KR20160029809A - Sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed thermal insulation tank for fluid storage comprising an insulating barrier and a sealing membrane supported by said insulating barrier, said insulating barrier comprising a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepipedic insulating blocks (3, 7) Each of the heat insulating blocks includes a floor panel (10) and a cover panel (11) spaced apart in the thickness direction of the heat insulating blocks (3, 7); A plurality of pillars (13) interposed between the bottom (10) and the cover panels (11) and extending in the thickness direction, and a lagging lining positioned between the pillars (13) The plurality of heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 are arranged between the floor panel 10 and the cover panel 11 and extend in the longitudinal direction along the reinforced sides of the reinforced heat insulating blocks 3 and 7, And at least one reinforced heat insulating block (3, 7) provided with an overspill reinforcing structure.

Description

[0001] SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK FOR STORING A FLUID [0002]

The present invention relates to the field of sealed thermal insulation tanks with membranes for the storage and / or transport of fluids such as cryogenic fluids.

Enclosed thermal insulation tanks with membranes are used to store liquefied natural gas (LNG), especially at about -162 ° C and atmospheric pressure. These tanks may be installed on the ground or on floating structures.

FR 2 877 638 discloses a sealed thermal insulation tank comprising a tank wall fixed on a support structure of a floating structure which comprises a first sealing barrier designed to contact the liquid natural gas, a first insulating barrier, A sealing barrier, and a secondary insulating barrier are successively fixed on the supporting structure in the thickness direction from the inside to the outside of the tank.

The insulating barriers are made up of a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepipedic insulating cases. Each heat insulating case includes a heat insulating foam block, a base panel and a cover panel disposed on both sides of the heat insulating foam block, and a plurality of support columns erected to penetrate the thickness direction of the case to absorb the compressive force.

In use, the walls of the tank receive a lot of stress. In particular, the walls are subjected to forces due to compressive forces generated during tank loading, thermal stresses when cooling occurs, and dynamic impact of the fluid contained in the tank. In addition, the pillars of the heat insulating cases are inclined because they are tangentially, i.e., obliquely tangent and exerted against the cover panels of the heat insulating cases.

The idea underlying the present invention is to propose a sealed thermal insulation tank for fluid storage, which has excellent insulation performance and is particularly resistant to forces tangentially tangential to and exerted against the walls.

According to one embodiment, a sealed thermal insulation tank for fluid storage provided by the present invention comprises a thermal barrier and a hermetic membrane supported by the thermal barrier, the thermal barrier comprising a plurality of major surfaces having two major surfaces and four sides Wherein the heat insulating blocks comprise juxtaposed parallelepiped heat insulating blocks,

A base panel and a cover panel spaced apart in the thickness direction of the heat block and defining major surfaces of the heat block, the cover panel having a support surface for receiving the seal membrane;

A plurality of pillars disposed between the base and the cover panels and extending in the thickness direction; And

- an insulating lining disposed between the pillars,

The plurality of heat insulating blocks includes at least one reinforced heat insulating block provided between the base panel and the cover panel and provided with one or more semi-inclined reinforcing structures extending longitudinally along reinforced sides of the heat insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the semi-inclined reinforcing structure has a shear strength for a shearing force applied to the cover panel in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the sides adjacent to the reinforced side, wherein the shear strength is greater than the shear strength of the column Big.

Accordingly, the resistance of the heat insulating block to the forces abutting against the cover panel is increased, and the risk of inclination of the columns is reduced. Also, the effect of this type of semi-inclined reinforcing structure on the insulation performance is limited.

According to one embodiment, the semi-leaning stiffening structure includes two load struts which are diagonally arranged in an "X" shape and each extend between the base panel and the cover panel. Thus, this "X" shaped structure may have a particularly large shear strength for the shear force applied to the cover panel in the longitudinal direction relative to the reinforced side, while limiting the effect of the reinforcing structure on the thermal insulation performance.

According to the first embodiment group, this type of tank may include one or more of the following features:

The two load struts are formed as a single piece from the reinforcement body extending between the base panel and the cover panel.

The reinforcing body further comprises at least two support columns extending parallel to the thickness direction of the reinforced heat insulating block. Therefore, the resistance against pressure of the reinforced heat insulating block is not reduced in the injection region of the reinforcing body.

The columns are arranged in a plurality of rows, and the support columns are arranged in the column of aligned columns, respectively.

The columns are distributed equidistantly and the support columns are equidistant from the adjacent columns. Thus, the distribution of the compressive forces is balanced.

The cover panel has grooves for receiving welding supports and the reinforced insulation block comprises four semi-inclined reinforcing bodies each extending along the side of the reinforced insulation block And the reinforcing bodies extend along the sides perpendicular to the grooves and the number of support columns is greater than the number of reinforcing bodies formed along the sides parallel to the grooves.

The reinforcement body comprises an upper beam and a lower beam respectively extending from the cover panel and the base panel, and a space formed between the load supports, support columns and the upper and lower beams, And a plurality of openings extending from the openings. Thus, the effect of the reinforcement body on the cover panel and the base panel is such that the reinforcement body has substantial shear strength and, through the presence of the openings, limits the effect of the semi-leaning reinforcement structure on adiabatic performance .

The openings having connection fillets at the intersections between the two load supports. As a result, the concentration of stress is limited.

The openings having connecting fillets at the intersections between the upper and lower beams, the support columns and / or the load supports.

The end portions of the reinforcing bodies disposed on opposite sides of the cover panel and the base panel have the form of a crenellated form and the projections of the teeth are complementary to the cover panel and the base panel Of the present invention.

According to the second embodiment group, this type of tank may include one or more of the following features.

The load supports are cables comprising a first end fixed to the cover panel and a second end fixed to the base panel, the semi-leaning structure comprising a device for causing the cable / cables to undergo a mechanical tensile force do.

A device for causing the cable to undergo a mechanical tensile force comprises an adjusting nut mounted on the threaded end of the cable and an adjusting nut mounted on the end of the cable and firstly supported against the body for fixing the end of the cable, And secondly a helical spring supported against the control nut.

The apparatus for causing the cables to undergo a mechanical tensile force comprises two parallel plates each provided with two orifices and means for controlling the distance between the parallel plates, One of the cables and the other cable.

According to a third embodiment group, this type of tank may include one or more of the following features:

The load supports are formed from belts which have been subjected to traction pre-stressing in the longitudinal direction.

The belt is made of steel.

The belt is first mounted around the base panel and secondly around the whole or a part of the cover panel in a closed loop and placed in the form of an "X" at the lateral center of the heat block do.

