RU2783570C1 - Sealed and heat-insulating tank - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: storage.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a sealed heat-insulating tank. Tank comprises a tank wall containing an auxiliary insulating barrier (1), an auxiliary sealed membrane (2), a main insulating barrier (3), and a main sealed membrane (4). Multiple main anchoring elements (12) interact with a single main insulation panel (11) of the main insulating barrier (3). The anchoring element (12) comprises a base (30), a pin (31) passing through a hole in the auxiliary sealed membrane (2), a support element (16, 54) installed on the pin (31) with support on the main insulation panel (11), and additionally comprises a sealing washer (34) set on the pin (31) and containing a flange (37) attached tightly to the auxiliary sealed membrane (2) and a deformable seal (42) tightly connecting said sealing washer (34) and the pin so as to allow relative movement between the sealing washer (34) and the pin.

EFFECT: limited concentration of stress on the connection between the auxiliary sealed membrane and the main anchoring element.

19 cl, 17 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks with membranes. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing and/or transporting liquefied gas at low temperature, for example, to the field of tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also known as LPG) at a temperature of, for example, from -50°C down to 0°C, or for the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a temperature of about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. Such tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be designed to transport liquefied gas or to receive liquefied gas serving as fuel for propulsion of the floating structure.

[0002] In one embodiment, the liquefied gas is LNG, that is, a mixture with a high content of methane, stored at a temperature of about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. Other liquefied gases may also be provided, in particular ethane, propane, butane or ethylene. Liquefied gases can also be stored under pressure, for example at a relative pressure of 2 to 20 bar, and in particular at a relative pressure close to 2 bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] WO 2014096600 describes a sealed and thermally insulated storage tank for liquefied natural gas located in a supporting structure and containing walls having a sandwich structure, namely, in the direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, an auxiliary thermal barrier attached to the supporting structure , an auxiliary pressurized membrane supported by an auxiliary isolation barrier, a main thermal isolation barrier supported by an auxiliary pressurized membrane, and a main pressurized membrane supported by the main isolation barrier and intended for contact with liquefied natural gas stored in the tank.

[0004] Each thermal barrier, primary and secondary, thermal barrier comprises a set of primary and secondary thermal insulation panels, respectively, in a generally parallelepiped shape, located adjacent to each other and forming a support surface for the respective sealed membrane. The insulating panels are attached to the supporting structure by means of anchor devices attached to the supporting structure and located at the corners of the main and auxiliary insulating panels. Thus, each anchor device cooperates with the corners of four adjacent auxiliary insulation panels and with the corners of four adjacent main insulation panels to hold them to the supporting structure.

[0005] WO 2013104850 describes a sealed and insulated tank comprising a sandwich structure in which the corners of the insulating panels of the primary thermal barrier are not aligned with the corners of the insulating panels of the secondary insulating barrier. In such a tank, the main anchor devices cooperating with the main insulating panels are attached to a plate fixed in the auxiliary insulating panel. Thus, the main anchor devices and the main insulating panels are attached to the supporting structure through the auxiliary insulating panels.

[0006] In all cases, the auxiliary insulation panels may deform and/or move. In particular, auxiliary insulating panels are subject to thermal gradients, which, due to the occurrence of differential compression, can cause them to bend. In addition, the deformation of the supporting structure leads to deformation and/or movement of the auxiliary insulation panels. This applies in particular to the case where the load-bearing structure consists of the inner hull of the floating structure. In addition, if the hull forms ballast compartments, the movement of ballast fluid in the ballast compartments can also cause significant deformation of the supporting structure and, consequently, deformation and/or movement of auxiliary insulating panels attached to said supporting structure.

[0007] In addition, the movement of the liquid contained in the reservoir can lead to stresses on the main sealed membrane, in particular if the membrane contains protruding parts, such as corrugations. The stresses are transmitted to the main insulating panels to which the main sealed membrane is attached and can move the main insulating panels laterally. This leads to stress concentration on the main anchor devices.

[0008] However, in order to seal the secondary seal membrane, the primary anchor devices include a flange sealed to the secondary seal membrane. The flange is rigidly attached to a stud holding a supporting element cooperating with the corresponding main insulating panel or panels. When deformation and/or movement of the auxiliary insulating panels and/or movement of the main insulating panels, the connection between the main anchor devices and the auxiliary sealed membrane can lead to a stress concentration on the weld between the flange and the auxiliary sealed membrane, which can damage said weld and said auxiliary sealed membrane. membrane.

[0009] In particular, in the case of attaching the primary anchor devices to the secondary insulation panel, deformation and/or movement of the secondary insulation panels results in movement of the primary anchor device. The movement of the main anchor device is transmitted to a flange rigidly attached to the stud, which leads to stresses on the tight connection between the stud and the auxiliary sealed membrane. Such stresses can damage the secondary seal and/or the seal between the flange and the secondary seal and therefore degrade the seal of the secondary seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The idea behind the invention is to limit the stress concentration at the connection between the auxiliary sealed membrane and the main anchor element of the main insulation panels. The idea behind the invention is to create a flexible tight connection between the main anchor element and the auxiliary sealed membrane. Thus, the idea behind the invention is to allow relative movement between the secondary sealed membrane and the main anchor element. The idea behind the invention is to allow movement, regardless of whether the main anchor element is attached to the supporting structure directly, for example, by being manufactured in one piece with the auxiliary anchor element, or indirectly, for example, by attaching to an auxiliary insulating panels. Thus, another idea underlying the invention is to allow relative movement between the auxiliary insulating panel to which the main anchor element is attached and the auxiliary sealed membrane.

