KR102041457B1 - Sealed, Insulating Tank In A Ship - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a ship, which includes a tank (3); A pump head 8 disposed adjacent the bottom wall 5 of the tank 3; A container (9), the pump head (8) is housed in the container (9), the container (9) comprises a passage (15) for providing communication between the interior of the container and the interior of the tank, and a transfer valve (16) shuts off the passage (15) when the pressure difference applied to the valve (16) between the outside of the container (9) and the inside of the container (9) is lower than a predetermined amount of threshold and the pressure difference is said Configured to open the passage 15 when higher than the threshold, the valve 16 has a bevel bottom surface 23 that engages a valve seat with a complementary bevel surface 24, the valve having a tank 3. When the inside of the container 9 and the inside of the container 9 are engaged, communication through the passageway 15 between them is stopped.

Description

Sealed, Insulating Tank In A Ship

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks disposed in flotation structures, and more particularly to tanks for storing and / or transporting cooling liquids, such as liquefied gases, for example tanks of liquefied natural gas (LNG). , Which contains a high methane content and exhibits a liquid state of about -162 degrees Celsius under atmospheric pressure.

In membrane tank technology, the inner surface of the support structure, such as the inner hull of a double hull vessel, is laid with a multilayer structure, which comprises two thin sealing membranes in which the two layers of the insulation alternate. Restricts the flow of heat through and structurally supports the hermetic sealing membranes. Other techniques use thick steel plates with outer insulation.

In order to maximize the operating efficiency of such a tank, it is desirable to optimize the volume of available cargo that can be loaded into the tank and unloaded from the tank. Likewise, it is desirable to be able to pump LNG while minimizing the amount of LNG present in the tank, which is necessary for the propulsion of the vessel, to allow the use of LNG for propulsion of the vessel when the tanks are almost empty. However, the use of an offloading pump that sucks up liquid from the tank requires some liquid head to be maintained at the bottom of the tank, and without such a liquid head, the suction member of the pump may be in contact with the gaseous phase. Connected, to lower and / or drain the pump. If the cargo undergoes rolling due to sea dribbling, it may be difficult to minimize the required liquid head.

European application EP 1314927 discloses the arrangement of the suction member of a pump in a catchment chamber located adjacent to the bottom of the tank. Non-return valves are installed in these integrated chambers to allow liquid contained in the tank to enter the chamber and the suction member to the liquid gas volume when the LNG in the tank reaches a level below the level of the integrated chamber. Keep it.

The concept on which the present invention is based is to minimize the minimum liquid level in the tank required for the correct operation of the pump in a simple, safe and effective manner.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a vessel, the vessel comprising:

Insulated tanks to contain cooling liquid products,

A pump comprising a pump head intended to suck cooling liquid product contained within an insulated tank, the pump head being disposed adjacent to the bottom wall of the insulated tank;

A container located inside an insulated tank, the pump head is housed in a container, the container including a bottom facing the bottom wall of the tank, the bottom being provided with a passage connecting the interior of the container to the outside of the container, The upper portion of the container opposite the bottom includes an opening connected to the interior of the tank, the container further comprising at least one moving valve arranged to work with the valve seat carried by the bottom of the container, the valve further comprising a container. When the pressure difference applied on the valve between the outside of the container and the inside of the container is below a determined positive threshold, the passage at the bottom of the container can be blocked and the passage when the pressure difference is above the threshold Openable, include container,

The valve has a beveled bottom surface facing the valve seat, the valve seat comprising a bevel surface facing the bevel surface of the valve, the bevel surface of the valve and the bevel surface of the valve seat are complementary and at the bottom of the container. All around the passageway can enter a hermetic seal to block communication between the inside of the tank and the inside of the container through the passageway.

Such valves exhibit a pronounced contact surface with the valve seat when the valve is held against the valve seat. This prominent contact surface ensures a good hermetic seal and thus allows good retention of the liquid contained in the container.

According to embodiments, such a vessel may include one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the container comprises a guiding system of the valve capable of guiding the valve in a direction inclined or parallel to the direction of gravity such that the valve is closed by gravity.

According to one embodiment, the guide system comprises a plurality of guide rods extending from the bottom of the container towards the inside of the container, the valve having a plurality of guide portions that slide together with the individual guide rod and the bottom of the container One end of each guide rod opposite to a shoulder portion, wherein each guide portion of the valve has a corresponding guide between the bottom of the container and the shoulder of the guide rod to limit the displacement of the guide portions of the valve within the container. It is inserted in the sliding direction along the rod.

