KR20200023478A - Insulated closed tank with curved support strip - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hermetic and insulated tank integrated into a support structure which together forms an edge, wherein the tank comprises two tank walls supported by a support structure connected by a corner structure in the edge region, each tank wall being sealed. An insulating barrier defining a support surface intended to receive the membrane, wherein the corner structure of the tank comprises a curved support strip 12 seated on the insulating barrier of the tank wall, the corner structure being connected to the support strip 12. It further comprises a corner sealing membrane 18 seated to connect the sealing membranes of the two tank walls in a closed manner, the corner sealing membrane 18 being at least perpendicular to the edge of the support structure. At least one telescopic bellows adapted to provide elongation.

Description

Insulated closed tank with curved support strip

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

Closed and insulated tanks are particularly employed for the transport and / or storage of various liquefied gases. Generally, liquefied gas is stored at atmospheric pressure or below. These tanks can be installed on land or offshore structures.

Tanks for storing or transporting low temperature liquefied gases consisting of a thin metal plate supported by adiabatic barriers, in particular primary sealing membranes in contact with the product stored in the tank, are for example FR-A-2798358, FR-A. Known from -2709725 or FR-A-2549575. These thin metal plates are interconnected in a closed manner to seal the tank.

In such tanks the insulating barrier supporting the sealing membrane comprises a plurality of anchor fins extending longitudinally or transversely to the tank. These fixing pins protrude from the top surface of the thermal barrier. The hermetic membrane consists of a plurality of strikes with raised edges each disposed longitudinally between two neighboring anchoring pins. Each raised edge of the strike is welded in a hermetically sealed manner to one of the anchoring pins between which the strike is disposed. Each raised edge of the strike thus constitutes an elastic bellows with its fixed anchoring pins that can be transfused in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strike. These telescopic bellows make it possible to absorb deformation of the closure membrane in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strike, for example during contraction of the closure membrane related to temperature changes during the insertion of cryogenic fluid into the tank.

However, the elastic bellows can only absorb the deformation of the membrane in the direction perpendicular to the elastic bellows. In order to withstand the stress exerted by the membrane in a direction parallel to the elastic bellows, the edge of the hermetic membrane perpendicular to the elastic bellows is fixed to the support structure by a rigid corner structure. Rigid corner structures of this kind include rigid anchor flats that are fixed directly to the support structure and pass through the thermal barrier. The edges of the hermetic membrane are secured to these fixing flats so that the rigid corner structures can withstand the tension of the membrane in a direction perpendicular to the telescopic bellows.

However, this kind of rigid corner structure is complicated to manufacture and integrate into the tank, especially in view of a tank comprising two overlapping membranes and two insulating barriers. In practice, the secondary hermetic barrier in the corner region of the tank is formed by a rigid corner structure made of rigid plate. Furthermore, the thermal barrier must be secured to the support structure, which requires complex mounting of the thermal barrier to the support structure, including the corner structure area.

Also known from document FR2780942 is a rigid corner structure arranged in an insulating barrier region seated directly on the support structure. However, such a corner structure, in addition to being complicated to manufacture, cannot be employed in a simple manner in view of the primary insulation barrier of the double membrane tank.

There is also a sealed and insulated tank in which the sealed membrane is formed of a waffle type plate in the form of a corrugated metal plate, for example. Thus, document EP2306064 is formed of a waffle type plate including the corner area of the tank. For this purpose the device describes a corner structure which forms a support surface for the corner sealing membrane. However, this corner structure should have a high structural strength because it must be able to withstand the load present in the corner of the tank.

The idea on which the first object of the present invention is based is to provide a closed and insulated tank which is simple to manufacture and incorporate into the support structure, including the corner area of the tank. In particular, the idea upon which the first object of the present invention is based is to provide a closed and insulated tank that provides freedom in designing the goner structure in the closed membrane and / or insulated barrier region. Furthermore, the idea on which the first object of the present invention is based is to enable deformation of the sealing membrane in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the supporting structure while suggesting a sealing membrane which is simple to manufacture and integrate into the support structure.

According to a first object, the present invention provides a sealed and insulated tank integrated into a support structure, the support structure comprising a first planar support wall and a second planar support wall intersecting in an edge region of the support structure,

The tank has a corner structure connecting the first and second tank walls in the edge region of the first tank wall supported by the first planar support wall, the second tank wall supported by the second planar support wall and the support structure. Each tank wall in turn comprising an insulating barrier and a hermetic membrane from the support structure towards the interior of the tank,

The insulating barrier of each tank wall includes a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks secured to the planar support wall supporting the tank wall to form a support surface intended to receive a hermetic membrane,

The hermetic membrane of each tank wall comprises a plurality of metal plates fixed to the support surface.

According to one embodiment the corner structure of the tank comprises a curved support strip extending parallel to the edge of the support structure and the concave surface facing towards the interior of the tank, said support strip being insulated by a thermal barrier of the first tank wall. Seated on the first longitudinal edge seated on the thermal barrier of the first tank wall and on the thermal barrier of the second tank wall to form a continuous support surface between the formed support surface and the support surface formed by the thermal barrier of the second tank wall. A second longitudinal edge, wherein the corner structure further comprises a corner sealing membrane seated in a curved support strip and connecting the sealing membrane of the first tank wall and the sealing membrane of the second tank wall in a closed manner; The corner sealing membrane comprises at least one corner telescopic bellows arranged in a support strip. In a direction perpendicular to the edge of the structure it provides an extension of the corner sealing membrane.

This type of support strip forms a support surface that provides considerable freedom in designing the corner seal membrane, and the corner seal membrane rests directly on the support strip. It is therefore possible to provide a corner closure membrane characterized by at least one stretch bellows which makes it possible to absorb deformation of the membrane in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure.

Moreover, such corner sealing membranes do not require rigid fixed connections to the support structure. In practice, the support strip rests on the thermal barrier of the flat wall of the tank so that the hydrostatic force and dynamic load of the tank in the corner structure region are transmitted by the thermal barrier and the support strip of the tank on which the support strip is seated. Thus, there is no need to provide a complex corner structure as is known from the prior art to absorb the hydrostatic dynamic load of the tank in the corner structure area. Moreover, this type of support strip that is not directly fixed to the support structure does not cause thermal bridges between the support structure and the sealing membrane seated on the support strip.

According to an embodiment, this kind of sealed and insulated tank may have one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier of each tank wall comprises a row of edge insulating blocks on which the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge of the support strip respectively rest and slide in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure. do.

According to one embodiment, at least one or each of said edge insulating blocks of a row of edge insulating blocks comprises a cover panel comprising a recess in which a corresponding longitudinal edge of the support strip is received.

Thus, the sealing membrane and the corner sealing membrane are seated on the support surface of the row of edge insulating blocks and the continuous support surface formed together by the support strips.

According to one embodiment, the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge of the support strip are respectively fixed to the thermal insulation barrier of the first tank wall and the second tank wall.

According to one embodiment, the end of at least one longitudinal edge of the support strip comprises a step in the thickness direction of the support strip and the tank comprises an edge insulating block comprising a recess in which the edge of the longitudinal edge of the support strip is received. A fixing plate coupled to the cover panel of the fixing plate, the fixing plate being coupled to the cover panel in the recessed region such that the edge of the support strip is interposed between the fixing plate and the bottom surface of the recess of the edge insulating block. Cover the step of the edge of the support strip. The support strips are thus fixed in a direction perpendicular to the support structure, ensuring good fixation of the support strips to the thermal barrier of the tank wall.

According to one embodiment, one of the edges of the longitudinal edges of the support strip and the fixing plate comprises an elongated hole extending at right angles to the edges, the one of the edges of the longitudinal edges of the support strip covered by the fixing plate and of the fixing plates. The other includes a lug received in an elongated hole to fix the movement of the support strip along the edge of the support structure while allowing movement of the support strip in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure. The support strip is thus fixed in place along the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the corner sealing membrane is fixed to the support strip. This makes it possible to fix the corner sealing membrane to the support strip. This fixation is particularly important when there is high pressure in the thermal barrier, eg during the sealing test of the hermetic membrane consisting of applying a high pressure to the thermal barrier. In practice, the sealing membrane of each tank wall is fixed to the insulating barrier of the tank wall so that the corner sealing membrane can be deformed towards the interior of the tank despite this high pressure when there is no fixing of the corner sealing membrane to the support strip. have.

According to one embodiment, the corner sealing membrane is fixed to the support strip continuously or at one or more points along a fixing line parallel to the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the support strip comprises a plurality of metal fixing members arranged along the fixing line, and the corner sealing membrane is spot welded to the fixing member along the fixing line.