[0011] In accordance with one embodiment, the invention provides a sealed and heat-insulating tank comprising a tank wall, wherein the tank wall comprises, in series from the outside of the tank to the inside of the tank in the thickness direction of the tank wall, an auxiliary insulating barrier designed to be attached to the load-bearing wall, an auxiliary a sealed membrane supported by an auxiliary sealing barrier, a main sealing barrier supported by an auxiliary sealing membrane, and a main sealed membrane supported by the main sealing barrier and designed to contact the product contained in the tank,

the main insulating barrier comprises a plurality of adjacent main insulating panels,

moreover, the tank further comprises a plurality of main anchor elements designed to be held directly or indirectly on the bearing wall, each of said main anchor elements interacting with at least one main insulating panel from the plurality of main insulating panels in such a way as to hold said at least one the main insulating panel on the auxiliary sealed membrane,

moreover, one, several or each of the mentioned main anchor elements contains:

a base designed to be held directly or indirectly on a load-bearing wall,

a pin extending in the thickness direction of the tank wall from said base towards the main sealed membrane, said pin passing through a hole in the secondary sealed membrane,

a support element mounted on a stud, wherein said support element rests on the main insulating panel in such a way as to hold said main insulating panel on the auxiliary sealed membrane,

a sealing washer fitted on a stud between the support member and a hole in the secondary sealing membrane, wherein the sealing washer has a central hole through which the stud passes, and the sealing washer is hermetically attached to the secondary sealing membrane, for example, by means of a flange of the sealing washer, around the hole in said auxiliary sealed membrane,

a deformable seal that hermetically connects said sealing washer and the stud in such a way as to allow relative movement between the sealing washer and the stud.

[0012] Due to these features, relative movement between the secondary sealed membrane and the primary anchor element is possible without the risk of damage to the secondary sealed membrane or the seal between the primary anchor element and the secondary sealed membrane. In particular, the deformable seal creates a flexible seal between the pin of the main anchor element, on the one hand, and the sealing washer, on the other hand, which ensures the sealing of the auxiliary seal membrane. Thus, the main anchor element allows relative movement between the auxiliary and/or main insulation panels and the auxiliary sealed membrane without the risk of damage to the auxiliary sealed membrane or the connection between the main anchor element and said auxiliary sealed membrane.

[0013] According to embodiments, the reservoir may comprise one or more of the following features.

[0014] The above-described main anchor element can be used throughout the tank wall, or only in local areas of the tank wall, such as ballast areas. According to one embodiment, the tank wall has a vertical component defining the height of said tank wall in the direction of gravity, the tank wall comprising a plurality of said main anchor elements, each of which comprises a base, a stud, a support element, a sealing washer, and a deformable seal, as described above, wherein said plurality of main anchor elements are placed on the lower portion of the tank wall, for example, at least in the lower two-thirds of the height of said tank wall.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the tank wall is a first tank wall, the tank further comprising a second tank wall, the first tank wall and the second tank wall forming an edge of the tank, the first tank wall comprising a plurality of said main anchor elements, each of which contains a base, a stud, a support element, a sealing washer and a deformable seal, as described above, said set of main anchor elements is placed at a distance from the edge of the tank, which is less than a predetermined threshold value. For example, a predetermined threshold value corresponds to the width of five insulation panels, wherein said plurality of main anchor elements, for example, is configured to hold five successive main insulation panels in a direction perpendicular to the edge.

[0016] The portions of the tank walls located at the bottom of the tank are subjected to particularly high stresses, e.g. due to the weight of the transported liquid, or in fact, for example, in the case of transverse tank walls attached to the walls of the rubber dam, due to the ballast on ship. Similarly, the edge regions of the tank are also subjected to particularly high stresses, including the pressure created by the water in the ship's ballast compartments. Stresses can result in relative movement between the main isolation barrier and/or the secondary isolation barrier on the one hand and the auxiliary sealed membrane at the bottom of the tank and/or at the edges of the tank on the other hand. Thus, due to the design of said main anchor elements, the risk of damage to the secondary sealing membrane is limited by the flexibility of the connection between said main anchor elements and the secondary sealing membrane.

[0017] The main insulating panels can be manufactured in various ways. In accordance with one embodiment, the main insulating panels are in the form of a parallelepiped.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the main insulation panels comprise a bottom plate, a cover plate, and an insulating liner inserted between the bottom plate and the cover plate.

[0019] The support member may rest on various portions of the main insulation panels. In accordance with one embodiment, the support element directly rests on said main insulating panel, for example, rests on the bottom plate of said main insulating panel. In accordance with one embodiment, the support element indirectly rests on the main insulating panel, for example, through a wedge inserted between said support element and the main insulating panel element, for example, the bottom plate of the main insulating panel.

[0020] In accordance with one embodiment, the corners of the main insulating panels comprise recesses, said recesses exposing the bearing surface facing the inside of the tank. According to one embodiment, the support element of the main anchor element rests directly or indirectly on the support surface of the main insulation panel. According to one embodiment, said recesses are formed in the cover plate and in the insulating liner. According to one embodiment, the bearing surface is formed by a portion of the bottom plate protruding in a recess formed in the insulating pad and in the cover plate. In accordance with one embodiment, the bearing surface is formed by a wedge positioned between the bearing member and a portion of the bottom plate protruding in a recess formed in the insulating pad and in the cover plate.

