KR20200007674A - Tank wall including a sealing membrane including a corrugation having a reinforced curvilinear portion - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tank wall, comprising: an insulation barrier (2); and a sealing membrane (3) put on the insulation barrier (2). According to the present invention, the sealing membrane (3) includes: a curve unit (36) extended in a curve direction (d1), and one or more curve reinforcing apparatuses (37) located in the curve unit (36) to reinforce the curve unit (36) between the sealing membrane (3) and the insulation barrier (2). The curve reinforcing apparatuses (37) include a plurality of reinforcing sections (42, 43, 44) in the shape of a profile individually extended in straight-linear directions (d2, d3, d4). The curve reinforcing apparatuses (37) additionally include connection members (45) to connect the reinforcing sections (42, 43, 44) to be kept at positions where the respective straight-linear directions (d2, d3, d4) of the reinforcing sections (42, 43, 44) are oriented adjacent to the curve direction (d1). The present invention aims to provide the tank wall which is fluid-sealed and insulated and enables reliable sealing of the curve unit.

Description

Tank wall comprising sealing membrane with corrugation with reinforcement curves {TANK WALL INCLUDING A SEALING MEMBRANE INCLUDING A CORRUGATION HAVING A REINFORCED CURVILINEAR PORTION}

The present invention relates to the field of sealed tanks comprising corrugated sealing membranes for storing and / or transporting a fluid such as liquefied gas.

Sealed tanks comprising a membrane are employed in particular for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG), or for storing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is stored at about -163 ° C. These tanks can be installed on the ground or in floating structures. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be intended to contain a liquefied gas that serves as fuel for the transport of the liquefied gas or for the propulsion of the floating structure.

Tanks are known in the art that include a corrugated sealing membrane intended to contact a liquefied gas contained in the tank and that is reinforced with the aid of reinforcing elements. Reinforcing elements are disposed below the corrugations of the sealing membrane between the sealing membrane and the insulating barrier supporting the sealing membrane. Reinforcement elements of this kind are induced in the sealing membrane by a variety of factors, including thermal shrinkage due to the cooling of the tank, the bending of the ship's beam, and in particular the dynamic pressure caused by the movement of the cargo due to rocking. Enables easy reduction of stress These reinforcing elements are generally hollow to allow gas to circulate between the corrugations and the thermal barrier and pass through the reinforcing elements. Such tanks are described in particular in documents FR2936784, FR2963818 and FR3039248.

The reinforcing elements disclosed in the aforementioned documents are generally made of straight profile parts and are thus arranged in the straight parts of the corrugations.

However, Applicant noted that there is also a need to reinforce the curved portions of the corrugations. These curved parts of the corrugations are particularly defined in particular areas of the tank, such as the corner between two wall areas, the area of the support leg intended to guide the loading / unloading tower or the dome intended to release gas or liquid. Exist in the realm.

The idea underlying the present invention includes a sealing membrane equipped with a pleat with curved portions, and further comprises a curved reinforcement device that is simple to manufacture and that enables reliable reinforcement of the curved portions. And to insulate tank walls.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides an insulating barrier, a sealing membrane placed on an insulating barrier, a sealing membrane comprising a corrugation having a curved portion formed in a curved direction, and a sealing membrane and an insulating barrier to reinforce the curved portion. A tank wall comprising at least one curved reinforcement device disposed within a curved portion between said curved reinforcement devices includes a plurality of reinforcement sections each having a profile shape formed in a linear direction, said curved reinforcement device And a connecting member connecting the reinforcement sections in such a manner as to maintain the reinforcement sections in a position in which the straight direction of each of the reinforcement sections is oriented tangential to the curvilinear direction while projecting in a plane parallel to the tank wall.

The curved portion of the corrugation is thus reinforced by a curved reinforcement device which has a straight profile shape and consequently makes it possible to provide reliable support by the reinforcement sections which are simpler to manufacture than the reinforcement elements formed of the curved profile.

According to another advantageous embodiment, a tank wall of this kind may have one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, each reinforcing section comprises an opening into which the connecting member enters.

According to one embodiment, each reinforcing section comprises a bottom plate laid against the thermal barrier.

According to one embodiment, each bottom plate comprises a planar lower wall lying against the two lateral walls and the thermal barrier and connecting the two lateral walls, the opening being in the lateral walls and the lower wall. With this type of bottom plate, the forces induced by the rocking of the cargo are thus more evenly distributed across the thermal barrier.

