1; and trimming the inner hard sheet of the heat insulating stopper so that the inner end of the heat insulating stopper is flush with the inner surface of the plurality of heat insulating panels.

Therefore, such a method is particularly advantageous since it is not necessary to apply large pressing forces to deform the insulating stopper, and the dimensional tolerances of the stopper can be increased, as this is not important in the proposed method. It's easy. Furthermore, this method makes it possible to prevent localized level differences at the support surface of the sealing membrane by means of an insulating stop.

In embodiments, such methods may have one or more of the following features.

In one embodiment, the inner rigid sheet is made of plywood.

In one variant embodiment, the inner rigid sheet is adhesively bonded to the insulating polymeric foam layer, for example by a polyurethane adhesive or an epoxy adhesive.

In another alternative embodiment, the inner rigid sheet is stapled to the insulating polymeric foam layer.

In one embodiment, the fixing device housed inside the housing has a pin that is fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure. In securing the plurality of insulation panels, a retention member is attached to the pin, whereby the retention member cooperates with at least one retention zone of the insulation panel to retain the insulation panel toward the support structure; A nut is screwed onto the pin to secure the retaining member to the pin.

In one embodiment, the retaining member forms a bearing surface against which the outer end of the insulating stop is pressed.

In one embodiment, the insulating stopper has an outer rigid sheet having an outer surface forming an outer end of the insulating stopper and an inner surface contacting the insulating polymeric foam layer of the insulating stopper, the outer rigid sheet having a a recess formed in the recess in which a nut of the fixing device is accommodated; This allows the insulating polymer foam layer to better absorb compressive forces.

In one embodiment, the inner surface of the outer rigid sheet at least partially covers the recess.

In one embodiment, the outer rigid sheet has a hole that opens into the recess and receives one end of the pin, the hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the recess.

In one embodiment, the hole is a blind hole.

In one embodiment, the outer rigid sheet is secured to the insulating polymeric foam layer.

In one variant embodiment, the outer rigid sheet is adhesively bonded to the insulating polymeric foam layer, for example by a polyurethane adhesive or an epoxy adhesive.

In another alternative embodiment, the outer rigid sheet is stapled to the insulating polymeric foam layer.

In another embodiment, the outer rigid sheet is free with respect to the insulating polymeric foam layer, and inserting the insulating stopper into the receptacle comprises the phase of inserting the outer rigid sheet into the receptacle and then the insulating polymeric foam layer. inserting the layer into the receptacle.

In another embodiment, the outer rigid sheet is selected from a plurality of outer rigid sheets having different thicknesses so as to limit the thickness Δ=d1-d2 of the inner rigid sheet to be trimmed.

In one embodiment, the insulating polymer foam layer has a density between 100 kg/m ³ and 260 kg/m ³ .

In one embodiment, the outer rigid sheet is stapled to one of the insulation panels.

In another form, the invention also provides an insulating barrier for a wall of a closed insulated tank that is fixed to a supporting structure, the insulating barrier being fixed directly or indirectly to the supporting structure by at least one fastening device. a plurality of insulating panels defining an inner surface configured to support a sealing membrane and having a receptacle open at the inner surface in which a securing device is received; a fixing device housed inside the section, the fixing device comprising: a pin fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure; a retaining member attached to the pin and cooperating with at least one retaining zone of the insulation panel; a nut screwed to secure the retaining member to the pin; and an insulating stopper configured to ensure continuity of insulation in the housing, the insulating stopper being made of insulating polymer foam. a layer, an inner rigid sheet secured to the insulating polymeric foam layer and forming an inner end of the insulating stopper, and an outer rigid sheet, the outer rigid sheet having an inner surface in contact with the insulating polymeric foam layer of the insulating stopper. an outer surface forming an outer end of the heat insulating stopper, the outer surface being pressed against the retaining member in the direction of the support structure, the outer rigid sheet being a recess formed in the outer surface of the outer rigid sheet, It has a recess in which the nut of the locking device is received, and the inner surface of the outer rigid sheet at least partially covers the recess.