[0021] In accordance with one embodiment, said main anchor element cooperates with the corners of adjacent main insulation panels, for example, four panels whose corners are adjacent, to secure said adjacent main panels to the load-bearing wall.

[0022] The sealing washer may be attached to the auxiliary sealing membrane in various ways. In accordance with one embodiment, a sealing washer, or flange, is hermetically welded to the auxiliary sealing membrane.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the deformable seal is configured to deform in the tank wall thickness direction to allow the sealing washer to slide along the stud in the tank wall thickness direction.

[0024] In accordance with one embodiment, the central hole of the sealing washer has a transverse dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the stud portion included in said central hole, to allow movement of the stud in said central hole of the sealing washer in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the tank wall. The sealing washer allows the sealing washer to move freely relative to the pin in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness. In particular, the main anchor element allows the sealing between the sealing washer and the secondary sealing membrane to move relative to a support element mounted on a stud and cooperating with the main insulation panel or panels. Thus, any movement of the auxiliary and / or main insulating panels in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness is not transmitted to the auxiliary sealed membrane through the main anchor element, which reduces the stresses associated with differential compression, deformation of the bearing wall or movement of liquid in the tank, and limits the risk of damage to the secondary seal or seal between the seal washer and the secondary seal.

[0025] In accordance with one embodiment, the main anchor element further comprises a stopper on a stud, wherein said stopper is located on a stud between the support element and the sealing washer, the stopper has a stop surface facing the sealing washer to stop movement of said sealing washer relative to the stud along towards the main sealed membrane in the direction of the tank wall thickness.

[0026] Due to these features, deformation of the secondary sealed membrane in the tank wall thickness direction at the sealed connection between the sealing washer and the hole in the secondary sealed membrane is limited. In particular, in the case of overpressure on the secondary sealing barrier or deformation of the secondary sealing barrier, deformation of the secondary sealing membrane in the thickness direction of the vessel wall is prevented. In particular, since the sealing washer is sealed to the sub-sealed membrane around the hole in the sub-seal membrane, in the event of a force tending to move the sub-seal membrane towards the inside of the tank, the local deformation of the sub-sealing membrane at the air-tight connection with the sealing washer is blocked by the sealing washer due to the abutment. into the holding surface. Thus, the risk of damage to the auxiliary sealing membrane, for example by puncturing, is reduced. In addition, limiting the local deformation of the auxiliary sealed membrane allows you to limit the risk of damage to the deformable seal.

[0027] In accordance with one embodiment, the stud has a shoulder, said shoulder projecting laterally from the stud, i. e. in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pin, beyond the central hole of the sealing washer, so that the outer surface of said shoulder forms a locking surface. Such an emphasis is easy to manufacture without the need for additional parts.

[0028] In accordance with one embodiment, the main anchor element further comprises a casing mounted on a stud, wherein said casing comprises a mounting area and a protective area, the mounting area has a central passage through which the stud passes, and the protective area extends in the direction of the tank wall thickness from the mounting area towards the flange of the sealing washer, the protective area is hollow, and the deformable seal is partially or completely placed in the protective area. A casing surrounding the main anchor element stud provides protection for the stud and deformable seal.

[0029] In accordance with one embodiment, the installation area of the casing includes a flat area, extended in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the wall of the tank, and said flat area contains a passage through the casing.

[0030] In accordance with one embodiment, the deformable seal is completely housed in the protective area of the casing. The deformable seal is thus protected by the casing, for example during the installation of the main anchor element in the tank. In accordance with one embodiment, a deformable seal is attached to a stud between the passage in the housing mounting area and the sealing washer.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the end of the shield portion opposite the shroud mounting portion includes a protrusion extending outward in a radial direction, the outer surface of said protrusion forming a stop surface to stop movement of the sealing washer in the tank wall thickness direction.

[0032] In accordance with one embodiment, the outer end of the protective portion opposite the mounting portion forms a stop surface facing the sealing washer to stop movement of the sealing washer in the tank wall thickness direction.

[0033] In accordance with one embodiment, the casing is attached to the stud. Thus, the locking surface can be formed by a protective portion having a fixed position relative to the pin, blocking movement of the sealing washer relative to the pin. In accordance with one embodiment, the mounting section of the casing is welded to the stud.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the deformable seal comprises a deformable compensator, wherein said deformable compensator is hollow and extends around and along the stud in an axial direction, wherein a first axial end of said compensator is hermetically sealed to the stud and a second axial end of said compensator is hermetically sealed to the sealing washer. The deformable seal in the form of a compensator is easy to manufacture and provides a satisfactory hermetic deformation of said deformable seal. The compensator can be made from a variety of materials. In accordance with one embodiment, the compensator is made of stainless steel. The compensator, made of stainless steel, is thin enough for elastic deformation. In one embodiment, the compensator is made of stainless steel with a thickness of 0.1 to 0.5 mm, such as 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

[0035] In accordance with one embodiment, the compensator has a plurality of folds of the same or increasing diameter, thus the central portion of the compensator formed by said plurality of folds is essentially in the form of a cylinder of rotation.

[0036] In accordance with one embodiment, the compensator has at least three folds or corrugations, preferably from three to thirty-two folds, ideally from six to twenty-four folds.

[0037] In accordance with one embodiment, the compensator has a flared shape, wherein the second axial end of the compensator attached to the sealing washer has a circumferential dimension greater than the circumferential dimension of the first axial end of the compensator attached to the stud.