According to one embodiment, the corner hermetic membrane comprises a plurality of parallel telescopic bellows and the corner hermetic membrane is secured along the edge between the two telescopic bellows of the corner hermetic membrane in a fixed strip separating two successive support strips.

By these features, fixing the corner sealing membrane to the support strip does not interfere with the stretching of the stretch bellows of the corner sealing membrane.

According to one embodiment, the corner seal membrane comprises a pleat extending perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, the telescopic bellows of the corner seal membrane intersecting these pleats.

According to one embodiment, the insulating barrier of each tank wall is a primary insulating barrier, the insulating block is a primary insulating block, the sealing membrane of each tank wall is a primary sealing membrane, and the support strip of the corner structure is 1 Primary support strip, the corner sealing membrane of the corner structure is the primary corner sealing membrane,

The tank further includes a secondary insulating membrane secured to the supporting structure and a secondary hermetic membrane supported by the secondary insulating barrier, wherein the primary insulating block is supported by the secondary hermetic membrane to directly or indirectly support the supporting structure. It is fixed.

According to one embodiment, the secondary thermal barrier of each tank wall comprises a plurality of juxtaposed secondary insulating blocks secured to the support structure to form a secondary support surface intended to receive the secondary hermetic membrane,

The secondary hermetic membrane of each tank wall comprises a plurality of metal plates fixed to the secondary support surface,

The corner structure of the tank includes a curved secondary support strip extending parallel to the edge of the support structure and the concave surface facing towards the interior of the tank, the secondary support strip being connected to the secondary insulating barrier of the first tank wall. A first secondary length seated in the secondary thermal barrier of the first tank wall to form a continuous secondary support surface between the secondary support surface formed by the secondary support surface formed by the thermal barrier barrier of the second tank wall. A second secondary longitudinal edge seated on the directional edge and the secondary thermal barrier of the second tank wall, the corner structure comprising a secondary hermetic membrane of the first tank wall and a secondary hermetic membrane of the second tank wall. A secondary corner sealing membrane that connects in a closed manner and seats on a curved secondary support strip and slides in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure; The negative closure membrane includes at least one secondary elastic bellows arranged in the secondary support strip to provide elongation of the secondary closure membrane in at least a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the corner structure further comprises a row of primary corner insulating blocks, wherein the primary corner insulating blocks

A first lateral element comprising a first side lying against a primary edge insulating block of the first tank wall and a first bottom surface seated in a secondary hermetic membrane; and

A second lateral element comprising a second side lying against the primary edge insulating block of the second tank wall and a second bottom surface seated on the secondary hermetic membrane of the second tank wall,

The primary corner insulation block further comprises a spacer connecting the first lateral element and the second lateral element, the spacer adapted to provide a space between the primary corner insulation block and the secondary hermetic membrane, The space receives the at least one second telescopic bellows of the secondary corner membrane.

According to one embodiment, the spacer comprises a bottom plate connecting the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface inclined with respect to the first support wall and the second support wall, wherein the spacer comprises a first bottom surface and a first bottom surface of the primary corner insulation block. The second bottom surface is spaced from the at least one secondary telescopic bellows of the secondary corner closure membrane so as to be spaced from the at least one secondary telescopic bellows of the secondary corner sealing membrane.

According to one embodiment, the corner structure further comprises an insulating filling disposed between the secondary corner sealing membrane and the bottom plate of the spacer.

This type of corner insulation block provides space for accommodating the telescopic bellows or bellows of the secondary corner sealing membrane. This type of corner insulation block thus provides considerable freedom in designing the secondary corner hermetic membrane while ensuring the insulation of the tank in the corner structure area.

According to one embodiment, the spacer further comprises a top plate connecting the first side and the second side inclined with respect to the first and second support walls, wherein the corner insulation block is curved to support the primary support strips. And further comprising an insulating peeling having a top surface and seated on the top plate, wherein the primary support strip is seated on the insulating filling. The corner structure thus further enables good thermal insulation. Moreover, such rigid filling can participate in the transmission of hydrostatic forces and dynamic loads applied to the primary support strip.

The idea on which the second object of the present invention is based is to provide a sealed and insulated tank in which two successive sealed membranes can be provided independently of each other at the corner of the tank.

According to a second object, the present invention provides a closed and insulated tank integrated into a support structure, the support structure comprising a first planar support wall and a second planar support wall, which together form an edge of the support structure,

The tank has a secondary insulation barrier fixed to the support structure from the support structure toward the interior of the tank, a secondary hermetic membrane supported by the secondary insulation barrier, a primary insulation barrier and a primary insulation barrier supported by the secondary hermetic membrane. A primary hermetic membrane supported by

The tank comprises a first tank wall supported by the first planar support wall and a second tank wall supported by the second planar support wall,

The primary insulating barrier of each tank wall comprises a plurality of juxtaposed cuboid insulating blocks, the insulating blocks of the primary insulating barrier having sides extending in a plane intersecting with the corresponding supporting walls,

The primary insulation barrier comprises a corner insulation block, the corner insulation block comprising a first lateral element and a second lateral element connected by a spacer element, the corner insulation block comprising a first lateral element and a second side. Further comprising an insulating lining arranged between the directional elements,

The first lateral element comprises a first bottom and a first side, the first bottom being parallel to the first support wall and seated on the secondary hermetic membrane, the first side being the first tank from the first bottom side. Extend in the direction of the primary hermetic membrane parallel to the insulating block of the primary insulating barrier of the wall,

The second lateral element comprises a second bottom face and a second side face, the first bottom face being parallel to the second support wall and seated on the secondary hermetic membrane, the second side face from the second bottom face to the second tank. Extend in the direction of the primary hermetic membrane parallel to the side of the insulating block of the primary insulating barrier of the wall,

The spacer element is arranged between the first lateral element and the second lateral element to secure the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface apart,

The corner insulation block provides a space between the secondary hermetic membrane and the rear surface of the corner insulation block, including a rear surface connecting the first bottom surface to a second bottom surface that is inclined relative to the first support wall and the second support wall. .

The corner insulation block thus provides freedom in making the secondary hermetic membrane parallel to the edge of the supporting structure, without requiring a secondary hermetic membrane to be formed of a rigid flat plate fixed to the supporting wall in the corner region of the tank. In particular, the space between the secondary hermetic membrane and the backside of the corner insulation block enables the provision of a telescopic bellows to it, including a secondary hermetic membrane parallel to the edge of the support structure. Moreover, this kind of corner insulation block does not require a fastening member for fixing to the support structure, wherein each of the first and second sides of the corner insulation block is formed of the tank wall to secure the corner insulation block to the support structure. Cooperate with the individual side of the edge insulation block. Moreover, the spacer element enables the transfer of force between the first tank wall and the insulating barrier of the second tag wall via the corner insulation block, and the force exerted by one of the tank walls on the corner insulation block towards the other tank wall. There is a tendency to push corner insulating blocks.

According to an embodiment, the sealed and insulated tank of this kind may comprise one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the side of the insulating element on which the side of the first or second lateral element of the corner insulating block lies is continuous or intermittent. According to one embodiment, the side surface of the insulating element is a support surface on which side pillars, cover panels, bottom panels and / or other first or second lateral elements of the corner insulating blocks can be placed and / or supported. It is formed by the elements that form it.

According to one embodiment, insulating peeling is disposed in the space between the secondary hermetic membrane and the back side alongside the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the spacer element comprises at least one rigid rod or plate mounted to the first lateral element and the second lateral element in an inclined manner with respect to the first and second support walls.

According to one embodiment, the rod of the spacer element is mounted to at least one of the first lateral element and the second lateral element by means of a ball joint connection. By these features, the same corner insulation block can be easily fitted to the edge of the support structure which is characterized by distinct angles and facilitates assembly.

According to one embodiment, the spacer element comprises a bottom plate which connects the first bottom surface to the second bottom surface to form the back side of the corner insulation block.

According to one embodiment, the spacer element further comprises a top plate connecting the top edge of the first side and the top edge of the second side, the top plate being inclined with respect to the first and second support walls.

According to one embodiment, the tank further comprises a rigid insulating element seated on the top plate to form a corner support surface for the primary hermetic membrane. According to one embodiment, the tank further comprises a non-rigid insulating element interposed between the top plate and the primary hermetic membrane and seated on the top plate.