Such a configuration therefore provides a larger bearing zone of the insulating polymeric foam layer, ie a zone through which compressive forces pass under the influence of the mechanical and hydrostatic pressure exerted by the liquid contained in the tank. This allows the insulating polymer foam layer to better absorb compressive forces even if the insulating polymer foam layer does not have a higher density.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tank wall having an insulating barrier as described above and a sealing membrane disposed on the insulating barrier and configured to contact a fluid contained within the tank.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a closed insulated tank having the walls described above.

A tank according to one of the embodiments described above may form part of an onshore storage facility, for example for storing LNG, or may form part of an onshore or offshore floating structure, in particular for storing ethane or methane. It may be installed on a tanker, floating storage regasification unit (FSRU), floating production storage offloading (FPSO) unit, etc. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be configured to contain liquefied natural gas to fuel propulsion of the floating structure.

In one embodiment, the insulation barrier described above is a primary insulation barrier, and the tank wall further includes a secondary insulation barrier and a secondary sealing membrane disposed between said primary insulation barrier and said secondary insulation barrier. have

In one embodiment, a vessel transporting fluids has a hull, such as a double hull, and a tank as described above located within the hull.

In one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading and unloading such a ship, in which fluid is transferred from a floating or land-based storage facility to the ship's tanks via an insulated pipeline. or from tanks to floating or land-based storage facilities.

In one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for fluids, which connects the above-mentioned ship and the tanks installed within the ship's hull to a floating or land-based storage facility. an insulated pipeline arranged in such a way that a pump causes fluid flow through the insulated pipeline from a floating or shore-based storage facility to a ship's tank or from a ship's tank to a floating or shore-based storage facility; Equipped with.

The invention will be better understood, and further objects, details, features and advantages thereof, from the following description of some particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings. will become clearer.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a wall of a sealed and insulated tank. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal barrier according to the first embodiment, through the thermal insulation stopper; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heat-insulating barrier according to a second embodiment, through a heat-insulating stop; 1 is a schematic cutaway view of a ship with tanks for storing liquefied natural gas and a terminal for loading and unloading the tanks; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a wall of a closed insulated tank according to another embodiment.

By convention, the terms "outside" and "inside" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another with respect to the outside and inside of the tank.

Figure 1 shows the multilayer structure of a wall 1 of a closed insulated tank for storing a fluid such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Each wall 1 of the tank comprises, in the direction of its thickness, from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulation barrier 3 held on a support structure 2 and a secondary sealing membrane 4 resting on the secondary insulation barrier 3. , a primary insulating barrier 5 disposed on a secondary sealing membrane 4 , and a primary sealing membrane 6 configured to contact the liquefied natural gas contained within the tank.

The support structure 2 may in particular comprise a self-supporting metal sheet, or more generally any type of rigid bulkhead with suitable mechanical properties. The support structure 2 can in particular be formed by a ship's hull or a double hull. The support structure 2 comprises a plurality of walls that define the overall shape of the tank and is typically polyhedral in shape.

The secondary insulation barrier 3 comprises a plurality of secondary insulation panels 7 fixed to the support structure 2 by resin beads and pins welded to the support structure 2 . The secondary insulation panels 7 are generally rectangular in shape and are juxtaposed in spaced apart parallel rows to ensure functional mounting clearance. The space is filled with a thermally insulating filling material, for example glass wool, rock wool or open self-flexible synthetic foam. Each secondary insulation panel 7 has a polymer foam layer 8 sandwiched between an inner sheet 9 and an outer sheet 10. The inner sheet 9 and the outer sheet 10 are, for example, sheets of plywood adhesively bonded to the polymer foam layer 8. The polymeric foam 8 may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally reinforced with fibers, such as glass fibres.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane 4 has a continuous nappe of metal strakes with raised edges. The strakes are welded by their raised edges to parallel welded supports fixed in grooves formed in the inner sheet 9 of the secondary insulation panel 7. The strakes are made, for example, from Invar®, an alloy of iron and nickel whose expansion coefficient is typically 1.2×10 ⁻⁶ /K to 2×10 ⁻⁶ /K.

In another embodiment (not shown), the secondary sealing membrane 4 comprises a plurality of corrugated metal sheets, each having a generally rectangular shape, lap-welded together. Furthermore, a corrugated metal sheet is welded to the metal plate fixed to the inner sheet 9 of the secondary insulation panel 7. This corrugation, for example, projects towards the outside of the tank and is accommodated in a groove formed in the inner sheet 9 of the secondary insulation panel 7.

