KR20220065779A - sealed insulated tank - Google Patents

Abstract

A closed insulated tank for storing liquefied gas, the tank comprising a first tank wall and a second tank wall, the first tank wall and the second tank wall being supported by a support structure, the tank being a secondary an insulating barrier (2), a secondary hermetic membrane (3), a primary insulating barrier (4), and a primary hermetic membrane (5), wherein the tank is disposed in an arris and an interpanel space (8) at least two corner structures (1) spaced apart from each other by and a plurality of primary corner assemblies (12) secured to (6). The tank has a bonded primary corner assembly (13) fixed transversely to two secondary corner assemblies (6) of two juxtaposed corner structures (1), disposed over the interpanel space, the bonded primary The corner assembly 13 exhibits a different soft behavior than the primary corner assembly 12 of the corner structure 1 .

Description

sealed insulated tank

The present invention relates to the field of closed insulated membrane tanks. In particular, the present invention relates to a tank for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG), for example having a temperature of -50° to 0°C, or for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at about -162°C at atmospheric pressure; It relates to the field of closed insulated tanks for storing and/or transporting liquefied gases at the same low temperature. Such tanks may be installed onshore or on floating structures. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may transport the liquefied gas or contain the liquefied gas used as a fuel to propel the floating structure.

KR20040095782 discloses a corner structure comprising a secondary insulating block of a first tank wall and a secondary insulating block of a second tank wall, which are intended to form a corner of the secondary insulating barrier and abut against each other. Thus, the two secondary insulating blocks form a secondary corner assembly. A secondary hermetic membrane covers the two said secondary insulating blocks.

To form the primary insulating barrier, the primary corner assembly is fixed to the secondary sealing membrane, and the primary insulating block fixed through the outer surface above the secondary insulating block of the primary tank wall and 2 of the secondary tank wall. It is formed by another primary insulating block also fixed through the outer edge above the primary insulating block. The two said primary insulating blocks are secured to each other using metal angle sections secured to the inner face to form a primary corner assembly.

Two adjacent secondary corner assemblies of the same tank wall are spaced from each other by an interpanel space. The bonded primary corner assembly is superimposed and secured to the two secondary corner assemblies so as to be flush with the interpanel space. The bonded primary corner assembly and the primary corner assembly are produced as in the above document.

The aforementioned document discloses that the primary insulating block is made entirely of plywood or of plywood board on the inner side and a layer of insulating foam on the outer side.

Applicants have noted that the bonded primary corner assembly is subjected to greater stress than the others. In particular, when the tank is cooled, the primary insulating block and the bonded primary corner assembly are contracted, resulting in an effect of applying a tensile stress to the primary corner assembly.

The bending of the beam of a tank carrying vessel also has the effect of being subjected to greater bending/shear stress than other primary corner assemblies which can cause damage to the bonded primary corner assemblies.

One idea behind the present invention is to modify the structure of the junction primary corner assembly.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed and insulated tank for storing liquefied gas, said tank comprising a first tank wall coupled at a corner and extending respectively in first and second planes inclined to each other; a second tank wall, forming a corner section at the junction between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, each of the first tank wall and the second tank wall being supported by a support structure, the interior space of the tank in the wall thickness direction of the support structure toward, a secondary thermal insulation barrier supported by the support structure, a secondary sealing membrane supported by the secondary thermal insulation barrier, a primary thermal insulation barrier supported by the secondary sealing membrane, and 1 a primary hermetic membrane supported by a primary insulating barrier and suitable for contact with a liquefied gas;

The tank comprises at least two corner structures located in a corner section and separated from each other by an interpanel space and juxtaposed in a direction parallel to the passage, each corner structure being in a corner section between the first tank wall and the second tank wall. a secondary corner assembly ensuring continuity of the secondary insulating barrier and secondary sealing membrane;

Each corner structure includes a plurality of main primary corner assemblies secured to secondary corner assemblies, and wherein the tank includes a bonded primary corner assembly secured by overlapping two secondary corner assemblies of two juxtaposed corner structures. Thus, disposed over the interpanel space, the main primary corner assembly and the bonded primary corner assembly of the corner structure ensure continuity of the primary insulating barrier and primary sealing membrane in the corner region between the first tank wall and the second tank wall. guarantee,

the bonded primary corner assembly has a different stiffness than the main primary corner assembly of the corner structure;

The bonded primary corner assembly includes at least one bonded primary insulating block, the at least one bonded primary insulating block including an upper portion and a reinforced lower portion positioned below the upper portion, the reinforced lower portion comprising a secondary seal Fixed to the membrane, the reinforced lower portion has greater stiffness than the upper portion.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed and insulated tank for storing liquefied gas, said tank having a first tank wall and a second connected at an inlet and extending obliquely to each other in a first plane and a second plane, respectively. 2 Including tank wall. forming a corner section at the junction between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, each of the first tank wall and the second tank wall being supported by a support structure, the thickness direction of the support structure facing the interior space of the tank a secondary thermal insulation barrier supported by the support structure, a secondary sealing membrane supported by the secondary thermal insulation barrier, a primary thermal insulation barrier supported by a secondary sealing membrane, and a primary thermal insulation barrier supported by a primary hermetic membrane adapted to contact the liquefied gas;