According to one embodiment, the spacer element further comprises two end plates each extending in a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, the end plates extending the inner volume of the corner insulation block to the top plate, the bottom plate and the lateral elements. It is connected to the lateral element so as to define together, and an insulating lining is received in said inner volume. Thus, the corner insulating block can form a box into which an insulating material can be inserted.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the first element and the second lateral element comprises a cuboid shaped plate, wherein the cuboidal shaped plate forms a corresponding side of the lateral element and a corresponding bottom surface. Lateral elements of this kind are simple and compact to manufacture.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the first lateral element and the second lateral element comprises a first plate and a second plate, the first plate defining a side of the lateral element and intersecting a support wall. Extending in a plane, the second plate forms the bottom surface of the lateral element and extends parallel to the support wall. Lateral elements of this kind are simple to manufacture and are characterized by a large face that cooperates with neighboring elements.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the secondary hermetic membrane and the primary hermetic membrane is formed parallel to the edge by means of corner angle iron.

According to one embodiment, the tank further comprises a curved support strip with a concave surface facing towards the interior of the tank, the support strip extending parallel to the edge of the support structure, the support strip of the first tank wall. A support surface and a second formed by the primary thermal barrier of the first tank wall, including a first longitudinal edge seated on the primary thermal barrier and a second longitudinal edge seated on the primary thermal barrier of the second tank wall. A continuous support surface is formed between the support surfaces formed by the primary insulating barrier of the tank wall, and the primary hermetic membrane is seated on the support strip.

According to one embodiment, the top surface of the rigid insulation element opposite the top plate of the spacer element is curved and the support strip rests on the top surface of the rigid insulation element.

According to one embodiment, the secondary hermetic membrane comprises a plurality of expansion bellows extending parallel to the edge of the support structure, the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface being connected to the secondary sealing membrane between two neighboring expansion bellows. It is seated.

According to one embodiment, the spacer elements are arranged spaced apart from at least one of the telescopic bellows of the secondary hermetic membrane with the first and second bottom surfaces seated therebetween.

According to an embodiment, the sealed and insulated tank according to the first and / or second embodiment may comprise one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the first and second support walls form an angle comprising between 45 ° and 135 °.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second support walls form an angle of 90 ° or 135 °.

According to one embodiment, the sealing membrane of each tank wall comprises a plurality of parallel stretching bellows.

According to one embodiment, the telescopic bellows of the hermetic membrane of the first and second tank walls are arranged parallel to the edge of the support structure.

According to another embodiment, the telescopic bellows of the hermetic membranes of the first and second tanks are arranged at right angles to the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the closure membrane of each tank wall comprises a plurality of juxtaposed strokes with raised edges, and the raised edges of the two neighboring trays form the telescopic bellows of the sealed membrane.

According to one embodiment, the corner closure membrane comprises a plurality of juxtaposed strikes with raised edges, the raised edges of the strike extending parallel to the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the raised edges of the two juxtaposed strikes of the corner seal membrane are welded together to form the stretch bellows of the corner membrane.

According to one embodiment, said at least one telescopic bellows of the corner sealing membrane extends parallel or slightly inclined to the edge of the support structure. Slightly inclined means that the at least one telescopic bellows extends in the longitudinal direction so that the angle to the edge of the support structure does not exceed 45 °. This kind of telescopic bellows is inclined with respect to the edge of the support structure, allowing the deformation of the corner sealing membrane parallel and perpendicular to the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the corner seal membrane comprises at least one corrugated metal plate. According to one embodiment, the pleats of the corner hermetic membrane form the stretch bellows of the corner hermetic membrane.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block has a cuboid shape.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block is a box filled with a non-structural insulating material.

According to one embodiment, the insulating block is, for example, a block of high density rigid insulating foam.

According to one embodiment, the corner sealing membrane is fixed to the support strip continuously or intermittently.

According to one embodiment, only some of the strikes of the corner sealing membrane are fixed to the support strip.

According to one embodiment, the corner closure membrane is fixed to the support strip so that it can slide in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, ie in the operating direction of the telescopic bellows of the corner closure membrane.

According to one embodiment, the corner sealing membrane is fixed to a metal insert separating two successive support strips disposed along the edge of the support structure, the metal insert being parallel to the support strip separated by the metal insert and supporting structure A fixing strip extending at right angles to the edge of the metal insert, the metal insert forming a step with respect to the fixing strip and comprising two rims arranged on individual opposite sides of the fixing strip, the support strip separated by the metal insert It is fixed to the individual rims of the metal inserts, respectively.

According to one embodiment, the corner sealing membrane is welded to the support strip, for example by fillet welding along a fixed line.

According to one embodiment, the insulating material filling is disposed between the support strip and the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the insulation filling comprises glass wool and / or a high density insulation foam.

According to one embodiment, the strike of the hermetic membrane of at least one tank wall is supported by the insulating barrier and the support strip of the tank wall.

According to one embodiment, the support strip is made of metal. According to one embodiment, the support strip is made of a nickel steel alloy, such as Invar or an alloy having a high content of manganese.

According to one embodiment, the support strip is made of a composite material.

According to one embodiment, the support strip has a resistance to friction to absorb hydrostatic and dynamic loads at the corners of the tank.

According to one embodiment, the support strip is fixed to the thermal barrier by suitable means, such as by gluing, screwing, riveting, or the like.

According to one embodiment, the support strip is fixed to at least one thermal barrier in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall to which it is fixed. According to one embodiment, the support strip is fixed to the at least one thermal barrier in a direction parallel to the edge of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of fixing plates are arranged along the edge insulating block or blocks on which the support strips are seated.

According to one embodiment, each fixing plate extends over the entirety of the edge of the edge insulation block on which the support strip is seated.

According to one embodiment, the support strip is supported by the end block of the thermal insulation barrier free to slide in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the support structure.

According to a preferred embodiment, the support strip has an expansion coefficient less than or equal to the expansion coefficient of the hermetic membrane. According to one embodiment, the support strip is made of stainless steel and the sealing membrane is made of an alloy having a high content of manganese.

According to one embodiment, the support strip has a thickness greater than 2 mm, for example between 3 and 4 mm, to have sufficient strength to absorb hydrostatic and dynamic loads without deformation at the corners of the tank.

According to one embodiment, the rigid insulating element is a block of high density foam, such as a high density polyurethane foam.

According to one embodiment, the corner insulation elements and the support strips are independent of each other and do not cooperate directly with each other.

According to one embodiment, the tank described above is part of an onshore storage facility for storing LNG, for example, or is a coastal or deep sea floating structure, in particular a methane tanker, a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) unit or the like.

According to one embodiment, the vessel for the transport of the liquid product comprises the above mentioned tanks arranged in double hull and double hull.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or offloading a vessel of this kind in which cold liquid products are sent from an offshore or onshore storage facility to a tank of a vessel or vice versa via an insulated pipe.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a low temperature liquid product delivery system, which is provided via an insulated pipe and an insulated pipe adapted to connect a tank installed at the ship's hull to the aforementioned vessel, sea or land storage facility. A pump for forcing the flow of cold liquid product from the marine or onshore storage facility to the vessel of the vessel or vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description of the specific embodiments of the present invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, in which further objects, details, features and advantages will be more apparent.
1 is a schematic perspective view of a hermetically sealed and insulated tank in the corner region, showing a secondary insulating barrier and a support strip seated thereon.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the addition of a secondary corner sealing membrane.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the primary thermal barrier seated on the secondary hermetic membrane.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the addition of a primary corner sealing membrane.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure of the details of the tank wall, showing the secondary or primary corner sealing membrane and the secondary or primary support strip.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure of the details of the tank wall, with the cooperation between the secondary or primary corner sealing membrane and the secondary or primary corner sealing membrane and the secondary or primary supporting strip; FIG. And cooperation between the secondary and primary insulating blocks.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, showing a first modified embodiment of the details of FIG. 6.
8 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, showing a second modified embodiment of the details of FIG. 6.
9 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, showing a first modified embodiment of the details of FIG. 5.
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a modified embodiment of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a second modified embodiment of the details of FIG. 5.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the detail of FIG. 11 taken along the line VV.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure, illustrating a first alternative embodiment of a method of securing a support strip to an insulating block. FIG.
14 is a plan view of the details of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV-VV of FIG. 14, illustrating a second modification of a method of fixing a support strip to an insulating block.
FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the corrugated secondary corner sealing membrane and the secondary thermal barrier of the corner of the tank between the two walls of the tank forming an angle of 135 °.
FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the tank corner of FIG. 16, partially showing the primary thermal barrier and primary sealing membrane. FIG.
18 is a schematic perspective view of a first modified embodiment of the corner hermetic membrane.
19 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the second modified embodiment of the corner hermetic membrane.
20 is a schematic perspective view of a primary corner insulation block that may be used for a tank wall having an angle of 135 °.
21 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure of the primary corner insulating block according to the second embodiment.
22 is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the edge of the support structure of the primary corner insulation block according to the third embodiment, which may be used for a tank wall having an angle of 90 °.
23 is a schematic cutaway view of a methane tanker tank and a terminal for loading and / or offloading the tank.