The belt is spirally moved at 180 degrees to each of two portions of the belt extending between the base panel and the cover panel.

The belt is arranged in an open loop fashion and the belt is mounted around all or part of the cover panel.

Said base panel having grooves defining a central element and side elements, said belt being arranged in a closed loop, firstly mounted around a panel of the central element of said base panel, Is mounted around all or a portion of the panel, and the belt is also disposed in the "X" shape at the lateral center of the heat insulating block.

The reinforcing structure comprising two belts in the form of a closed loop, each belt diagonally passing through each of the four sides of the reinforced insulation block, and on the angle area of the cover panel, And passes through the angle area of the base panel or the angle area in turn.

The cover panel has grooves for passage of the belt in its four angle areas.

According to the fourth embodiment group, this type of tank may include one or more of the following features.

The load supports are metal bars with a first end fixed on the cover panel and a second end fixed on the base panel.

The metal bars are flat, and their cross-sections are arranged to be switched in direction so as to face the base panel and the cover panel.

The metal bars support threaded rods through the securing body formed integrally with the base panel or the cover panel at the ends of the metal bars and cooperate with the nuts so that the metal bars are mechanically Have tensile strength.

The metal bars are made of stainless steel.

According to the fifth embodiment group, this type of tank may include one or more of the following features.

The semi-inclined reinforcing structure comprises two aligned reinforcing bodies extending along the reinforced side and arranged in the thickness direction of the reinforced insulating block between the base panel and the cover panel, Wherein the reinforcing bodies are disposed on both sides of the median plane at right angles to the reinforced side and the size of each of the reinforcing bodies is greater than the size of the pillars in the direction perpendicular to the two sides adjacent to the reinforced side Big.

The ends of the reinforcing bodies arranged to face the cover panel and the base panel are in the form of a crenellated form and the projections of the teeth are complementary to the cover panel and the base panel It fits into receptacles.

According to some embodiments, the present invention provides one or more of the following features.

The reinforced insulation block comprises two semi-inclined reinforcing structures formed along two opposite sides.

When the heat insulating block comprises only two semi-tapered stiffening structures, they are advantageously arranged along two sides perpendicular to the grooves for receiving the welding support elements of the sealing membrane.

- the reinforced insulation block comprises four semi-inclined reinforcing structures each extending along the side.

The plurality of heat insulating blocks include a plurality of standard heat insulating blocks and a plurality of reinforced heat insulating blocks, and the reinforced heat insulating blocks are distributed in a constant pattern.

A constant distribution pattern of the reinforced insulation blocks is designed such that the shear force applied to the cover panel of the standard insulation block is absorbed by the adjacent reinforced insulation block before the standard insulation block tilts.

The tanks designed as described above may be designed as part of a storage facility on the ground to store, for example, LNG, or may be designed especially for LNG vessels, floating storage and re-gasification (FSRU) units, And as an offshore or deep sea floating structure such as an offset floating production and storage (OFPS) unit. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be designed to transmit or receive LNG or liquid natural gas used as fuel for propulsion of the floating structure.

According to one embodiment, the vessel for fluid transfer comprises a double hull and the tank disposed in the double hull.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading a ship of this type, wherein the fluid is transferred between the floating or ground storage facility and the tank of the vessel through an insulating pipe.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a fluid delivery system comprising: a vessel as described above, an insulated pipe designed to connect a tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or ground storage facility, And a pump for driving the flow of fluid through the insulating pipe between the storage facility and the tank of the ship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention and its objects, details, features and advantages will be better understood on the basis of the following description of a plurality of specific embodiments of the invention in purely non-limiting manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tank wall according to one embodiment.
2 is a perspective view of a standard insulation block;
3 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-leaning reinforcing structure, according to the first embodiment.
Figure 4 is a detail view of the semi-leaning reinforcing structure of Figure 3;
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of an enhanced heat insulating block, according to variants of the first embodiment.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-sloped stiffening structure, according to a second embodiment.
8 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block according to a modification of the second embodiment.
9 is a view showing in detail a mode for assembling between the reinforcing main body and the base panel and the cover panel.
10 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-leaning reinforcing structure with cables according to a third embodiment.
Fig. 11 shows the means for securing one end of the cable in detail in Fig.
Figure 12 shows the detail of Figure 10, the means for securing means and one end of the cable to receive a mechanical tensile force.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-leaning reinforcing structure with cables according to a fourth embodiment.
Figs. 14 and 15 show the device for causing cables to be subjected to tensile force in detail in Fig.
Fig. 16 shows the means for securing one end of the cable in detail in Fig.
Figures 17 and 18 show in detail the means for securing one end of the cable, in accordance with various variants.
19 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-leaning reinforcing structure with cables, according to a fifth embodiment.
Figs. 20 and 21 show the means for securing the cables in detail in Fig.
22 is a side view of the heat insulating block reinforced in Fig.
23 and 24 show a modification of the means for fixing the cable.
25 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-leaning reinforcing structure with metal bars, according to a sixth embodiment.
Figs. 26 and 27 show the details of Fig. 25, the means for fixing, and the device for causing the metal bar to be subjected to a tensile force.
28 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block provided with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to a seventh embodiment.
Figure 29 shows the cooperation between the belt and the cover panel via metal angle brackets in detail in Figure 28;
FIG. 30 is a side view of the heat insulating block in FIG. 28; FIG.
31 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to an eighth embodiment.
32 is a side view of the heat insulating block in Fig.
Fig. 33 shows the connection between the belt and the cover panel in detail in Fig.
34 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to a ninth embodiment.
Fig. 35 is a side view of the heat insulating block in Fig. 34. Fig.
Figure 36 shows the connection between the belt and cover panel through metal angle brackets, in detail in Figure 34;
37 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block with semi-leaning reinforcing structures having belts, according to a tenth embodiment, schematically illustrating the path of the belt.
Fig. 38 shows a groove for allowing the belt formed in the cover panel to pass through at one of the corners, in Fig. 37. Fig.
39 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block provided with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to an eleventh embodiment.
Fig. 40 shows the connection between the belt and the base panel in detail in Fig.
41 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block provided with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to a twelfth embodiment.
Fig. 42 and Fig. 43 show the connection between the belt and the base panel in detail in Fig.
44 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block provided with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to a thirteenth embodiment.
45 and 46 illustrate an angle bracket placing element designed to position the belt at the angular portions of the base panel relative to the base panel.
47 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block provided with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with a belt, according to a fourteenth embodiment.
Figs. 48 and 49 show the connection between the belt and the base panel in detail in Fig. 47. Fig.
50 is a perspective view of an enhanced heat insulating block provided with a semi-inclined reinforcing structure with belts, according to a fifteenth embodiment.
Figure 51 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a tank wall comprising reinforced heat insulating blocks with semi-leaning reinforcing structures having belts.
Figures 52-57 schematically illustrate variants of insulating barriers with standard insulation blocks and reinforced insulation blocks.
58 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the tank.
59 is a view schematically showing a cross section of an LNG ship tank including a reinforced heat insulating block and a terminal for loading / unloading the tank.

