KR102027672B1 - Gas dome structure for a sealed and thermally insulating tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas dome structure (1) for a sealed insulated tank,
A sealed pipe 10 provided with a connecting flange 18 and a longitudinal lower end 15 intended to pass through the tank loop;
A cover 19 fixed to the connecting flange 18
A gasket 20 compressed between the cover 19 and the connecting flange 18;
A vapor collecting pipe (3, 17), which hermetically passes through the wall of the sealed pipe (10);
The sealed pipe 10 comprises a carrier plate 29 which supports an insulating plug 30 for sealing the upper part of the sealed pipe 10.

Description

GAS DOME STRUCTURE FOR A SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK}

The present invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks for the storage and / or transport of fluids, such as cryogenic fluids. Sealed and insulated tanks are particularly widely used for the storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) stored at about -162 ° C atmospheric pressure.

The invention relates more specifically to a gas dome structure intended to define a channel for steam circulation between a tank interior space and at least one vapor collector disposed outside of the tank. .

 KR20140088975 discloses a sealed and insulated tank containing a gas dome structure housed inside a double hull of a vessel and configured to define a channel for the circulation of steam between two vapor collectors arranged inside the tank and outside the tank. Doing.

The gas dome structure includes a sealed and insulated pipe passing through the outer hull of the double hull. The sealed pipe includes a connecting flange that includes an outwardly bent edge that receives a detachable cover with a seal fitted at the top thereof. However, the seal between the detachable cover and the connecting flange is in direct contact with the vapor phase present in the inner drum. Here, when the fluid stored in the tank is a cryogenic fluid, such as a liquefied gas, the gas may have a low temperature of about -160 ° C. The seal therefore suffers from a relatively low temperature and is therefore exposed to a wide range of temperature changes, which is prone to damage it over time and results in leakage from the gas dome structure. Therefore, the reliability of the gas dome has room for improvement.

The invention proposes a gas dome structure comprising a sealed pipe and a detachable cover for closing the top of the sealed pipe, wherein the gas dome structure is provided with more reliable and more permanent airtightness at the joint between the sealed pipe and the detachable cover. Is based on.

According to one embodiment, the invention is a fluid storage device comprising a hull, a sealed insulated tank disposed on the hull, the tank comprising an interior space adapted to store fluid and comprising a tank loop, wherein the tank loop comprises:

A thermal barrier placed against the hull; And

A sealing membrane adapted to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank;

The fluid storage device includes a gas dome structure, wherein the gas dome structure is:

A longitudinal upper end with a connecting flange and a longitudinal lower side passing through the insulating barrier and the sealing membrane of the tank loop, so as to define a channel for circulation between the inner space of the tank and at least one vapor collector disposed outside the tank. A sealed pipe having an end;

A cover fixed to the connecting flange with fasteners for closing the longitudinal upper end of the sealed pipe;

A gasket compressed between the cover and the connecting flange;

A steam collection pipe which passes through the wall of the sealed pipe in an airtight manner so as to enter the sealed pipe in the collecting zone, and thus a steam collecting pipe capable of transferring steam between the collecting zone and a steam importer arranged outside the tank;

A sealed pipe comprising a carrier plate extending transversely towards the interior of the sealed pipe and positioned longitudinally between the collecting region and the longitudinal upper end of the sealed pipe, the carrier plate on the one hand below the carrier plate; A sealed pipe defining a lower portion of the interior of the located sealed pipe, and on the other hand defining an upper portion of the interior of the sealed pipe located on the carrier plate;

An insulating plug for sealing the upper part of the interior of the sealed pipe, the insulating plug comprising an upper side and a lower side facing the cover and the carrier plate respectively;

A carrier plate supporting the insulating plug to interact with the lower side of the insulating plug around its entire circumference to form a barrier that limits the heat convection effect between the lower and upper portions of the interior of the sealed pipe;

It provides a fluid storage device comprising a.

Thus, the minimum temperature experienced by the sealing due to the presence of the insulating plug is not too low, which can reduce the thermal change and thus limit the deterioration of the properties of the sealing over time. The service life of the seal will thus be extended and the risk of leakage between the cover and the upper end of the sealed pipe is thus reduced.

According to some embodiments, this kind of fluid storage device may include one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the steam collection pipe passes through a wall of the sealed pipe perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sealed pipe.

According to one embodiment, the insulating plug comprises an insulating body and a base sandwiched between the insulating body and the carrier plate.

According to one embodiment, the base is provided with a gripping means protruding in the direction of the longitudinal upper end of the sealed pipe through the hole made in the insulating body.

According to one embodiment, the insulating plug has an annular shape.

