KR20240081345A - Self-supporting case suitable for the support and thermal insulation of a sealed membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-supporting case comprising a cover panel (7) and at least one slot (30) in the cover panel (7) opening outwardly at the upper surface of the cover panel for receiving a welding support. The cover panel 7 comprises two first panel parts 33 , 34 and two first parts 33 juxtaposed at a first joining area 35 on the first support element in the first plane P1. , 34) and a first fastener 37 vertically coupled to the upper surface 38 of the first support element. The first joining zone 35 extends longitudinally and in line with the intermediate wall, which extends longitudinally and perpendicularly to the cover panel 7 and lies in the first plane P1 and the first plane P1. When projected onto at least one of the vertical second planes P2, the case comprises a first reinforcing element disposed between the slot 30 and the first engagement area 35.

Description

Self-supporting case suitable for the support and thermal insulation of a sealed membrane}

The present invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks embedded in load-bearing structures for containing fluids, especially membrane tanks for containing liquefied gases, particularly combustible gases. The invention also specifically relates to a wooden self-supporting case suitable for supporting and insulating such tank membranes.

Sealed and insulated tanks can be used to store fluids in a variety of industries. For example, in the energy sector, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a liquid with a high methane content that can be stored at about -163°C at atmospheric pressure in land-based storage tanks or in tanks mounted on floating structures. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can be stored at temperatures between -50°C and 0°C.

For floating structures, tanks may be used to transport liquefied gas or to contain liquefied gas used as fuel to propel the floating structure.

A wooden free-standing case suitable for supporting and insulating a sealing membrane intended to contain a fluid is known, for example, from FR 2867831 A, comprising:

floor panels,

A side wall fastened to the floor panel and protruding vertically from one side of the floor panel to define the outline of the internal space of the case,

A cover panel that is parallel to the bottom panel and is supported and fastened to the upper edge of the side wall at a certain distance from the bottom panel to close the internal space of the case, and includes an upper plate and a lower plate that are overlapped and fastened to each other. a cover panel comprising;

at least one slot in the cover panel opening outwardly in the upper surface of the cover panel to receive a welded support intended to retain a sealing membrane on the cover panel;

A load-bearing partition in line with and longitudinally extending parallel to each slot, the plurality of compartments being perpendicular to the floor panel and the cover panel and intended to receive insulating filler of the interior space. a load-bearing partition extending between the side walls and having an upper surface in contact with the bottom plate of the cover panel and a lower surface in contact with the floor panel to divide:

A fastener coupled perpendicularly to the bottom plate and the upper surface of the load-bearing partition to fasten the load-bearing partition to the cover panel.

In FR 2867831 A, this self-supporting case is used to provide a primary insulating barrier supporting a primary sealing membrane. The primary sealing membrane is welded to a welded support forming a sliding joint with a fastening strip stapled into the slot. For this purpose, longitudinal slots pass through both the sheets of the cover panel and the upper part of the load-bearing partition below, between two rows of staples.

The use of a secondary self-supporting case comprising a single cover plate with a T-shaped cross-section and slots intended to receive welded supports in the form of flanges bent at right angles is also known, for example from FR 2867831 A or WO 8909909 A. In FR 2867831 A, there are no load-bearing partitions in line with the slots. In WO 8909909 A, the cover plate is fixed to the load-bearing partition below using screws seated in the bottom of the slot.

A cover divided by slots intended to receive welding supports is known from document FR 3030014 B1. The two parts of the cover are joined together by a link portion disposed below the two parts.

In the case of T-slots, the cover is not divided by slots because the slots do not form a gap through the cover. Therefore, each cover panel is a single component. Problems with cover assembly arise in certain large cases where the cover forms a primary insulating barrier supporting the primary sealing membrane. In practice, the plywood panels forming the cover can be very large. This makes it difficult to supply these panels to form the cover of such cases.