1 shows a wall of a sealed thermal insulating tank. The general structure of this type of tank is well known and has a polyhedral shape. Thus, a description will be provided of the wall area of the tank with the understanding that the mode walls of the tank have a similar general structure.

The tank has a support structure 1, an insulating block 3 juxtaposed on the support structure 1 and fixed on the support structure 1 by second holding units 4, A second sealing membrane 5 supported by the heat insulating block 3 and a second sealing membrane 5 formed on the second sealing membrane 5 by a first holding unit 8, And a first sealing membrane (9) supported by said insulating blocks (7) and designed to contact the cryogenic fluid in said tank, said first sealing barrier (6) .

The support structure 1 may in particular be formed in the form of a rigid partition with a self-supporting metal plate, or more generally with suitable mechanical properties. In particular, the support structure may be formed of a ship hull or double hull. The support structure includes a plurality of walls constituting the general shape of the tank.

The first sealing membranes 9 and the second sealing membranes 5 may be made up of successive sheets of metal straps of raised edges, for example, Can be welded on the parallel welding support elements held on the heat insulating blocks 3, 7 by their raised ends. These metal struts are made of Invar, i.e., iron and nickel alloys, whose expansion coefficient is generally between 1.2.10 ^-6 and 2.10 ^-6 K ^-1 , or have a coefficient of expansion of generally 7.10 ^-6 K ^{- 1} and an iron alloy having a high content of manganese.

The heat insulating blocks 3 of the second insulating barrier 2 and the heat insulating blocks 7 of the first insulating barrier 6 may be the same or different in size and may be the same or different in size.

Fig. 2 shows the structure of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7. The heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 are formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with two large faces or major faces, and four small faces or sides. The heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 include a base panel 10 and a cover panel 11 which are parallel to each other and spaced apart in the thickness direction of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7. The base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 form the main faces of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7.

The cover panel 11 has an external support surface formed to accommodate the first sealing membrane 9 or the second sealing membrane 5. The cover panel 11 is also provided with grooves 12 on its outer surface that can receive the welding support elements to weld the metal straps of the first sealing membrane 9 or the second sealing membrane 5 can do.

The support pillars 13 extend in the thickness direction of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 and are fixed on the foundation panel 10 and fixed on the cover panel 11 in the first place. These pillars 13 are fixed on the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 by suitable means such as, for example, stapling and / or glue. The pillars (13) can absorb the compressive force. The pillars (13) are arranged in a plurality of rows and are staggered and distributed. The spacing between the pillars 13 is determined so that the compressive force can be well distributed. According to one embodiment, the columns are distributed equidistantly.

In the present embodiment, the pillars 13 are formed of a solid material having a rectangular cross-section. The pillars 13 may be formed of various materials. In particular, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), acryloyl-butadiene-styrene copolymer Such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polyurethane (PU), or polypropylene (PP)

A heating lining (not shown) extends between the spaces provided between the pillars 13. The insulating lining is, for example, a polymer foam such as glass wool, wadding, polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, or polyvinyl chloride foam. This type of polymer foam can be placed between the pillars 13 through the injection process in the production of the heat insulating blocks 3, 7. Alternatively, the heat-insulating lining can be formed by providing block-shaped orifices, which are prepared by cutting polymer foams, glass wool or fillers, to accommodate the pillars 13.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 are each made of a plywood sheet. However, in some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 6 or Fig. 31, for example, the cover panel 11 is formed in a sandwich structure and includes a distribution sheet 11a fixed and supported on the pillars 13, An upper sheet 11b parallel to the sheet 11a and a plurality of beams 11c extending in parallel between the upper sheet 11b and the distribution sheet 11a. With this type of arrangement, an enhanced cover panel 11 can be obtained.

Figures 3-50 illustrate reinforced insulation blocks 3,7 in accordance with multiple embodiments. The reinforced heat insulating blocks are substantially similar to those shown in Fig. 2 but have a structure further comprising one or a plurality of anti-tilting reinforcing structures.

FIG. 3 shows reinforced heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 provided with semi-inclined reinforcing structures 14 according to the first embodiment. The semi-inclined reinforcing structures 14 allow the shear strength of the heat insulating blocks 3, 7 to be increased if a tangential shearing force is applied on the cover panel 11 in the transverse direction x.

For this purpose, the semi-oblique structure 14 shown in detail in Fig. 4 consists of a reinforcing body 15 formed as a single piece, which extends between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11. [ The reinforcing main body 15 extends in the center along the side surfaces of the heat insulating blocks 3, 7. The reinforcing body 15 is comprised of a generally parallelepipedal body comprising two large sides and four ends, one of which is directed towards the interior of the heat-insulating block 3, 7, And two of the four ends are arranged to face the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10, respectively.

The reinforcing body 15 is cut so as to form two load supports 16a, 16b having an "X" shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the side. That is, the load supports 16a and 16b extend along the diagonal lines of the large faces of the reinforcing body 15. [

The reinforcing body 15 also includes support columns 17a, 17b and 17c, three of which are shown in Fig. 4 and extend in the thickness direction of the heat insulating blocks 3,7. Thus, the support columns 17a, 17b and 17c are able to absorb the compressive forces. It is preferred that the support columns 17a, 17b and 17c are arranged in one of the rows of aligned columns 13 respectively and equidistantly from the adjacent columns 13. [ The supporting columns 17a, 17b and 17c also have substantially the same compressive strength of the compressive strength of the column 13. Thus, even when this type of reinforcing body 15 is injected, the balance of the compressive forces is not balanced .

Lastly, the reinforcing main body 15 includes an upper beam 18a and a lower beam 18b which are orthogonal to each other in the thickness direction of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 and parallel to each other. The upper beam 18a is extended with respect to the cover panel 11 and the lower beam 18b is extended with respect to the foundation panel 10. [ Due to these beams 18a and 18b an optimized supporting surface of the reinforcing body 15 on the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 can be achieved.