In this description, mention is made of sealed and insulated tanks comprising an interior space intended to be filled with flammable or non-combustible gas. Gases mainly contain methane, in particular liquefied natural gas (LNG), ie small amounts of nitrogen and one or more different hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, N-butane, I-butane, N-pentane, I-pentane, neopentane It may be a gas mixture. The gas can likewise be a mixture of hydrocarbons produced by ethane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ie refined petroleum essentially comprising propane and butane.

Sealed and insulated tanks of this kind are integrated in support structures, such as, for example, the double hull of a ship for transporting LNG. This support structure defines a plurality of support walls which together in the region of the edge 1 of the support structure define together a double hull internal space intended to receive a closed and insulated tank. The sealed and insulated tanks comprise a plurality of tank walls each supported by individual supporting walls. The tank wall abuts in the region of the edge 1 of the support structure. Each tank includes a secondary thermal barrier, a secondary hermetic membrane, a primary thermal barrier and a primary hermetic membrane from the corresponding support wall to the interior of the tank.

1 to 4 show the edge 1 between the first support wall 2 and the second support wall 3 together forming an angle of 90 °. 1 to 4, the first tank wall 4 is supported by the first support wall 2 and the second tank wall 5 is supported by the second support wall 3.

1 shows a secondary thermal barrier of the first and second tank walls 4, 5. These secondary insulating barriers are formed of juxtaposed secondary insulating elements 6. The second insulating element 6 is fixed to the support structure by suitable means, for example by gluing and / or by mechanical fastening means. Each secondary insulation element 6 has a cuboid shape characterized by two larger faces (or main faces) and four smaller faces (or sides). Each secondary insulation element 6 comprises a top surface which forms a secondary support surface 8 to receive the secondary hermetic membrane. Secondary insulating elements of this kind are made in the form of plywood boxes filled with insulating materials such as, for example, pearlite, aerogels, silica, glass wool or insulating foam.

The insulation barrier further comprises a secondary corner insulation element 15 which is similar to and / or adapted to be integrated into one of the insulation elements 6. This secondary corner insulation element 15 has a cuboid shape and extends from the secondary thermal barrier of the first tank wall 4 and the secondary thermal barrier of the second tank wall 5. In other words, the secondary corner insulation element 15 has a thickness equal to the thickness of the secondary insulation barrier of the first tank wall 4 and in the direction of the second support wall 3 in a direction perpendicular to the first support wall 2. It has a thickness equal to the thickness of the secondary thermal insulation barrier of the second tank wall 5 in the direction perpendicular to it. These thicknesses may be the same or different.

The secondary hermetic membrane of the tank wall can be produced in various ways, preferably with a metal plate. This kind of secondary hermetic membrane is characterized by a telescopic bellows. These telescopic bellows are made in a suitable manner, for example by corrugating to the metal plate or by welding the raised edges of adjacent metal plates two by one. These telescopic bellows make it possible to absorb deformation of the secondary hermetic membrane in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the telescopic bellows. For example, this kind of secondary insulation element 6 of the membrane tank and / or the secondary hermetic membrane of this kind can be similar to the corresponding elements described in the documents WO14057221, FR2691520 and FR2877638.

The corner structure connects the first tank wall 4 and the second tank wall 5 in the region of the edge 1. This corner structure includes curved and rigid secondary support strips 12. The secondary support strip 12 is characterized by a concave surface extending parallel to the edge 1 and facing towards the interior of the tank. The secondary support strip 12 comprises a first longitudinal edge 13 seated on a secondary insulation element 6 disposed at the edge of the first tank wall 4 and extending parallel to the edge 1. . The secondary support strip 12 also includes a second longitudinal edge 14 seated in a secondary insulation element 6 disposed at the end of the second tank wall 5 and extending parallel to the edge 1. do. The secondary support strip 12 serves to absorb the hydrodynamic and static loads the secondary hermetic membrane receives in the corner region of the tank. For this purpose, the secondary support strip 12 is made of a relatively rigid material.

The secondary support strip 12 can be manufactured in a variety of ways. According to the first embodiment, this support strip 12 is made of metal, such as nickel steel or manganese steel, and has a thickness of greater than 2 mm, for example between 3 and 4 mm. According to the second embodiment, the support strip 12 consists of a composite material, ie a mixture of polymer resin and fiber material. The polymeric resin can be a thermoset or thermoplastic resin. The fiber material may be composed of carbon fibers, metal fibers, synthetic fibers, glass fibers or other mineral fibers and mixtures thereof. The fibers can be woven or nonwoven. For example, composite materials comprising woven carbon fibers can be selected to obtain good frictional resistance and adequate cost. The thickness of the composite material can be selected as a function of the thermal expansion stress and the compressive force to be supported.

The secondary support structure 12 forms a continuous secondary corner support surface 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 rests on the secondary corner support surface 17. This kind of secondary corner sealing membrane 18 is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5, for example. To seal the secondary hermetic membrane, the secondary corner hermetic membrane is first connected to the secondary hermetic membrane of the first tank 4 in a hermetic manner, as described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, It is then connected to the secondary hermetic membrane of the second tank 5.

As the secondary support strips 12 rest on the thermal barriers of the tank walls 4 and 5, the loads absorbed by the secondary support structures 12 may be cornered to support complex structures to manufacture to absorb these loads. It is delivered to the thermal barrier without requiring the structure.

In order to finish the insulating barrier of the corner structure, a secondary insulating peeling 16 is inserted between the secondary supporting strip 12 and the terminal secondary insulating block 6 on which the secondary supporting strip 12 is seated. This kind of secondary insulating peeling 16 is in various ways, for example, a high density polyurethane which first supports the upper surface of the secondary insulating block 6 and then the curved shape of the lower surface of the secondary support strip 12. It can be made of rigid blocks of foam.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in a manner similar to the secondary insulation barrier, the primary insulation barrier of the first and second tank walls 4, 5 comprises a plurality of primary insulation elements 22. These primary insulating elements 22 are similar to the secondary insulating elements 6 and consist of a rectangular parallelepiped box filled with insulating material, for example. The primary insulating element 22 can be secured to the support structure in a variety of ways, such as directly or indirectly by fixing to the secondary hermetic membrane through a fixing member passing through the secondary insulation barrier and the secondary hermetic membrane. Likewise, the primary insulating element 22 of each tank wall forms a support surface for supporting the primary hermetic membrane of the tank wall.

The corner structure also includes a primary support strip 23 similar to the secondary support strip 12 described above. The primary support strip 23 extends parallel to the edge 1 along the edge 1. This primary support strip 23 is curved with a concave surface facing the tank inwardly and has a first longitudinal direction seated on the primary insulating element 22 disposed at the edge of the first tank wall 4. And a second longitudinal edge 25 seated on the primary insulating element 22 disposed on the edge 24 and the second tank wall 5. This primary support strip 23 forms a continuous primary corner support surface 26 on which the primary corner sealing membrane 27 is seated.

Unlike the secondary thermal barriers that rest on the support structure, the primary thermal barriers rest on the secondary hermetic membrane. The secondary hermetic membrane thus comprises a telescopic bellows projecting towards the interior of the tank.

Primary insulating elements 22 of the first tank wall 4 and the second tank wall 5 to accommodate the telescopic bellows of the secondary hermetic membrane supported by the first and second tank walls 4, 5. ) Includes a groove on the lower surface for receiving the elastic bellows. This scheme with grooves in the first and second tank walls 4, 5 is characterized by the rectangular parallelepiped nature of the primary insulation element 22 and the expansion bellows of the secondary hermetic membrane on which the primary insulation element 22 is seated. It is simple to manufacture because of its substantially flat appearance. However, this approach is complicated to implement for the primary corner insulation element 30 of the corner structure. In practice, the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 seated on the secondary support strip 12 has a curved shape. Therefore, a rectangular parallelepiped primary corner insulating block having a shape similar to the secondary corner insulating block 15 cannot be manufactured.

In order to preserve the freedom in designing the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 while having primary insulation in the corner structure, the primary corner insulation element 30 is connected to the first lateral element 31 connected by the spacer 33. ) And the second lateral element 32.