According to one embodiment, the connecting member is a rail comprising a curved portion extending in the curved direction of the curved portion and having a curved outer edge having a curvature inner edge and a curvature greater than the curved inner edge.

According to one embodiment, the inner curved edge or the outer curved edge comprises alternating protrusions and recesses forming a serrated shape, each protrusion being received in an opening of one of the reinforcing sections. The recesses between the projections thus allow for the creation of gaps which facilitate the placement of the reinforcing sections in the curved part of the connecting member. According to one embodiment, the sawtooth is formed at the curved inner edge of the rail. According to another embodiment, the sawtooth is formed at the curved outer edge of the rail.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the reinforcing sections has a hollow envelope and cross reinforcing webs extending inside the hollow envelope from one side of the hollow envelope to the other. This makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the reinforcement sections.

According to one embodiment, the reinforcing webs intersect at the plane of symmetry of the reinforcing section.

According to one embodiment, each reinforcing section comprises two reinforcing webs arranged in the form of X.

According to one embodiment, each reinforcing section comprises a support portion having a shape adapted to the inner shape of the corrugation. According to one embodiment, the support portion has a semi-elliptical dome outer shape.

According to one embodiment, the curved portion has an inner curved edge and an outer curved edge having a curvature greater than the inner curved edge, at least one of the reinforcing sections each having the reinforcing section external from the inner curved edge of the curved portion. It has two ends inclined with respect to the straight direction of the reinforcement section in such a way that it widens towards the curved edge.

According to one embodiment, the reinforcement sections are juxtaposed at the level of the inner curved edge.

According to one embodiment, each of the two ends of the reinforcing section lies in one plane, which is perpendicular to the tangent to the curve direction at the intersection between the plane and the curve direction.

According to one embodiment, each of the two ends of the reinforcing section lies in a plane parallel to the direction of the thickness of the tank wall.

According to one embodiment, the angles in the straight direction of the elevation section formed by the plane of the two ends of each reinforcement section are the same and opposite each other.

According to one embodiment, the corrugation comprises two straight portions arranged in line with them on respective opposite sides of the curved portion, and the reinforcing element is disposed in each of the two straight portions between the sealing membrane and the thermal barrier. And the connecting member is received in the opening of at least one of the reinforcing elements.

According to one embodiment, the curved portion is arranged near the corner region of the tank wall.

According to an alternative embodiment, the curved portion is arranged near the singular zone of the tank wall where the flatness of the sealing membrane is interrupted. According to one embodiment, the singular area comprises a support leg intended to guide the loading / unloading tower. According to another embodiment, the singular region comprises a dome intended to exhaust a gas or liquid.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a tank comprising the aforementioned tank wall.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a vessel comprising a support structure and the aforementioned tank secured to the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides for loading or unloading a vessel of this kind that is moved from a floating or onshore storage facility to a ship's tank or from a vessel's tank to a floating or onshore storage facility via insulated pipes. It also provides a way to do it.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides the above-mentioned vessel, insulated pipes connecting the tanks installed on the ship's hull to a floating or onshore storage facility, and through the insulated pipes to transfer fluid from the floating or onshore storage facility. It may also include a pump for driving into a tank of a ship or from a tank of a ship to a floating or onshore storage facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description of a plurality of specific embodiments of the present invention given only by way of non-limiting description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more apparent.
1 is a partial diagram of a portion of the wall of a sealed and insulated tank, with the sealing membrane cut away.
2 is a perspective view, in particular, showing the curved portion of the corrugation and the curved reinforcement device intended to reinforce the curved portion as if it were transparent.
3 is a view from above of the curved portion of the corrugation and the curve reinforcement device from FIG. 2;
4 is a perspective view showing the reinforcement elements intended to lie in the straight portions of the pleats and the curve reinforcement device intended to lie in the curved portion of the pleats.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a corrugated reinforcement element or reinforcement section intended to lie in low corrugations.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a reinforcing element or reinforcing section intended to lie in high pleats.
7 is a perspective view showing in detail the connecting member of the curve reinforcing device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.
8 is a schematic cutaway view of a terminal for loading / unloading a methane transport ship and its tank.