According to one embodiment, the base comprises a rigid disk. Rigid discs are made of stainless steel, for example.

According to one embodiment, the gripping means is, for example, a handle passing through the insulating body.

According to one embodiment, the insulating plug comprises an insulating body comprising an upper plate, a lower plate and a layer of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between the lower plate and the upper plate.

According to one embodiment, the two upper and lower plates are made of plywood.

According to one embodiment, the layer of insulating polymeric foam comprises polyurethane.

According to one embodiment, the carrier plate and the insulating plug are fixed together.

According to one embodiment, the carrier plate is provided with a plurality of pins each having a threaded end projecting in the direction of the longitudinal upper end of the sealed pipe and passing through each opening orifice made in the insulating plug, each of the pins The threaded end of interacts with a nut to secure the thermally plug in the carrier plate.

According to one embodiment, the sealed pipe comprises a shoulder made between the lower part and the upper part of the sealed pipe, the upper part having a diameter larger than the diameter of the lower part and the shoulder forming a carrier plate.

According to one embodiment, the carrier plate defines an upper portion and a lower portion of the sealed pipe, and protrudes toward the inside of the sealed pipe against the upper and lower portions of the sealed pipe.

According to one embodiment, the upper portion of the sealed pipe has a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the lower portion of the sealed pipe.

According to one embodiment, the sealed pipe comprises an outer drum, an inner drum passing through the outer drum and an adiabatic intermediate space provided between the outer drum and the inner drum.

According to one embodiment, the inner drum has an upper end which is hermetically connected to the outer drum and is located in a longitudinally disposed region between the carrier plate and the lower longitudinal end of the sealed pipe.

According to one embodiment, the vapor collection pipe passes through the wall of the outer drum in an airtight manner in a region located longitudinally between the carrier plate and the upper end of the inner drum.

According to one embodiment, the vapor collection region is defined by the upper end of the carrier plate and the inner drum.

According to one embodiment, the gas dome structure includes a safety valve and a first vapor collection pipe leading to a first vapor collector connected to a degassing mast, burner, ship propulsion and / or liquefaction device, and loading or unloading a tank. And a second vapor collection pipe leading to a second vapor collector connected to the manifold, which in turn is connected to the gas storage terminal.

According to one embodiment, the connecting flange protrudes from the longitudinal upper end of the sealed pipe toward the outside of the sealed pipe.

According to one embodiment, the insulating plug has a thickness greater than 70 mm.

According to one embodiment, each fastener comprises a threaded screw which interacts with the nut and passes through a hole made in the cover and a hole made in the connecting flange.

Fluid storage devices of this kind can form, for example, onshore storage facilities for storing LNG, or floating structures, offshore or deep waters, in particular ethane transporters or methane transporters, floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), floating It can be installed in food production, storage and unloading (FPSO) units and the like. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be adapted to receive liquefied natural gas that serves as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.

According to one embodiment, the fluid storage device is configured in the form of a ship.

According to one embodiment, the invention is a method of assembling a fluid storage device,

Forming an assembly comprising a sealed pipe and a vapor collecting pipe:

The sealed pipe has a longitudinal upper end with a connecting flange, a longitudinal lower end passing through the insulating membrane and the sealing membrane of the tank loop, extending across the interior of the sealed pipe and sealing with the collection area. A sealed plate is provided in the sealed pipe, the carrier plate being positioned longitudinally between the longitudinal upper ends of the pipes;

An assembly forming step of forming the assembly in such a way that the vapor collection pipe passes through the wall of the sealed pipe in an airtight manner and is opened in the collection area into the sealed pipe;

Placing the insulating plug in an upper part of the interior of the sealed pipe supported against the carrier plate;

-Securing the cover to the connecting flange while compressing the gasket between the cover and the connecting flange

It is related to the assembly method of the fluid storage device comprising a.

According to some embodiments, this type of assembly method may include one or more of the following features.

According to a first embodiment, forming an assembly comprising a sealed pipe and a vapor collecting pipe comprises:

Providing a carrier plate and a lower part of the sealed pipe, the carrier plate being fixed to the lower part and projecting outwardly toward the outside of the lower part;

Providing an upper part of a sealed pipe with a connecting flange installed; The upper portion has a larger diameter than the lower portion;

-Hermetically fixing the upper part on the carrier plate

It includes.

According to one embodiment, the lower part of the sealed pipe and the carrier plate respectively correspond to the connecting flanges of the sealed pipe and gas dome structures according to the prior art. Thus, this kind of assembly method makes it possible to obtain a gas dome structure according to the invention by simply adding an upper part on top of the original gas dome structure.