The tank comprises at least two corner structures located in a corner section and separated from each other by an interpanel space and juxtaposed in a direction parallel to the corner, each corner structure being in a corner section between the first tank wall and the second tank wall. a secondary corner assembly ensuring continuity of the secondary insulating barrier and secondary sealing membrane;

Each corner structure includes a plurality of main primary corner assemblies secured to secondary corner assemblies, and wherein the tank includes a bonded primary corner assembly secured by overlapping two secondary corner assemblies of two juxtaposed corner structures. Thus, disposed over the panel space, the main primary corner assembly and the bonded primary corner assembly of the corner structure ensure the continuity of the primary insulating barrier and primary sealing membrane in the corner region between the first tank wall and the second tank wall. and

the bonded primary corner assembly has a different stiffness than the main primary corner assembly of the corner structure;

wherein the bonded primary corner assembly includes at least one bonded primary insulating block, wherein the bonded primary insulating block includes at least one metal or composite insert positioned over the interpanel space in a thickness direction, the metal or composite insert is to increase the rigidity in the thickness direction of the bonding primary insulating block.

Due to these features, the various designs of the bonded primary corner assembly make it possible to specifically adapt this element to the stress it is subjected to in order to prevent premature damage. In addition, the reinforced lower part improves the overall strength of the bonded primary insulation block so that it can withstand greater stress or withstand stress for a longer period of time in case of fatigue. In the same way as the reinforced underside, the metal or composite insert improves the overall tensile, flexural and/or shear stiffness of the bonded primary insulating block, allowing it to withstand greater stresses or longer stresses in the event of fatigue.

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

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary corner assembly has a different tensile and/or bending stiffness than the main primary corner assemblies of the corner structure.

According to one embodiment, the first tank wall and the second tank wall are flat.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary corner assembly has a greater stiffness, in particular a tensile stiffness, than the main primary corner assembly of the corner structure.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary corner assembly has a greater average modulus of elasticity than the main primary corner assembly of the corner structure.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary corner assembly has greater flexibility than the main primary corner assembly of the corner structure.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary corner assembly is spaced from an adjacent main primary corner assembly using an insulating foam choke.

According to one embodiment, the secondary corner assembly includes a secondary insulating block extending in a first plane and a secondary insulating block extending in a second plane.

According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane is secured on top of each secondary insulating block of the secondary corner assembly.

According to one embodiment, the main primary corner assembly comprises a primary insulating block co-planar with the first tank wall and a primary insulating block co-planar with the second tank wall.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary corner assembly includes a bonded primary insulating block extending in a first plane and a bonded primary insulating block extending in a second plane.

Accordingly, the bonded primary insulating block of the first tank wall is fixed to overlap the upper portions of the two secondary insulating blocks of the juxtaposed corner structure, and is positioned directly above the interpanel space.

According to one embodiment, the junction primary insulating block includes an upper portion and a lower portion located below the upper portion, the lower portion being fixed to the secondary sealing membrane.

According to one embodiment, the upper part is reinforced and has a greater stiffness than the lower part.

According to one embodiment, the lower portion is reinforced and has a greater modulus or stiffness than the upper portion.

Due to this feature, the reinforced underside thus improves the overall stiffness of the bonded primary insulating block to withstand greater stresses or longer stresses in case of fatigue. The same applies to the case of the reinforced upper part.

According to one embodiment, the unreinforced part, ie the upper or lower part, is made of plywood.

According to one embodiment, the reinforced portion, ie the lower or upper portion, comprises a layer of composite material, a layer of dense wood, or a combination of both.

According to one embodiment, the reinforced part, ie the upper or lower part, comprises a metal plate.

For example, the high-density wood may be wood having a density of 900 kg/m3 or more, preferably 1,100 to 1,300 kg/m3, for example, about 1,200 kg/m3.

The composite material may include a laminated composite material known to be applicable as an aluminum layer between two layers of glass fibers and a resin, a rigid secondary barrier (RSB) or a flexible secondary barrier (FSB). can The composite material may also be composed of a reinforced textile material.

According to one embodiment, the underside comprises a single layer made of a laminated composite material, for example a composite material comprising an aluminum layer between two layers of fiberglass and resin.

According to one embodiment, the reinforced part, ie the lower or upper part, comprises a first layer made of high-density wood and a second layer made of laminated composite material.