Furthermore, the primary insulation barrier 5 includes a plurality of primary insulation panels 11 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this case, the primary insulation panels 11 are offset with respect to the secondary insulation panels 7 of the secondary insulation barrier 3, so that each primary insulation panel 11 is arranged on the four secondary insulation panels 7 in a staggered manner. The primary insulation panel 11 is fixed to the secondary insulation panel 7 by a fixing device 12, as will be described later.

In the illustrated embodiment, each primary insulation panel 11 has a polymeric foam layer 13 sandwiched between two rigid sheets, specifically an outer sheet 15 and an inner sheet 14. The outer sheet 15 and the inner sheet 14 are made of plywood, for example. The polymeric foam layer 13 is, for example, a polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with fibers such as glass fibers.

The primary sealing membrane 6 is obtained by assembling a plurality of corrugated metal sheets. The corrugated metal sheets are each generally rectangular in shape. The corrugations protrude toward the inside of the tank. The corrugated metal sheets of the primary sealing membrane 6 are arranged offset with respect to the primary insulation panels 11, so that each of the corrugated metal sheets extends in conjoinment over four adjacent primary insulation panels 11. Exists. The corrugated metal sheets are lap welded to each other and along their edges to a metal plate fixed to the primary insulation panel 11 and more particularly to its inner sheet 14. The inner sheet 14 of the primary insulation panel 11 defines the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, each primary insulation panel 11 has a recess 16 at each corner thereof. Each recess 16 passes through the inner sheet 14 and extends through the entire thickness of the polymeric foam layer 13.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, in each of the recesses 16 the outer sheet 15 projects beyond the polymeric foam layer 13 and beyond the inner sheet 14 and forms a bearing zone 17 that cooperates with the fixation device 12. . Each recess 16 formed in one corner of the primary insulation panel 11 is arranged opposite to the recess 16 formed in the corner of three adjacent primary insulation panels 11, so that the four recesses 16 jointly It is adapted to define a receptacle 18 within the thermal barrier 5 . One fastening device 12 arranged in this receptacle 18 can thus cooperate with four bearing zones 17 belonging in each case to four adjacent primary insulation panels 11 .

In the illustrated embodiment, a cleat 19, for example made of plywood, is fixed to the bearing zone 17 of each primary insulation panel 11 to reinforce the primary insulation panel 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, each recess 18 is formed by a plurality of recesses 16 formed in the corners of the primary insulation panel 11 . However, in other embodiments not shown, each receptacle 18 is not formed at the edge of the primary insulation panel 11 or at one of its corners, but instead is formed in one primary insulation panel. 11 of polymer foam layers 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, each fixing device 12 has a pin 20 projecting from a metal plate (not shown) fixed to the inner sheet 9 of one of the secondary insulation panels 7. Each pin 20 passes through an orifice formed in the secondary sealing membrane 4. The secondary sealing membrane 4 is also hermetically welded to the metal plate all around the orifice, thereby sealing the passage of the pin 20 through the secondary sealing membrane 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, each fastening device 12 has a retaining member 21 which is fixed to each pin 20 and which is attached to a respective bearing zone 17 of four adjacent primary insulation panels 11, in this example a cleat. 19. Furthermore, a fixing member such as a nut 22 is pressed against the inner surface of the retaining member 21 in cooperation with the thread of the pin 20, thereby fixing the retaining member 21 to the pin 20 and thus exerting a retaining force on the bearing zone 17. . As an example, nut 22 is a split nut, which has the advantage of not loosening during operation.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the fixing member 21 is an annular plate with an orifice attached to the pin 20. In the embodiment of FIG.

Furthermore, in an embodiment not shown, one or more elastic washers, such as Belleville washers, are attached to the pin 20 between the nut 22 and the retaining member 21, so that the primary insulation panel 11 is replaced by a secondary insulation panel. 7.