According to another embodiment, the step of forming an assembly comprising a sealed pipe and a vapor collecting pipe includes:

Providing an upper part of the sealed pipe, wherein a connecting flange is installed on the upper part of the sealed pipe;

Providing a lower part of the sealed pipe, the lower part comprising a second flange projecting radially outwardly;

Providing a carrier plate;

Securing the carrier plate to the lower or upper part of the sealed pipe; And

Fixing the upper part of the sealed pipe coaxially with the latter to the lower part of the sealed pipe

It includes.

According to one embodiment, the lower part of the sealed pipe and the second flange respectively correspond to the sealed pipe and the connecting flange of the gas dome structure according to the prior art. Thus, this kind of assembly method makes it possible to modify the existing gas dome structure in order to obtain the gas dome structure according to the invention with the possibility of retaining the original cover.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a fluid storage wherein fluid is delivered from a floating or onshore storage facility to a tank of a fluid storage device or through insulated pipelines from a tank of a fluid storage device to a floating or onshore storage facility. A method of loading or unloading the device is also provided.

According to one embodiment, the invention is a conveying system for a fluid, the system being arranged to connect a fluid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, a tank to a floating or onshore storage facility. And a pump for driving the fluid through the insulated pipelines and the pipelines insulated from the floating or onshore storage facility to the tank of the fluid storage device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood in the course of the description of some specific embodiments of the invention provided for purposes of explanation only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are non-limiting and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more apparent. will be.

1 shows a gas dome structure according to the first embodiment, in particular the outer region of the gas dome is located outside the double hull of the vessel, which is briefly shown, and the inner region of the gas dome is a cross section arranged inside the double hull of the vessel.
FIG. 2 is a partially cut away exploded view of the outer region of the gas dome structure of FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is an exploded view of an insulating plug adapted to seal the interior of a sealed pipe of the gas dome structure of FIGS. 1 and 2.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing an outer region of the gas dome structure according to the second embodiment.
5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the geometry of a carrier plate adapted to support a sealing plug according to one embodiment.
6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealed pipe, of a carrier plate, and of an insulating plug of a gas dome structure according to another embodiment.
7 is a schematic cutaway view of a tank of an LNG Carrier equipped with a gas dome structure and a loading / unloading terminal of the tank.

1 shows a partial view of a gas dome structure 1 for a sealed and insulated tank for storing liquefied gas, for example liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The gas dome structure 1 defines a channel for the circulation of steam between the inner space 2 of the tank and one or more vapor collectors, not shown, located outside of the tank.

The tank is arranged inside the double hull of the ship. The double hull of the ship comprises an outer hull 4 and an inner hull 5. The outer hull 5 constitutes the loading structure of the tank and is generally polyhedral in shape. As shown in FIG. 1, each wall of the tank is a secondary thermal barrier 6, an airtight secondary membrane 7, which is placed against the inner hull 5 from the outside of the tank to the inside in the thickness direction of the wall. A primary insulating barrier 8 and an airtight primary membrane 9 adapted to contact the fluid stored in the tank.

According to one embodiment, the primary insulation barrier 8 and the secondary insulation barrier 6 each comprise insulation elements, in particular parallelepiped insulation caissons juxtaposed in a periodic pattern. In addition, in each case the secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9 consist of a series of parallel strikes made of invar® with folded edges, which are also invasive Alternately with elongated welded supports. As an example, a sealed insulated tank having such a structure is described in document FR2877638.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gas dome structure comprises a sealed pipe 10 passing through two openings made in each of the outer hull 4 and the inner hull 5. The sealed pipe 10 extends between the upper longitudinal end 14 and the lower longitudinal end 15 of the sealed pipe 10 in a longitudinal direction oriented perpendicular to the tank loop. This sealed pipe 10 is hermetically welded to the secondary membrane 7 and the primary membrane 9.

The sealed pipe 10 comprises a cylindrical outer drum 11 which passes through the opening of the outer hull 4 and the opening of the inner hull 5. The outer drum 11 is open at both ends. The gas dome structure also includes an inner drum 12 fixed to the outer drum 11. The inner drum 12 is formed of a cylindrical peripheral wall that is open at both ends. The inner drum 12 is coaxial with the outer drum 11 and extends inside the latter.

An adiabatic medium space 13 is disposed between the outer drum 11 and the inner drum 12. The thermal insulation medium space 13 is filled with an insulating packing uniformly distributed between the outer drum 11 and the inner drum 12 on the inner span of the outer drum 11. Insulation packings include glass wool, rock wool, cotton wool, fibrous materials, perlite, expanded perlite, polymer foam And one or more insulating materials selected from aerogels. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the adiabatic media space 13 is maintained at a negative pressure.