The wall 1 of a sealed and insulated tank intended to store liquefied gas is described with reference to FIG. 1. The liquefied gas may in particular be liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Each wall 1 is an inner space of the tank and at least one primary thermal barrier barrier 2 which lies continuously or inward in the thickness direction of the wall, directly or indirectly with respect to the support structure not shown in FIG. 1. It has a multilayer structure comprising a primary sealing member 3 intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained therein. Each wall 1 may further comprise a secondary insulating barrier, optionally placed against the support structure, and a secondary sealing membrane fixed to the secondary insulating barrier and on which the primary insulating barrier lies.

The support structure is for example formed by a double hull of a ship, but more generally can be formed by any type of rigid partition with suitable mechanical properties.

In FIG. 1, the primary thermal insulation barrier 2 comprises a plurality of thermal insulation elements 4 which are fixed directly to the support structure or subsequently fixed to a secondary thermal barrier which is fixed to the support structure. The insulating elements 4 juxtapose to each other and form a planar support surface on which the primary sealing membrane 3 is fixed. In order to fix the primary sealing membrane 3 to the insulating elements 4, each insulating element 4 is equipped with metal plates 5 for fixing to the edges of the metal plates of the primary sealing membrane 3. It is. The metal plates 5 extend in two mutually perpendicular directions. Each insulating element 4 is made of a layer 6 of polymer foam, for example plywood, and made of polymer foam. At least one rigid inner plate 7 secured to the layer 6.

The metal plates 23 are arranged in recesses formed on the inner surface of the inner plate 7 so that the inner surface of the metal plates 23 is flush with the inner surface of the inner plate 7.

The primary sealing membrane 3 is welded to the metal plates 23 in such a way that they are welded at overlapping each other in a sealed manner and fixed to the primary insulating barrier 2. Corrugated metal plates.

Each metal plate has a first row of parallel folds called high folds 8 and a second row of parallel folds called perpendicular folds extending perpendicular to the first row of folds 8. Include them. It should be noted that the terms 'high' and 'low' have a relative meaning and mean that the so-called low wrinkles 9 have a lower height than the so-called high wrinkles 8. Also, in an embodiment not shown, the pleats 8, 9 have the same heights.

At each intersection between the two corrugations 8, 9, the primary sealing membrane 3 comprises a node zone 10. The node region 10 comprises a central portion 11 with a top projecting towards the interior of the tank. In addition, the central portion 11 is on the one hand by a pair of concave folds 12 formed in the floor of the high pleats 8 and on the other hand a pair of depressions in which the low pleats 9 enter therein. Sides are formed by the parts 13.

The corrugations 8, 9 of the metal plates can be deformed by the thermal and mechanical loads generated by the liquefied gas stored in the tank by making the primary sealing membrane 3 flexible.

As an example, corrugated metal plates are in particular stainless steel, aluminum, invar ^® , i.e. an alloy of nickel and iron whose expansion coefficient is typically between 1.2 x 10 ^-6 and 2.10 ^-6 K ^-1 or its expansion coefficient. Can be made of a high manganese iron alloy, typically at the level of 7.10 ^-6 K ^-1 . However, other metals or alloys can equally be expected. As one example, the metal plate has a thickness of approximately 1.2 mm. Other thicknesses can equally be expected, taking into account that thickening the metal plate increases its cost and generally increases the stiffness of the corrugations.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tank wall 1 is arranged inside the corrugations 8, 9 and is provided with a plurality of reinforcing elements 14 arranged between the primary sealing member 3 and the primary insulating barrier 2. , 15). These reinforcing elements 14, 15 aim to support and reinforce the corrugations 8, 9 of the primary sealing membrane 3.

Each reinforcing element 14, 15 constitutes the main body of the reinforcing element 14, 15 and comprises a hollow envelope inserted into the pleats 8, 9 of the primary sealing membrane 3. Each reinforcing element 14, 15 has a profile shape of a constant cross section. However, the two longitudinal ends 16, 17 of each reinforcing element 14 intended to be placed in one of the high corrugations 8 are cut on a plane inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reinforcing element 14. do. The two longitudinal ends 18, 19 of the reinforcing elements 15 intended to be placed in the low corrugations 9 are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing elements 15 as far as they are concerned. Can be.