The primary heat insulating barrier 5 has a heat insulating stopper 25 configured to be inserted into the housing 18 to ensure continuity of heat insulation. Thermal stopper 25 has a thermally insulating polymer foam layer 23 . The insulating polymer foam layer 23 is, for example, polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with fibers such as glass fibers. The insulating polymer foam layer 23 has a density of between 100 kg/m ³ and 260 kg/m ³ , advantageously between 110 kg/m ³ and 150 kg/m ³ , for example about 130 kg/m ³ .

Furthermore, the heat insulating stopper 25 has an inner rigid sheet 24 made of plywood, for example, forming an inner end of the heat insulating stopper 25 . Inner rigid sheet 24 is advantageously adhesively bonded to insulating polymeric foam layer 23, for example by a polyurethane adhesive or an epoxy adhesive. In another alternative embodiment, the inner rigid sheet 24 is stapled to the insulating polymeric foam layer 23. In such cases, the staples are advantageously removed from the inner rigid sheet 24 by being placed, for example, in cavities formed in the inner surface of the inner rigid sheet 24, so as not to impair the subsequent scraping operation described below. spaced from the inner surface of the

The insulating stop 25 has an outer end which is pressed in the direction of the support structure 2 against a bearing surface accommodated in the receiving part 18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing surface is formed by the fixing member 21 . The bearing surface is located at a distance d2 from the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the insulating stop 25 has a recess 26 that opens at the outer end of the insulating stop 25, in which the nut 22 of the fixing device 12 is located. The heat insulating stopper 25 also has a blind hole 27 that opens into the recess 26 and accommodates the end of the pin 20. In the initial state, the heat insulating stopper 25 has a dimension d1 between the inner and outer ends of the heat insulating stopper 25, measured in the thickness direction of the wall 1. Dimension d2 is less than d1.

During the manufacture of the primary insulation barrier 5 , the insulation stop 25 is inserted into the receiving part 18 and then the support structure 2 is pressed until the outer end of the insulation stop 25 is pressed against the bearing surface, i.e. against the fixing member 21 . pushed in the direction.

Subsequently, the inner rigid sheet 24 is trimmed to a thickness e=d1-d2, so that the inner surface of the trimmed inner rigid sheet 24 is flush with the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6. Therefore, by this operation, the inner surface of the inner hard sheet 24 of the heat insulating stopper 25 can be brought to the same level as the inner surface of the primary heat insulating panel 11. This trimming work is performed, for example, with a planer. The planer typically includes one or more handles, a sole configured to cooperate with the surface to be planed (in this example, the inner surface of the inner rigid sheet 24), and a machine that connects the surface to be planed. A tool flush with the sole is provided for machining. In one embodiment, the tool is a roller fitted with a blade or milling cutter and is driven in rotation by a motor.

Finally, an inner rigid sheet 24 is secured to the primary insulation barrier 5 to keep the insulation stop 25 in place. To this end, the inner rigid sheet 24 is connected to the four primary insulation panels 18 by, for example, one or more staples arranged to span between the inner rigid sheet and one of the primary insulation panels 11. It is fixed to one of the insulation panels 11.

Such a method is advantageous in that the heat insulating stopper 25 prevents localized differences in level that would adversely affect the flatness of the support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

FIG. 3 shows an insulating stopper 25 according to another embodiment. As in the previous embodiment, the insulating stopper 25 has an inner rigid sheet 24 that is trimmed so that its inner surface is flush with the inner supporting surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

However, the insulation stopper 25 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 2 in that it comprises an outer rigid sheet 28, for example made of plywood. The outer rigid sheet 28 has an outer surface forming the outer end of the heat-insulating stop 25 , which outer surface is therefore pressed against the bearing surface in the direction of the support structure 2 , i.e. against the fixed member 21 in the illustrated embodiment. It is configured so that Outer rigid sheet 28 has an inner surface that contacts insulating polymer foam layer 23 . In one embodiment, the outer rigid sheet 28 is adhesively bonded to the insulating polymeric foam layer, such as by a polyurethane adhesive or an epoxy adhesive. Alternatively, outer rigid sheet 28 is stapled to insulating polymeric foam layer 23.