The present invention solves the problem of supplying plywood panels and overcomes the above-mentioned problems by proposing a sturdy self-supporting case including a split cover to provide a primary insulating barrier to a tank susceptible to dynamic pressure and shock due to cargo sloshing. To overcome some or all of them.

For this purpose, the invention provides a self-supporting case suitable for supporting and insulating a sealing membrane intended to contain a fluid, said case having:

- floor panels,

- a side wall fastened to the floor panel and protruding vertically from one side of the floor panel to define the outline of the internal space of the case,

- A cover panel that is parallel to the bottom panel and is supported and fastened to the upper edge of the side wall at a certain distance from the bottom panel to close the internal space of the case, and includes an upper surface and a lower surface,

- at least one slot in the cover panel opening outwardly in the upper surface of the cover panel to receive a welded support intended to retain the sealing membrane on the cover panel,

For each slot:

- a support plate extending parallel to the cover panel, the support plate having an upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the cover panel,

- a load-bearing partition in line with the slot and extending longitudinally parallel to the slot, perpendicular to the floor panel and the cover panel, dividing the interior space into a plurality of compartments intended to receive insulating filler material. a load bearing partition extending between the side walls to divide, the load bearing partition having an upper surface in contact with a lower surface of the support plate and a lower surface in contact with the floor panel;

- a plurality of intermediate walls extending longitudinally on both sides of the load-bearing partition and perpendicular to the floor panel and the cover panel, each of the plurality of intermediate walls being in contact with a lower surface of the cover panel. A case comprising a plurality of intermediate walls having a surface and a lower surface in contact with the floor panel, wherein the support plate extends between two intermediate walls adjacent the load bearing partition,

The case has the cover panel:

- two first panel parts juxtaposed in a first plane parallel to the floor panel at a first joining area on the first support element,

- a first fastener vertically coupled to each of the two juxtaposed first portions and to the upper surface of the first support element,

the first joining region extends longitudinally parallel to and in line with one of a plurality of intermediate walls, referred to as first walls;

When projected onto at least one of the first plane and a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, the case includes a first reinforcing element disposed between the slot and the first engaging region. It's about.

This feature means that the cover of such a primary case is divided into at least two parts in a plane parallel to the floor panel, reducing the required width of the plywood sheet. The principle of joining between two split parts involves fastening the edges of the two split parts to a support element, in particular a wall, which is also referred to as a thick wall due to its width being advantageously larger than the other walls that do not support the joining area. Accordingly, this configuration allows the split portions of the cover to be securely fastened without damaging the mechanical strength of the cover panel around the slot.

According to embodiments, this self-supporting case may be constructed in one or more of the following ways.

In one embodiment, the slot has a cross-section that includes a wide bottom portion and a narrow inlet portion continuously in the thickness direction of the cover panel.

The cover panel further includes a lower cover panel extending in a third plane parallel to the first plane, the lower cover panel being disposed below the two first panel portions.

In another embodiment, the lower cover panel includes two second panel portions juxtaposed at a second joining zone within the third plane, and the case includes a second panel portion with each of the two juxtaposed second portions. a second fastener vertically coupled to the upper surface of the support element, wherein the second coupling region is one of a plurality of intermediate walls, referred to as second walls, preferably one of two intermediate walls adjacent the load bearing partition. a second reinforcing element extending longitudinally parallel to the second wall and in line with one, the case being disposed between the slot and the second engagement region when projected on the second plane; do.

The present invention also relates to a sealed and insulated tank for storing a fluid, wherein the tank includes a tank wall fixed to a load-bearing wall, wherein the tank wall extends in a thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, wherein the load-bearing wall a secondary insulating barrier maintained on the secondary insulating barrier, a secondary seal membrane maintained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier maintained on the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary seal maintained on the primary insulating barrier. A sealed and insulated tank comprising a membrane, wherein the primary insulating barrier is formed at least in part by juxtaposed cases as described above filled with insulating filler material, and wherein the primary sealing membrane is welded into the slot. It relates to a tank, characterized in that it is held on the cover panel of the case by a support part.