The inner drum 12 and the outer drum 11 are annular plates 16 extending horizontally across the longitudinal direction of the inner drum 12 and the outer drum 11 between the inner drum 12 and the outer drum 11. ) Are combined with each other. The inner drum 12 does not extend to the upper end of the outer drum 11.

1 also shows that an insulating packing 42, such as for example polyurethane foam, is distributed around the outer drum 11 over the upper end of the inner drum 12 to insulate the sealed pipe 10.

The gas dome structure 1 passes through the wall of the sealed pipe 10 in an airtight manner and is open to the collecting region 25 located inside the sealed pipe 10 and at least one vapor collecting pipe 3, 17. ). Therefore, each steam collection pipe 3, 17 can transfer steam between the collection region 25 inside the sealed pipe 10 and a steam collector disposed outside the sealed pipe 10. The collection area 25 is located longitudinally between the upper end of the inner drum 12 and the longitudinal upper end 14 of the sealed pipe 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the gas dome structure 1 comprises two vapor import pipes 3, 17 passing hermetically through the sealed pipe 10. More specifically, the steam collecting pipes 3, 17 only pass through the peripheral wall of the outer drum 911 and thus open to the sealed pipe 10 in the collecting region 25. In the embodiment shown, the ends of the steam collecting pipes 3, 17 are flush with the wall of the outer drum 11 and therefore do not protrude into the sealed pipe 10.

One of the steam collection pipes 3 leads to a steam collector, not shown, and is equipped with a safety valve. The safety valve is adjusted to ensure evaporation of the gas from the tank to the gas phase if the vapor pressure in the tank is above a threshold pressure between 0 bar and 2 bar, for example between 0.2 bar and 0.4 bar. In view of the pressure losses, the adjustment of the safety valve is slightly lower than the threshold pressure at which the steam pressure in the tank should not be exceeded. This steam collection pipe 3 makes it possible to extract steam from the tank in case of excess pressure and aims to regulate the pressure inside the tank to avoid the excess pressure which may damage the tank. This steam collection pipe 3 delivers the steam to a steam collector, which is, for example, a degassing mast, a burner, a propulsion device of a ship, or a liquid phase after gaseous gas has been condensed. This leads to a liquefaction device that is reintroduced into the tank.

The other vapor collection pipe 17 leads to a steam collector connected to a manifold which is connected to the gas storage terminal during the loading or unloading of the tank. Thus, the steam collection pipe 17 enables circulation of steam in tank loading and unloading operations. In fact, in the course of the loading operation, when liquefied gas is transferred from the supply terminal to the tank, gaseous gases are simultaneously pumped through the gas dome structure and the vapor collecting pipe 17 to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the leaking space of the tank. Is transferred from the terminal to the terminal. On the contrary, in the unloading operation process in which liquefied gas is transferred from the tank to the terminal, gaseous gas is simultaneously transferred from the terminal to the tank to avoid pressure drop in the tank.

In addition, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2, a connecting flange 18 is equipped at the longitudinal upper end 14 of the sealed pipe 10. The connecting flange 18 is annular and extends across the longitudinal direction of the sealed pipe 10, ie horizontally out of the sealed pipe 10. The connecting flange 18 is welded to the upper end of the outer drum 11.

The gas dome structure 1 also includes a cover 19 fixed to the connecting flange 18 to close the longitudinal upper end 14 of the sealed pipe 10. The gasket 20 shown in FIG. 2 is compressed between the cover 1 and the connecting flange 18. The cover 19 is detachably fixed to the longitudinal upper end 14. If the cover 19 is removed, it is possible to obtain access to the internal space 2 of the tank, for example via a sealed pipe 10 for performing maintenance and inspection work of the tank. Each fixture consists of, for example, a threaded rod and a bolt comprising a nut interacting with the threaded rod. The cover is provided with fastening means 21 on its upper side which allows it to be operated by a service tool.

The gasket 20 may be compressed between the cover 19 and the connecting flange 18 and thus provide a seal between the outside and inside of the sealed pipe 10. The gasket 20 can be located at a diameter smaller than the installation diameter of the fixture, ie between the inner part of the connecting flange 18 and the cover 19.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gasket 20 includes one or more eyes made on tabs 23 protruding out of the gasket 20. These eyes are respectively arranged opposite to the holes 21 made in the cover 19 and the holes 22 made in the connecting flange 18. Thus, each of the eyes has one fixture passing through it to keep the gasket 20 in place. Alternatively, in accordance with embodiments not shown, the gasket 20 may be disposed in a recess made in the cover 19 or the connecting flange 18 to hold the gasket 20 in place.

Gasket 20 is made of a polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), butadiene acrylonitrile (NBR) reinforced with glass fibers and / or aramid fibers and / or carbon fibers. The gasket may be a flat seal or an O-ring seal.