Each reinforcing element 14, 15 can be made to any desired length. The length of the reinforcing elements 14, 15 is preferably substantially equal to the spacing between the pleats across the pleats into which the stiffening elements 14, 15 are inserted. To be more precise, in the case of the reinforcing elements 14 intended to reinforce the high corrugations 8, the length of the hollow envelope at the top is for example a high with a uniform cross section between the two node regions 11. Equal to the length of a portion of the pleats. This uniform cross-sectional portion ends where the high pleat 8 has a slightly laterally tightening that marks the beginning of the node region 11. In addition, the inclination of the longitudinal ends 16, 17 of the hollow reinforcement element 14 substantially corresponds to the inclination of its lateral tightening, such that a hollow envelope of the reinforcement elements is possible in the node region 11. As close as possible the support for high pleats 8 is optimized.

For example, the reinforcement elements 14, 15 are made of a polymer material, such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, or polyetherimide, reinforced with a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, or advantageously a fiber such as glass fiber.

5 and 6 show cross sections of the reinforcing elements 15, 14 intended to reinforce the low pleats 9 and the high pleats 8, respectively. As shown in these figures, the hollow envelope comprises a bottom plate 20 at the bottom and a support portion 21 at the top.

The support portion 21 can be made of various geometries, in particular as a correlation of the geometry of the pleats 8, 9 of the primary sealing membrane 3, as shown, for example, in document FR2936784. The outer shape of the support portion 21 is preferably the inner shape of the corrugations 8, 9 into which the reinforcing elements 14, 15 are inserted to provide substantially full support of the surface of the corrugations 8, 9. Set to. In the embodiment shown, the outer shape of the cross section of the support portion 21 is a semi-elliptical dome shape. If the reinforcing elements 14, 15 are made of a material with a thermal behavior different from that of the primary sealing membrane 3, the size determination is corrugated at an operating temperature, such as about -162 ° C. for liquefied natural gas, for example. In order to effectively support (8, 9), the difference must be taken into account.

The bottom plate 20 also has two lateral walls 24, 25 connected to each other by a planar lower wall 22 and a lower wall 22 which are laid against the inner plate 7 of the thermal insulation elements 5. ). The two lateral walls 24, 25 extend upwards by the support portion 21. The lower wall 22 and the lateral walls 24, 25 form an opening 26 passing through the reinforcing elements 14, 15 in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing members 14, 15, in which: The connecting member described is intended to be received.

The support portion 21 comprises cross reinforcing webs 27, 28 extending from one side of the hollow envelope to the other side and intersecting at the level of the plane of symmetry A of the reinforcing elements 14, 15. In the embodiment shown, the support portion 21 comprises two reinforcing webs 27, 28 arranged in an X shape.

1, it can also be seen that the reinforcing elements 14, 15 are interconnected by the connecting members 29. This kind of connecting member 29 is on the one hand the reinforcing elements 14 intended to be placed in the high pleats 8 and / or on the other hand the reinforcing elements intended to be arranged in the low pleats 9. This enables a stable alignment of (15).

Each connecting member 29 consists of a rail 30 arranged to face the node region 11 of the primary sealing membrane 3. The rail 30 has two ends each received inside an opening 26 made in the bottom plate 20 of all of the reinforcing elements 14 arranged in the high corrugations 8, 9 on both sides of the node region 11. Have fields 31 and 32.

In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, a transverse member 33 is arranged in line with the longitudinal ends 16, 17 of the reinforcing elements 14 to enable the support of the bottom portion of the high pleat 8. . Each transverse member 33 is hollow and comprises a lower wall, an upper wall and two lateral walls connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. The lower wall of the spacer 33 extends in line with the lower wall 22 of the bottom plate 20 of the adjacent reinforcing element 14. In addition, the edges of the lateral walls of each spacer 33 facing the longitudinal ends 16, 17 of the adjacent reinforcing element 14 are inclined so as to be pressed against the inclined end of the reinforcing element 14.

Furthermore, the rail 30 advantageously has a cross shape, so that the openings 26 formed in all of the reinforcing elements 15 disposed in the low corrugation 9 on respective opposite sides of the region of the node 11 are formed. It forms two opposing lugs 34 and 35 which are each accommodated.

Subsequently described with reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 7, one of the corrugations 8 has a curved portion 36 and a curved reinforcement device 37 is placed inside the curved portion 36 to reinforce it. One area of the primary sealing member 3 is provided.