The invention also relates to a vessel used for transporting fluids, having a double hull and such tanks disposed inside the double hull.

The invention also relates to such a vessel, an insulated pipe arranged to connect a tank on said vessel to a land-based or floating storage facility, and via said insulated pipe from a tank on said vessel to or from a land-based or floating storage facility. A transfer system for a fluid comprising a pump for forcing the fluid from a storage facility to a tank on the vessel.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for loading or discharging such a vessel in which fluid is channeled through insulated pipes from a tank on the vessel to a land-based or floating storage facility or from a land-based or floating storage facility to a tank on the vessel. It's about.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a cutaway perspective view of the wall of a sealed and insulated tank in which a self-supporting case may be used.
Figure 2 is a side view of a self-supporting case suitable for the primary insulating barrier of the tank wall of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the slot in the cover panel of the first embodiment according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the same plane according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the same plane according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the same plane according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a schematic cutaway view of a tank of a liquefied natural gas carrier and a loading/unloading terminal for the tank.

For clarity, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals in all drawings.

Figure 1 is a cutaway perspective view of the wall of a sealed and insulated tank in which a self-supporting case may be used.

The general structure of a sealed and insulated tank wall (1) embedded in and fixed to a load-bearing wall (2) is shown in Figure 1. The tank wall 1 may be part of a tank of various geometries, for example a polyhedral tank. Figure 1 shows the tank wall 1 in a cut away top perspective view to show the structure of the tank wall 1. This structure can be used for large surfaces with various orientations, for example to cover the bottom, ceiling and side walls of a polyhedral tank. Therefore, from this point of view, the orientation shown in Figure 1 is not limiting. By convention, "above" means the position closest to the interior of the reservoir, and "below" means the position closest to the load-bearing wall (2), the orientation of the tank wall with respect to the Earth's gravitational field, and is irrelevant.

The tank wall (1) is a secondary insulating barrier formed by juxtaposed casings on the load-bearing wall (2), which are continuously throughout its thickness and are held on the load-bearing wall (2) by secondary retaining members (4). (3), then the secondary sealing membrane (4) supported by the secondary insulating barrier (3), then the secondary sealing membrane by the primary retaining member itself fastened to the secondary retaining member (4). (4) a primary insulating barrier formed by juxtaposed cases (5) held on top, and finally a primary sealing membrane (6) supported by cases (5). Secondary and primary retaining elements are described for example in FR 2798902 A.

The primary sealing membrane (6) is a continuous strake made of iron with a high nickel content, for example 36%, known as Invar® with an expansion coefficient generally between 1.2·10 ^-6 and 2·10 ^-6 K ^-1. (strake) It may be the 10th floor. It is also possible to use alloys of iron and manganese with a typical coefficient of expansion of about 7 to 9·10 ^-6 K ^-1 . The strakes 10 are hermetically welded along their raised lateral edges to parallel welded supports 8 held in slots in the cover panel 7 of the case 5 . The secondary sealing membrane 4 may be the same or different from that shown in Figure 1. Reference numeral 9 denotes a slot for receiving the welded support of the secondary sealing membrane 4.

The case 5, which is partially visible in Figure 1, has an overall parallelepiped shape.

Figure 2 is a side view of a self-supporting case suitable for the primary insulating barrier of the tank wall of Figure 1;

The cover panel 7 has a lower surface 22 and an upper surface 21. The bottom panel 23 and the cover panel 7 have a rectangular outline and are spaced apart from each other by two longitudinal end walls 27 and two lateral end walls 24, which together define the interior space of the case 5. Form an outline. This internal space is divided by two load-bearing partitions (26) arranged in line with the slots (30) and a secondary partition (25) which can potentially be narrower than the load-bearing partition (26). The load-bearing partition 26 and the secondary partition 25 extend longitudinally and perpendicularly to the two longitudinal end walls 27 and parallel to the two lateral end walls 24 . All of these elements are suitably fastened by stapling, bolting and/or gluing. By way of example, the secondary partition 25 may have a width of 9, 12 or 15 mm, and the longitudinal end walls 27 and lateral end walls 24 may have a width of 9 to 24 mm, for example 12 or 15 mm. there is.