The first lateral element 31 has a first side face 34 extending at right angles to the first support wall 2. The first side wall 34 is connected to the side 35 of the primary insulating element 22 disposed at the edge of the first tank wall 4 on which the primary support strip 23 is seated.

The first lateral element 31 also comprises a first bottom face 36 seated in the planar portion of the secondary hermetic membrane, preferably between two neighboring telescopic bellows. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the secondary hermetic membrane is made of a strike 9 with a raised edge and this first bottom surface 36 is the adjacent secondary corner strip of the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18. It rests on the flat part of the second strike 9 of the first tank wall 4 which is connected in a closed manner to the rake 19. In one embodiment, which is not shown, this first bottom surface 36 rises in the plane of the secondary corner strike 19 of the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18, ie the raised corner of the secondary corner strike 19. It rests on the edge 20.

The first lateral element 31 and the second lateral element 32 are symmetrical about the angle bisector formed by the first support wall 2 and the second support wall 3. The second lateral element 32 is thus the second side lying against the side 38 of the primary insulation element 22 disposed at the edge of the second tank wall 5 on which the primary support strip 23 is seated. And a second bottom face 39 seated on the secondary hermetic membrane between 37 and the two neighboring telescopic bellows.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the spacer 33 is formed of a bottom plate 40 and a cover plate 41 extending in parallel with each other. These bottom plates 40 and cover plates 41 extend parallel to the edge 1 in respective planes inclined with respect to the first and second support walls 2 and 3. The bottom plate 40 connects the first bottom surface 36 and the second bottom surface 39. The cover plate 41 connects the first side 34 and the second side 37. The spacer 33 further comprises two end plates 42, only one of which can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of these end plates 42 extends in a plane perpendicular to the respective edge 1. Each end plate 42 has a first side face 34, a first bottom face 36, a bottom plate 40, a second bottom face 39, a second side face 37 and a cover plate 41. Connect to each other. In other words, the primary corner insulation element 30 is a polyhedral box in which each face is formed in a separate plane as shown in FIG. 20. In Figures 3, 4 and 19 this primary corner insulating element 30 has a hexagonal zone which is extruded in a direction parallel to the edge 1 and formed of an end plate 42.

The insulating filling is advantageously arranged between the first lateral element 31 and the second lateral element 32. The box-shaped primary corner insulation elements 30 as described above and shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 19 are typically filled with an insulating material such as pearlite, glass wool or the like.

This kind of primary corner insulation element 30 has various advantages. Indeed, a spacer 33 connecting the bottom surfaces 36, 39 allows a space 43 to be formed between the primary corner insulating block 30 and the secondary corner sealing membrane 18. This space 43 designs the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 because the primary corner insulation elements 30 are seated in the secondary hermetic membrane via the first and second bottom surfaces 36, 39 spaced apart from each other. Provide freedom to Moreover, each of the first and second side surfaces 34, 37 rests against the edge primary insulating element 22, and the transfer of load is via the primary corner insulating element 30 to the first tank wall 4. It is possible between the primary thermal insulation barrier and the primary thermal insulation barrier of the second tank wall (5). Finally, the first and second side surfaces 34, 37 extend at right angles to the first support wall 2 and the second support wall 3, respectively, and when the primary corner insulation element 30 is seated, The position is fixed between the sides 35, 38 of the edge primary insulation element 22 of the tank walls 4, 5. The edge primary insulation element 22 is fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure such that the primary corner insulation element 30 is indirectly fixed to the support structure without requiring additional fixing. In the embodiment not shown, a fastening member may nevertheless be provided to block movement parallel to the edge of the primary corner insulation element 30 along the edge 1. Such a member for fixing the primary corner insulation element 30 can be manufactured in various ways, for example an individual opposite of the primary corner insulation element 30 to block the movement along the edge 1. It is possible to fix the primary insulating element 22 protruding in the direction of the edge 1 from the edge primary insulating element 22 at the side. These motion blocking members can be used equally in a similar way to block the movement of the secondary corner insulation element 15, with the bracket blocking the movement of the secondary corner insulation element 15 along the edge 1. It extends in the direction of the edge 1 to enable fixing of the protruding end secondary insulating element 6.

The lower insulating peeling 44 is disposed between the bottom plate 40 and the secondary corner sealing membrane 18. This lower insulating peeling 44 is in various ways, for example between the expansion bellows 21, a flexible insulating material such as glass wool or a low density polyurethane foam, and above the expansion bellows 21, a rigid insulating material such as a high density polyurethane insulating foam. It can be prepared as. Similarly, an upper insulating peel 45 is disposed between the cover plate 41 and the primary support strip 23. This kind of upper peeling 45 is produced, for example, using a high density polyurethane foam which supports the curved shape of the primary support strip 23 so that the load on the primary support strip 23 can be absorbed.

5-15 show details of the implementation of the sealed and insulated tanks. These details are described in terms of secondary insulating barriers and / or secondary hermetic membranes. However, this description can be applied by analogy to the primary hermetic membrane.

In FIGS. 5 to 10 the secondary hermetic membranes of the tank walls 4, 5 are alternately arranged on the secondary support surface 8 firstly with the secondary sheet metal strip 9 (referred to as the secondary strike 9). And an elongated weld support 10 connected to the secondary support surface 8 and extending parallel to the secondary strike 9 over at least a portion of the length of the secondary strike 9. Has an iterative structure. The sheet metal strip 9 has a raised lateral edge 11 arranged and welded to a neighboring weld support 10. Metallic strakes are, for example, Invar®, ie alloys of iron and nickel with expansion coefficients typically between 1.2 × 10 ⁻⁶ and 2 × 10 ⁻⁶ K ⁻¹ , or coefficients of expansion typically between about 7 and 9 × 10 ⁻⁶ It may consist of an iron alloy having a high content of manganese of K ⁻¹ .

Moreover, the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 comprises a plurality of sheet metal strips in the form of corner strikes 19 with raised edges 20 extending parallel to the edges 1. The raised edge 20 protrudes substantially perpendicular to the secondary support strip 12. The neighboring raised edges 20 of the two neighboring secondary corner strikes 19 are welded to each other by a welding line 46 parallel to the edge 1. These welding lines 46 are preferably provided in the terminating region of the raised edge 20 opposite the secondary support 12. Thus, the welded edge 20 welded two by one forms a plurality of secondary corner telescopic bellows 21 extending parallel to the edge 1. These corner secondary telescopic bellows 21 are formed of two of the first and second tank walls 4, 5 in that they are formed by direct welding of the raised edge 20 without requiring the welding flange 10. Different from the stretch bellows formed by the primary sealing membrane. These corner secondary telescopic bellows 21 make it possible to absorb deformation of the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1.

Moreover, in FIGS. 5 and 6 the secondary support strip 12 is made of metal.

In FIG. 5 the central secondary corner strike 19 is fixed to the secondary support strip 12 along a welding line 47 parallel to the edge 1. The secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 is thus fixed to the secondary support strip 12 even when there is a high pressure in the secondary insulation barrier, this kind of high pressure being possible, for example, by increasing the pressure of the secondary insulation barrier. Occurs during the sealing test of the secondary hermetic membrane.

FIG. 6 shows the secondary sealing membrane and the secondary corner sealing of the first tank wall 4 in terms of the secondary sealing membrane of the first tank wall 4, characterized by an elastic bellows extending parallel to the edge 1. The intersection point between the membranes 18 is shown.

The cover panel 7 of the edge secondary insulating element 6 comprises a recess 48. This recess 48 has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the secondary support strip 12. This recess 48 extends over the entire length of the cover panel 7 parallel to the edge 1. The first longitudinal edge 13 of the secondary support strip 12 rests on the edge secondary insulating element 6 in the recess 48. The corner support surface 17 formed by the secondary support strip 12 is thus parallel to the support surface 8 formed by the cover panel 7 to form a substantially continuous support surface with respect to the secondary hermetic membrane.

The edge secondary strike 9 of the first tank wall 4 is fixed in a hermetically sealed manner to the secondary corner support surface 17 by a weld 49. The raised edge 11 of this edge secondary strike 9 is adjacent secondary corner strike 19 to form an elastic bellows adapted to absorb deformation of the secondary hermetic membrane in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1. Is welded in a hermetically sealed manner by the welding line 50 to the raised edge 20 of the.

In a similar manner, the primary corner sealing membrane 27 may be formed of a plurality of primary corner strikes 28 with raised edges extending parallel to the edge 2. These primary corner strikes 28 have raised edges connected two by two to form the primary telescopic bellows 29 of the corner.