According to one embodiment, the average elastic modulus of the reinforcing portion, ie the upper or lower portion, is at least 1.5 times the upper elastic modulus.

According to one embodiment, the ratio between the dimension of the reinforcing part, ie the lower or upper part, in the thickness direction and the dimension of the upper or lower part in the thickness direction is 0.9 or less, preferably 0.005 to 0.5.

According to one embodiment, when the reinforced part, ie, the lower part or the upper part, comprises a layer made of high-density wood, the ratio between the dimension of the layer made of high-density wood in the thickness direction and the dimension of each of the upper or lower parts is 0.1 to is 0.5.

According to an embodiment, when the reinforcing portion, that is, the lower or upper portion includes a layer made of the laminated composite material, the ratio between the dimension of the layer made of the laminated composite material and each upper or lower portion in the thickness direction is 0.005 to 0.1 am.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary insulating block comprises at least one metal or composite insert positioned above or directly above the interpanel space in the thickness direction, wherein the metal or composite insert is a rigid or soft material of the bonded primary insulating block. It is designed to increase sex.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the metal or composite insert improves the overall tensile, flexural and/or shear stiffness of the bonded primary insulating block to withstand greater stress or withstand stress for a longer period of time in case of fatigue.

According to one embodiment, the metal or composite insert has a greater modulus of elasticity than the rest of the joined primary insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the metal or composite insert is subjected to a compressive prestress.

According to one embodiment, the metal or composite insert comprises a leaf curved in the thickness direction.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary insulating block comprises an upper portion and a lower portion located below the upper portion, the lower surface of the lower portion being fixed to or facing the secondary sealing membrane,

The bonded primary insulating block includes at least one relaxation slot configured to reduce the rigidity of the bonded primary insulating block, wherein the relaxed slot is formed underneath and in a thickness direction, preferably in a direction perpendicular to the edge direction. is extended

Due to this feature, the relaxation slot makes it possible to increase the flexibility of the bonded primary insulating block to withstand greater stresses or longer stresses in case of fatigue.

According to one embodiment, the slot is formed in the lower lower surface of the lower part.

According to one embodiment, the loosening slot is located above or directly above the interpanel space in the wall thickness direction.

According to one embodiment, the lower portion includes at least one pair of grooves located on both sides of the loosening slot in the edge direction, the grooves having a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the loosening slot.

According to one embodiment, the loosening slots and/or grooves extend only on the underside of the bonded primary insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the bonded primary insulating block is a secondary seal on or directly above one of the thicknesswise juxtaposed secondary corner assemblies and on or directly above the other of the thicknesswise juxtaposed secondary corner assemblies. Adhesive bonded to the membrane, the free space between the bonding primary insulating block and the secondary sealing membrane is located on or directly above the interpanel space in the thickness direction, so that the thickness above the interpanel space between the secondary sealing membrane and the bonding primary There is no adhesive present in the direction.

Due to this feature, the absence of an adhesive bond of the bonded primary insulation block directly above the interpanel space prevents crack propagation of the adhesive towards the bonded primary insulation block to withstand greater stresses or longer stresses upon fatigue. can be prevented

According to an embodiment, the lower portion is a reinforced lower portion, and the reinforced lower portion has greater stiffness than the upper portion to resist the relative movement of the first and second insulating blocks and the second secondary insulating blocks.

According to one embodiment, the junction primary insulating block of the first tank wall and the second tank wall comprises an outer face and an inner face each secured to a secondary sealing membrane, the tank comprising a junction primary of the first tank wall and a first angle section fixed to the outer surface of the insulating block and a second angle section connected to the first angle section and fixed to the outer surface of the bonded primary insulating block of the second tank wall.

According to one embodiment, the junction primary insulating block of the first tank wall and the second tank wall comprises a fixed orifice appearing on the outer surface of the junction primary insulating block, the first angle section portion and the second angle The section portion includes a securing device projecting on a surface facing the bonded primary insulating block, the securing device configured to be secured within the securing orifice.

According to one embodiment, the fixed orifices appear on both sides of the bonded primary insulating block.

According to one embodiment, the fixed orifice extends only on top of the bonded primary insulating block.

Said tanks may form part of, for example, onshore storage facilities for storing LNG or offshore or offshore floating structures, in particular methane carriers, Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs), Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units (FPSOs). Or it may be installed in other structures. These tanks can also be used as fuel tanks on all types of ships.

According to one embodiment, a vessel for transporting cold liquid products comprises a double hull and a tank as described above arranged in the double hull.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also relates to the aforementioned vessel, an insulating pipe arranged to connect a tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or onshore storage facility, via said insulating pipe to a floating or onshore storage facility or to a vessel tank A system for conveying a cooling liquid product comprising a pump for conveying a flow of cryogenic liquid product to or from a furnace is provided.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading a vessel in which the cryogenic liquid product is conveyed via insulated pipes to a floating or onshore storage facility or to or from a tank of the vessel.