In this figure, slot 30 is shown for illustrative purposes. The details of the invention are explained.

To insulate the case 5, the compartment is filled with an insulating filler, for example expanded perlite, particulate or fibrous airgel, expanded polystyrene, glass wool, cellulose filler or low-density polymer foam such as polyethylene, polyurethane, etc.

The dimensions of the case 5 may naturally differ from the example shown in FIG. 2 . In the width direction, the case 5 can have a single load-bearing partition 26 and a single slot 30 or, conversely, more than two load-bearing partitions 26 and slots 30 .

Figure 2 also shows other possible (but not required) features of the self-supporting case 5 that could be used as needed.

- In order to circulate the inert gas through the primary insulating barrier, holes 28 are formed in the wall 27 of the case 5.

- A gas-permeable plug (17) made of fiberglass fabric is glued to the inner surface of the wall (27) in front of each hole (28) to prevent leakage of the insulating filler.

- A fastening stud 19, which serves as a support surface of the primary retaining member, is fastened against the wall 27 on the edge of the floor panel 23.

- Reinforcement elements 16 perpendicular to the load-bearing partition 26 and the secondary partition 25 extend between the walls 24 perpendicular to the floor panel 23. At the intersection with the load-bearing partition 26 and the secondary partition 25, the reinforcing member has a notch designed to engage the load-bearing partition 26 and the secondary partition 25.

- Slots 18 formed in the floor panel 23 and the load-bearing partition 26 form a seat for the protruding part of the secondary sealing membrane 4.

The elements of the freestanding case are advantageously made of plywood. However, composite materials may be used for part or all of a freestanding case. For example, suitable composite materials are taught in WO 2015079135 A.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the orientation of the slots of the cover panel of the first embodiment according to the present invention. As mentioned above, the self-supporting case 5 according to the invention is suitable for supporting and insulating sealing membranes intended to contain fluids. The case 5 includes a floor panel 23 and side walls 24 and 27 that are fastened to the floor panel 23 and protrude vertically from one side of the floor panel to define the outline of the internal space of the case 5 ( These elements are shown in Figure 2).

The case 5 includes a cover panel 7 that is supported and fastened to the upper edge of the side wall while being parallel to the bottom panel and at a certain distance from the bottom panel, thereby closing the interior space of the case. The cover panel 7 has an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22.

The case 5 has at least one slot 30 in the cover panel open outwardly at the upper surface of the cover panel to receive a welded support 8 intended to retain the sealing membrane on the cover panel 7. Includes.

Advantageously, the slot 30 has a T-shaped cross-section, the bottom part 60 of the slot corresponds to the horizontal bar of T and the entrance part 61 corresponds to the vertical bar of T. As shown in Figure 3, the slot is not a through slot. That is, the cover panel is not divided by slots.

For each slot 30, the case 5 includes a support plate 31 extending parallel to the cover panel, the support plate 31 being part of the lower surface 22 of the cover panel 7. It has an upper surface 32 in contact with. The support plate 31 is located below the slot.

Case 5 further includes a load-bearing partition 26 extending longitudinally in line with and parallel to the slot 30, wherein the load-bearing partition 26 is connected to the bottom panel 23 and the cover. Perpendicular to the panels 7, a load-bearing partition 26 extends between the side walls 27, for example to divide the interior space into a plurality of compartments intended to accommodate insulating fillers such as glass wool or perlite. The load bearing partition 26 has an upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the support plate 31 and a lower surface in contact with the floor panel.