According to one embodiment, the guide system comprises a plurality of guide rails, each guide rail extending from the bottom of the container towards the inside of the container, the valve comprising a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion being the individual guide. The guide is housed in one of the rails and the displacement is guided by the respective guide rail, each guide rail having an upper portion capable of limiting the displacement of the corresponding protrusion of the corresponding valve housed in the guide rail at the end opposite the bottom of the container. It further includes a part.

According to one embodiment, the guide rail comprises two lateral walls extending parallel to each other from the bottom of the container towards the interior of the container, the protrusions of the valve being between the two lateral walls to block lateral displacement of the valve. In the guide rail is housed inside.

Containers can take various forms. According to one embodiment, the container is in the form of a cylinder.

According to one embodiment, all the upper sections of the container opposite the bottom of the container are open.

Valves and passageways can take various forms. According to one embodiment, the passages and valves at the bottom of the container are circular in shape. In one embodiment, the valve is in the form of a disk.

According to one embodiment, the valve is in the form of a blade.

According to one embodiment, the passages and valves in the container bottom are straight.

According to one embodiment, the passage and valve of the container bottom are in the form of an arc.

According to one embodiment, the projections of the valve are located at opposite longitudinal ends of the valve.

The valve can be made of materials compatible with various LNGs. Preferably, such LNG compatible material has a density lower than that of the metal to minimize valve opening pressure. According to one embodiment, the valve comprises PTFE. In particular, according to different variants, the valve may be entirely made of PTFE or may comprise a PTFE coating.

According to one embodiment, the bottom of the container comprises a plurality of passages connecting the inside of the container with the outside of the container, the container being operated with an individual valve seat supported by the bottom of the container around each of the passages. Further comprising a plurality of mobile valves disposed, each valve having a passageway at the bottom of the container when the pressure difference applied to the valve between the outside of the container and the inside of the container is below a determined amount of threshold. One of them can be blocked and the passage can be opened when the pressure difference is above the threshold.

According to one embodiment, at least one guide rail is arranged between the two passages at the bottom and has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being the first valve of the first of the passages. By receiving the first projection of the first valve actuating with the seat and the second portion receiving the second projection of the second valve acting with the second valve seat of the second of the passages, the guide rail Guide the displacement of the first and second valves.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method of loading or unloading the vessel, wherein the cooling liquid product is floated from the flotation or onshore storage facility to the vessel of the vessel or from the vessel of the vessel via an insulated pipeline. Transferred to onshore storage facilities.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a delivery system for a cooling liquid product, the system comprising: adiabatic pipelines arranged to connect the above mentioned vessel, a tank installed in the hull of the vessel, to a flotation or onshore storage installation; And a pump for driving a flow of cooling liquid product through the adiabatic pipelines from the flotation or onshore storage facility to the ship's tank or from the ship's tank to the flotation or onshore storage facility.

Some aspects of the present invention start from the concept of minimizing the amount of liquid that must be maintained in the tank to keep the pump head locked and to avoid draining the pump. Some aspects of the present invention begin with the concept of housing a pump head in a container that exhibits a good hermetic seal. Some aspects of the present invention begin with the concept of ensuring good guidance of the valves in displacement, and in particular from the concept of ensuring good guidance upon closing of the valves by working with a separate valve seat. Some aspects of the invention begin with the concept of providing an alternative valve guide means. Some aspects of the invention begin with the concept of minimizing the number of guiding systems required to guide the displacement of a plurality of valves.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given in an illustrative and non-limiting manner only with reference to the accompanying drawings, and other objects, details, features and advantages. This will be clearer.
1 shows a partial view of the longitudinal cross section of a methane tanker comprising a tank, in which an underload pump supported by a tripod mast is arranged and its pump head is located adjacent the bottom wall of the tank.
2 shows a schematic perspective view of the pump head of FIG. 1 housed in a liquid holding container according to a first embodiment of the container and shows that the container is fixed to the pump head.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of the container and pump head of FIG. 2, showing the bottom of the container including the fixing of the container to the pump head and connecting valves between the inside of the container and the outside of the container.
4 shows the bottom of the container in partial cross section and shows the valve of FIG. 3 in an open position.
FIG. 5 shows the bottom of the container in partial cross section and shows the valve of FIG. 3 in a closed position.
6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container, where the valves take the form of flat, straight blades distributed around the pump head.
FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the valve of FIG. 6 working with the valve seat and guide system.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view in longitudinal section of the guidance system and valve of FIG. 7;
9 and 10 show the transverse cross section of the guidance system and the valve of the second embodiment, respectively, in the closed and open positions of the valve.
11 shows a plan view of a container according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 12 shows a view of the longitudinal cross section of the valves of FIG. 11 working with the guide system, common to two adjacent valves.
FIG. 13 shows a cut schematic diagram of a tank of a methane tanker and a terminal for loading / unloading the tank.