The strengthening body 15 extends between the support columns 17a and 17b, one load support 16a and 16b and the other load support 16a and 16b or between the upper beam 18a and the lower beam 18b And a plurality of openings 19, respectively, provided in three spaces formed. Due to the presence of these types of openings 19, the effect of the strengthening body 15 on the heat insulating performance can be limited. 17b and 17c and between the load supports 16a and 16b and between the support columns 17a and 17b and 17c and between the load supports 16a and 16b and / ) Or the lower beam 18b, the openings 19 have fillets. That is, the openings 19 are generally formed in a triangular shape, and the connecting portions are formed in a circular shape. With this type of fillet or circular connection, stress concentration can be limited.

The reinforcing body 15 may be made of a composite material comprising wood such as plywood or a plastic matrix reinforced with fibers. The reinforcing body 15 can be fixed on the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 by suitable means such as stapling and / or adhesive. For example, the thickness of the reinforcing body 15 may be between 9 and 30 mm.

It has been found that the strength of the reinforced insulation block provided with reinforcing bodies 15 of this type against the shear force applied on the cover panel 11 is approximately four times greater than that of the standard insulation block.

The reinforced adiabatic blocks 3,7 shown in Figure 5 are substantially similar to those shown in Figure 3 except that the length of the support bodies 15 is longer and the four support columns 17a, 17b, 17c, .

The reinforced heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 shown in Fig. 6 each include four semi-inclined structures 14 extending along corresponding sides. The lateral forces exerted on the cover panel 11 perpendicular to the grooves 12 for receiving the welding support elements are greater than the lateral forces exerted in parallel to the grooves 12. [ The reinforcing bodies 15 extending along the sides orthogonal to the grooves 12 are also longer than the lengths of the reinforcing bodies 15 extending along the sides parallel to the grooves 12. These longer reinforcing bodies 15 have three support columns 17a, 17b and 17c while the shorter reinforcing bodies 15 comprise only two support columns 17a and 17b.

The insulating blocks 3 and 7 also include columns 20 of the "L" type at their corners, the horizontal lower bar of which can cooperate with the holding units 4, 8 To form a holding surface.

The reinforced insulation blocks 3 and 7 shown in Fig. 7 have two semi-inclined structures 21 according to the second embodiment, which are arranged along two opposite sides Respectively. Each semi-tilting structure 21 includes two reinforcing bodies 22 aligned along the sides of the heat insulating blocks 3, 7. The reinforcing main bodies 22 extend between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 in the thickness direction. The reinforcing bodies 22 are disposed on either side of a median plane that is orthogonal to their aligned sides. In this case, the reinforcing main bodies 22 extend from the ends of the side surfaces of the heat insulating blocks 3, 7. The size of the reinforcing bodies 15 is larger than the size of the pillars in this direction in a direction perpendicular to the two sides adjacent to the reinforced side. According to one embodiment, this size is more than twice the size of the pillars 13. Thus, the strengthening bodies 22 provide strength to the heat insulating blocks 3, 7 in the x-direction.

The strength of the reinforced insulation block with reinforcing bodies 22 of this type with respect to the shear force applied to the cover panel 11 may be about three times greater than the strength of the standard insulation block.

The reinforced insulation block 3,7 shown in Figure 8 includes four semi-tapered structures 21 each comprising two strength bodies 22, And one of the sides of the heat insulating block. The semi-tapered structures 21 are substantially similar to the structures described with reference to Fig. 7 and each include two strengthening bodies 22 arranged along their respective sides and disposed at their ends. In this embodiment the reinforcing bodies 22 additionally comprise a set-back which is formed at the lateral end of the reinforcing body 22 adjacent to the angle portion of the heat insulating block 3,7, The retracted portion provided on the bodies has a lug 23 that supports a support surface that can cooperate with the retaining units 4,

Similar to the reinforcement bodies 15 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-6, the reinforcement bodies 22 may also be made of a composite material comprising a plastic matrix reinforced with wood or fiber. The reinforcing bodies 22 may also be fixed on the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 by suitable means such as stapling and / or adhesive.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the end portions of the reinforcing main bodies 22 arranged opposite to the cover panel 11 and / or the base panel 10 have a serrated crenellated form, The protrusions 24 between the teeth fit into the receptacle, which is complementary to the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10. As a result, the resistance against the shearing force is increased. It is to be appreciated that this type of cooperation between the reinforcement body and the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 is also applicable to the reinforcement bodies 15 shown in Figs.

Fig. 10 shows a reinforced insulation block 3, 7 with a semi-inclined structure, according to a third embodiment.

The semi-inclined structure 25 includes two load supports formed by cables 26a and 26b arranged in an "X" shape and extending between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11, respectively . The cables 26a and 26b extend diagonally along the side surfaces of the heat insulating blocks 2 and 7, respectively. Each of the cables 26a and 26b has a first end fixed on the cover panel 11 and a second end fixed on the base panel 10. [ The cables 26a and 26b are, for example, metal cables. The semi-tilting structure 25 additionally includes devices for causing the cables 26a, 26b to undergo mechanical tensile forces.

Fig. 11 shows the cable 26a fastening means according to one embodiment. The fastening means comprises a fastening body 27 provided with an orifice for the passage of the cable 26a. The fixed body 27 includes a cylindrical rod and a retention head 28. The cover panel 11 includes an orifice through which the cylindrical rod of the fixation body 27 can pass and has countersinking for receiving the retaining head 28. The end of the cable 26a cooperates with a stop end 28 which allows the end of the cable 26a to clog on the fixed body 27. [

Fig. 12 shows a cable 26a fastening means cooperating with a device for causing the cable 26a to undergo a mechanical tensile force. This means for securing the cable 26a is substantially similar to that described with reference to Fig. The fixing means of the cable 26a comprises a fixed body 27 having a cylindrical rod housed in an orifice in the base panel 10 and a counterbored, and a retaining head 28 housed in a countersinking.

The device for receiving the tensile force includes a helical spring 30 and a nut 29 for tensile force control. The end of the cable 26a includes a thread capable of receiving the nut 29. [ The threaded spring 30 is mounted to the end of the cable 2a, firstly being supported with respect to the fixed body 30 and secondly with the nut 29. As a result, the threaded spring 30 applies a pulling force to the cable 26a. The end of the cable 30 also supports a ball 31 which ensures the retention of the threaded spring 30 and the nut 29 on the end of the cable 26a.

It should be noted that, according to an alternate embodiment not shown, it is possible to provide devices for receiving mechanical tensile forces at the ends of the cables 26a, 27b, respectively.