The case 5 includes a plurality of intermediate walls 41, 42 extending longitudinally on both sides of the load-bearing partition 26 and perpendicular to the floor panel 23 and the cover panel 7, and a plurality of intermediate walls 41, 42. Each of the intermediate walls has an upper surface contacting the lower surface of the cover panel and a lower surface contacting the bottom panel 23. A support plate (31) extends between two intermediate walls (41, 42) adjacent to the load-bearing partition (26).

According to the invention, the cover panel 7 extends in a first plane P1 parallel to the floor panel 23 and consists of two first panel parts ( 33, 34, and perpendicular to the upper surface 38 of the support element with each of the two first parts 33, 34 juxtaposed for coupling the two first parts 33, 34 to the support element. Includes a first fastener 37. As explained below, the support element may be a wall or cover part. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the cover panel 7 comprises two first parts 33, 34 extending in a first plane P1. The first joining zone is a zone where the two edges of the two parts 33 and 34 come into contact with each other.

The first joining region 35 extends longitudinally parallel to the first wall 36 and in line with one of the plurality of intermediate walls, referred to as first wall 36 . When projected onto at least one of the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 perpendicular to the first plane P1, the case is disposed between the slot 30 and the first engaging region 35. 1 Contains reinforcing elements.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the first reinforcement element forms a first surface contact 50 with a first part 33 of the cover panel. When projected onto the first plane P1, the first engagement area 35 (its projection on the plane P1 is shown at 51) and the slot 30 form a first surface contact portion 50. ) (its projection image is shown at reference numeral 52).

That is, the first coupling region 35 is offset from the first plane P1 or the second plane P2 with respect to the slot 30 by a partition distance. The partition distance means the distance between the first reinforcing element and the first coupling area 35 when projected on the first plane P1, that is, the gap between the wall 42 and the first coupling area 35. When projected onto the second plane P2, the partition distance means the distance between the first reinforcing element and the first joining area 35, i.e. the thickness of the cover part located below the slot.

The joining area is located away from the slot. That is, when projected on the first plane P1, the slot and the coupling area are spaced apart by a non-zero distance.

Accordingly, the first joining zone is located away from the slot. The joining area is not immediately adjacent to the slot. The intermediate wall is sandwiched below the cover panel between a load-bearing partition and a first wall 36 with a first bonding area thereon. When projected on the first plane P1, the first reinforcing element provides support between the slot and the first engagement area. This relieves the load on the cover portion around the slot. Despite the first joining zone of the juxtaposed first parts, the first reinforcing element helps prevent the first part including the slot from bending.

The invention therefore has the advantage of providing a case where the cover is divided in a plane parallel to the bottom panel into at least two parts, ie comprising smaller plywood sheets. The two split portions are joined by fastening the edges of the two split portions to a support element, for example a thick wall. This arrangement therefore makes it possible for the divided parts of the cover to be securely fastened, preventing any risk of bending of the part containing the slot, and thus ensuring the mechanical strength of the cover panel around the slot.

In a first embodiment, the cover panel 7 comprises two first parts 33, 34 extending in a first plane P1. Portion 33 includes slots 30 . The two first parts 33 , 34 are juxtaposed in a first joining zone 35 . The two juxtaposed ends of the parts 33, 34 rest on the support elements. In this embodiment, the support element is a wall 36 arranged in contact below the first joining area 35 . The first fastener 37 allows each of the two ends of the first portion 33, 34 to be coupled to the upper surface 38 of the support element.

Preferably, the first fastener 37 is a staple. Alternatively, the fastener may be any other fastening means, such as screws or nails. Fasteners may also be points of adhesive that fasten the ends of portions 33 and 34 to respective support elements.

In this embodiment, the first reinforcing element forming a first surface contact 50 with a part of the cover panel is the intermediate wall 42 . When projected onto the first plane P1, the first engagement area 35 and the slot 30 are located on both sides of the projection 52 of the first surface contact portion 50. The first surface contact portion 50 is a flat support for the lower surface of the portion 33 between the slot and the first engagement zone. This flat support helps keep portion 33 in place and helps prevent it from bending.