[0038] In accordance with one embodiment, the compensator has a plurality of folds, the diameter of which increases in the direction from the end attached to the stud to the end attached to the sealing washer. Thus, the portion of the compensator formed by the plurality of folds has a conical shape, the largest dimension of which is at the end attached to the sealing washer.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the sealing washer has an inner surface extending in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall. In accordance with one embodiment, the inner surface faces the locking surface to engage with said locking surface that forms part of the shroud or stud, for example to block movement of the sealing washer relative to the stud in the tank thickness direction.

[0040] In accordance with one embodiment, the deformable seal is attached to the inner surface of the sealing washer, for example, at the radially outer portion of the inner surface of the sealing washer.

[0041] In accordance with one embodiment, the sealing washer includes a protrusion protruding relative to the inner surface of the sealing washer, and a deformable seal is hermetically attached to the said protrusion. In accordance with one embodiment, the protrusion of the sealing washer extends from the radially inner portion of the inner surface of the sealing washer.

[0042] In accordance with one embodiment, the tank comprises a plurality of auxiliary anchor elements, each auxiliary anchor element is designed to be attached to the load-bearing wall and cooperates with the auxiliary insulating barrier so as to bear on the said auxiliary insulating barrier in the direction of the load-bearing wall, when the said the auxiliary anchor element is attached to said load-bearing wall.

[0043] In accordance with one embodiment, the base of the main anchor element is attached to the auxiliary anchor element.

[0044] In accordance with one embodiment, the base of the main anchor element is rigidly fixed in the auxiliary insulating barrier. In this case, the main anchor element is held on the load-bearing wall by means of an auxiliary insulating barrier.

[0045] In accordance with one embodiment, the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of adjacent secondary insulating panels. In accordance with one embodiment, one or more or each auxiliary insulating panel includes a bottom plate, a cover plate and an insulating gasket inserted between the bottom plate and the cover plate, and the auxiliary sealed membrane rests on the inner surface of the cover plate opposite the insulating gasket. In accordance with one embodiment, one or more or each auxiliary insulating panel comprises an intermediate plate inserted between the cover plate and the bottom plate of said auxiliary insulating panel, wherein the insulating gasket of said auxiliary insulating panel comprises an outer insulating gasket inserted between the bottom plate and the intermediate plate , and an internal insulating gasket inserted between the intermediate plate and the cover plate.

[0046] In accordance with one embodiment, the secondary insulating barrier comprises an anchor plate, wherein the base of the primary anchor element is attached to said anchor plate. According to one embodiment, the anchor plate is placed in a recess formed in the cover plate of the auxiliary insulation panel, the inner surface of the anchor plate being flush with the inner surface of the cover plate.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the anchor plate includes a threaded hole and the base has an external threaded end, the base of the main anchor element being attached to the anchor plate by screwing the threaded end of the base into the threaded hole in the anchor plate.

[0048] In accordance with one embodiment, the inner end of the stud opposite the base is threaded, and the main anchor element further comprises a nut screwed onto said internal threaded end, the support element being inserted between said nut and the base of the main anchor element.

[0049] In accordance with one embodiment, a deformable seal is inserted between the support member and the sealing washer.

[0050] In accordance with one embodiment, one or more spring washers are inserted between the nut and the support member.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the main anchor element has an anchor shoulder protruding laterally from the stud, said anchor shoulder forming an anchor surface extending in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, said anchor surface facing the support element and deformable the seal is hermetically attached to said anchor surface.

[0052] In accordance with one embodiment, the internal end of the deformable seal, attached to the stud, is inserted between the housing site and the flat anchor surface of the anchor shoulder.

[0053] In accordance with one embodiment, the casing has freedom of movement in the direction of the wall thickness of the tank. In accordance with one embodiment, the freedom of movement of the casing is limited, on the one hand, by a stud-mounted nut, spring washer or washers, if applicable, and, on the other hand, by the anchor surface of the anchor shoulder.

[0054] In accordance with one embodiment, the internal axial end of the deformable seal, attached to the stud, is inserted between the anchor surface of the anchor shoulder and the nut mounted on the stud, or spring washers, if applicable,

[0055] In accordance with one embodiment, the secondary seal membrane and/or the main seal membrane are made of an iron-nickel alloy, such as an alloy with an expansion coefficient of 1.2×10-6 to 2×10-6 K-1. In accordance with one embodiment, the auxiliary seal membrane and/or the main seal membrane are made of an iron-manganese alloy, for example, with an expansion coefficient of about 7-9×10-6 K-1. According to one embodiment, the secondary seal membrane and/or the main seal membrane comprise a plurality of raised edge skin bands adjacent to each other and welded in pairs with the raised edges.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the main sealed membrane and/or the secondary sealed membrane comprise a plurality of metal plates, preferably rectangular, welded to each other. According to one embodiment, the main sealed membrane and/or the secondary sealed membrane comprise a first row of parallel corrugations extending in a first direction and a second row of parallel corrugations extending in a second direction, wherein said first direction and said second direction intersect.