According to the embodiments shown in Figures 13-24, the reinforcing structure 25 comprises only one device 32 for receiving mechanical tensile forces, which device comprises two cables 26a, 26b So that the two cables 26a, 26b are simultaneously subjected to a tensile force. This device 32 is shown in detail in FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. The device 32 includes two parallel plates 33a, 33b, each of which includes two orifices each allowing passage of one and the other of the two cables 26a, 26b, respectively. The distance between the two plates 33a, 33b can be controlled to ensure proper tensioning of the cables 26a, 26b. For this purpose, a threaded screw 34 is introduced to pass through the orifices provided in the plates 33a, 33b, thereby enabling connection at various distances. In the illustrated embodiment, the orifice for receiving the threaded end of the screw 34 provided on the plate 33a is provided with a tapping. Accordingly, when the screw thread 34 is rotated, the plate 33a can be brought close to or away from the plate 33b. The device 32 for receiving tensile force also includes a nut 35 that can prevent rotation of the screw 34 when the tension of the cables 26a, 26b is properly controlled.

16, 17 and 18 show a plurality of means for fixing the ends of the cables 26a and 26b.

In Fig. 16, the fastening means comprises a fastening body 27 provided with an orifice for the passage of the cable 27. The end of the cable 26a cooperates with the stop ball 31 which is capable of blocking the end of the cable 26a on the fixed body 27. [ The fixed body 27 has a holding head 28 and a threaded cylindrical rod 28. The threaded cylindrical rod 28 passes through the orifice to the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11 and cooperates with the nut 36. The holding head 28 is embedded in a counter sink provided in the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11. [

17, the end of the cable 26a is fixed by a stirrup 37 including a "U" shaped cross section, which covers the cover panel 11 or the base panel 10, And are extended on both sides by lugs 38, 39 designed to be supported against the inner surface of the housing. The "U" shaped cross section forms a cage for receiving the stop ball 31 integral with the end of the cable 26a. The stirrup 37 includes a slot 40 for the passage of the cable 26a. Orifices 41 and 42, which allow the passage of fixed units such as screws, are provided in the lug 39, although not shown.

18, the fixing of the end of the cable 26a provided with the stop ball 31 is made by the fixing body 43 including the receptacle for receiving the stop ball 31. As shown in Fig. The container is formed by a cylindrical skirt 44, one of the ends of the cylindrical skirt being extended by a retention collar 45 and the other end being closed by a base 46 . The base 46 has an orifice for passage of the cable 26a. The fixing body 43 passes through an orifice provided in the cover panel 11 or the base panel 10. [ The orifices provided in the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 have a counter sinking in which the holding collar 45 is received.

19 to 21 illustrate reinforced insulation blocks 3 and 7 according to yet another embodiment. This embodiment is different from that shown in Fig. 13 due to the structure of the end fixing means of the cables 26a, 26b. This fixing means is shown in detail in Figs. 20 and 21. Fig. This securing means comprises a stirrup 46 in the form of a "U" which is extended by retaining vanes 47a, 47b which extend perpendicularly to the vertical bars of the "U" shape. The cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 are open to the ends of the panels 11 and 10 and have grooves through which the vertical bars 48a and 48b of the "U" The retaining vanes 47a and 47b enable the retaining of the stirrup 46 in the cover panel 11 or the base panel 10. [ The stirrup 40 is also connected to an oblong hole 50 which allows the stop ball 31 to pass therethrough and which is supported by the end of the cable 26 and permits the passage of the cable 26a And a circular orifice 49, The size of the transverse section of the long oval hole is formed smaller than the transverse section of the stop ball 31 to hold the end of the cable 26a on the stirrup 46. [

22, when the reinforcing structure with the cables 26a, 26b is used, the cover panel 11, the base panel 10, and the end portions 26a, Leave a space between the pillars (13).

23 and 24 show the end fixing means of the cable 26a according to another embodiment. In the fixing means according to the present embodiment, the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 are respectively disposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the base panel 10 and are fixed to the base panel 10 by means of a plurality of fixed units, Or an inner plate 50 and an outer plate 51 which are fixed to each other via a cover panel 11. The rivets are not shown, but pass through the orifices 57. The orifices 57 protrude in the cover panel 11 or the base panel 10 and are provided in the embossed areas 54, 55 and 56 of the outer plate 50 adjacent to the inner plate 50 . One of the relief areas 56 has a long oval shape passing through a long oval orifice of complementary form provided in the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11. [ This type of long elliptical shape extending perpendicularly to the side provided with the reinforcing device with the cables is particularly advantageous for absorbing the pulling forces exerted on the cables 26a, 26b. The inner plate 50 includes a circular orifice 52 that allows the passage of the stop ball 31 supported by the end of the cable 26 and communicates with the long elliptical hole 53 to allow passage of the cable 26a .

Fig. 25 shows a reinforced heat insulating block 3, 7 provided with a semi-inclined structure 58 according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, the semi-tilting structure 58 includes two load supports formed of solid metal bars 59a, 59b arranged in an "X" shape. The metal bars extend along the side surfaces of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 and extend between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11, respectively. In order to optimize the size of the metal bars 59a and 59b, the metal bars 59a and 59b are flat and the ends of the metal bars are turned to face the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11, do. The metal bars 59a and 59b support the threaded rods 60 on their ends. The threaded rods 60 pass through the fastening body 61 integral with the base panel 10 or the cover panel 11 and cooperate with the nuts 62 so that the metal bars 59a and 59b are subjected to tensile forces. do. The metal bars 59a and 59b are made of, for example, stainless steel.

28 to 51 show reinforced heat insulating blocks 3, 7 provided with reinforcing structures 63 having belts. The reinforcing structures 63 include two load supports arranged in the form of an "X " extending along the lateral ends of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7, and are provided with traction pre-stressing And a plurality of belts. Belts of this type may be made of steel, for example.

28 to 30, the reinforcing structure 63 is formed by a belt 64 in the form of a closed loop, which is first mounted around the base panel 10, X "at the lateral center of the heat-insulating blocks 3 and 7, respectively. That is, the belt 64 is substantially disposed in an "8" shape, the upper loop is mounted around the cover panel 11, and the lower loop is mounted around the base panel 10. The cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 are provided with a semi-inclined structure 63 having this type of belt so as to allow passage of the belt 64 at the edges of the heat insulating blocks 3, Is cut-out at the angle portion adjacent to the side.

The base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 have one or more metal angle brackets 65 at each of the angle cutting portions as shown in Fig. The metal angle brackets 65 can prevent local deformation of the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11. [

30, the belt 64 is moved between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 spirally at 180 degrees in each part forming the load supports. Thus, at the point of intersection between the diagonal portions, portions of the belt 64 extend in relation to each other in a vertical plane. Thus, the traction force pushing the diagonal portions of the belt 64 is precisely applied to the side planes.