In the description below, several containers will be described which can be employed at the level of the pump head in the LNG storage and / or transport tank. The bottom of the tank represents a wall and is preferably flat throughout and located at the bottom of the tank with respect to the gravitational field of the earth. The overall geometry of the tank may be of a different type. Polygonal geometric shapes are the most common. Cylindrical, spherical or other geometric shapes are possible.

The walls of the tank are for example formed by a multilayer structure, which comprises two hermetically sealed membranes fixed on the supporting wall and alternate with two insulating partitions. If there are a number of known techniques for producing such a multilayer structure, the following description will be limited to a brief description of the tank and will describe in more detail the structure of the elements working with the pump head in the tank. Another technique uses thick steel plates with outer insulation.

Referring to FIG. 1, the vessel 1 comprises a double hull forming a support structure 2, on which a wall of the tank 3 is mounted. Each tank wall 3 comprises a multi-layered structure, which covers a second adiabatic partition wall fixed on the support structure 2, a second hermetic sealing membrane supported by a second adiabatic partition wall, a second hermetic sealing membrane. A 1st heat insulation partition wall and a 1st hermetic sealing membrane supported by a 1st heat insulation partition wall are provided continuously.

The tripod mast 4 is fixed adjacent to the side wall 5 of the tank 3. This tripod mast 4 is preferably substantially centered in the middle width of the vessel. The tripod mast 4 extends from the bottom wall 5 of the tank to the top wall 6 of the tank 3. The tripod mast 4 supports one or more pump (s) 7, the pump head 8 of which is located adjacent the bottom wall 5 of the tank 3. The pipeline connects the pump head 8 to a cargo handling system (not shown) through the top wall 6 of the tank 3. This cargo handling system makes it possible to load / offload the LNG contained in the tank 3 via the pump 7.

When unloading LNG from the tank, or when using the LNG contained in the tank to supply gas to the engine of the ship, the pump 7 to suck the LNG contained in the tank 3 through the pump head 8 ) Is activated. However, in the case of a vessel in which LNG is supplied from the tank to the engines and performing a return voyage, a liquid tail-end of LNG is maintained in the tank in order to be supplied to the engine of the ship in the return voyage. The LNG level in the tank 3 can now be changed at the level of the pump head 8 due to the rolling movements which may be caused by the sea in which the vessel 1 sails in return sailing. Therefore, when the tank 3 is almost empty, the movement of the ship 1 due to pitch and rolling cannot guarantee that the pump head 8 is continuously submerged in LNG. In order to keep the pump head 8 submerged in LNG despite LNG movement in the tank 3, the pump head 8 is housed in a container 9 as shown in FIGS. 2 to 11. Such a container 9 is fixedly supported by a pump head 8 in a tank 3 above the bottom wall 5 of the tank 3.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the pump head of FIG. 1 housed in a liquid holding container 9 according to a first embodiment of the container 9, with respect to the container 9 and the pump head 8. The fixing of the container 9 is shown.

The container 9 shown in FIG. 2 has the form of a circular cylinder. The container 9 comprises a circular bottom 10 extending parallel to the bottom wall 5 of the tank 3 above the tank (see FIG. 3). Preferably, the distance between the bottom of the container and the bottom wall of the tank lies between 25 and 150 mm and the maximum value can reach 250 mm. The circular side wall 11 extends from the bottom 10 of the container 9 towards the top wall 6 of the tank 3, that is to say perpendicularly away from the bottom wall 5 of the tank 3, That is, it extends in a direction parallel to the earth's gravity.

The upper section of the container 9 does not have any cover wall so that the upper end of the container 9 opposite the bottom 10 of the container is opened. Therefore, when the LNG level in the tank 3 exceeds the container 9, the container 9 is filled with LNG.

The inner side 12 of the wall 11 comprises two protrusions 13 projecting radially towards the inner side of the container 9. These protrusions 13 extend from the radially opposite area of the inner side 12. The pump head 8 comprises two shoulders 14, which project radially outward, ie, project toward the inner side 12 of the container. The projections 13 of the container 9 are fixed to the shoulder 14 of the pump head 8 by any suitable means such as the use of screws and nuts, welding or the like. Thus, the container 9 is fixed to the pump head 8 and the pump head 8 is housed in the container 9. Preferably, the pump head 8 is centered in the container 9.

3 shows a top view of the pump head 8 and the container 9, which is the bottom of the container 9 comprising connecting valves 16 between the outside of the container 9 and the inside of the container 9. The fixing of the container 9 to the 10 and the pump head 8 is shown.