In another embodiment, the insulating stopper 25 consists of two parts that are free with respect to each other, the two parts being an outer rigid sheet 28 on one part and an insulating polymer foam layer 23 on the other part. and an inner hard sheet 24, respectively. In this case, the heat insulating stopper 25 is inserted into the housing part in two stages. In a first step, the outer rigid sheet 28 is inserted into the receptacle 18 and pushed in the direction of the support structure 2 until it is pressed against the fixing member 21 . In a second step, the insulating polymer foam layer 23 and the inner rigid sheet 24 are inserted into the receptacle 18 and then pushed in the direction of the support structure 2 until the insulating polymer foam layer 23 is pressed against the outer rigid sheet 28 .

Further, the outer hard sheet 28 is provided with a recess 29 formed on the outer surface of the outer hard sheet 28 and accommodating the nut 22 of the fixing device 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer rigid sheet 28 further has a hole 30 of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the recess 29 to accommodate the end of the pin 20 . The hole 30 may be a through hole, that is, a hole that passes through the inner surface of the outer rigid sheet 28, or a blind hole, that is, a hole that does not pass through the inner surface of the outer rigid sheet 28. In either case, the inner surface of the outer rigid sheet 28 at least partially covers the recess 29.

Such a configuration thus provides a bearing zone of the insulating polymeric foam layer 23, i.e. a zone in the insulating polymeric foam layer 23 through which compressive forces pass under the influence of the mechanical and hydrostatic pressure exerted by the liquid contained in the tank. is larger than in the embodiment of FIG. This makes it possible to ensure that no fracturing of the insulating polymeric foam layer 23 occurs or that fracturing occurs to a lesser extent, even if the insulating polymeric foam layer 23 does not have a higher density. 23 can better absorb compressive forces.

In a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 3, the operator has a set of multiple outer rigid sheets 28 with varying thicknesses, the thickness of which can limit the thickness Δ=d1-d2 of the inner rigid sheet 24 that is shaved. Select the outer rigid sheet 28 having the following.

Once outer rigid sheet 28 is selected, in one embodiment, outer rigid sheet 28 is then secured to insulating polymeric foam layer 23 by adhesive bonding, by stapling, or by one or more screws.

FIG. 5 shows a tank wall according to another embodiment. This embodiment is similar to that described above with respect to FIG. Different from the embodiment.

Therefore, the fixing devices are preferably arranged at the four corners of the secondary insulation panel 7 and the primary insulation panel 11. Each stack of secondary insulation panels 7 and primary insulation panels 11 is thus secured to the support structure 2 by four securing devices. Furthermore, each fixing device cooperates with the corners of four adjacent secondary insulation panels 7 and with the corners of four adjacent primary insulation panels 11.

Furthermore, in this embodiment the primary sealing membrane 6 has a continuous expanse of metal strakes with raised edges. Also, like the secondary sealing membrane 4 of the embodiment of FIG. may be done.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cutaway view of a methane tanker 70 shows a generally prismatic sealed and insulated tank 71 incorporated into a double hull 72 of a ship. The walls of the tank 71 include a primary sealing membrane configured to contact the LNG contained within the tank, a secondary sealing membrane located between the primary sealing membrane and the ship's double hull 72, and a primary sealing membrane configured to contact the LNG contained within the tank. and two thermal barriers disposed between the membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72, respectively.

In a manner known per se, a loading/unloading pipeline 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship is connected to a coastal or port terminal for transferring a cargo of LNG from or to a tank 71 using suitable connectors. can be connected.

FIG. 4 also shows an example of a coastal terminal comprising a loading/unloading station 75, subsea pipes 76 and shore equipment 77. Loading/unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting movable arm 74. Movable arm 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible hoses 79 connectable to loading/unloading pipeline 73. The orientable movable arm 74 is suitable for methane tankers of all sizes. A connecting pipe (not shown) extends into the interior of tower 78. Loading/unloading station 75 allows loading and unloading from shore facility 77 to methane tanker 70 or from methane tanker 70 to shore facility 77 . The onshore installation 77 comprises a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81 connected to the loading/unloading station 75 by a subsea pipe 76 . Subsea pipes 76 make it possible to transport liquefied gas over long distances, e.g. Can be maintained at a long distance away from the vehicle.