Applicants have noted that the bonded primary corner assembly is subjected to greater stress than the others. In particular, when the tank is cooled, the primary insulating block and the bonded primary corner assembly are contracted, resulting in an effect of applying a tensile stress to the primary corner assembly.

The bending of the beam of a tank carrying vessel also has the effect of being subjected to greater bending/shear stress than other primary corner assemblies which can cause damage to the bonded primary corner assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood from the following description of a plurality of specific embodiments of the invention, which are provided by way of non-limiting illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein other objects, details, features and advantages thereof It will be clearer.
1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a corner structure of a closed insulating tank at a junction between two secondary insulating blocks;
2 is an exploded schematic view of a bonded primary insulating block.
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 2 taken along line III-III according to the first embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III according to the second embodiment.
5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III according to the third embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III according to the fourth embodiment.
7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III according to the fifth embodiment.
8 is a schematic diagram of a bonded primary insulating block positioned over two secondary insulating blocks according to one embodiment.
9 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a methane carrier comprising tanks and terminals for loading/unloading said tanks;

By convention, the terms "above" or "above" refer to a location closer to the interior of the tank and the terms "below" or "below" to a location closer to the support structure, regardless of the orientation of the tank wall with respect to the Earth's gravitational field. Likewise, "upper" or "inside" refers to an element located closer to the interior of the tank and "lower" or "outer" refers to an element located closer to the support structure.

The corner structure 1 of the sealed thermally insulated tank will be described below.

The hermetically insulated tank includes a plurality of walls each formed by at least one insulating barrier and at least one hermetic membrane. The corner structures 1 are arranged at the corners of the sealed and insulated tanks at the junction between the first and second tank walls to ensure the continuity of the insulating barrier of the two walls and the sealing membranes of the two tanks. In the embodiment described below, the tank wall comprises a secondary insulating barrier (2), a secondary sealing membrane (3) supported by a secondary insulating barrier (2), 1 fixed to the secondary sealing membrane (3) a primary thermal insulation barrier (4) and a primary hermetic membrane supported by the primary thermal insulation barrier (4).

Thus, the corner structure 1 comprises at least some elements forming part of the secondary insulating barrier 2 of the tank, at least some elements forming part of the secondary sealing membrane 3 of the tank, the primary of the tank at least some elements forming part of the insulating barrier (4) and at least some elements forming part of the primary sealing membrane (5) of the tank. Consequently, the corner structure differs from the insulating barrier and sealing membrane at the junction between the first tank wall and the second tank wall inclined relative to the first tank wall by a predetermined angle, for example an angle of 90° or an angle of 135°. continuity can be ensured.

1 shows a corner of a tank in which two corner structures 1 are juxtaposed in the direction of the corner 100 and spaced apart from each other by an interpanel space 8 .

As can be seen in FIG. 1 , each corner structure 1 has a secondary insulating barrier 2 and 2 at the corner of the tank with a plurality of main car corner assemblies 12 juxtaposed in the direction of the corner 100 . and a secondary corner assembly (6) forming a continuation of the car sealing membrane. The tank is also a bonded primary fixedly overlapping two secondary corner assemblies 6 of two juxtaposed corner structures 1 intended to be positioned above the interpanel space 8, as can also be seen in particular in FIG. 8 . a corner assembly (13). The primary corner assembly 12 and the bonded primary corner assembly 13 of the corner structure 1 have a primary insulating barrier 4 and a primary sealing membrane in the corner region between the first tank wall and the second tank wall. (5) forms a continuation.

The main primary corner assembly 12 and the junction primary corner assembly 13 are aligned in the direction of the corner 100 on the secondary corner assembly 6 and are spaced apart from each other. The space between this main primary corner assembly 12 and the bonding primary corner assembly 13 is filled using insulating foam chocks (16).

The interpanel space is filled using one or more joint chokes 9 made of insulating material, maintaining the continuity of the secondary insulating barrier 2 between the two corner structures 1 .

Thus, each secondary corner assembly 6 has a secondary insulating block 7 in the plane P1 of the first tank wall arranged to form a corner of the tank and a secondary insulating block 7 in the plane P2 of the second tank wall. and a secondary insulating block (7). For assembling the secondary insulating block 7 of the first tank wall with the secondary insulating block 7 of the second tank wall, each said secondary insulating block 7 consists of two secondary insulating blocks 7 . The angle corresponding to the angle of the corner structure 1 is formed by including the beveled side edges to abut together on this beveled side edge. Alternatively, the secondary insulating blocks 7 can be assembled to one another via simply straight side edges inclined with respect to one another at the desired angle. In this case, the space remaining in the corner between these two secondary heat insulating blocks 7 is filled using a heat insulating material having a shape that complements the remaining space.