In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the container 9 comprises three passages 15 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) passing through the bottom 10 of the container 9. These passages 15 are evenly distributed around the pump head 8. Moreover, three valves 16 are included in the container 9 which are intended to open or close the passage 15 as a function of the pressure exerted by the LNG contained in the tank 3 as described below. Each valve 16 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the passage 15 in which it acts together. Each valve 16 is coaxial with the passage 15 in which it acts together. The valves 16 have a circular shape.

Each passage 15 is surrounded by an added-on piece 17 mounted on the bottom of the container. This additional member 17 has a through center orifice that extends the corresponding passage 15 of the container 9. Moreover, these additional members 17 respectively form valve seats that work with the individual valves 16 as described below in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. This additional member 17 is fixed to the bottom 10 of the container 9 by any suitable means, for example by the use of a screw or nut or by welding.

4 and 5 illustrate the operation of the valve 16 shown in FIG. 3.

One end 18 of the pump head 8, through which LNG is sucked in when offloading the tank 3, is preferably located adjacent to the bottom 10 of the container 9 so that the container 9 can be opened. It is kept locked in the LNG contained in it.

The valve 16 can move in the container on the displacement axis 19 at right angles to the bottom 10 of the container 9 and preferably move parallel to the earth's gravity. For this purpose, the guiding system makes it possible to guide and limit the displacement of the valve 16. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the guide system comprises four pins 20 fixed onto the bottom 10 of the container 9 (only three of them are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). Shown). Each pin 20 extends inwardly of the container 9 from the bottom 10 of the container 9 parallel to the axis 19 of the displacement of the valve 16. These pins 20 are fixed to the bottom of the container 9 by any suitable means, for example by welding. Each pin 20 passes through an additional member 17, for which it comprises four ad hoc drill holes. One end 21 of each pin 20 opposite the bottom 10 of the container 9 is threaded and has a section of reduced dimension.

The peripheral edge of the valve 16 has four bores 22. Each bore 22 is passed by a corresponding pin 20. Thus, the valve is guided in displacement by sliding from the peripheral edge along the pin 20. The nut 32 is screwed to the end 21 of each pin 20. This nut 32 forms a shoulder which blocks the displacement of the valve 16 along the axis 19 between the end 21 and the additional member 17.

The valve 16 can move in the container under the effect of its own weight and, if appropriate, under the effect of the differential pressure exerted on the valve 16 between the outside of the container 9 and the inside of the container 9. Thus, when the container 9 is surrounded by LNG present in the tank 3, the LNG does not exceed the upper end of the container 9 and thus is pulled into the container 9 by the open upper end of the container 9. Without support, the valve 16 suffers from the internal pressure caused by the LNG present in the container 9 on the one hand, and in contact with the valve 16 and in the tank 3 around the container 9 on the other hand. Undergoes external pressure caused by LNG. The valve 16 thus undergoes a pressure difference which can push the valve 16 back from the additional member 17 and thus away from the valve seat. This deviation pressure allows the valve to open when the following equation is met.

P _tank x S _bottom + F _buoyancy > P _bowl x S _top + Weight _valve

From here P _tank represents the pressure exerted on the valve 16 by LNG contained in the tank 3 outside the container 9, S _bottom represents the surface of the valve 16 in contact with the LNG contained in the tank 3 outside of the container 9, and F _buoyancy is represented by the LNG contained in the tank 3 outside of the container 9. It represents the buoyancy force applied to the valve 16, P _bowl represents the pressure applied to the valve 16 by the LNG contained in the container 9, S _top Denotes the upper surface of the valve 16 to which the pressure of LNG contained in the container 9 is applied, and the Weight _valve denotes the weight of the _valve 16. Typically, this equation is such that the opening of the valve 16, ie the separation of the valve from the additional member 17 forming the valve seat, includes the LNG contained within the container 9 and the tank outside the container 9. 3) reflects the fact that it depends on the height difference between the LNG contained within.

Conversely, when the container 9 is not surrounded by LNG, only the pressure applied to the valve 16 is the pressure applied by the LNG contained in the container 9. Under the effect of the pressure and gravity exerted by the LNG contained in the container 9, the valve 16 is pushed back towards the bottom 10 of the container 9 and acts together with the valve seat to lower the bottom 10 of the container 9. To block the passage (15).

The valve 16 is made of a material having a lower density than the metal of the stainless steel type to limit the opening pressure and to be compatible with LNG. As an example, plastic materials are preferred, preferably of the polytetrafluoroethylene type and which are called PTFE, for example in the form of a coating of PTFE or a solid material. Thus, the valve 16 is light and the weight of the valve hardly hinders the opening of the valve under the effect of the pressure exerted by the LNG contained outside the container 9 in the tank 3. Moreover, the PTFE coating imparts good slip properties to the valve 16, facilitating its displacement within the container 9.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom surface of the valve 16 includes a beveled portion 23. Thus, the valve 16 has a tapered portion and the smallest diameter of the tape portion is located adjacent the bottom 10 of the container 9.