31 to 49 illustrate embodiments of the reinforced insulation block 8 integrally designed in the first insulating barrier, wherein the foundation panel 10 is provided with grooves 66. These grooves 66 are designed to allow passage of the welded support elements and the raised ends of the metal straps of the second sealing membrane 5.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 31-33, the reinforcing structure 63 includes an open belt 67. The belt 67 is mounted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11 and interposed between the elements of the sandwich structure of the cover panel 11. [ Further, the two ends of the belt 67 are fixed with respect to the outer surface of the base panel 10, in the region adjacent to the edge. Accordingly, the belt 67 is not formed to extend through the grooves 66 formed in the base panel 10.

The cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 are also cut at their angle portions adjacent to the side where the belt 67 is provided to provide space for passage of the belt 67. [ Further, the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 have metal angle brackets 65 at their respective angle-cutting portions, as shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 32, the belt 67 is spirally moved 180 degrees to those portions extending between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 31-33, the heat insulating block 7 comprises an element 68 for guiding the belt 67. Fig. The element 68 includes a base that straddles the groove 66. The base 68 is also provided with a slot 69 that allows passage of the welding elements and the raised ends of the metal straps of the second sealing membrane 5. The base 68 includes an upper surface for guiding the belt 67 to prevent contact between the belt 67 and the welding elements of the second membrane and the two side wings 82a and 82b, 7 so that the belt 67 is held on the plane. According to one embodiment, the guiding element 68 may be placed in place after securing the two ends of the belt 67 on the foundation panel 10, thereby causing the belt 67 to undergo mechanical tensile forces.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 34-36, the reinforcing structure 63 is formed by a belt 83 in the form of a closed loop in the form "8 ". The belt 83 is first mounted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11 and interposed between the elements of the sandwich structure of the cover panel 11. The belt 83 also passes through the grooves 66 and is mounted around the central element 84 of the base panel 10 bounded by the two grooves 66. The belt 84 is also moved 180 degrees in a spiral manner at each portion extending between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 as shown in Fig. A pair of angle brackets 65 are provided at each corner of the sandwich structure of the cover panel 11 so that the lower ridge and the upper ridge of the cover panel 11 are covered It is possible to protect it from deformation.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the reinforcing structure 63 includes two belts 87 in a closed loop, each shown separately. Each belt 87 passes diagonally through each of the sides and passes on or through the angle area of the base panel 10 after passing through the angle area or the angle area of the cover panel 11 in turn . In order to facilitate the positioning of the belt, four angle areas of the cover panel 11 are provided with grooves 88 for passage of the belt 87, which is open to two adjacent sides of the heat insulating block 7 . Thus, by using only these two belts, it is possible to arrange, in each of the side surfaces of the heat insulating block 7, between the cover panel 11 and the foundation panel 10, in the form of "X & Two parts of the belt can be provided.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 39 and 40, the reinforcing structure 63 includes an open belt 89. The belt 89 is mounted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11 and is provided in the structure of the cover panel 11. [ The heat insulating block 7 also includes a beam 90 extending along the reinforced longitudinal end provided with the reinforcing structure 63 to the base panel 10. [ In the groove 66 formed in the base panel 10, the beam 90 is provided with a slot which allows the passage of weld support elements of the second membrane 5. The belt 89 extends along the side elements 92 and 93 and passes through the grooves 66 and between the inner surface of the side elements 92 and 93 of the base panel 10 and the beam 90 . Thus, the use of this type of beam 90 is particularly advantageous in that it reinforces the foundation panel 10 while ensuring the fixation of the ends of the belt 89.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 41-43, the semi-leaning stiffening structure 63 includes a belt 94 in the form of a closed rope. The belt 94 is mounted around the distribution plate 11a of the cover panel 11 and is provided in the structure of the cover panel 11. [ The heat insulating block 7 also includes beams 95, 96 and 97 extending along the reinforced longitudinal plane at the center 84 of the base panel 10 and the side elements 93 and 94, respectively.

The heat insulating block 7 also includes devices 98 for guiding the belt 94 located in the grooves 66 in the base panel 10. The apparatuses 98 for guiding the belt comprise a base fixed on the foundation panel 10 supporting a cylindrical shaft 99 for guiding the belt and a belt 94 on the plane of the side of the heat- And two side wings 100a and 100b to maintain the side wings 100a and 100b. The belt 94 extends along the outer surface of the side elements 92 and 93 and is then guided by the cylindrical shaft 99 of the guiding devices 98 to the inner surface of the central element 84 of the base panel 10 .

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 44, 45 and 46, the heat insulating block 7 comprises an angle bracket (not shown) designed to place the belt 89 against the base panel 10 at the angular portions of the base panel 10 Includes a placement element (101). The angle bracket placement element 102 also supports an upper plate 103 that allows the elements for supporting the first holding units 8 to be received.

According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 47, 48 and 49, the heat insulating block 7 includes four semi-inclined reinforcing structures 63 each extending along the side of the heat insulating block 7.

The semi-inclined reinforcing structures 63 extend along the sides parallel to the grooves 12, 66, and each structure is provided in the structure of the cover panel 11 first, and secondly, Quot; 8 "shaped < / RTI > The insulating block 7 also includes beams 105 which are formed extending along the sides perpendicular to the grooves 12, 66 with respect to the base panel 10.

As shown in FIG. 48, the base panel 10 has an indent 108 that allows passage of the belt 106. Accordingly, the angle area 109 of the base panel 10 is designed to form a holding surface cooperable with the elements for supporting the first holding units 8.

The semi-tapered stiffening structures 63 extending along the sides orthogonal to the grooves 12, 66 comprise belts 106, which are closed loops arranged in an "8" shape, respectively. The belt 106 is provided in the structure of the cover panel 11. The belt 106 also passes through the grooves 66 formed in the base panel 10 and is mounted around the center element 84 of the base panel 10. In this case, the insulating block 7 comprises a beam 107 extending along the end of the central element 84.

49, the heat insulating block spans the side elements 92, 93 and the center element 84 of the base panel 10 and the side elements 92, 93 And a plurality of securing jumper formed to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 50, the heat insulating blocks 3, 7 comprise four semi-inclined reinforcing structures 63 extending along their respective sides. In this case, the four reinforcing structures 63 are identical, each of which includes a belt 107 in a closed loop. The belt 108 is arranged in an "8" form, firstly in a composite structure of the cover panel 11, and secondly around the base panel 10.

It should be noted that the features of the plurality of reinforcing structures 63 having the belts previously described with reference to Figures 28-50 can be combined.