2 and 3 show the corner area between the two walls of the tank. The primary sealing member 3 of one of the walls here comprises a curved portion 36 extending in the curved direction d1. The curved direction d1 more specifically corresponds to the direction of normality of the folds in the curved portion 36.

The curved portion 36 is formed in the welded joint portion 38 overlapping and welded with parallelepiped-shaped metal plates as shown in FIG. 1. The joining portion 38 is also overlapped and welded to the corner piece 39. The corner piece 39 includes two wings 40, 41 that are each parallel with one of the adjacent walls and the other. The corner portion 40 is corrugated and thus enables the continuation of the corrugations of the primary sealing member 3 in the corner region between the two walls. The curved portion 36 thus makes it possible to redirect the pleats. This kind of arrangement consists in particular of two cladding walls of octagonal shape, ie horizontal bottom walls and top walls, two vertical lateral walls, each of which is interconnected by eight longitudinally extending walls of the tank, respectively. Easily encountered in an overall polyhedral tank comprising two diagonal upper walls connecting one of the lateral walls to the sealing wall, and two diagonal lower walls each connecting one of the lateral walls to the rear wall. . More precisely, the primary sealing membrane 3 comprises curved parts 36 of this kind on the clam walls at the level of the corner region of the clam walls with diagonal upper and lower walls.

The curved reinforcement device 37 shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 is arranged inside the curved portion 36 between the primary sealing membrane 3 and the primary insulating barrier 2. The curved reinforcement device 36 comprises a plurality of reinforcement sections 423, 43, 44 and a connecting member 45 connecting the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 to position them. In the embodiment shown, the curved reinforcement device 37 comprises three reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, the curved reinforcement device 37 may include only two reinforcement sections, or may have the same or more than three reinforcement sections.

The reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 are made of a polymer material, such as polyolefin, polycarbonate or polyetherimide, reinforced with a metal such as aluminum or an alloy, or advantageously a fiber such as glass fiber.

Each reinforcing section 42, 43, 44 includes a hollow envelope and has a profile shape that runs in the straight directions d2, d3, d4. The straight directions d2, d3, d4 of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 correspond to the directions of the neutral fibers of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44. Each of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 is advantageously obtained by cutting a straight profile of constant cross section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the curved portion 36 is arranged in line with the high pleats 8 and thus has a cross section substantially similar to that of the high pleats 8. Furthermore, the cross section of each reinforcing section 42, 43, 44 is the same as the cross section shown in FIG. 6 of the reinforcing elements 15 intended to be located inside the high corrugations 8. Nevertheless, in other embodiments not shown, the curved portion 36 is arranged in line with the low pleat 9 and thus has a cross section substantially similar to that of the low pleat 9. Alternatively, the curved portion 31 may have a shape different from that of the high or low wrinkles from which it extends. In this case, the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 have a cross section different from that of the reinforcement elements 14, 15 arranged in the high corrugations 8 and the low corrugations 9.

The connecting member 45 is curved and runs along the curved direction d1 of the curved portion 36. In addition, each of the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44 has an opening 26 through which the connecting member 45 is received. The connecting member 45 thus has a straight direction d2, d3, d4 of the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44, projecting in a plane parallel to the wall 1, in the curved direction of the curved portion 36. Enables positioning of each of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 in a position that is oriented tangentially or substantially tangentially to (d1).

The two ends of the connecting member 45 also advantageously receive in the openings 26 formed in both two straight corrugated reinforcements 14 located in two straight portions of the corrugations connected to the curved portion 36. do.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two ends 46, 47 of each reinforcement section 42, 43, 44 are inclined surfaces. That is, it is formed to be inclined with respect to the linear direction (d2, d3, d4) of the reinforcement section (42, 43, 44). Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, each of the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44 has a trapezoidal shape by projecting in a plane parallel to the wall. In other words, each reinforcement section 42, 43, 44 has two inclined end portions 46, 47, each of which is a straight line d2, d3, d4 of the reinforcement section 42, 43, 44. With respect to the reinforcement section 42, 43, 44 from the inner side 48 of the curved portion 36 towards the outer side 49, ie with a larger radius of curvature from the side with the smaller radius of curvature. Widen to the side. This kind of device makes it possible to provide a wider support area for the surface of the curved portion 36 of the corrugation. In a manner not shown, the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 may be juxtaposed at the portion in contact with the inner side 48.