Pumps onboard the ship 70 and/or pumps on shore equipment 77 and/or pumps on the loading/unloading station 75 are used to generate the necessary pressure to deliver the liquefied gas.

Although the invention has been described in connection with some particular embodiments, it is in no way limited thereto and covers all technical equivalents of the described measures and combinations thereof, which are patented It is expressly intended to be included insofar as it is within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Although the invention has been described in connection with some particular embodiments, it is in no way limited thereto and covers all technical equivalents of the described measures and combinations thereof, which are patented It is expressly intended to be included insofar as it is within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Use of the verbs "comprise," "comprise," or "comprising" and their conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims (14)

A method of manufacturing an insulating barrier (5) for a wall (1) of a closed insulated tank fixed to a support structure (2), comprising:
fixing a plurality of insulating panels (11) directly or indirectly to said support structure (2) by at least one fixing device (12), said plurality of insulating panels (11) being connected to a sealing membrane (6); ) and having a receptacle (18) opening at the inner surface and configured to support the fixing device (12);
A step of providing a heat insulating stopper (25) configured to ensure continuity of heat insulation in the housing part (18), the heat insulating stopper (25) having an inner end and an outer end, and having an inner end and an outer end. having a dimension d1 between an end and said outer end, said insulating stopper (25) is fixed to an insulating polymeric foam layer (23) and said insulating polymeric foam layer (23), said insulating stopper (25) an inner rigid sheet (24) forming the inner end of the
The insulation stopper (25) is inserted into the housing part (18), and the outer end of the insulation stopper (25) is spaced from the inner surface of the plurality of insulation panels (11) by a distance d2 that is less than d1. pushing the insulation stopper (25) in the direction of the support structure (2) until it is pressed against the bearing surface in the direction of the support structure (2);
trimming the inner rigid sheet (24) of the heat insulating stopper (25) so that the inner end of the heat insulating stopper (25) is flush with the inner surface of the plurality of heat insulating panels (11); A manufacturing method comprising: The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the inner rigid sheet (24) is made of plywood. 3. A method of manufacturing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner rigid sheet (24) is glued or stapled to the insulating polymer foam layer (23). The fixing device (12) housed inside the housing part (18) has a pin (20) fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure (2),
When fixing the plurality of insulating panels (11), a retaining member (21) is attached to the pin (20), so that the retaining member cooperates with at least one retaining zone of the insulating panel (11). holding the insulation panel towards the support structure (2);
The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a nut (22) is screwed to the pin (20) so as to fix the holding member (21) to the pin (20). The manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the holding member (21) forms the bearing surface against which the outer end of the heat-insulating stopper (25) is pressed. The insulating stopper (25) comprises an outer rigid sheet (28) having an outer surface forming the outer end of the insulating stopper (25) and an inner surface contacting the insulating polymer foam layer (23) of the insulating stopper (25). ),
The outer hard sheet (28) is a recess (29) formed in the outer surface of the outer hard sheet (28), in which the nut (22) of the fixing device (12) is accommodated. ) The manufacturing method according to claim 4 or 5. 7. A manufacturing method according to claim 6, wherein the inner surface of the outer rigid sheet (28) at least partially covers the recess (29). The outer hard sheet (28) has a hole (30) that opens into the recess (29) and receives one end of the pin (20);
The manufacturing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the hole (30) has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the recess (29). The manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein the hole (30) is a blind hole. A method of manufacturing according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the outer rigid sheet (28) is fixed to the insulating polymer foam layer (23). said outer rigid sheet (28) is free relative to said insulating polymeric foam layer (23);
Inserting the insulating stopper (25) into the receptacle (18) comprises a phase of inserting the outer rigid sheet (28) into the receptacle (18), followed by the step of inserting the insulating polymer foam layer (23) into the receptacle (18). The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a phase of inserting the container into the receiving part (18). the outer rigid sheet (28) is selected from a plurality of outer rigid sheets having different thicknesses so as to limit the thickness Δ=d1−d2 of the inner rigid sheet (24) to be trimmed; The manufacturing method according to claim 11. Process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating polymer foam layer (23) has a density between 100 kg/m ³ and 260 kg/m ³ . A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the inner rigid sheet (24) is stapled to one of the insulation panels (11).

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