7 shows an alternative embodiment of the hermetic connection between the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 and the secondary hermetic membrane of the first tank wall 4.

In this modification the cover panel 7 of the edge secondary insulation element 6 of the first tank wall 4 is connected between the recess 48 and the secondary insulation element 6 of the neighboring first tank wall 4. Weld support 10 disposed in the. The edge secondary strike 9 of the secondary hermetic membrane of the first tank wall 4 has a raised edge 11 welded to the weld support 10. Moreover, the edge corner strike 19 of the corner secondary membrane 18 has a secondary corner support surface 17 formed by the secondary support strike 12 and an edge on which the secondary support strip 12 rests. It is seated together on the secondary support surface 8 formed by the secondary insulation element 6. This edge corner strike 19 also has a raised edge 20 welded to the weld support 10. This embodiment has the advantage of forming an elastic bellows while directly fixing the secondary corner strike 19 to the secondary support surface 8.

FIG. 8 shows the second corner sealing membrane 18 and two of the first tank wall 4 when the secondary sealing membrane of the first tank wall 4 is characterized by an elastic bellows extending perpendicular to the edge 1. Another variation of the sealing connection between the primary sealing membranes is shown.

In this variant embodiment the raised edge 11 of the secondary strike 9 is flattened at the end of the secondary strike 9 seated on the support surface 8 formed by the termination of the secondary insulation element 6. So that it is stopped before the edge secondary insulating element 6.

The edge secondary insulating element 6 is characterized by a housing 51 extending parallel to the edge 1. A metal securing strip 52 extending parallel to the edge 1 is received in this housing 51. The housing 51 and the fixing strip each have an inverted "T" shape in a plane perpendicular to the edge 1. This inverted " T " shape secures the fixing strip 52 to the housing 51 in the direction of the thickness of the secondary thermal barrier, while the fixing strip 52 is in the housing 51 in a direction parallel to the edge 1. Allow sliding. The spacing between the fixing strip 52 and the housing 51 may further permit sliding of the fixing strip 52 in the housing 51 in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1 and parallel to the first support wall 2. have.

The fixing strip 52 has a planar top surface 53 parallel to the support surface 8 formed by the edge secondary insulating element 6. The planar end of the edge secondary strike 9 is fixed to the upper surface 53 in a hermetically sealed manner by a weld 54. The edge corner strike 19 rests together on the support surface 8 and the secondary support strip 12 formed by the edge secondary insulation element 6. However, unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the longitudinal edge 55 opposite the secondary support strip 12 of this edge corner strike 19 is flat. This flat longitudinal edge 55 overlaps the planar end of the secondary strike 9 and is welded to the weld 56 in a hermetically sealed manner, whereby the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 and the first tank wall 4 Provide a sealing connection between the secondary sealing membranes. In a first manner of providing a hermetic weld, the planar end of the edge secondary strike 9 is fillet welded and no weld 57 is required. In a second manner of providing a hermetic weld, a flat longitudinal edge 55 welds 57 at the top surface 53 of the anchoring strip 52 to secure the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 to the anchoring strip 52. Weld on).

9 and 10 show an alternative embodiment of the method of securing the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 to the secondary support strip 12. This variant embodiment does not allow the secondary support strip 12 to be made of metal so that it can be directly fixed by welding the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 to the secondary support strip 12. It is different from that.

In this modification a plurality of metal bonding rivets 58 are installed in the secondary support strip 12. These engaging rivets 58 are arranged along a fixing line 59 parallel to the edge 1. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fixing line 59 is substantially centered on the second support strip 12 between the first longitudinal edge 13 and the second longitudinal edge 14.

The engagement rivet 58 includes an upper rivet head 60 that forms a flat metal plate. The central secondary corner strike 19 is fixed to the head 60 of the joining rivet 58 by hermetically sealed spot welding along the fixing line 59.

11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18. In this variant embodiment the secondary corner sealing membrane is formed from a corrugated metal plate. Corrugated metal plates of this kind are produced, for example, in a manner similar to the corrugated plates described in document FR2691520 and used in view of the applicant's so-called Mark III type hermetic membrane. The secondary corner sealing membrane 18 thus comprises a telescopic bellows 21 in the form of a pleat 61 extending parallel to the edge 1.

This embodiment also differs from the previously described embodiment in that the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 is fixed to the corner fixation strip 62. This corner fastening strip 62 extends perpendicular to the edge 1, separating two successive secondary support strips 12 arranged along the edge 1. As shown in FIG. 12, the corner fastening strip 62 extends in a curved manner with concave surfaces facing towards the interior of the tank. The radius of curvature of the corner fixation strip 62 is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the secondary support strip 12. This corner fixation strip 62 comprises a fixation face 63 parallel to the support face 17 of the separated secondary support strip 12. Moreover, the corner fixation strip 62 comprises two steps 64 arranged on individual opposite sides of the fixation face 63. The two secondary support strips 12 separated by the corner fixation strips 62 are each welded to each one of the steps 64 above. The depth of these steps 64 is such that the support surface 17 formed by the secondary support strip 12 together forms a continuous support surface with respect to the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 side by side with the fixed surface 63. It is equal to the thickness of the secondary support strip 12. The secondary corner sealing membrane 18 is fixed to the fixed surface 63 between two neighboring corrugations 61.

13 and 14 show a first modification method of securing the secondary support strip 12 to the edge secondary insulation element 6 of the first tank wall 4.

In this first modification, the recess 48 includes step 65. This step 65 comprises the bottom of the recess 48 on which the support surface 8 formed by the edge secondary insulating element 6 and the first longitudinal edge 13 of the secondary support strip 12 rest. Disposed between faces 66. The first longitudinal edge 13 further comprises a step 67 within the thickness of the secondary support strip 12. This step 67 forms a plane parallel to the step 65.

The fixing plate 68 is fixed to the recess 48 at step 65 by screwing, gluing, riveting, or the like. This fixing plate 68 extends parallel to the first support wall 2 and covers the steps 65 and 67. The fixing plate 68 thus fastens the secondary support strip 12 to the cover panel 7. Moreover, this fixing plate 68 is parallel with the support surface 8 to form a substantially continuous plane between the support surface 8 and the support surface 17 of the secondary support strip 12.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14, the step 67 of the first longitudinal edge 13 comprises a plurality of elongated holes 69. These elongated holes 69 extend at right angles to the edge 1. The fixed plate 68 comprises a plurality of lugs 70 protruding in the direction of the secondary support strip 12. Each lug 70 is received in an individual elongated hole 69. The secondary support strip 12 is thus fixed in a direction parallel to the edge 1 by abutment type cooperation between the wall 70 of the elongated hole 69 and the lug 70. However, the support strip 12 is held freely sliding in the recess 48 in the direction parallel to the edge 1 by the lug 70 sliding in the elongated hole 69.

The fixing plate 68, shown in dashed line in FIG. 14, covers the entire length of the recess 48 in a direction parallel to the edge 1, ie, the edge secondary insulation element 6 supporting the recess 48. Extends over its entire length. However, in the embodiment not shown, a plurality of fixing plates 68 of smaller size are fixed along the recess 48 in the direction parallel to the edge 1. These plurality of fastening plates 68 thus form point anchorages of the secondary support strip 12 in the recesses 48. Likewise, in the embodiment not shown, the lugs 70 and the elongated holes 69 are exchanged, i.e. the lugs 70 protrude from the first longitudinal edge 13, corresponding elongated formed in the fixing plate 68. It is accommodated in the hole 69.

FIG. 15 shows a second alternative embodiment of a method of securing the secondary support strip 12 to the cover panel 7. In this modification the recess 48 does not comprise any steps 65 and the secondary support strip 12 does not comprise any steps 67 of the first longitudinal edge 13. However, the first longitudinal edge 13 includes an elongated hole 69 extending at right angles to the edge 1. These elongated holes 69 differ from the elongated holes described above in that each of them comprises two inner rims 71 extending parallel to the edge 1 over the entire length of the elongated holes 69. The secondary strip 12 is riveted into the recesses 48 and secured by rivets 72 which pass through the respective elongated holes 69 respectively. Each rivet 72 includes a rivet head 91 supported on the inner rim 71 of the corresponding elongated hole. The secondary support strip 12 is thus fixed to the recess 48 by an inner rim 71 adjacent to the rivet head 91 in a direction perpendicular to the first support wall 2. The secondary support 12 is also fixed in a direction parallel to the edge 1 by means of rivets 72 adjacent the inner rim 71 of the elongated hole 69. However, this fixing method is provided by the freedom of the rivets 72 moving along the elongated holes 69 where the rivets 72 are perpendicular to the edges 1 and the first supporting wall 2. Allow sliding in a direction parallel to

16 and 17 show tank corners in the region of the edge 1 formed by two support walls at an angle of 135 °.