In addition, the sealed pipe 10 and more particularly the outer drum 11 of the sealed pipe 10 has a shoulder 24. The shoulder 24 is arranged in a region located longitudinally between the collecting region 25 and the longitudinal upper end 14 of the sealed pipe 10. The shoulder is obtained by changing the diameter of the outer drum 11 between the upper portion 26 and the lower portion 27 of the outer drum 11. The upper portion 26 of the outer drum 11 has a larger diameter than the lower portion 27 of the outer drum 11, which is the upper portion 26 of the outer drum 11 inside the sealed pipe 10. It is possible to provide an annular carrier plate 29 extending transversely between the lower drum 27 of the outer drum 11. The carrier plate 29 is mechanically reinforced by the presence of a gusset plate located outside of the sealed pipe 10 and by the coupling of the lower side of the carrier plate to the outer surface of the outer drum 11. The carrier plate 29 makes it possible to support the insulating plug 30. The purpose of the insulating plug 30 is to seal the upper part of the interior of the sealed pipe 10. The insulating plug 30 has a lower side 31 opposite to the carrier plate 29. The insulating plug 30 and the carrier plate 29 continuously interact with each other around the entirety of the insulating plug 30. Thus, this arrangement is between the lower space of the sealed pipe 10 disposed below the carrier plate 29 on the one hand and the upper space of the sealed pipe 10 arranged on the carrier plate 29 on the other hand. Makes it possible to limit the forced convection of

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the insulation plug 30 comprises an insulation body 32 and a base 33. The base 33 comprises a rigid disk, for example made of stainless steel, with an insulating body 32 against it. The base also includes one or more grip handles 34 that project upwardly toward the longitudinally upper end of the sealed pipe 10. The handles 34 pass through individual holes 35 each made in the insulating body 32. Thus, these handles 34 facilitate the gripping and manipulation of the insulating plug 30.

The thermal insulation body 32 is shown cut away in FIG. 3. The insulating body 32 includes a layer 36 of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between the upper plate 37 and the lower plate 38. The upper plate 37 and the lower plate 38 are, for example, plywood plates adhered to the layer 36 of insulating polymer foam. These plywood plates make it possible to cure the thermal insulation body while at the same time contributing to its thermal insulation properties. The layer 36 of insulating polymer foam may in particular comprise a polyurethane based foam, optionally reinforced with fiberglass. As an example, the insulating body has a thickness of greater than 70 mm, such as a level of 150 mm.

In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating plug 30 is fixed to the carrier plate 29. This makes it possible to ensure that the insulating plug 30 is held in place with respect to the carrier plate 29 and helps to limit or eliminate the forced tropical flow between the carrier plate 29 and the insulating plug 30. do. For this purpose, the carrier plate 29 is provided with a plurality of pins 39 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 which are evenly distributed around the longitudinal direction of the sealed pipe 10. These pins 39 protrude upwards towards the longitudinal upper end 14 of the sealed pipe 10. Each of the pins 39 passes through the through holes 40, 41 made in the insulation body 32 of the base 33 and the insulation plug 30. In addition, each of the pins 39 includes a threaded end that interacts with the nut to secure the insulating plug 30 to the carrier plate 29.

These holes 40, 41 also show that they are the upper part of the inner space of the sealed pipe 10 located above the carrier plate 29 and the sealed pipe 10 located below the carrier plate 29. It is advantageous in that it allows for a pressure balance between the lower portions of the inner space of h).

It has been found that the presence of a thermally insulative plug 30 supported against the carrier plate 29 as described above allows for a significant increase in the minimum temperature the gasket 20 can experience. Thus, as an example, for a gas dome structure 1 having a tank in which liquefied natural gas is stored at a temperature of about -162 ° C, the arrangement described above does not allow the temperature of the gasket 20 to fall below -50 ° C. While it is possible to ensure that there is no, the temperature of the gasket 20 of the gas dome structure 1 according to the prior art tends to drop below -80 ° C.

In one embodiment, not shown, the base 33 is a rigid structure consisting of machine welded metal bars.

In an embodiment not shown, the base 33 and the thermal insulation body 32 are not integral. In this case, the insulating body 32 comprises a gripping means, such as a handle, on its upper side towards the cover 19 so that it can be removed. The insulating body 32 then does not comprise holes 35 allowing the passage of the handle or through holes 41 as in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In such an embodiment, the base 33 may be secured to the carrier plate 29. For this purpose, the base 33 may have holes to allow the passage of pins, which are welded to the carrier plate 29. According to another embodiment, the base 33 is not fixed to the carrier plate 29.