[0057] In accordance with one embodiment, the transfer wedge is located around the casing in the gap between the casing and adjacent main insulation panels, for example, between the casing and the bottom plates of said adjacent main insulation panels. Thanks to these features, the lateral movement of the insulating panel interacting with the anchor element is transmitted through the transfer wedge to the casing, the stud, and then to the stud support, for example, to the auxiliary insulating barrier, which makes it possible to absorb the lateral force exerted by the main insulating panel without the risk of damage to the sealed connections between the sealing washer and the sealed membrane.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the transfer wedge has a thickness in the tank wall thickness direction less than the thickness of the bottom plate of the main insulation panel. Thus, when the main insulation panel is moved laterally, only the bottom plate abuts against the transfer wedge, which ensures proper force transmission between the main insulation panel and the transfer wedge.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the transfer wedge comprises an outer portion and a flat portion, the outer portion extending around the sealing washer in the tank wall thickness direction, the flat portion comprising a central opening surrounding the casing, the outer portion and the flat portion forming a space in which a sealing washer is placed with a gap so that the wedge can transmit a side force to the casing without interacting with the sealing washer.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the transfer wedge further comprises an inner portion extending from the flat portion and a surrounding shroud.

[0061] In accordance with one embodiment, the outer section of the transfer wedge has a circular cylindrical shape. According to one embodiment, said outer portion is coaxial with the pin.

[0062] In accordance with one embodiment, the transfer wedge comprises a wing, preferably a plurality of wings, extending in a radial direction from the outer portion of the transfer wedge and parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall. According to one embodiment, said wing or wings are placed between two adjacent main insulation panels.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the transfer wedge is smaller than the space available between the panels. Thus, the installation of a wedge between the panels is simplified.

[0064] In accordance with one embodiment, the sealing washer comprises a flat portion and the casing comprises a flat portion, said flat portions being gripped by a screwing tool so that the stud and sealing washer rotate together without twisting the deformable seal when the anchor element is screwed in into its support, for example, into an auxiliary insulating barrier. According to one embodiment, the sealing washer comprises a flat portion and the stud comprises a flat portion, and said flat portions can be gripped by a screwing tool such that the stud and sealing washer rotate together without twisting the deformable seal.

[0065] The tank may be part of an onshore storage facility, such as for LNG storage, or may be installed on a floating, offshore or deepwater structure, such as an LNG transport vessel, a floating gas regasification and storage unit (FSRU), floating oil production, storage and offloading (FPSO), etc. The tank can also be used as a fuel tank on any type of vessel.

[0066] In accordance with one embodiment, the invention also provides a vessel for transporting a cold liquid product, containing a double hull and a reservoir, as described above, located in a double hull.

[0067] In accordance with one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a cold liquid product is supplied through insulated pipelines from a floating or shore storage to a ship's tank or from a ship's tank to a floating or shore storage.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a cold liquid product transfer system, the system comprising the aforementioned vessel, insulated conduits arranged to connect a vessel-mounted tank to floating or shore storage, and a pump for supplying flow of cold liquid product through insulated pipelines from floating or shore storage to a ship's tank or from a ship's tank to floating or shore storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The present invention will become more clearly understood and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given solely as a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] FIG. 1 is a sectional cut-away plan view of the wall of the sealed and insulated tank, omitting the main sealed membrane.

[0071] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tank wall shown in FIG. 1 taken along the sectional plane A-A shown in FIG. one.

[0072] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of area B shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the main anchoring element securing two adjacent main insulation panels.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the anchor element shown in FIG. 3.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the main anchor element shown in FIG. 4, which does not show the casing.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the main anchor element.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the main anchor element.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the main anchor member according to the fourth embodiment.

[0078] FIG. 9 is a schematic cutaway view of an LNG vessel tank and a tank loading/unloading terminal.

[0079] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the main anchor member according to the fifth embodiment.

[0080] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the main anchor element shown in FIG. 10 interacting with two main insulation panels.

[0081] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the anchor element shown in FIG. eleven.

[0082] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the main anchor member according to the sixth embodiment, the main anchor member includes a transfer wedge.

[0083] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the main anchor element shown in FIG. 13.

[0084] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view in section of a portion of the secondary thermal barrier on which the secondary sealed membrane portion rests, the secondary thermal barrier includes an anchor plate for receiving the primary anchor member.

[0085] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the main anchor element and a tool for mounting said part of the main anchor element on the auxiliary thermal barrier anchor plate shown in FIG. fifteen.

[0086] FIG. 17 is a schematic, sectional perspective view of the main anchor element shown in FIG. 16 after installing the auxiliary thermal barrier on the anchor plate and adding the casing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0087] In the rest of the description, the expressions "external" and "internal" in accordance with the definitions given in the description, are used to determine the relative position of one element relative to another with reference to the interior of the tank. Thus, an element located near or facing the interior of the tank is described as an internal element, as opposed to an external element located near or facing the outside of the tank. Similarly, the expressions "at the periphery in the radial direction" or "outer in the radial direction" refer to a region at a distance from the axis forming the circular element, in contrast to the expression "inner in the radial direction", which refers to a region located near the said axis. In addition, the expression "transverse" is used to describe the movement or extent of the element in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness.

[0088] A sealed and insulated tank for storing a liquefied fluid, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), comprises a plurality of tank walls having a multi-layer structure. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a wall section of a sealed and heat-insulating tank. In figures 1 and 2, the tank wall contains sequentially in the thickness direction from the outer side to the inner side of the tank an auxiliary heat-insulating barrier, hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary insulating barrier 1, held on a bearing wall (not shown), an auxiliary sealed membrane 2, based on an auxiliary insulating barrier 1 , the main thermal barrier, hereinafter referred to as the main insulating barrier 3, supported by the auxiliary sealed membrane 2, and the main sealed membrane 4, designed to contact with liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. In particular, the supporting structure may be formed by the hull or double hull of the vessel. The load-bearing structure comprises a plurality of load-bearing walls defining the general shape of the tank, usually multifaceted, with each wall of the tank attached to a respective load-bearing wall.