Each end 46, 47 advantageously lies in a plane parallel to the direction of the thickness of the wall. In addition, the angle formed by the plane of each end 46 and 47 with respect to the linear direction d2, d3, d4 of the reinforcement section 42, 43, 44 is the each plane of each end 46 and 47 is different. It is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the tangent to the curved direction d1 at the intersection of the plane with the curved direction d1.

According to one embodiment, each of the two sloped ends 46, 47 of the reinforcing section 42, 43, 44 lies in one plane, which is curved at the intersection between the plane and the curved direction d1. Perpendicular to the tangent to direction d1.

The angles formed by the planes of the two ends of each reinforcement section 42, 43, 44 with respect to the straight directions d2, d3, d4 of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 are advantageously the same and mutually Is the opposite. Since the profile shape of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 is symmetrical, this makes it possible to alternately cut the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 into a straight profile of constant cross section without wasting material.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the two ends of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 lie in a plane perpendicular to the straight directions d2, d3, d4 of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44. .

7 shows a connecting member 45 according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the connecting member 45 is a curved rail comprising a curved portion 50 intended to extend in the curved direction d1 of the curved portion 36 of the corrugation. The curved rail has a rectangular cross section that substantially corresponds to the sizes of the opening 26 formed in the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44. The connecting member 45 therefore comprises a curved outer edge 51 and a curved outer edge 52 with a radius of curvature greater than that of the curved inner edge 51.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 the curved inner edge comprises a sawtooth formed with alternating protrusions 53 and recesses 54. Each of the protrusions 53 is intended to be received in the opening 26 of one of the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44. The recess 54 between the protrusions 53 thus enables a gap to be created which facilitates the placement of the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44 in the curved portion 50 of the connecting member 45. . In an alternative embodiment, the saw tooth is formed on the curved outer side 52 of the connecting member 45.

In the embodiments shown and described above, the curved portion of the corrugation is formed in the primary sealing membrane and the curve reinforcement device is disposed between the primary sealing membrane and the primary insulating barrier, but the curved portion is identical to the secondary sealing membrane. It should be noted that the curved reinforcement device can be disposed between the secondary sealing membrane and the secondary insulating barrier.

Further, in another embodiment, not shown, the curved portion is formed near the support leg intended to guide the loading / unloading tower without forming near the corner area of the wall. Such straight portions are for example shown and described in particular in FIG. 9 of document WO2011157915.

According to another embodiment not shown, the curved portion of the corrugation may be formed in the region of the ceiling wall of the tank, which is intended to extract the vapor phase from the internal space of the tank into a steam collector disposed outside the tank. The gas dome structure penetrates it.

According to another embodiment not shown, the curved portion of the corrugation may be formed in the area of the ceiling wall of the tank equipped with a liquid dome structure comprising a cover from which the liquefied gas is loaded into the tank and / or unloaded. The loading / unloading tower intended to hang is suspended.

The technique described above for making tank walls can be used for other types of LNG tanks in floating structures such as land installations or methane transport ships.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a sealed and insulated tank 71 in an entirely polyhedral shape with a cutaway view of the methane transport vessel 70 mounted to the double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 71 is a primary sealing barrier intended to contact the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealing barrier disposed between the primary sealing barrier and the double hull 72 of the ship, and the primary sealing barrier and the secondary Two insulating barriers disposed between the sealing barrier and between the secondary sealing barrier and the double hull 72.

In a manner known per se, the loading / unloading pipes 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected by means of appropriate connectors to the coastal or harbor terminal for the transport of LNG cargo from or to the tank 71. Can be.

8 shows an example of a coastal terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, a subsea pipe 76 and a ground installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a stationary offshore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 has a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipes 73. Reversible movable arm 74 is fitted to all methane transport cargo gauges. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends into the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 enables loading and unloading of the methane transport ship 70 from or to the ground installation 77. The latter comprises connecting pipes 81 connected to the loading or unloading station 75 by the liquefied gas storage tank 80 and the subsea pipe 76. The subsea pipe 76 enables the transport of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the ground installation 77 over a long distance, such as 5 km, which the methane transport vessel 790 can perform during loading and unloading operations. Makes it possible to stay far from the coast.