4 shows a gas dome structure 101 according to a second embodiment. Elements that are the same as or similar to the elements of FIGS. 1 to 3, that is, perform the same function, have a reference number increased by 100 from the same reference number. This gas dome structure 101 differs from that described above in that it can be obtained according to the prior art, ie by applying a gas dome structure as described, for example, in document KR20140088975. In order to apply the gas dome structure 1 according to the prior art, it comprises, on the one hand, a cylindrical upper portion 126 extending upwardly, and on the other hand a cylindrical portion ( An additional portion comprising a connecting flange 118 protruding toward 125 will be welded over the portion labeled 129 in FIG. 3, which is the flange originally intended to receive the cover. The upper portion 26 originally has a larger diameter than the lower portion 127. The structure of the gas dome 101 thus deformed thus has an arrangement equivalent to the gas dome structure 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In particular, the portion 129 forms a carrier plate to which the insulating plug 130 is fixed. Therefore, the operation of applying the gas dome structure according to the prior art is easy to perform.

The insulation plug 130 may have a structure similar to the insulation plug 30 described above. According to one embodiment, the pins 139 are additionally welded to the carrier plate 129 and thus allow the insulating plug 130 to be fixed on the carrier plate 129 in a manner similar to that described above. In addition, the connecting flange 118, the gasket and the cover 119 are also similar to those described above in connection with the previous embodiment.

5 is a plan view schematically showing the shape of a carrier plate 229 according to one embodiment. It can be seen that the radially inner edge of the carrier plate 229 does not necessarily have a circular shape as described for example in FIG. 2 and may have other shapes such as square.

It should also be noted that in all the embodiments shown, the carrier plates 29, 129, 229 extend in a horizontal plane, but may have other configurations. In particular, in an embodiment not shown, the carrier plate has a tapered shape in which the sides of the horn coincide with the longitudinal axis of the sealed pipe 10. In this case, the lower side of the insulating plug advantageously has a complementary tapered shape.

6 schematically shows the structure of a gas dome 301 according to another embodiment. Elements that are the same or similar to the elements of FIGS. 1 to 3, that is, perform the same function, have the same reference numerals increased by 300. This embodiment differs from the embodiments described above in that the carrier plate 329 is not formed due to the shoulder of the outer drum 311. In fact, in this embodiment, the carrier plate 329 is welded on the inner drum 311, on the upper portion 326 and / or on the lower portion 327 of the inner drum 311 and the upper portion ( 326 and a portion protruding into the sealed pipe 310 relative to the lower portion 327.

According to another embodiment, with this arrangement, the diameter of the upper portion 326 of the sealed pipe 310 may be less than or equal to the diameter of the lower portion 327 as shown in FIG. 6.

This kind of gas dome structure 301 may be obtained by applying a gas dome structure according to the prior art. In this case, the lower portion 327 of the sealed pipe 310 corresponds to the sealed pipe of the gas dome structure according to the prior art. Thus, to obtain a gas dome structure according to the present invention, an upper portion 326 provided with a connecting flange 318 will be added over the original gas dome structure. According to one embodiment, not shown, the upper portion 326 has the same diameter as that of the lower portion, and the upper portion is part of reference numeral 343 which originally functioned as a flange adapted to receive the cover, ie prior to structural change. Is welded on. This makes it possible to use a cover 319 with the same diameter as the original cover, thus allowing the original cover 319 to be reused when applying a gas dome structure according to the prior art.

The techniques described above for making gas dome structures can be utilized in various types of membrane tanks, floating facilities such as onshore facilities or LNG carriers.

Referring to FIG. 7, a cutaway view of an LNG Carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 having an overall polyhedron shape installed on a double hull 72 of a vessel. The wall of the tank 71 is a primary sealing barrier which is brought into contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealing barrier disposed between the primary sealing barrier and the double hull 72 of the ship, and the primary sealing barrier and the secondary sealing Two insulating barriers each disposed between the barrier and between the secondary sealing barrier and the double hull 72.

In a manner known per se, the loading / unloading pipelines 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship are located offshore or port terminals for transferring LNG cargo from or to the tank 71 by appropriate connectors. Can be connected to.

7 shows an example of a coastal terminal that includes a loading and unloading facility 75, an underwater pipeline 76, and an onshore facility 77. The loading and unloading facility 75 is a coastal stationary facility that includes a mobile arm 74 and a rig 78 supporting the mobile arm. The moving arm has a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to loading / unloading pipelines 73. Adjustable moveable arm 74 fits into LNG carriers of all sizes. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends into the rig 78. The loading and unloading facility 75 enables loading and unloading of the LNG Carrier 70 from or to the land facility 77. The latter includes storage tanks for the liquefied gas 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected to the loading or unloading facility 75 via the underwater pipeline 76. The underwater pipeline 76 enables the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading facility 75 and the land installation 77 over a long distance of, for example, 5 km, which the LNG carriers 70 can load and unload. To keep them far from the coast.