This configuration differs from that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 in that the edge secondary insulation element 6 has a size smaller than the size of the remaining secondary insulation element 6 in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1. .

Furthermore, the corner insulation elements 15 have two bottom surfaces respectively seated on one of the support walls formed at the edge 1, two side walls perpendicular to one of the support walls lying relative to the respective edge secondary insulation elements 6. And a top surface parallel to the edge 1 and extending symmetrically with respect to the angle bisector formed by the supporting walls 2, 3.

Moreover, the secondary and primary corner membranes 18, 27 are formed of corrugated metal plates in which the corrugations 61 extend parallel to the edge 1 as described above with reference to FIG. 11.

18 shows a tank corner that includes a secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 according to an alternative embodiment. Moreover, this FIG. 18 also shows a secondary hermetic membrane of the tank wall, characterized by a telescopic bellows which extends in an angle to the edge 1. In this variant embodiment the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 comprises a telescopic bellows 21 in the form of a pleat 61 extending parallel to the edge 1. This secondary corner sealing membrane 18 further comprises a pleat 73 extending perpendicular to the edge 1. These corrugations 73 extend continuously over the entire length of the secondary corner closure membrane 18. Each end of the pleats 73 is protruded from the individual longitudinal edges 13, 14 and welded in a hermetically sealed manner to the secondary hermetic membrane of the corresponding tank wall to seal the secondary hermetic membrane. Furthermore, in order to prevent interference with the telescopic bellows of the secondary hermetic membrane against the tank walls 4, 5, the corrugations 73 are formed by two neighboring telescopic bellows of the secondary hermetic membrane of the tank walls 4, 5. It is arranged along the edge 1 in between. This kind of corrugation 73 makes it possible to absorb deformation of the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 in a direction parallel to the edge 1.

In the embodiment not shown, the telescopic bellows 21 of the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 is slightly inclined with respect to the edge 1. This type of inclined telescopic bellows 21 can be modified to absorb deformation of the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18 in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1 in a direction parallel to the edge 1.

19 shows details of a 90 ° tank corner including an alternative embodiment of the primary corner seal membrane 27. In this modification, the primary hermetic membrane 27 is made of rigid corner angle iron.

Rigid corner angle steels comprise two planar rigid metal plates that together form an angle of 90 °, with each planar plate 88 being welded in a hermetically sealed manner to the primary hermetic membrane of the individual tank walls 4, 5. It is welded to 89. This kind of rigid corner angle steel need not be seated in the primary support strip 23. Each flat plate 88 is thus fixed directly to the individual edge insulation element 22. Such fastening can be provided in different ways, such as by screwing, riveting, gluing and the like.

The corner structure includes a primary corner insulation element 30 as described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 20. However, the upper insulating peeling 45 is composed of two rigid insulating blocks (90). Each insulating block has a triangular zone with a first face seated on the cover plate 41, a second face lying against the side of the individual elements 22 and a third bottom face of the individual flat plate 88. These two rigid insulating blocks 90 thus form a flat support surface with respect to the flat plate 88.

19 also shows a free space 43 under the lower plate 40 to accommodate the curved secondary corner sealing membrane 18. Moreover, in this embodiment, the bottom surfaces 36, 39 are capable of receiving telescopic bellows protruding from the planar portion of the secondary hermetic membrane in a manner similar to that of the primary insulating elements of the tank walls 4, 5. do.

21 and 22 show an alternative embodiment of the primary corner insulation element 30. These alternative embodiments have the primary corners described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 19 in that the first lateral element 31 and the second lateral element 32 are each formed of a planar cuboid plate 74. It is different from insulation elements. Thus, the first side 34 and the second side 37 are each formed by one of the larger sides of the plate 74. Furthermore, the first bottom surface 36 and the second bottom surface 39 are formed by a surface extending within the thickness of the plate 74.

In the first modification shown in FIG. 21, the spacer 33 is formed by two rods 75 which are inclined with respect to the supporting wall forming the edge 1 and extend at right angles to the edge 1, respectively. These rods 75 are secured in a suitable manner to the plate 74. For example, each plate 74 includes a through orifice through which the rod 75 passes. Each of these orifices has an inner rim supported by a nut mounted at the end of the rod 75 passing through the orifice.

In the second modification shown in FIG. 22, the spacer 33 is inclined with respect to the supporting wall forming the edge 1 and extends perpendicular to the edge 1 and is formed by a single rod 75. However, this single rod 75 is coupled to each plate 74 by a ball joint connection 92. This second modification has the advantage that it can be used for the edge 1 with different angles.

The techniques described above for providing sealed and insulated tanks can be used in different types of storage facilities, for example, to construct LNG storage facilities in offshore or onshore facilities such as methane tankers or other ships.

Referring to FIG. 23, a cutaway view of a methane tanker 76 shows a typical prismatic, sealed and insulated tank 77 mounted to a double hull 78 of a vessel. The wall of the tank 77 is a primary containment barrier intended for contact with the LNG stored in the tank, a secondary containment barrier arranged between the primary containment barrier and the ship's double hull 78 and a primary containment barrier and a secondary containment. Two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the barriers and between the secondary hermetic barrier and the double hull 78.

In a known manner, the loading / offloading pipes 79 arranged on the upper deck of the ship may be connected by appropriate connectors to coastal or harbor terminals for transferring cargo to or from the tanks 77.

23 shows an example of a coastal terminal that includes a loading and offloading station 81, an underwater pipe 82, and an onshore installation 83. The loading and offloading station 81 is a stationary offshore installation comprising a mobile arm 80 and a tower 84 supporting the mobile arm 80. The mobile arm 80 has a bundle of insulated flexible tubes 85 that can be connected to the loading / offloading pipe 79. The directional mobile arm 80 is adapted to all methane tanker loading gauges. The connecting pipe not shown extends into the tower 84. The loading and offloading station 81 enables loading and offloading of the methane tanker 76 to or from the land installation 83. The latter comprises a connecting pipe 87 connected by an underwater pipe 82 to the gas storage tank 86 and the loading or offloading station 81. The submersible pipe 82 enables the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or offloading station 81 and the land installation 83 over a long distance, such as 5 km, which the methane tanker 76 loads and offloads. To be kept at a distance from the shore for a while.

Pumps mounted on ship 76 and / or pumps on land installation 83 and / or pumps on loading and offloading station 81 are used to generate the pressure necessary to carry liquefied gas. .

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that it includes all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof without being limited thereto and falling within the scope of the invention.

Thus, although individualized elements are mentioned in the above description, the features described above can be applied to the same plurality of elements which are repeated according to a regular pattern in the tank. Thus, if the connection between two elements has been described, the connection can be similarly applied, for example, to two said elements in a row extending in an iterative manner to the tank along the edge 1.

The use of the verb "comprises" and "consists of" and their utilization do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

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

Claims (20)