Moreover, the additional member 17 forming the valve seat comprises a bevel portion 24. The bevel portion 24 of the additional member 17 complements the bevel portion 23 of the valve 16, which bevel portion 24 of the additional member 17 is adjacent to the bottom 10 of the container 9. To have the minimum diameter. Typically, the bevel portion 24 of the additional member forms a valve seat and the valve 16 acts with the valve seat to block the passage 15. Thus, in the case of the bevel portion 23 of the valve 16 forming an angle of 45 degrees with the bottom 10 of the container 9, the bevel portion 24 of the additional member 17 also has a 45 degree angle with the bottom of the container. Indicates an angle.

These bevel portions 23, 24 provide a significant contact surface between the valve seat and the valve 16, thereby ensuring a better hermetic seal against the container 9 when the valve 16 blocks the passage 15. . Moreover, the bevel form 24 of the valve seat guides the displacement of the valve 16 when the valve is displaced towards the bottom 10 of the container to block the passage 15.

When the LNG contained in the tank 3 surrounds a container or something else it is displaced towards the container due to the pitch and rolling of the vessel 1. The pressure exerted on the valve 16 through the LNG contained in the tank 3 makes it possible to push the valve 16 out of the valve seat. As a result, the passage 15 is no longer blocked and the LNG present in the tank 3 enters into the container 9 through the passage 15 present at the bottom 10 of the container. Conversely, when the LNG contained in the tank 3 does not enclose the container and does not apply significant pressure to the valve 16 such that the valve leaves the valve seat, the LNG contained in the container 9 forms a valve seat. It is held in the container by the blocking of the passage 15 by the valve 16 which acts together in an hermetically sealed manner with the additional member.

6 to 10 show a second embodiment of the valves 16 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. In this second embodiment, the same functions as the first embodiment or the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals plus 100.

In the second embodiment, the valves 116 are made in the form of straight blades. In the variant shown in FIG. 6, the bottom 110 of the container 109 includes four straight passageways 115 that work with four valves 116, the passages 115 having a pump head 108. ) Evenly distributed around. Each passage 115 is surrounded by an additional member 117 forming a valve seat.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bottom surface of the valve 116 has a beveled surface 123 in the longitudinal direction of the valve 16. Thus, the valve 116 has a trapezoidal section. Likewise, each additional member 117 forming the valve seat has a bevel surface 124 that complements the bevel surface 123 of the valve 116. Thus, for the first embodiment, the valve 116 is guided at the end of the closing displacement by acting with the bevel surfaces 123 and 124. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the contact surface between the valve seat 116 and the valve seat formed by the additional member 117 is remarkable, so that the LNG present in the tank 103 outside the container 109 is valved. When not in contact with the bottom surface of 116, LNG leakage from container 109 is avoided.

In this second embodiment, a system for guiding displacement of the valve 116 is made by a guide rail 125 located on the bottom 110 of the container 109. For each passage 115, a guide rail 125 is mounted on the bottom 110 of the container at opposite longitudinal ends of the passage 115. Each guide rail 125 has a "U" shaped section. The guide rail 125 includes two lateral walls 126, which are directed toward the inside of the container 109 at right angles to the bottom wall 110 on both sides of the additional member 117. It extends from the bottom 110. These lateral walls 126 form branches of the “U” shaped section. The base of the “U” shaped section is formed by the top wall 127 connecting the ends of the opposing lateral walls 126 to the bottom 110 of the container 109. This top wall 127 is parallel to the bottom 110 of the container 109.

The guide rail 125 is fixed to the bottom 110 of the container 109 by using a stud 128 fixed to the bottom 110 of the container 109. Stud 128 extends from bottom 110 of container 109 and passes through top wall 127 of guide rail 125. The upper end of the stud 128 opposite the bottom 110 of the container 109 includes a nut 129 to secure the guide rail 125. Moreover, an "L" shaped block 130 is inserted between the additional member 117 and the top wall 127 forming the valve seat. The block 130 avoids deformation of the guide rail 125 when the nut 129 is screwed onto the stud 128. Block 130 and additional member 117 have an orifice, allowing passage of studs 128 from bottom 110 of container 109 as shown in FIG.