Pumps mounted on the vessel 70 and / or pumps mounted on the land installation 77 and / or pumps mounted on the loading and unloading installation 75 may be used to generate the pressure required to transport the liquefied gas. Are employed.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with some specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these in any way and includes all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof within the scope of the invention. It is obvious.

The verbs "have", "make up" or "include" and their utilization do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

In the claims, the signs in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims (19)

A fluid storage device comprising a hull, a sealed insulated tank disposed on the hull (4, 5), the tank comprising an inner space (2) adapted to store fluid and comprising a tank loop, the tank loop:
An insulating barrier 6 lying against the hull 4, 5; And
A sealing membrane 9 adapted to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank;
The fluid storage device comprises a gas dome structure 1, 101, 301, wherein the gas dome structure is:
A longitudinal upper end 14, 114, 314 provided with connecting flanges 18, 118, 318 to define a channel for circulation between the inner space 2 of the tank and at least one steam collector disposed outside the tank. Sealed pipe (10, 110, 310) with a longitudinal lower end (15) passing through the insulating barrier (6) and the sealing membrane (9) of the tank loop;
A cover 19, 119, 319 fixed to the connecting flanges 18, 118, 318 with fasteners for closing the longitudinally upper ends 14, 114, 314 of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310. );
A gasket 20 compressed between the cover 19, 119, 319 and the connecting flanges 18, 118, 318;
Steam collection pipes 3, 17, which pass through the walls of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 hermetically in order to enter the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 in the collection zones 25, 125, 325. 117, thus, steam collection pipes 3, 17, 117 capable of transferring steam between the collection zones 25, 125, 325 and steam importers arranged outside the tank;
Extending longitudinally towards the interior of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 and the longitudinally upper ends 14, 114, 314 of the collection areas 25, 125, 325 and the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310. A sealed pipe (10, 110, 310) comprising carrier plates (29, 129, 329) longitudinally positioned between the carrier plates (29, 129, 329) on the one hand. Defines a lower portion of the interior of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 located below 129, 329, and on the other hand the sealed pipes 10, 110 located above the carrier plates 29, 129, 329. A sealed pipe defining an upper portion of the interior of 310;
Insulating plugs 30, 130, 330 for sealing the upper part of the interior of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310, the covers 19, 119, 319 and the carrier plates 29, 129, 329 respectively; Adiabatic plugs (30, 130, 330) comprising opposing upper and lower surfaces (31);
Supporting the insulating plugs 30, 130, 330 and forming the barrier 31 to form a barrier to limit the heat convection effect between the lower and upper portions of the interior of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310. Carrier plates 29, 129, 329 interacting with the lower side of the insulating plugs 30, 130, 330 at the entire perimeter of the
Fluid storage device comprising a. The fluid storage of claim 1, wherein the thermal insulation plugs 30, 130, 330 comprise a thermal insulation body 32 and a base 33 interposed between the thermal insulation body 32 and the carrier plates 29, 129, 329. Device. The longitudinal direction of the upper ends 14, 114, and 314 of the pipes 10, 110, and 310, which are sealed through the holes 35 made in the heat insulation body 32. Fluid storage device is provided with a holding means (34) protruding into the. The thermal insulation plugs 30, 130, 330 of claim 1, wherein the insulating plugs 30, 130, 330 are arranged between the upper plate 37, the lower plate 38 and the lower plate 38 and the upper plate 37. A fluid storage device comprising an insulating body (32) comprising a layer of sandwiched insulating polymer foam. 4. The fluid storage device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier plate (29, 129, 329) and the thermal insulation plug (30, 130, 330) are fixed together. 6. The carrier plates (29, 129) according to claim 5, wherein each of the through-holes protrudes in the direction of the longitudinal upper ends (14, 114) of the sealed pipes (10, 110) and is made in the insulating plugs (30, 130). A plurality of pins 39 and 139 having threaded ends passing through 40 and 41, respectively, are installed, and each threaded end of the pins carries the insulating plugs 30 and 130 to carrier plates 29 and 129. Fluid storage device that interacts with the nut to secure the A sealed pipe (10, 110) is formed between the lower portion (27, 127) and the upper portion (26, 126) of the sealed pipe (10, 110). A shoulder 24, wherein the upper portions 26, 126 have a diameter greater than the diameter of the lower portions 27, 127 and the shoulders 24 form carrier plates 29, 129. . A carrier plate 329 defines an upper portion 326 and a lower portion 327 of the sealed pipe 310 and the upper side of the sealed pipe 310. Protruding across the interior of the sealed pipe 310 with respect to the portion 326 and the lower portion 327, the upper portion 326 of the sealed pipe 310 is the lower portion of the sealed pipe 310 ( Fluid storage device having a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of 327). 