As a non-limiting example, the first wall 36, also referred to as the thick wall, may have a width of 21 mm and the middle wall may have a thickness of 9 mm. The bottom portion 60 of the slot may typically have a width of between 20 mm and 30 mm.

The cover portion can typically have a thickness between 12mm and 15mm. The dimensions of the cover panel are generally around 1m x 1.2m. The present invention makes it possible for these dimensions to be reduced. Instead of requiring one large cover panel, the cover panel can be formed using two small panel parts. The invention also makes it possible to manufacture larger cases. In practice, based on sheets with a maximum dimension of 1.3 m so that).

Advantageously, the center line of the bottom portion 60 of the slot is positioned in line with the center surface of the load bearing partition 26 .

Advantageously, the fasteners 37 are arranged on both sides of the central face of the wall 36 .

The load-bearing partition 26 may be made of wood, plywood or composite materials.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the same plane according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, all components are the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the cover panel 7 further includes a lower cover panel 40 extending in a third plane P3 parallel to the first plane P1. A lower cover panel 40 is disposed below the two first panel portions 33, 34. A first fastener (37) engages vertically within each of the two juxtaposed first portions (33, 34) within the upper surface (38) of the support element to couple the two first portions to the support element. In this embodiment, the support element is the bottom panel 40.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the cover panel has two cover levels: a lower panel 40 extending in plane P3 and an upper panel extending in plane P1, with the upper panel includes the two first parts 33 and 34 described above.

Two cover levels strengthen the cover panel by doubling the overall thickness without the need for excessively thick panel sections as would be required with a single cover level.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the same plane according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the cover panel 7 comprises an upper cover panel 41 extending parallel to the first plane P1 and two parts 33, 34 extending within the plane P1. do. The top cover panel 41 lies over the two first panel parts 33, 34 and includes a slot 30. As specified above, two cover levels reinforce the cover panel.

The two first parts 33 , 34 are juxtaposed in a first joining zone 35 . The two juxtaposed ends of the parts 33, 34 rest on the support elements. In this embodiment, the support element is an intermediate wall 42, also called first wall 36, which is arranged in contact below the first joining area 35. The first fastener 37 allows each of the two ends of the first portion 33, 34 to be coupled to the upper surface 38 of the wall 42. The wall 42 is thicker than the embodiment of FIG. 4 to enable joining of the two parts 33, 34 with the fastener 37.

When projected onto the second plane P2, the first engagement area 35 (its projection on the plane P2 is shown at 51') and the slot 30 form a first surface contact portion ( 50') (its projection image is shown at 52'). When projected onto the second plane P2, the combination of the offset of the bonding zone 35 with respect to the plane P1 and the gap between the bonding zone and the plane P2 forms the first reinforcing element. . This configuration provides support between the slot and the first engagement region. As described above, the load on the cover portion around the slot is relieved. Even though the cover panel has a lower panel divided into two parts juxtaposed around the joining area, the size of the gap between the joining area and the slot (either as thick as the panel part in the embodiment of Figure 5 or less than the distance between the two case partitions) as wide as the case distance, also referred to as the spacing) prevents the first portion containing the slot from bending. This ensures that the entire cover panel has very good mechanical strength.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the same plane according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, all elements are the same as the second embodiment shown in Figure 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the lower panel of the cover panel 7 is joined to the wall 42 by a second fastener 37' at a second joining zone 35' in the third plane P3. It has two second panel portions 33' and 34' that are juxtaposed. The lower panel, the two second portions 33', 34' and the second bonding zone 35' are respectively the lower panel, the two first portions 33, 34 and the first bonding zone ( 35) is the same.