The longitudinal end of the valve 116 forms a protrusion 131 that is housed in the guide rail 125. The protrusion 131 is blocked in the transverse direction by the lateral wall 126 of the guide rail 125. Similarly, the projection 131 is parallel to the axis of displacement of the valve 116 between the additional member 117 forming the valve seat on the one hand and the upper wall 127 of the guide rail 125 on the other hand. Direction 131. Finally, the projection 131 is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the valve 116 by contact with the block 130 of the guide rail 125 as shown in FIG. Thus, each valve 116 is perpendicular to the bottom 110 of the container 109 by the cooperation between the guide rail 125 and the protrusion 131 housed in the corresponding guide rail 125. The displacement is guided in the direction 119.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10, the protrusion 131 has a section that matches the remaining section of the valve 116. Thus, valve 116 is simple to manufacture and does not require the manufacture of any particular protrusions 131. However, the protrusions 131 may have any other form suitable for cooperation with the guide rail. 9 and 10 show the blocking of the displacement at the axis 119 of the displacement of the valve 116 of the protrusion 131 by the upper wall 127 of the guide rail 125. 9 and 10 show the container 9 when the valve 116 operates with the additional member 117 as well as the effective guidance of the displacement when the valve 116 is displaced towards the valve seat formed by the additional member 117. Illustrates the cooperation between bevel surfaces 123 and 124, which ensures a good hermetic seal.

In a variant that is not shown, the passages through the bottom of the valves and container are of the same circular shape as the first embodiment. However, in this variant, each valve comprises a plurality of protrusions projecting radially outward from the peripheral edge thereof. A plurality of guide rails similar to the guide rails of the second embodiment are fixed on the bottom of the container. Each protrusion of the valve acts with a separate guide rail to guide the displacement of the valve. In another variant, each valve includes protrusions protruding from its peripheral edge and as in the first embodiment, bores made in the protrusions are guided in displacement by acting with the pins.

11 and 12 show a third embodiment of the valves corresponding to the modification of the valves 116 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10. In this third embodiment, the same functions as those in the first embodiment or the same elements are indicated by reference numerals plus 200.

The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the valves 216 take the form of blades in the form of arcs. As shown in FIG. 11, the bottom 210 of the container 209 includes four valves 216, each of which forms an arc of approximately 90 degrees. As for the second embodiment, the valves 216 are evenly distributed around the pump head 208 and work in conjunction with the additional member 217 to form the arc of the bottom 210 of the container 209 taking the form of an arc. Surround passage 215.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the same guide rail 225 makes it possible to guide the displacement of two adjacent valves 216. Typically, a “U” shaped section that blocks the lateral and vertical displacements of two adjacent valves 216 in a manner similar to the valves 116 of the second embodiment except for the same “L” shaped block 230. The same guide rail 225 having the same may block two adjacent valves 216 in the circumferential direction, and the block 230 is circumferentially inserted between the projections 231 of the two adjacent valves.

In an embodiment not shown, block 230 has a convex shape, such as a semicircle or square, turned towards valve 216, and the valve has a complementary concave shape. The shape of this block 230 has a guide rail 225 which further guides the vertical displacement of the valve 216 laterally and thus serves only as a vertical abutment.

With reference to FIG. 13, a cutaway view of the methane tanker 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 in the form of a fully prismatic pole mounted on a double hull 72 of a ship. The wall of the tank 71 is a first hermetically sealed bulkhead intended to be in contact with LNG contained in the tank, a second hermetically sealed bulkhead disposed between the double hull 72 of the ship and the first hermetically sealed bulkhead, and a first hermetic seal. Two insulating partitions each disposed between the sealing partition wall and the second hermetically sealing partition wall and between the second hermetically sealing partition wall and the double hull 72.

As is known, loading / offloading pipelines 73 disposed on the upper deck of the vessel can be coupled to the sea or port terminal by appropriate connections to deliver LNG cargo from tank 71. Transfer or transfer to tank 71.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a marine terminal that includes a loading and unloading station 75, a submarine pipe 76, and a land installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation that includes a mobile arm 74 and a riser 78 that supports the mobile arm 74. The moving arm 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading / unloading pipeline 73. Azimuth configurable moving arm 74 is adapted to all methane tanker templates. Link pipe, not shown, extends in riser 78. The loading and unloading station 75 enables loading and unloading the methane tanker 70 from or to the land installation 77. The land installation includes a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a link pipe 81 connected by a subsea pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75. The subsea pipe 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the land installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which is from the shore during loading and unloading operations. It is possible to keep the methane tanker 70 at a long distance.

In order to generate the pressure necessary for the delivery of liquefied gas, pumps built into the vessel 70 and / or pumps installed in the land installation 77 and / or pumps installed in the loading and unloading station 75 are implemented.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with some specific embodiments, it is obvious that all technical equivalent means and combinations thereof are included in the present invention, without being limited thereto.