Figure 51 shows a tank wall with reinforced heat insulating blocks 3, 7 provided with semi-inclined reinforcing structures 63 with belts. The heat insulating blocks 3 of the secondary insulating barrier 2 are supported on the support structure 1 by means of polymerizable resin elements 110 arranged intermittently or in the form of beads. The heat insulating blocks 7 are held on the support structure 1 by the second holding units 4 arranged at four corners of the heat insulating blocks 3. The second holding units 4 include a tapped insert 111 and a supporting element 112 interposed between the edges of the base panel 10 of the heat insulating blocks 3.

The second holding units 4 support a rod 113 extending in the thickness direction of the tank, and a metal plate 114 is mounted on the end thereof.

The welded support elements are located in the grooves formed in the cover panel 11 of the heat insulating blocks 7 and the metal struts having the raised ends of the second seal membrane 5 are welded to the weld support elements and metal plates 114 do.

The plate 114 further supports the studs 115 allowing the fixation of the retaining plate 116 so that the edges of the heat insulating blocks 3 of the first heat insulating barrier 6 are held between the retaining plate 116 and the metal plate 114). These elements form the first holding units 8.

When the heat insulating blocks 3 of the first adiabatic membrane 6 are in place, the straps having the raised ends of the first sealing membrane 9 are positioned in the grooves formed in the cover panel 11 of the heat insulating blocks 7 Welded support elements.

In the illustrated embodiment, the panels 117, 118 are arranged vertically between the heat insulating blocks, and in particular in order to limit the heat transfer by convection between the heat insulating blocks 3, 7, the adjacent heat insulating blocks 3, 7) to be insulated. These types of panels 117 and 118 are made of glass wool or polystyrene or polymer foam such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene foam, or polyvinyl chloride foam.

In Figures 52-57, for example, the heat insulating blocks without the semi-leaning structure and the reinforced heat insulating blocks 120 described with reference to one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3-50, The first insulating barriers 6 and / or the second insulating barriers including the standard insulating blocks 119 as shown. In Figures 52-57, the reinforced insulation blocks 120 have been hatched to be distinguished from the standard insulation blocks 119.

52, the standard heat insulating blocks 119 and the reinforced heat insulating blocks 120 are arranged in the form of a checker board, and the standard heat insulating blocks 119 and the reinforced heat insulating blocks 120 are arranged in sequence Where the standard block 119 is arranged in a form following the enhanced block 120.

In Fig. 53, the arrangement configuration alternately includes two kinds of rows C1 and C2 and two kinds of columns R1 and R2. The rows of type C1 have alternately included three standard insulation blocks 119, and then have a configuration including the reinforced insulation block 120. The C2 type rows have a configuration that alternately includes a standard insulation block 119 and an enhanced insulation block 120. [ The columns of type R1 have a configuration that alternately includes a standard heat insulating block 119 and an enhanced heat insulating block 120. The columns of type R2 have a configuration comprising alternating three standard insulation blocks 119 followed by an enhanced insulation block 120. In addition, the reinforced adiabatic blocks 120 of C1 rows also belong to columns of type R2, while the reinforced adiabatic blocks 120 of columns C2 belong to columns of type R1.

In Fig. 54, the arrangement configuration alternately includes rows of a C1 type and rows of a C2 type. The rows of type C1 include only standard insulation blocks 20. The C2 type rows alternate between the standard insulation block 119 and the reinforced insulation block 120.

In Fig. 55, the arrangement alternately includes a row of type R1 including only standard insulation blocks 119 and an row of type R2 including only reinforced insulation blocks 120. [

In Fig. 56, the arrangement alternately includes two columns of type R1, including only standard insulation blocks 119, and one column of type R2, including only reinforced insulation blocks 120.

In Fig. 57, the arrangement configuration alternately includes two R1 type columns and one R2 type column. The columns of type R1 alternately include three standard insulation blocks 119 and an enhanced insulation block 120. [ The reinforced adiabatic blocks of columns of type R1 are aligned in rows and form rows of type C1 that include only reinforced adiabatic blocks 120. [ The columns of type R2 include only the reinforced insulation blocks 120.

The arrangement of the standard insulation blocks 119 and the reinforced insulation blocks 120 according to one of the arrangement patterns described above allows for the absorption of the tangent forces applied to the cover panels of the standard insulation blocks by the reinforced insulation blocks Allow. For this purpose, the clearance between the standard insulating blocks 119 and the reinforced insulating blocks 120 is such that the lateral forces exerted on the cover panel of the standard insulating block 119, before the standard insulating block 119 is tilted, Is small enough to be absorbed by the heat insulating block 120.

This type of arrangement makes it possible to strengthen the insulation barrier without having to provide a reinforcing structure for all the insulating blocks. This type of arrangement is therefore particularly economical. In addition, the reinforcing structures can limit the negative effects of degrading the insulation performance.

According to the embodiment shown in Figure 58, which is vertical and / or cross-sectional, the tank has an octagonal cross section. The tank thus includes a horizontal base wall 121 and a ceiling 122, vertical walls 123 and sloped walls 124,125 connecting the vertical walls 123 to the base wall 121 or the ceiling 122 ). According to one advantageous embodiment, the arrangement of the standard insulation blocks 119 and the reinforced insulation blocks 120 according to one of the arrangements described above is such that the inclined walls 124, 125 and the ceiling 122, It is only used when manufacturing walls that have the most effect (sloshing effect) and have a dynamic influence on the fluid. Also, according to one embodiment, the vertical end sidewalls 126 have an upper region 128 and a lower region 127 provided with an arrangement according to one of the arrangement patterns described above. The upper region 128 and the lower region 127 extend to the same tank height as the tapered walls 124, 125, for example.

The techniques described above for manufacturing insulating barriers can be used for various kinds of tanks. For example, it can be used to construct a first or second insulation barrier in a floating structure such as a ground facility or an LNG carrier.

Fig. 59 shows a sectional view of an LNG ship, which includes a hermetically sealed thermal storage tank 71, which is generally in the form of a prism, attached to the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a first hermetic membrane designed to contact the LNG contained in the tank, a second hermetic membrane disposed between the first hermetic membrane and the ship's double hull 72, and a second hermetic membrane, And two insulating barriers arranged between the sealing membrane and the second sealing membrane and the double hull 72, respectively.

The loading / unloading pipe 73 disposed on the upper deck of the vessel can be connected in a known manner by means of suitable connecting devices to the maritime terminal or the harbor terminal for transferring or transferring the LNG to the tank 71.