4. The inner drum according to claim 1, wherein the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 pass through the outer drums 11, 110, 310 and the outer drums 11, 110, 310. (12) and a heat insulating intermediate space (13) provided between the outer drum (11, 110, 310) and the inner drum (12). The inner drum (12) according to claim 9, wherein the inner drum (12) is hermetically connected to the outer drums (11, 110, 310) and the longitudinal direction of the pipes (10, 110, 310) sealed with the carrier plates (29, 129, 329). A fluid storage device having an upper end positioned in an area disposed in the longitudinal direction between the lower ends (15). 10. The outer drums 11, 110, 310 according to claim 9, wherein the steam collection pipes 3, 17 are located in a longitudinal position between the carrier plates 29, 129, 329 and the upper end of the inner drum 12. Fluid storage device passing through the wall of the airtight). 4. A connecting flange (18, 118, 318) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a connecting flange (18, 118, 318) is sealed from the longitudinally upper ends (14, 114, 314) of the sealed pipe (10, 110, 310). Fluid storage device protruding across the outside of the pipe (10, 110, 310). 4. A screw according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each fastener interacts with the nut and passes through a hole (21) made in the cover (19) and a hole (22) made in the connecting flange (18). Fluid storage device comprising a. The fluid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, configured in the form of a ship. A method of assembling the fluid storage device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
Forming an assembly comprising the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 and the vapor collecting pipes 3, 17, 117:
Sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 are provided with upper longitudinal ends 14, 114, 314 with connecting flanges 18, 118, 318, insulating barrier 6 and sealing membrane 9 of the tank loop. A longitudinally extending lower end 15 passing therethrough, extending transversely into the interior of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 and having the sealing regions 25, 125, 315 and the sealed pipes 10, 110, Carrier plates 29, 129, 329 longitudinally located between the longitudinal upper ends 14, 114, 314 of 310 are provided in the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310;
A pipe (10, 110, 310) in which the vapor collecting pipes (3, 17, 117) pass through the walls of the sealed pipes (10, 110, 310) in an airtight manner and sealed in the collecting areas (25, 125, 325). An assembly forming step of forming an assembly in such a manner as to be opened into the interior of the assembly;
Placing the thermal insulation plugs 30, 130, 330 in the upper part of the interior of the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 supported against the carrier plates 29, 129, 329;
Securing the cover 19, 119, 319 to the connection flange 18, 118, 318 while compressing the gasket 20 between the cover and the connection flange;
Assembly method of a fluid storage device comprising a. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming an assembly comprising the sealed pipe 110 and the vapor collecting pipes 3, 17 comprises:
Providing a lower portion 127 and a carrier plate 129 of the sealed pipe 110, the carrier plate 129 being fixed to the lower portion 127 and towards the outside of the lower portion 127. Protruding across;
Providing an upper portion 126 of the sealed pipe 110 with a connecting flange 118 installed; The upper portion 126 has a larger diameter than the lower portion 127;
Hermetically securing the upper portion 126 on the carrier plate 129
Assembly method of a fluid storage device comprising a. The method of claim 15, wherein forming an assembly comprising the sealed pipes 10, 110, 310 and the vapor collecting pipes 3, 17 is:
Providing an upper portion 326 of the sealed pipe 310, wherein a connecting flange 318 is installed on the upper portion 326 of the sealed pipe 310;
Providing a lower portion 327 of the sealed pipe 310, the lower portion 327 comprising a second flange 343 projecting radially outwardly;
Providing a carrier plate 329;
Securing the carrier plate 329 to the lower part 327 or the upper part 326 of the sealed pipe 310; And
Coaxially fixing the upper part 326 of the sealed pipe 310 to the lower part 327 of the sealed pipe
Assembly method of a fluid storage device comprising a. Fluid is transferred from the floating or onshore storage facility 77 to the tank of the fluid storage device or through insulated pipelines 73, 79, 76, 81 from the tank of the fluid storage device to the floating or onshore storage facility. A fluid transfer method of a fluid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A transport system for a fluid, the system comprising a fluid storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an insulated pipeline arranged to connect the tank 71 to a floating or onshore storage facility 77. (73, 79, 76, 81), and a pump for driving fluid through the insulated pipelines from the floating or onshore storage facility (77) to the tank of the fluid storage device.

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