That is, the second fastener 37' is vertically coupled to each of the two juxtaposed second portions 33', 34' and to the upper surface 38 of the second support element. The second joining zone 35' is in line with one of a plurality of intermediate walls, referred to as second wall 36, preferably one of the two intermediate walls adjacent to the load-bearing partition 26, thereby forming a second wall ( 36) and extends longitudinally parallel to it. When projected onto the second plane P2, the case comprises a second reinforcing element disposed between the slot 30 and the second engagement area 35'.

Due to these features, the cover panel 7 has two cover levels, strengthening the cover panel by doubling its thickness, with the cover panel having smaller panel portions 33, 34, 33', 34. ').

Composite materials may be used instead of plywood to build all or part of the freestanding case. For example, suitable composite materials are taught in WO 2015079135 A.

A primary insulating barrier can be fabricated using the above-described casing 5 over the entire tank or only in certain parts. For example, the case 5 described above could be used near the edge of the tank, while other insulating blocks could be used in other parts of the tank wall. This configuration is described, for example, in WO 2019077253 A.

In Figure 7, a cutaway view of a liquefied natural gas carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 having an overall prismatic shape mounted on the double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 71 includes a primary sealing barrier designed to contact the liquefied gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealing barrier disposed between the primary sealing barrier and the ship's double hull 72, and a primary sealing barrier and a secondary sealing barrier. It has two insulating barriers disposed respectively between the seal barriers and between the secondary seal barriers and the double hull 72. In a simplified variant, the vessel has a single hull.

In a known manner, loading/unloading pipes 73 arranged on the upper deck of the vessel may be connected to a sea or port terminal using suitable connectors for transferring liquefied gas cargo to or from tanks 71. You can.

7 shows an example of a marine terminal including a loading/unloading point 75, a subsea line 76 and an onshore facility 77. Loading/unloading point 75 is a fixed marine installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a mast 78 holding the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 supports a bundle of insulating hoses 79 that can be connected to the loading/unloading pipe 73. The movable, orientable arm 74 can be adapted to liquefied natural gas carriers of all sizes. A connecting line (not shown) extends inside the pillar 78. Loading/unloading points 75 allow loading and unloading of liquefied natural gas carriers 70 to or from shore facilities 77 . This facility has a liquefied gas storage tank (80) and a connection line (81) connected to a loading/unloading point (75) via a subsea line (76). The subsea line 76 makes it possible to transfer liquefied gas between the loading/discharging point 75 and the onshore facility 77 over long distances, for example 5 km, which allows liquefied natural gas to be transported during loading and unloading operations. It makes it possible to keep the gas carrier 70 far from the coast.

To generate the pressure necessary to transfer the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 70 and/or pumps installed on land installations 77 and/or pumps installed at the loading/discharging point 75 are used.

Although the invention has been described in connection with some specific embodiments, it is by no means limited thereto, but it is clear that it includes all technical equivalents of the described means and also combinations thereof, provided they fall within the scope of the invention.

The use of the verbs “comprise” or “have” with their conjugations does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps in addition to those recited in the claims.

Reference signs between parentheses in the claims should not be construed as constituting limitations on the claims.

It will be generally apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments in light of the above disclosure. In the following claims, the terminology used should not be construed as limiting the claims to the embodiments described herein, but rather includes all equivalents that the claim language is intended to encompass and that come within the common knowledge of those skilled in the art. It should be interpreted as doing so.

Claims (8)