Figure 59 shows an example of a maritime terminal including a loading and unloading station 75, an undersea duct 76, and a ground facility 77. [ The loading and unloading station is a stationary shore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting a movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading / unloading pipe 73. The directional movable arm 74 can be applied to LNG vessels of all sizes. A connection conduit (not shown) extends into the interior of the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows for loading and unloading between the LNG tanker 70 and the ground facility 77. The ground facility 77 includes tanks 80 for the storage of liquefied gases and connection ducts 81 connected to the loading or unloading station 75 by the underwater duct 76. Because the underwater duct 76 permits the transport of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the ground facility 77 to a long distance of, for example, 5 km, the LNG ship 70, during shipping and unloading operations, You can stay away.

The pumps on the ship 70 and / or the pumps provided on the overhead facility 77, and / or the pumps on the loading and unloading station 75 are used to generate the pressure required for liquefied gas transportation.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is intended to encompass all of the technical equivalents of all such means and combinations thereof as long as they are within the scope of the invention.

The phrases "comprise," " comprise, " and variations thereof do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The use of the term " a "does not exclude the possibility of a plurality of such elements or steps, unless otherwise specified.

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

Claims (20)

(2, 6) and a sealing membrane (5, 9) supported by said insulating barrier (2, 6), said insulating barrier (2, 6) comprising two major faces and four sides (3, 7) having a plurality of juxtaposed parallelepipedic insulating blocks (3, 7), the insulating blocks comprising:
- a base panel (10) and a cover panel (11) spaced apart in the thickness direction of the heat insulating block (3, 7) and forming the main faces of the heat insulating block (3, 7) A base panel (10) and a cover panel (11) having a support surface for receiving said sealing membranes (5, 9);
A plurality of pillars (13) arranged between the base panel (10) and the cover panel (11) and extending in the thickness direction; And
- an insulating lining disposed between said pillars (13), said insulating lining
The plurality of heat insulating blocks 3 and 7 are arranged between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 and extend in the longitudinal direction along the reinforced side faces of the heat insulating blocks 3 and 7, Wherein the semi-leaning structure (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) comprises at least one reinforced structure (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) Is reinforced with respect to the base panel (10) and secondly with respect to the cover panel (11), and the semi-leaning reinforcing structure (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) And a shear strength for a shearing force exerted on the cover panel in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the column (13), wherein the shear strength is greater than the shear strength of the column (13). The method according to claim 1,
The semi-inclined reinforcing structure 21 extends between the base panel 10 and the cover panel 11 along the reinforced side and is arranged in the thickness direction of the reinforced heat insulating block 3, 7 Wherein the reinforcing bodies (22) are arranged on opposite sides of the median plane at right angles to the reinforced sides, the size of each of the reinforcing bodies being adjacent to the reinforcing sides Is larger than the size of the column (13) in the direction perpendicular to the two sides. 3. The method of claim 2,
Characterized in that the size of each reinforcing body (22) in a direction perpendicular to the two sides adjacent to the reinforced side is more than twice the size of the column (13). The method according to claim 2 or 3,
The end portions of the reinforcing main bodies 22 disposed opposite to the cover panel 11 and the base panel 10 have a sawtooth shape and protrusions of the teeth are complementary to the cover panel and the base panel Wherein the enclosure is adapted to fit within the receiving compartments. The method according to claim 1,
The semi-oblique stiffening structures 14,25, 58 and 63 are arranged diagonally in the form of an " X "and are respectively supported by two load supports 16a, 16b, 26a, 26b, 59a, 59b, 64, 67, 83, 87, 89, 94, 104, 106. 6. The method of claim 5,
Characterized in that the two supports (16a, 16b) are formed as a single piece from a reinforcing body (15) extending between the base panel (10) and the cover panel (11). The method according to claim 6,
Characterized in that the reinforcing body (15) further comprises at least two support columns (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) extending parallel to the thickness direction of the reinforced heat insulating block (3, 7) Tank. 8. The method of claim 7,
Characterized in that the columns (13) are arranged in a plurality of rows and the support columns (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are arranged in columns (13) of aligned columns. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8,
The reinforcing main body 15 includes an upper beam 18a and a lower beam 18b which extend from the cover panel 11 and the foundation panel 10 respectively and load supporting rods 16a and 16b, , And a plurality of openings (19) extending in spaces formed between the upper and lower beams (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) and the upper and lower beams (18a, 18b). 10. The method of claim 9,
The openings 19 are formed at the intersections between the two load supports 16a and 16b and / or the upper beam 18a and the lower beam 18b, and the support columns 17a, 17b, 17c and 17d and / And / or at the intersections between the load supports (16a, 16b), connecting fillets. 6. The method of claim 5,
The load supports 16a and 16b are cables 26a and 26b including a first end fixed to the cover panel 11 and a second end fixed to the foundation panel 11, Characterized in that the structure (25) comprises a device for causing the cables (26a, 26b) to undergo mechanical tensile forces. 6. The method of claim 5,
Characterized in that said load supports are formed by belts (64, 67, 83, 87, 89, 94, 104, 106) subjected to traction pre-stressing along their lengthwise direction. 6. The method of claim 5,
Characterized in that the load supports are metal bars (59a, 59b) having a first end fixed to the cover panel (11) and a second end fixed to the foundation panel (10). 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Characterized in that said reinforced insulation block (3, 7) comprises two semi-inclined reinforcing structures (14, 21, 25, 58, 63) extending longitudinally along two opposite sides Tank. 15. The method of claim 14,
The reinforced insulation block 3,7 comprises four semi-leaning reinforcement bodies 14, 21, 25, 58, 63 each extending along each side of the reinforced insulation block 3, 7 Wherein the airtight insulation tank is made of an insulating material. 16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
The plurality of heat insulating blocks include a plurality of standard heat insulating blocks 119 and a plurality of reinforced heat insulating blocks 120. The standard heat insulating blocks are heat insulating blocks without at least one anti- Characterized in that the reinforced heat insulating blocks (120) are distributed according to a certain pattern. 17. The method of claim 16,
The uniform distribution pattern of the reinforced insulation blocks 120 is such that the shear force applied to the cover panel of the standard insulation block 120 is designed to be absorbed by the adjacent reinforced insulation block 120 before the standard insulation block 120 is tilted Features sealed thermal insulation tank. A ship (70) for transporting fluid comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 arranged in said double hull. A method for loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 18, comprising the steps of: transferring from a floating or ground storage facility (77) to the ship (71) or from the ship (71) to a floating or ground storage facility (77) (73, 79, 76, 81). A fluid transport system comprising a ship (70) according to claim 18, an insulated pipe (73, 79, 76, 81) for connecting a tank (71) provided on the ship's hull to a floating or ground storage facility (77) And a pump for driving the flow of fluid from the floating or ground storage facility to the vessel or from the vessel to the floating or ground storage facility through the insulating pipe.

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