[0089] The auxiliary insulating barrier 1 includes a plurality of auxiliary insulating panels 5 attached to the load-bearing wall with auxiliary anchor elements (not shown). Auxiliary insulating panels 5 have a generally parallelepiped shape and are arranged in parallel rows. Between the auxiliary insulating panels 5 and the bearing wall there are mastic beads (not illustrated) to compensate for the gaps between the bearing wall and the control flat surface. Kraft paper can be inserted between the mastic beads and the carrier wall to prevent the mastic beads from sticking to the carrier wall. Alternatively, the mastic beads directly contact the carrier wall and thus fix the auxiliary insulation panels 5 by gluing to the carrier wall.

[0090] The structure of the auxiliary insulation panel 5 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a bottom plate 7, a cover plate 8 and an insulating gasket 9 inserted between the bottom plate 7 and the cover plate 8. The bottom plate 7 and the cover plate 8 are made of plywood, for example. The insulating pad 9 is, for example, a layer of insulating foamed resin material located between the bottom plate 7 and the cover plate 8. The insulating pad 9 is glued to the bottom plate 7 and the cover plate 8. The insulating foamed resin material, in particular, can be a foamed material based on polyurethane, optionally fibre-reinforced.

[0091] Auxiliary insulating panels 5 contain recesses for accommodating auxiliary anchor elements. Recesses are formed, for example, in the insulating gasket 9 and in the cover plate 8, exposing the corner portion of the bottom plate 7. The auxiliary anchor elements comprise a base attached to the load-bearing wall and a pin extending in the thickness direction of the tank wall. The base, for example, is hollow and contains an opening through which a stud passes, and a nut is screwed onto the end of the stud placed in the hollow base to maintain the attachment of the stud to the base and, therefore, to the load-bearing wall. In another embodiment, the auxiliary anchor elements may be in the form of a stud welded to the inner casing.

[0092] In one embodiment, the recess is located in the corner zones. The corner section of the bottom plate 7 contains a slot that allows the passage of the stud of the auxiliary anchor element. The auxiliary support plate is put on the stud and held on the stud by a nut screwed onto the inner end of the stud opposite the base. The auxiliary support plate rests on the corner portions of the bottom plate 7 of the adjacent auxiliary insulating panels 5, for example four adjacent auxiliary insulating panels 5, to fasten said auxiliary insulating panels 5 to the load-bearing wall. In an alternative embodiment, the auxiliary base plate may rest on the auxiliary insulating panels 5 via a support bar provided at the corner portion of the bottom plate 7.

[0093] In another alternative embodiment, the recess is located on two side surfaces of the auxiliary insulating panels 5, and the auxiliary anchor elements are located in these recesses between two adjacent auxiliary insulating panels 5 in the width or length direction of said auxiliary insulating panels 5.

[0094] The cover plate 8 includes slots for receiving supports 6 for welding on the inner surface, i.e. on the surface opposite the insulating pad 9.

[0095] The construction of the auxiliary insulation panels 5 and the auxiliary anchor element is described above as an example. Thus, in another embodiment, the auxiliary insulating panels 5 may have a different general design, such as the design described in WO 2012/127141. In this case, the auxiliary insulating panels 7 are made in the form of a box containing a bottom plate, a cover plate and load-bearing partitions extending in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall between the bottom plate and the cover plate and limiting a plurality of compartments filled with an insulating filler, for example, perlite, glass wool or stone cotton.

[0096] In another embodiment, the auxiliary insulation panels comprise a bottom plate, a cover plate, and an intermediate plate inserted between the bottom plate and the cover plate. Thus, the insulating liner comprises a first layer of insulating liner inserted between the bottom plate and the intermediate plate, and a second layer of insulating liner inserted between the intermediate plate and the cover plate. For example, the first layer of insulating pad is glued to the bottom plate and to the intermediate plate. For example, the second layer of insulating pad is glued to the intermediate plate and to the cover plate. In this embodiment, the recess can be made only in the cover plate and the second layer of insulating lining, and the auxiliary base plate rests on the open area of the intermediate plate. In addition, a cutout is formed in the intermediate plate, the first layer of the insulating pad, and the bottom plate for the passage of the stud. Such an auxiliary insulating panel is described, for example, in WO 2014/096600.

[0097] In one embodiment, the auxiliary insulating panels are glued to the load-bearing wall, for example, using the mastic rolls mentioned above. In this case, auxiliary anchor elements and recesses that receive them can be excluded.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 1, which shows an auxiliary sealed membrane 2 containing a continuous layer of metal strips 10 of the skin with raised edges. Sheathing belts 10 are welded with their raised edges to parallel supports 6 for attachment by welding, fixed in grooves formed in cover plates 8 of auxiliary insulating panels 5. Planks 10 are made, for example, of Invar® alloy, that is, an alloy of iron and nickel, the expansion coefficient of which usually is from 1.2×10-6 to 2×10-6 K-1. It is also possible to use alloys of iron and manganese with an expansion coefficient of about 7-9×10-6 K-1.