A sealed and insulated tank integrated into the support structure, the support structure comprising a first planar support wall 2 and a second planar support wall 3 intersecting in the region of the edge 1 of the support structure,
The tank has a first tank wall 4 supported by the first planar support wall 2, a second tank wall 5 supported by the second planar support wall 3 and an edge 1 region of the support structure. A corner structure connecting said first and second tank walls, wherein each tank wall in turn comprises an insulating barrier and a hermetic membrane from the support structure towards the interior of the tank,
The insulating barrier of each tank wall comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks 6, 22 fixed to the planar support wall supporting the tank wall, forming a support surface 8 intended to receive a hermetic membrane,
The hermetic membrane of each tank wall comprises a plurality of metal plates 9 fixed to the support surface 8,
The corner structure of the tank comprises curved support strips 12, 23 extending parallel to the edge 1 of the support structure and the concave surfaces facing towards the interior of the tank, wherein the support strips 12, 23 are formed in the first structure. The first tank wall is formed so as to form a continuous support surface between the support surface 8 formed by the thermal insulation barrier of the first tank wall 4 and the support surface 8 formed by the thermal insulation barrier of the second tank wall 5. A first longitudinal edge 13, 24 seated in the thermal insulation barrier of 4) and second longitudinal edges 14, 24 seated in the thermal insulation barrier of the second tank wall 5, wherein the corner structure is formed of the first longitudinal edge 13, 24. It further comprises a corner sealing membrane (18, 27) seated on the curved support strip (12, 23) connecting the sealing membrane of the first tank wall (4) and the sealing membrane of the second tank wall (5) in a sealed manner. The corner sealing membranes 18, 27 are arranged at least in the support strips 12, 23. Providing an elongation of the corner hermetic membranes 18, 27 in a direction perpendicular to at least the edge 1 of the support structure, including my corner telescopic bellows 21, 29, 61, and the corner hermetic membranes 18, 27. The at least one telescopic bellows (21, 29, 61) of the sealed and insulated tank extends parallel or slightly inclined with respect to the edge (1) of the support structure. The method of claim 1,
The thermal insulation barrier of each tank wall has at least one of the first longitudinal edges 13, 24 and the second longitudinal edges 14, 25 of the support strips 12, 23 respectively seated so that the edges of the support structure 1. Closed and insulated tank comprising a row of edge insulating blocks (6, 22) sliding in a direction perpendicular to). The method of claim 1,
One of the edge insulation blocks of the row of edge insulation blocks 6, 22 is hermetically sealed with a cover panel 7 comprising a recess 48 in which corresponding longitudinal edges of the support strips 12, 23 are received. And insulated tanks. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first longitudinal edges 13, 24 and the second longitudinal edges 14, 25 of the support strips 12, 23 respectively correspond to the thermal barriers of the first tank wall 4 and the second tank wall 5. Set sealed and insulated tanks. The method of claim 3,
The ends of the at least one longitudinal edges 13, 14, 24, 25 of the support strips 12, 23 comprise a step 67 in the direction of the thickness of the support strips 12, 23, the tank being a support strip Fixing plate coupled to the cover panel 7 of the edge insulation block 6, 22 comprising a recess 48 in which the edges of the longitudinal edges 13, 14, 24, 25 of 12, 23 are received. (68), wherein the fixing plate (68) has the bottom surface of the recess (48) of the fixing plate (68) and the edge insulating blocks (6, 22) at the edges of the support strips (12, 23). Sealed and insulated tank coupled to the cover panel (7) in the region of the recess (48) to cover the step (67) of the edge of the support strip (12, 23) so as to be interposed between the (66). The method of claim 5,
One of the edges of the longitudinal edges 13, 14, 24, 25 of the support strips 12, 23 and the stationary plate 68 is elongated by the stationary plate 68 extending at right angles to the edge 1. One of the edges of the longitudinal edges 13, 14, 24, 25 of the support strips 12, 23 covered by the fixing plate 68 and the other of the fixing plate 68, including holes 69. Support strips 12, 23 are inserted into elongated holes 69 to fix movement along edges 1 of the support structure while allowing movement of the support strips 12, 23 in a direction perpendicular to the edges 1 of the structure. Closed and insulated tank comprising lugs 70 received. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A hermetic and insulated tank in which the corner hermetic membranes (18, 27) are fixed to the support strips (12, 23). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A hermetically sealed and insulated tank in which the corner hermetic membranes (18, 27) are fixed to the support strips (12, 23) continuously or at one or more points along a fixing line (47, 59) parallel to the edge (1) of the support structure. The method of claim 8,
The support strips 12, 23 comprise a plurality of metal fixing members 58 arranged along the fixing lines 59, and the corner sealing membranes 18, 27 are arranged along the fixing lines 59. Sealed and insulated tanks that are spot welded to). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The corner hermetic membranes 18, 27 comprise a plurality of parallel telescopic bellows 61, the corner hermetic membranes 18, 27 having a fixed strip 62 separating two successive support strips 12, 23. A hermetic and insulated tank fixed along the edge (1) between two telescopic bellows (61) of the corner hermetic membrane (18, 27). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The corner closure membranes 18, 27 comprise corrugations 73 extending perpendicular to the edges 1 of the support structure, the telescopic bellows 21, 29, 61 of the corner closure membranes 18, 27 and their The corrugations 73 are sealed and insulated tanks that cross each other. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The insulation barrier of each tank wall is the primary insulation barrier, the insulation block is the primary insulation block 22, the closure membrane of each tank wall is the primary closure membrane, and the support strip of the corner structure is the primary support strip. (23), the corner sealing membrane of the corner structure is the primary corner sealing membrane 27,
The tank further includes a secondary insulating membrane secured to the support structure and a secondary hermetic membrane supported by the secondary insulation barrier, wherein the primary insulation block 22 is supported by the secondary hermetic membrane to directly support the support structure. Or closed and insulated tanks fixed indirectly. The method of claim 12,
The secondary thermal barrier of each tank wall includes a plurality of juxtaposed secondary insulating blocks 6 fixed to the support structure to form secondary support surfaces 8 intended to receive secondary hermetic membranes,
The secondary hermetic membrane of each tank wall comprises a plurality of metal plates 9 fixed to the secondary support surface 8,
The corner structure of the tank comprises a curved secondary support strip 12 extending parallel to the edge 1 of the support structure, the concave surface facing towards the interior of the tank, the secondary support strip 12 Secondary support surface continuous between the secondary support surface 8 formed by the secondary thermal insulation barrier of the first tank wall 4 and the secondary support surface 8 formed by the thermal insulation barrier of the second tank wall 5. A first secondary longitudinal edge 13 seated on the secondary thermal barrier of the first tank wall 4 and a second seated secondary shield of the second tank wall 5 to form (17). And a secondary longitudinal edge 14 of the corner structure, the corner structure connecting the secondary hermetic membrane of the first tank wall 4 and the secondary hermetic membrane of the second tank wall 5 in a hermetic manner and curved. A secondary nose seated in the secondary support strip 12 and sliding in a direction perpendicular to the edge 1 of the support structure A sealing membrane 18, the secondary corner sealing membrane 18 comprising at least one secondary telescopic bellows 21 arranged in the secondary support strip 12 at least the edge 1 of the support structure. Sealed and insulated tanks that provide elongation of the secondary hermetic membrane in a direction perpendicular to the. The method of claim 13,
The corner structure further includes a row of primary corner insulating blocks 30, wherein the primary corner insulating blocks 30 are
First lateral element 31 comprising a first side face 34 lying against the primary edge insulating block 22 of the first tank wall 4 and a first bottom face 36 seated in the secondary hermetic membrane. ) And
A second side face 37 lying against the primary edge insulating block 22 of the second tank wall 5 and a second bottom face 39 seated in the secondary hermetic membrane of the second tank wall 5. A second lateral element 32,
The primary corner insulation block 30 further comprises a spacer 33 connecting the first lateral element 31 and the second lateral element 32, the spacer 33 having a primary corner insulation block ( A space 43 between the secondary sealing membrane 30 and the secondary sealing membrane, the space 43 being sealed and insulated to receive the at least one second telescopic bellows 21 of the secondary corner membrane 18. Tank. The method of claim 14,
The spacer 33 comprises a bottom plate 40 connecting the first bottom face 36 and the second bottom face 39 inclined with respect to the first support wall 2 and the second support wall 3, The first bottom surface 36 and the second bottom surface 39 of the primary corner insulation block 30 are such that the bottom plate 40 has at least one secondary telescopic bellows 21 of the secondary corner hermetic membrane 18. Sealed and insulated tank spaced from said at least one secondary telescopic bellows (21) of the secondary corner hermetic membrane (18) and seated in the secondary hermetic membrane. The method of claim 15,
The corner structure further comprises an insulating filling (44) disposed between the secondary corner sealing membrane (18) and the bottom plate (40) of the spacer (33). The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16,
The spacer 33 further comprises a top plate 41 connecting the first side 34 and the second side 37 which are inclined with respect to the first support wall 2 and the second support wall 3, and a corner. The insulating block 30 further includes an insulating peeling 45 seated on the upper plate 41 and having a curved upper surface supporting the primary supporting strip 23, wherein the primary supporting strip 23 is the insulating peeling. Sealed and insulated tank seated at 45. A vessel (76) for the transport of cold liquid products comprising a double hull (78) and a tank (77) according to any one of the preceding claims disposed in the double hull. The vessel 76 according to the eighteenth, wherein the cold liquid product is sent from the offshore or onshore storage facility 93 to the tank of the vessel 76 via the insulated pipes 79, 85, 81, 87 or vice versa. How to load. Offshore and onshore storage facilities via insulated pipes 79, 85, 81, 87 and insulated pipes adapted to connect a tank 76 installed at the ship's hull to a ship 76, an offshore or onshore storage facility according to claim 18. And a pump for forcing the flow of cold fluid product from the tank to the vessel of the vessel or vice versa.

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