The verb “comprising” or “comprising” and associated forms of use do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those described in a claim. The use of articles in elements or steps does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps unless otherwise specified.

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

1. Shipping 3. Tank
2. Support structure 5. Bottom wall
6. upper wall 7. pump

Claims (13)

A tank 3 insulated to contain the cooling liquid product;
A pump (7) comprising pump heads (8,108) for sucking cooling liquid products contained within the insulated tank (3), said pump heads (8,108) being the bottom wall (5) of the insulated tank (3); A pump 7 disposed adjacent to the pump 7; And,
Containers 9, 109, 209 inside the adiabatic tank 3, the pump heads 8, 108 are housed in containers 9, 109, 209, the containers 9, 109, 209 comprising bottoms 10, 110, 210 facing the bottom wall of the tank and at the bottom the containers 9, 109, 209. Passages 15, 115, 215 are provided for connecting the interior of the container to the exterior of the container, the upper portion of the containers 9, 109, 209 opposite the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209 includes an opening connected to the interior of the tank 3, The containers 9, 109, 209 further include transfer valves 16, 116, 216 arranged to act in conjunction with the valve seats 17, 117, 217 supported by the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209, the valves 16, 116, 216 being external to the containers 9, 109, 209. Bottoms 10, 110, 210 of containers 9, 109, 209 when the pressure differential applied on valves 16, 116, 216 between and inside of containers 9, 109, 209 is below a predetermined positive threshold. A vessel (9,109,209) capable of blocking passages (15,115,215) and opening the passages (15,115,215) when the pressure differential is above the threshold,
The valves 16, 116, 216 have a beveled bottom surface 23, 123, 223 facing the valve seat, the valve seats 17, 117, 217 comprising bevel surfaces 24, 124, 224 facing the bevel surfaces 23, 123, 223 of the valves 16, 116, 217. , Bevel surfaces 23, 123, 223 of valves 16, 116, 216 and bevel surfaces 24, 124, 224 of valve seats 17, 117, 217 are complementary and communicate through passages 15, 115, 215 between the interior of tank 3 and the interior of containers 9, 109, 209. In order to shut off, all can enter the hermetic sealing contact around the passages 15, 115, 215 of the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209,
Containers 9,109, 209 include guide systems 25, 125, 225 of valves 16, 116, 216 which can guide the valves 16, 116, 216 in a direction inclined or parallel to the direction of gravity such that the valves are closed by gravity. ) Comprises a plurality of guide rods 20 extending from the bottom 10 of the container 9 towards the interior of the container 9, the valve 16 slid together with the individual guide rods 20. One end 21 of each guide rod 20 opposite the bottom 10 of container 9 comprises a shoulder 22, and each of the valves 16 has a plurality of guide portions. The guide portion has a corresponding guide rod 20 between the bottom 10 of the container 9 and the shoulder 22 of the guide rod 20 in order to limit the displacement of the valve 19 in the container 9. The vessel, thus inserted in the direction of sliding 19. A tank 3 insulated to contain the cooling liquid product;
A pump (7) comprising pump heads (8,108) for sucking cooling liquid products contained within the insulated tank (3), said pump heads (8,108) being connected to the bottom wall (5) of the insulated tank (3); A pump 7 arranged adjacently; And
A container 9, 109, 209 located inside the adiabatic tank 3, wherein the pump heads 8, 108 are housed in the containers 9, 109, 209 and the containers 9, 109, 209 include bottoms 10, 110, 210 facing the bottom wall of the tank and the bottom It is provided with passages 15, 115 and 215 for connecting the inside of the container to the outside of the container, and the upper portion of the containers 9, 109 and 209 opposite the bottoms 10, 110 and 210 of the containers 9, 109 and 209 has an opening connected to the inside of the tank 3. And the containers 9, 109, 209 further comprise transfer valves 16, 116, 216 arranged to work with the valve seats 17, 117, 217 supported by the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209, the valves 16, 116, 216 being provided with a container ( The passages 15, 115, 215 of the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209 when the pressure difference applied to the valves 16, 116, 216 between the outside of the 9, 109, 209 and the inside of the containers 9, 109, 209 are less than the determined threshold. A vessel comprising: a container (3) capable of blocking and opening passages (15, 115, 215) when the pressure difference is higher than the threshold,
The valves 16, 116, 216 have a beveled bottom surface 23, 123, 223 facing the valve seat, the valve seats 17, 117, 217 comprising bevel surfaces 24, 124, 224 facing the bevel surfaces 23, 123, 223 of the valves 16, 116, 217. , The bevel surfaces 23, 123, 223 of the valves 16, 116, 216 and the bevel surfaces 24, 124, 224 of the valve seats 17, 117, 217 are complementary and communicate through the passages 15, 115, 215 between the interior of the tank 3 and the interior of the containers 9, 109, 209. Enter into hermetically sealed contacts all around the passages 15, 115, 215 of the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209 to block,