Pumps mounted on the vessel 70 and / or pumps equipped with the ground installation 77 and / or pumps equipped with the loading and unloading station 75 are used to generate the pressure necessary for the transportation of the liquefied gas. do.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with a plurality of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in any way to this and encompasses all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof, as long as they fall within the scope of the invention. It is obvious.

The verbs 'comprises' or 'consists of' and their conjugations do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in the claims.

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

Claims (16)

Tank wall (1) comprising a thermal barrier (2) and a sealing membrane (3) lying on the thermal barrier (2), wherein the sealing membrane (3) is corrugated with a curved portion (36) extending in a curved direction (d1). And at least one curved reinforcement device 37 disposed inside the curved portion 36 so as to reinforce the curved portion 36, wherein the curved reinforcement devices 37 each have a linear direction d2, d3, d4. A plurality of reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 having a profile shape leading to the curved reinforcement device 37, wherein the curved reinforcement device 37 has the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 in a plane parallel to the tank wall 1. The reinforcement sections in such a way as to maintain the reinforcement sections in positions where the straight directions d2, d3, d4 of each of the reinforcement sections 42, 43, 44 are tangentially oriented with respect to the curved direction d1. Tank wall (1) further comprising a connecting member (45) connecting the fields (42, 43, 44). The tank wall (1) according to claim 1, wherein each reinforcing section (42, 43, 44) comprises an opening (26) through which the connecting member (45) is received. The tank wall (1) according to claim 2, wherein each reinforcing section (42, 43, 44) comprises a bottom plate (20) lying against the thermal barrier (2). 4. The planar bottom according to claim 3, wherein each bottom plate (20) lies against two lateral walls (24, 25) and an insulating barrier (2) and connects two lateral walls (24, 25). A tank wall (1) comprising a wall (22), said opening (26) being formed by lateral walls (24, 25) and a lower wall (22). The connection member 45 according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting member 45 comprises a curved portion 50 extending in the curved direction d1 of the curved portion 36 and the curved inner edge 51. Tank wall (1) which is a rail with a curved outer edge (52) with a curvature greater than the curved inner edge (51). 6. The inner curved edge 51 or the outer curved edge 52 comprises alternating protrusions 53 and recesses 54 which form a serrated shape, each protrusion 53 being reinforced. Tank wall (1) received in the opening (26) of one of the sections (42, 43, 44). The tank wall (1) according to claim 6, wherein the sawtooth is formed at the curved inner edge (51) of the rail. 8. The hollow envelope of claim 1, wherein at least one of the reinforcing sections 42, 43, 44 is a hollow envelope and within the hollow envelope from one side to the other side of the hollow envelope. 9. Tank wall 1 with extended cross-reinforcement webs 27, 28. 9. The curved portion 36 has an inner curved edge 48 and an outer curved edge 49 having a greater curvature than the inner curved edge 48. At least one of the sections 42, 43, 44 is such that the reinforcing section 42, 43, 44 extends from the inner curved edge 48 of the curved portion 36 toward the outer curved edge 49. A tank wall (1) with two ends (46, 47) inclined with respect to the straight direction (d2, d3, d4) of the reinforcement section, respectively. 10. The corrugation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corrugation comprises two straight portions arranged in line with the curved portion 36 on respective opposite sides of the curved portion 36, A reinforcing element 14 is arranged in each of the two straight portions between the sealing membrane 3 and the insulating barrier 2, and the connecting member 45 is in the opening 26 of at least one of the reinforcing elements 14. Housed tank wall. Tank wall (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved portion is arranged in the vicinity of the corner region of the tank wall (1). The tank wall (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved portion is arranged near a singular zone of the tank wall (1) where the flatness of the sealing membrane (3) is interrupted. ). Sealed and insulated tank comprising at least one tank wall (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. A vessel (70) comprising a support structure and a tank (1) according to claim 13 fixed to said structure. A vessel 70 according to claim 14, insulating pipes 73, 79, 76, 81 adapted to connect a tank 71 installed on the hull of the vessel to a floating or onshore storage facility 77, and A pump for driving fluid through the adiabatic pipes from the floating or onshore storage facility to the ship's tank or from the ship's tank to the floating or onshore storage facility. A method for loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 14, wherein the tank (71) of the vessel from a floating or onshore storage facility (77) via fluid insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81). ) Or from the vessel's tank (71) to a floating or onshore storage facility (77).

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