The secondary insulating block 7 comprises a lower board and/or an upper board, and optionally an intermediate board, for example made of plywood. Said secondary insulating block 7 comprises one or more layers of insulating foam sandwiched between the lower board, the upper board and optionally the intermediate board and adhesively bonded thereto. The insulating foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based polymer foam optionally reinforced by fibers.

The secondary corner assembly 6 also includes a rigid sealing sheet 10 adhesively bonded to the top board of the secondary insulating block 7 . Since the rigid sealing sheet 10 is made of the same material as the secondary thermal insulation barrier 2 of the tank wall, the rigid sealing sheet 10 of the secondary corner assembly 6 is placed on the corner structure 1 as a secondary thermal insulation barrier (2) forms a continuation.

A rigid sealing sheet (10) adhesively bonded to one of the secondary insulating blocks (7) of the secondary corner assembly (6) and adhered to the other of the secondary insulating blocks (7) of the secondary corner assembly (6). In order to sealably connect the bonded hard sealing sheets 10, the soft sealing sheets 11 overlap and adhesively bond with each of the hard sealing sheets 10 as shown in FIG. 1 .

The hard sealing sheet 10 and the soft sealing sheet 11 of the two secondary insulating blocks 7 of the corner structure 1 form a part of the secondary sealing membrane 2 of the tank. make up the elements of The rigid sealing sheet 10 is made of a laminated composite material comprising a layer of aluminum between two layers of glass fiber and resin, known as a rigid secondary barrier (RSB). The flexible sealing sheet 11 is made of a laminated composite material comprising a layer of aluminum between two layers of fiberglass, known as a soft secondary barrier (FSB). At the junction between the two corner structures 1 , in order to sealably connect the two secondary corner assemblies 6 , at least one soft sealing sheet 11 overlaps the two secondary corner assemblies 6 . It is adhesively bonded to cover the interpanel space (8).

The junction primary corner assembly 13 has a structure different from that of the main primary corner assembly 12 of the corner structure 1 . Structural and/or material modifications are made to the bonded primary corner assembly 13 to avoid damage to the bonded primary corner assembly 13 that is subjected to greater stress than the main primary corner assembly 12 .

2 is an exploded view of the bonded primary corner assembly 13 . The bonded primary corner assembly 13 is a bonded primary insulating block 15 located on the same plane (P1) as the first tank wall and a bonded primary insulating block located on the same plane (P2) as the second tank wall. (15).

The junction of the first tank wall and the second tank wall 15 , respectively, comprises an outer surface and an inner surface fixed to the secondary sealing membrane 3 . The tank is connected to a first angle section part 19 and a first angle section part 19 fixed to the outer surface of the junction primary insulating block 15 of the first tank wall and the junction primary of the second tank wall a metal angle section (18) having a second angle section (20) secured to the outer surface of the insulating block (15).

The junction primary insulating block 15 of the first tank wall and the second tank wall each comprises a fixed orifice 22 protruding from the outer surface of the junction primary insulating block 15 . The first angle section portion 19 and the second angle section portion 20 include a fastening device 21 protruding from the surface facing the bonding primary insulating block 15 . The fastening device 21 is configured to be fastened inside the fastening orifice 22 . When the insulating block is a parallelepiped, the bonded primary corner assembly 13 is also a corner choke made of insulating material positioned between the two bonded primary insulating blocks 15 and against the soft sealing sheet 11 ( 17) is included. The corner chokes 17 provide continuity of the insulation when the orientation of the insulation is modified.

The main primary corner assembly 12 also comprises a main insulating block 14 located in the same plane P1 as the first tank wall and a main insulating block 14 located in the same plane P2 as the second tank wall, two It includes a metal angle section 18 that holds the primary insulating block 14 together, and a corner choke 17 . The primary insulating block 14 is made entirely of plywood.

Specific characteristics of the bonding primary heat insulating block 15 will be described below. 3 to 8 show another embodiment of coupling the primary insulating block 15 .

3 to 6 , unlike the primary insulating block 14 , the bonded primary insulating block 15 is not made entirely of plywood.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the bonded primary insulating block 15 comprises an upper portion 23 and a reinforced lower portion 24 positioned below and adhesively bonded to the upper portion 23 . The reinforced lower part 24 is adhesively bonded to the secondary sealing membrane 3 . The upper part 23 is made of plywood, for example, 600 to 800 kg/m ³ , for example, has a density of about 700 kg/m ³ . The reinforced lower part 24 is made of high-density wood having a density of 900 kg/m ³ or more, preferably 1,100 to 1,300 kg/m ³ , for example approximately 1,200 kg/m ³ , and having a greater modulus of elasticity than plywood. The fixed orifices 22 appear on both sides of the bonded primary insulating block 15 from the outside to the inside and thus pass through the top 23 and the reinforced bottom 24 . The orifices 22 coming out on both sides make it possible to fasten the metal angle section 18 even after the upper 23 and the lower are assembled together.