The containers 9, 109, 209 include guide systems 25, 125, 225 of the valves 16, 116, 216 which can guide the valves 16, 116, 216 in a direction oblique or parallel to the direction of gravity such that the valves are closed by gravity. Guide rails 125 and 225, each guide rail 125 and 225 extending from the bottom 110 and 210 of the containers 109 and 209 towards the interior of the container 109 and 209, and the valves 116 and 216 extending the plurality of protrusions 131 and 231. Each projection 131, 231 is housed in one of the individual guide rails 125, 225 and the displacement is guided by the individual guide rails 125, 225, each guide rail 125, 225 being a container 109, 209. And at the end opposite to the bottom of the top, a top wall (127, 227) capable of limiting the displacement of the corresponding protrusion (131, 231) of the valve (116, 216) housed in the guide rail (125, 225). The method of claim 2,
The guide rails 125, 225 include two lateral walls 126, 226 extending parallel to each other from the bottom 110, 210 of the containers 109, 209 toward the inside of the containers 109, 209, and the protrusions 131, 231 of the valves 116, 216. Are housed in a guide rail (125, 225) between two lateral walls (126, 226) to block lateral displacement of the valve (116, 216). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
All upper sections of the containers (9,109,209) opposite the bottoms (10,110,210) of the containers (9,109,209) are open. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The passage 15 and the valve 16 at the bottom 10 of the container 9 are circular in shape. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The passage 115 and the valve 116 at the bottom 110 of the container 109 are straight. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The passage 215 and the valve 216 at the bottom 210 of the container 209 are in the form of an arc. The method of claim 2,
The passages 115, 215 and the valves 116, 216 at the bottoms 110, 210 of the containers 109, 209 are straight or arc-shaped, and the protrusions 131, 231 of the valves are opposed to the valves 116, 216. Located at longitudinal ends of the vessel. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The valves 16, 116 and 216 comprise plastic materials compatible with liquefied natural gas. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The bottoms 10, 110, 210 of the containers 9, 109, 209 include a plurality of passages 15, 115, 215 connecting the interior of the containers 9, 109, 209 and the outside of the containers 9, 109, 209, and the containers 9, 109, 209 around the passages 9, 109, 209. It further comprises a plurality of moving valves 16, 116, 216 arranged to act in conjunction with the individual valve seats supported by the bottoms 10, 110, 210 of each, each valve 16, 116, 216 being external to the containers 9, 109, 209 and the containers 9, 109, 209. One of the passages (15,115,215) of the bottom (10,110,210) of the container (9,109,209) when the pressure difference applied on the valve (16,116,216) between the interior of the is less than the determined positive threshold A vessel capable of opening the passage (15,115,215) when the pressure difference is above the threshold. The method of claim 2,
The bottom portion 210 of the container 209 includes a plurality of passages 215 connecting the interior of the container 209 and the exterior of the container 209, the container 209 having a container 209 around each of the passages. It further comprises a plurality of moving valves 216 arranged to work together with the individual valve seats supported by the bottom 210 of each, each valve 216 is external to the container 209 and the container 209 Can block one of the passages 215 of the bottom 210 of the container 209 when the pressure difference exerted on the valve 216 between the interior of the < RTI ID = 0.0 > are < / RTI > is below a determined positive threshold. May open the passageway 215 when the pressure difference is above the threshold,
At least one guide rail 225 is disposed at a bottom portion between two passageways, the first portion receiving a first protrusion of a first valve acting together with a first valve seat of a first passageway of the passages; By having a second portion of the passages receiving a second protrusion of a second valve acting together with a second valve seat of a second passage, the guide rail guides the displacement of the first and second valves 216. , Ship. A method of loading or unloading a vessel 70 according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooling liquid product is supported by a flotation or onshore storage facility 77 via an insulated pipeline 73,79,76,81. A method of loading or disembarking a ship, from which is transferred from the tank of the ship (71) or from the tank of the ship (71) to the flotation or onshore storage facility (77). A delivery system for cooling liquid product, said delivery system comprising a vessel (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a tank (71) installed on the hull of the vessel, as a flotation or onshore storage facility (77). Cooling liquid products from flotation or onshore storage facilities to tanks of ships or from ship's tanks to flotation or onshore storage facilities via insulated pipelines (73,79,76,81) arranged for connection and insulated pipelines And a pump to drive the flow of the cooled liquid product.

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