[0099] The main thermal barrier 5 includes a plurality of main insulation panels 11 attached to the load-bearing wall with main anchor elements 12, described in more detail below. The main insulating panels 11 have a generally parallelepiped shape and are adjacent to each other to form the main insulating barrier 3. In addition, their dimensions in width, length or thickness may be the same as those of the auxiliary insulating panels 5, or may differ from them. . In particular, the thickness in the tank wall thickness direction may be smaller than the thickness of the auxiliary insulation panels 5. Each of the main insulation panels 11 is positioned offset from the auxiliary insulation panels 5 on which it rests. Thus, the adjacent corners of the main insulating panels 11 are grouped in line with the cover plate 8 of the auxiliary insulating panel 5 on which said main insulating panels 11 rest.

[0100] The main insulating panels 11 may have a sandwich structure similar to that of the auxiliary insulating panels 5. Thus, in the example shown, the main insulating panels 11 comprise a bottom plate 13, for example, made of plywood, a main insulating pad 14 in series in the tank wall thickness direction. and a cover plate 15, for example, made of plywood. For example, the base insulating pad is a layer of insulating foamed polymeric material, such as polyurethane-based foam, optionally reinforced with fibres. The insulating pad 14 is preferably glued to the bottom plate 13 and to the cover plate 15.

[0101] The main insulating panel 11 includes recesses in the corner areas so that the bottom plate 13 protrudes from the main insulating pad 14 and the cover plate 15. Thus, the bottom plate 13 in the corner areas of the main insulating panel 11 forms a support area designed to interact with main support plate 16 of the main anchor element 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a wedge 17 is added to the bottom plate 13, said wedge 17 having a shape similar to that of the support zone and cooperating with the main support plate 16 to secure the main insulation panel 11.

[0102] The bottom plate 13 of the main insulating panel 11 includes slots 18 for receiving the raised edges of the chords 10 of the sheathing of the auxiliary sealed membrane 2. The cover plate 8 15 includes anchor strips 19 shown in FIG. 1, for fixing the main sealed membrane 4. Anchor strips 19 are placed in recesses made on the inner surface of the cover plate 15. The main insulating panel 11 may additionally contain stress relief slots 20 formed in the cover plate 15 and in the inner portion of the main insulating gasket 14. The stress relief slots 20 are designed to prevent deformation or damage to the main insulation panel 11 as a result of the difference in compression between the cover plate 15 and the main insulation pad 14. The stress relief slots 20 also allow the corrugations 21 to deform, and thus prevent stresses in the main sealed membrane 4 and in the main insulating barrier 3 in the case of the main sealed membrane 4 containing corrugations 21, as described below.

[0103] The structure of the main insulation panel 11 has been described above as an example. Thus, in another embodiment, the main insulating panels 11 may have a different general design, such as the design described in WO 2012/127141.

[0104] In another embodiment, the main insulating barrier 3 comprises main insulating panels having at least two different types of structures, such as the above two structures, depending on the installation location in the tank.

[0105] The main sealed membrane 4 comprises a continuous layer of rectangular metal sheets having two rows of corrugations 21 that are mutually perpendicular. As you know, rectangular metal sheets are welded to each other, forming small areas of overlap at the edges. The rectangular metal sheet preferably has dimensions in width and length equal to an integer multiple of the distance between the corrugations, as well as an integer multiple of the dimensions of the main insulating panels 11.

[0106] The main anchor element 12 is described below with reference to figures 3-5. Fig. 3 illustrates a detailed view of the main anchor element 12 shown in FIG. 2 with reference to area B. In addition, in figures 4 and 5, the nut 32 and the base plate 16 are not shown. Figures 3-5 show one main anchor element 12, and the following description of the anchor element is similarly applicable to one, several or all of the main anchor elements 12 included in the sealed and insulating tank.

[0107] As described above, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5, the main insulating panels 11 are attached to the supporting wall through the auxiliary insulating panels 5. Therefore, the cover plate 8 8 of the auxiliary insulating panel 5 includes an anchor plate 22. Anchor plate 22. the plate 22 is placed in the recess 23 formed in the cover plate 8.

[0108] The recess 23 has an inner portion 24 having a first diameter and an outer portion 25 having a second diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter, so that the outer section 25 of the recess 23 forms lateral reinforcing elements inserted between the section of the cover plate 8 surrounding the inner section 24 and the insulating gasket 9.

[0109] The anchor plate 22 has a shape corresponding to the recess 23. The inner surface 26 of the anchor plate 22 is flush with the inner surface 27 of the cover plate 8 of the auxiliary insulation panel 5. Thus, the anchor plate 22 together with the cover plate 8 form a substantially continuous a flat surface on which the auxiliary sealed membrane 2 rests. In addition, the outer portion 28 of the anchor plate 22 is placed in the outer portion 25 of the recess 23, and thus inserted between the cover plate 8 and the insulating gasket 9. The anchor plate 22 is preferably glued to the insulating gasket 9 of the auxiliary insulating panel. Thus, movement of the anchor plate 22 in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall is blocked. Anchor plate 22 additionally contains a threaded central socket 29.

[0110] The main anchor element 12 includes a base 30, a stud 31, a main support plate 16, and a nut 32.

[0111] The base 30 is externally threaded and screwed into the central socket 29 of the anchor plate 22. In other words, the base 30 of the main anchor element 12 is fixed in the anchor plate 22.

[0112] The pin 31 extends from the base 30 in the thickness direction of the tank wall into the tank. The pin 31 extends through a hole formed in the auxiliary sealed membrane 2. As shown in Figures 1-3, the pin 31 extends in the space separating the corners of the two main insulation panels 11.