4 shows a second embodiment of a bonded primary insulating block 15 . This embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the design of the fixed orifice 22 . The fixed orifice 22 extends only from the upper part 23 of the bonded primary insulating block 15 and thus becomes a blind orifice after assembly of the upper part 23 and the lower part 24 .

5 shows a third embodiment of a bonded primary insulating block 15 . This embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the material used for the reinforced lower part 24 . In this embodiment, the reinforced bottom 24 consists of a first layer 25 and a second layer 26 adhesively bonded to the first layer 25 . The first layer 25 is made of high density wood and the second layer 26 is made of laminated composite material RSB.

6 shows a fourth embodiment of a bonded primary insulating block 15 . This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that it does not include an upper part and a lower part. However, the bonded primary insulating block 15 includes an insert 27 made of a metal or composite material therein. The insert 27 includes a leaf curved in the thickness direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses of the curved lobes face the inner surface of the bonded primary insulating block 15 . However, in other embodiments, the recesses of the curved lobes face in the opposite direction from the inner face of the bonded primary insulating block 15 .

According to one embodiment, the insert 27 is prestressed in a compressed state. According to another embodiment, the insert 27 applies a tensile prestress.

7 shows a fifth embodiment of a bonded primary insulating block 15 . In this embodiment, the bonded primary insulating block 15 includes an upper portion 23 and a lower portion 24 located below the upper portion 23 . The lower portion 24 includes a main relaxation slot 28 formed on a lower surface of the lower portion 24 and extending in a thickness direction and a direction perpendicular to the corner 100 direction. The release slot 28 is located directly above the interpanel space in the wall thickness direction. The lower part 24 includes a pair of grooves 29 located on either side of the release slot 28 in the direction of the corner 100 . The grooves 29 have smaller dimensions in the thickness direction than the relief slots 28 and make it possible to collect excess adhesive that can migrate to the region of the lower portion 24 facing the interpanel space 8 .

According to another embodiment, not shown, the release slot 28 is not made by machining the lower part 24 . In this embodiment, the lower part 24 includes two blocks fixed to the upper part 23 and spaced apart from each other such that a release slot 28 is formed therebetween.

8 shows a sixth embodiment of a bonded primary insulating block 15 . In this embodiment, the bonded primary insulating block 15 is directly above one of the thicknesswise juxtaposed secondary insulating blocks 7 and in the thickness direction the other of two juxtaposed secondary insulating blocks of the same tank wall. Adhesive bonding to the secondary hermetic membrane 3 on one or just above. A free space is located directly above the interpanel space in the wall thickness direction between the bonding primary insulating block 15 and the secondary sealing membrane 3, so that the secondary sealing membrane 3 and the bonding primary insulating block 15 are located. There is no adhesive directly above the interpanel space 8 in the thickness direction in between.

These specific structural or material characteristics of the bonded primary insulating block 15 of the embodiment described above may be combined. For example, the bonded primary insulating block 15 of FIG. 5 may be provided with loosening slots 28 , 29 and/or inserts 27 , and/or through holes 22 , and/or discontinuous adhesive bonds. there is.

In other embodiments, one or more main corner assemblies 12 may be identical to the combined primary corner assemblies 13 provided that the combined primary corner assemblies 13 have one of the structures described above.

Referring to FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view of a methane carrier 70 shows a closed, insulated tank 71 having a generally prismatic shape assembled to the double hull 72 of a ship. The wall of the tank 71 includes a primary hermetic barrier suitable for contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary hermetic barrier disposed between the primary hermetic barrier and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and the primary hermetic barrier and and two insulating barriers respectively disposed between the secondary sealing barrier and between the secondary sealing barrier and the double hull (72).

In a manner known per se, the loading/unloading pipes 73 arranged on the upper deck of the vessel can be connected by suitable connectors to sea or port terminals to transport cargoes of LNG relative to the tanks 71 .

9 shows an example of an offshore terminal comprising an unloading and unloading station 75 , a subsea pipeline 76 and an onshore facility 77 . The loading and unloading station 75 is a stationary offshore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74 . A movable arm 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible hoses 79 that can be connected to a loading/unloading pipe 73 . The directional movable arm 74 is suitable for methane carriers of all sizes. A connecting pipeline, not shown, extends into the tower 78 . The loading and unloading station 75 makes it possible to load and unload the methane carrier 70 from the onshore facility 77 . The onshore installation comprises a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipeline 81 connected to a loading or unloading station 75 by a subsea pipeline 76 . The subsea pipeline 76 makes it possible to transfer liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over long distances, for example 5 km, which in the case of loading and unloading operations are carried out by methane carriers. (70) makes it possible to keep a great distance from the shore.