A self-supporting case (5) suitable for supporting and insulating a sealing membrane (6) intended to contain a fluid, said case (5) comprising:
- floor panel (23),
- side walls (24, 27) fastened to the floor panel and protruding vertically from one side of the floor panel to define the outline of the internal space of the case (5),
- a cover panel (7) that is supported and fastened to the upper edge of the side wall in a state parallel to the bottom panel and at a certain distance from the bottom panel to close the internal space of the case, comprising an upper surface (21) and a lower surface cover panel (7) comprising (22);
- at least one slot (30) in the cover panel opening outwardly in the upper surface of the cover panel to receive a welded support (8) intended to retain the sealing membrane (6) on the cover panel (7) ),
For each slot 30:
- a support plate (31) extending parallel to the cover panel (7), having an upper surface (32) in contact with the lower surface (22) of the cover panel (7),
- a load-bearing partition (26) in line with the slot (30) and extending longitudinally parallel to the slot (30), perpendicular to the floor panel (23) and the cover panel (7), extending between the side walls 27 to divide the interior space into a plurality of compartments intended to receive insulating filler material, the upper surface contacting the lower surface of the support plate 31 and the bottom panel contacting the bottom panel. A load-bearing partition (26) with a lower surface,
- a plurality of intermediate walls (41, 42) extending longitudinally on both sides of the load-bearing partition (26) and perpendicular to the floor panel (23) and the cover panel (7), Each of the walls has an upper surface in contact with the lower surface of the cover panel (7) and a lower surface in contact with the floor panel (23), wherein the support plate (31) is adjacent to the load-bearing partition (26). In the case (5), comprising a plurality of intermediate walls (41, 42) extending between the two intermediate walls (41, 42),
The case 5 has the cover panel 7:
- two first panel parts (33, 34) juxtaposed in a first plane (P1) parallel to the floor panel (23) in a first joining area (35) on the first support element,
- a first fastener (37) joined perpendicularly to each of the two juxtaposed first parts (33, 34) and to the upper surface (38) of the first support element,
the first joining region (35) extends longitudinally parallel to and in line with one of a plurality of intermediate walls, referred to as first wall (36),
When projected onto at least one of the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 perpendicular to the first plane P1, the case is positioned between the slot 30 and the first coupling region 35. A case characterized in that it includes a first reinforcing element disposed on. The case according to claim 1, wherein the slot (30) has a cross-section including a continuously wide bottom portion and a narrow inlet portion in the thickness direction of the cover panel (7). The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover panel (7) further comprises a lower cover panel (40) extending in a third plane (P3) parallel to the first plane (P1), Case characterized in that the lower cover panel (40) is arranged below the two first panel parts (33, 34). 4. The lower cover panel (40) according to claim 3, wherein the lower cover panel (40) comprises two second panel portions (33', 34') juxtaposed at a second joining area (35') within the third plane (P3). ,
The case (5) comprises a second fastener (37') vertically coupled to each of the two juxtaposed second parts (33', 34') and to the upper surface (38) of the second support element,
The second joining area 35' is in line with one of a plurality of intermediate walls, referred to as second wall 36, preferably one of two intermediate walls adjacent the load-bearing partition 26, 2 extending longitudinally parallel to the wall 36,
When projected onto the second plane P2, the case is characterized in that it comprises a second reinforcing element disposed between the slot 30 and the second engagement area 35'. A sealed and insulated tank for storing a fluid, said tank having a tank wall (1) fixed to a load-bearing wall (2),
The tank wall, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, has a secondary insulating barrier (3) maintained on the load-bearing wall (2), and a secondary sealing membrane (4) maintained on the secondary insulating barrier. ), a primary insulating barrier maintained on the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane (6) maintained on the primary insulating barrier,
The primary insulating barrier is formed at least in part by the juxtaposed cases 5 according to any one of claims 1 to 4 filled with insulating filler, and the primary sealing membrane 6 is formed in the slot ( Tank, characterized in that it is held on the cover panel of the case by a welded support (8) inserted in 30). A vessel (70) used to transport fluids, having a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to claim 5 disposed inside the double hull (72). A ship (70) according to claim 6, an insulated pipe (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) on the ship to a land or floating storage facility (77), and the insulated pipe A transfer system for a fluid comprising a pump for forcefully moving fluid from a tank on the vessel to a land-based or floating storage facility or from a land-based or floating storage facility to a tank on the vessel. Fluid flows from the tank 71 on the ship to the land or floating storage facility 77 or from the tank 71 on the ship through insulated pipes 73, 79, 76, 81. ) A method for loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to paragraph 6, which is perfused with.