In order to generate the pressure necessary to transport the liquefied gas, a pump onboard the vessel 70 and/or a pump provided on the shore facility 77 and/or a pump provided on the loading and unloading station 75 are implemented.

While the present invention has been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention includes all technical equivalents of the described means and any combinations thereof provided they fall within the scope of the invention.

The use of the conjugated forms of the verbs "have," "comprise," and "have" do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those recited in a claim.

Reference signs between parentheses in the claims should not be construed as limiting the claims.

1: Corner structure
2: Secondary Insulation Barrier
3: Secondary sealing membrane
4: primary insulating barrier
5: Primary sealing membrane
6: Second Corner Assembly
12: main primary corner assembly
13: Joint primary corner assembly
8: Interpanel space
100: corner

Claims (21)

A hermetically insulated tank for storing liquefied gas, said tank comprising first and second tank walls joined at corners (100) and extending respectively in first and second planes inclined to each other (P1) and second planes; wherein the first tank wall and the second tank wall form a corner section at the junction between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, each of the first tank wall and the second tank wall being supported by a support structure and, in the thickness direction of the support structure toward the inner space of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier (2) supported by the support structure, a secondary sealing membrane (3) supported by the secondary thermal insulation barrier (2) , a primary insulating barrier (4) supported by the secondary hermetic membrane (3), and a primary hermetic membrane (5) supported by the primary insulating barrier (4) and brought into contact with liquefied gas, ,
The tank comprises at least two corner structures (1) located in the corner section and juxtaposed in a direction parallel to an arris and spaced apart from each other by an interpanel space (8), each of said corner structures (1) ) comprises a secondary corner assembly (6) ensuring the continuity of the secondary insulating barrier (2) and the secondary sealing membrane (3) in the corner region between the first and second tank walls,
Each corner structure (1) comprises a plurality of main primary corner assemblies (12) secured to secondary corner assemblies (6), said tanks comprising two secondary corners of two juxtaposed corner structures (1). and a bonding primary corner assembly (13) superimposed and fixed to the assembly (6) and disposed above the interpanel space (8), wherein the main primary corner assembly (12) and bonding 1 of the corner structure (1) The car corner assembly (13) ensures the continuity of the primary insulating barrier (4) and the secondary sealing membrane (5) in the corner region between said first and second tank walls,
the junction primary corner assembly (13) has a different stiffness than the main primary corner assembly (12) of the corner structure (1),
The junction primary corner assembly 13 includes at least one junction primary insulating block 15 , wherein the at least one junction primary insulating block 15 includes an upper portion 23 and a lower portion of the upper portion 23 . a reinforced lower part (24) disposed in the upper part (24), the reinforced lower part (24) being fixed to the secondary sealing membrane (3), the reinforced lower part (24) having a greater rigidity than the upper part (23) A sealed insulated tank, characterized in that it has. The method of claim 1,
The bonding primary insulating block 15 includes, in the thickness direction, at least one metal or composite insert 27 positioned above the interpanel space 8, wherein the metal or composite insert is a bonding primary in the thickness direction. Sealed insulated tank, characterized in that it is adapted to increase the rigidity of the insulating block (15). A sealed and insulated tank for storing liquefied gas, wherein the tank is joined at a corner (100) and has a first tank wall (100) and a second tank extending in a first plane (P1) and a second plane inclined to each other, respectively. a wall (100), wherein the first tank wall and the second tank wall define a corner section at the junction between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, respectively, the first tank wall and the second tank wall is supported by a support structure, and in the thickness direction of the support structure toward the inner space of the tank, a secondary thermal insulation barrier 2 supported by the support structure, 2 supported by the secondary insulation barrier 2 A primary sealing membrane (3), a primary insulating barrier (4) supported by the secondary sealing membrane (3), and a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary insulating barrier (4) and brought into contact with liquefied gas (5);
The tank comprises at least two corner structures (1) located in the corner section and juxtaposed in a direction parallel to the corners and spaced apart from each other by an interpanel space (8), each said corner structure (1) comprising said a secondary corner assembly (6) ensuring the continuity of the secondary insulating barrier (2) and the secondary sealing membrane (3) in the corner region between the first tank wall and the second tank wall,
Each corner structure (1) comprises a plurality of main primary corner assemblies (12) secured to secondary corner assemblies (6), said tanks comprising two secondary corners of two juxtaposed corner structures (1). and a bonded primary corner assembly (13) superimposed on and secured to an assembly (6) and disposed above the interpanel space (8), wherein the main primary corner assembly (12) of the corner structure (1) and the bonding 1 The car corner assembly (13) ensures the continuity of the primary insulating barrier (4) and the secondary sealing membrane (5) in the corner region between said first and second tank walls,
the junction primary corner assembly (13) has a different stiffness than the main primary corner assembly (12) of the corner structure (1),
The bonded primary corner assembly 13 includes at least one bonded primary insulating block 15 , wherein the bonded primary insulating block 15 is a metal or composite disposed over the interpanel space 8 in the thickness direction. An insert comprising an insert, wherein the metal or composite insert is adapted to increase rigidity in the thickness direction of the bonded primary insulating block (15). 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The junction primary corner assembly (13) comprises a junction primary insulating block (15) extending in a first plane (P1) and a junction primary insulating block (15) extending in a second plane (P2) sealed insulated tank. 5. The method according to claim 3 or 4 in relation to claim 3,
The bonded primary insulating block 15 includes an upper portion 23 and a reinforced lower portion 24 positioned below the upper portion, the reinforced lower portion 24 being fixed to the secondary sealing membrane 3 and , wherein the reinforced lower part (24) has greater rigidity than the upper part (23). 6. The method according to claim 1 or 5,
The upper portion (23) is a closed insulated tank, characterized in that made of plywood. 7. The method of claim 1, 5 or 6,
The lower portion (24) is a closed insulating tank, characterized in that made of a composite material layer, a high-density wood layer, or a combination thereof. 8. The method of claim 7,
The closed insulated tank, characterized in that the lower portion (24) comprises a single layer of laminated composite material. 8. The method of claim 7,
The closed insulated tank, characterized in that the lower portion (24) comprises a first layer of high-density wood and a second layer of laminated composite material. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 5 to 9,
The average modulus of elasticity of the reinforced lower part (24) is 1.5 times or more of the elastic modulus of the upper part (23). 11. The method of any one of claims 1 or 5 to 10,
The ratio of the thickness direction dimension of the lower part (24) to the thickness direction dimension of the upper part (23) is 0.9 or less, preferably 0.005 to 0.5. 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The bonding primary insulating block 15 includes an upper portion 23 and a lower portion 24 positioned below the upper portion 23 , and the lower surface of the lower portion 24 is connected to the secondary sealing membrane 3 . signed,
The bonded primary insulating block 15 includes at least one relaxation slot 28 , 29 adapted to reduce the stiffness of the bonded primary insulating block 15 , the relaxation slot 28 , 29 having a lower portion ( 24) and extending in the wall thickness direction, preferably perpendicular to the direction of the corner (100). 13. The method of claim 12,
Said loosening slots (28, 29) are closed insulation tank, characterized in that located in the wall thickness direction on the upper part of the inter-panel space (8). 14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Said bonding primary insulating block 15 is a secondary sealing membrane 3 over one of the juxtaposed secondary corner assemblies 6 in thickness direction and over the other of two juxtaposed secondary corner assemblies 6 in thickness direction. ), a free space is disposed between the bonding primary insulating block 15 and the secondary sealing membrane 3 above the interpanel space 8 in the thickness direction, so that the interpanel space 8 is A sealed and insulated tank, characterized in that no adhesive is present between the secondary sealing membrane (3) and the bonding primary insulating block (15) in the thickness direction from above. 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The junction of the first tank wall and the second tank wall The primary insulating block (15) includes an outer surface and an inner surface each fastened to the secondary sealing membrane (3), wherein the tank is a joint of the first tank wall The first angled section part 19 fastened to the outer surface of the primary insulating block 15 and the junction of the second tank wall connected to the first angled section part 19. The outside of the primary insulating block 15 A closed insulated tank, characterized in that it comprises a second angled section portion (20) fastened to the face. 16. The method of claim 15,
The junction primary insulating block (15) of the first tank wall and the second tank wall includes a fastening orifice (22) protruding from the outer surface of the junction primary insulating block, the first angled section part (19) and The second angle section portion 20 includes a fastening device 21 protruding from a surface facing the bonding primary insulating block 15 , wherein the fastening device 21 is disposed inside the fastening orifice 22 . Sealed insulated tank, characterized in that it is fastened to. 17. The method of claim 16,
Said fastening orifices (22) are sealed insulated tank, characterized in that coming out on both sides of the bonding primary insulating block (15). 17. The combination of claims 1 and 16 or the combination of claims 5 and 16,
The closed insulated tank, characterized in that the fastening orifice (22) extends only from the upper part (23) of the bonded primary insulating block (15). A vessel (70) for transporting cold liquid products, characterized in that it comprises a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 18 arranged in said double hull. A transport system for transporting cold liquid products, the transport system being configured to connect a vessel (70) according to claim 19, a tank (71) installed in the interior of the hull of the vessel (71) to a floating or onshore storage facility (77) A transport system comprising: an insulated pipe arranged (73, 79, 76, 81); and a pump for conveying a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipe between the floating or onshore storage facility and the vessel tank. . In the method of loading or unloading the vessel (70) according to claim 19,
A method for loading or unloading a vessel, characterized in that the cryogenic liquid product is transported between a floating or onshore storage facility (77) and a tank (71) of the vessel via insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81).

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