[0113] The main base plate 16 has a central passage 60. The main base plate 16 is mounted on a stud 31. The main base plate 16 rests on wedges 17 placed on the protruding portions of the bottom plates 13 of the main insulation panels 11, with which the main anchor element 12 interacts. In addition, the inner end of the stud 31 opposite the base 30 is threaded and a nut 32 is threaded onto this inner end of the stud 31 to press the base plate 16 against the wedges 17. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, spring washers 33, such as cup washers, are inserted between the base plate 16 and the nut 32.

[0114] To ensure the tightness of the auxiliary sealed membrane 2 in the hole in the said auxiliary sealed membrane 2, through which the pin 31 passes, the main anchor element 12 further includes a sealing washer 34.

[0115] The sealing washer 34 includes an annular body 35 having a central opening 36. The sealing washer 34 further includes a flange 37 protruding outward in the radial direction from the outer portion of the radially outer surface of the annular body 35. In addition, the inner surface 38 of the annular body 35 contains a protrusion 39 protruding in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall. The protrusion 39 extends from the radially inner portion of said inner surface 38. The flange 37 is formed, for example, by a peripheral portion of the annular body 35.

[0116] The sealing washer 34 is fitted on the stud 31, the stud 31 extending through the central hole 36 of the sealing washer 34. The sealing washer 34 is inserted between the secondary sealing membrane 2 and the main backing plate 16. The central hole 36 of the sealing washer 34 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the portion of the stud 31 passing through said central hole 36. Thus, the radially inner surface delimiting the central hole 36 in the annular body 35 and the pin 31 are separated by a transverse gap, i.e. gap in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness. The gap allows the sealing washer 34 to move transversely relative to the pin 31 and therefore relative to the main support plate 16.

[0117] In an embodiment not shown, the central hole is not circular and has a size in at least one transverse direction that is larger than the size of the pin 31 in said at least one transverse direction. Thus, in such an embodiment, a gap in said at least one transverse direction separates the central hole 36 from the stud to allow movement of the sealing washer relative to the stud 31 in said at least one transverse direction.

[0118] The flange 37 is sealed to the auxiliary sealed membrane 2 around the hole in said auxiliary sealed membrane 2. This is achieved, for example, by welding.

[0119] The main anchor element 12 includes an anchor shoulder 40 extending radially outward from the pin 31. The anchor shoulder 40 is inserted between the sealing washer 34 and the main support plate 16. The anchor shoulder 40 has a flat anchor surface 41 extending in a plane perpendicular to the direction tank wall thickness. Anchor surface 41 faces the inside of the tank.

[0120] The main anchor element 12 includes a deformable seal sealing the pin 31 and the sealing washer 34. The deformable seal includes a compensator 42. The inner axial end of the compensator 42 is sealed to the pin 31. The outer axial end of the compensator 42 is sealed to the sealing washer 34. B in particular, the inner axial end of the compensator 42 is hermetically attached to the anchor surface 41 of the anchor shoulder 40. The outer axial end of the compensator 42 is hermetically attached to the protrusion 39 protruding relative to the inner surface 38 of the annular body 35. The inner axial end of the compensator 42, for example, is welded to the stud 31. The outer axial end of the compensator 42, for example, is welded to the sealing washer 34.

[0121] Compensator 42 has three deformable folds 61 as shown in FIG. 3. In an embodiment not shown, the number of folds 61 of compensator 42 is not limited to three, and may be more depending on the space between shoulder 40 and surface 38 of flange 37. Thus, compensator 42 may have from three to thirty-two folds 61, at best, six to twenty-four pleats 61 depending on said space, said space being 20 to 45 mm, for example. The compensator 42 is essentially cylindrical. The folds 61 forming the compensator 42 have the same dimensions. The compensator 42 is made, for example, of stainless steel. To ensure the flexibility of said compensator 42, the steel has a small thickness, preferably less than 1 mm, for example from 0.1 to 0.5 mm and in particular from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0122] Compensator 42 forms a flexible, deformable, and sealed connection between stud 31 and sealing washer 34. The flexible, deformable connection, in combination with the gap between sealing washer 34 and stud 31, allows relative movement under sealed conditions between sealing washer 34 and stud 31. Thus, since the sealing washer 34 is hermetically attached to the secondary sealed membrane 2, and since the stud 31 is supported by the main support plate 16 on the main insulation panels 11, relative movement is possible between the secondary sealed membrane 2 and the secondary insulation panels 5 and/or the main insulation panels 11 without the risk of damage to the auxiliary sealed membrane 2 or loss of tightness of the auxiliary sealed membrane 2. In particular, when the pin 31 is attached to the auxiliary insulating panel, deformation and/or movement of said auxiliary insulating panel 5 are possible without deformation and/or movement, which creates stress on the auxiliary sealed membrane 2 or on the connection between the sealing washer 34 and the auxiliary sealed membrane 2.

[0123] Relative movement between the secondary insulating panels 5 and/or main insulating panels 11 and the secondary sealed membrane 2 may be due to differences in compression, deformation of the secondary insulating barrier 1 and/or load-bearing wall, or due to stresses on the main insulating panels 11 due to fluid movement in the reservoir.

[0124] To protect the expansion joint 42, for example, during the manufacture of the tank and the installation of the main anchor element 12, said main anchor element includes a casing 43. The casing 43 includes an installation section 44 and a protective section 45. The casing 43 can be combined with different types of expansion joints 42 described above and below.

[0125] The mounting portion 44 has a flat shape and a central hole. The casing 43 is mounted on a stud 31 of the main anchor element 12, said stud passing through a central hole in the mounting portion 44. The mounting portion is inserted between the anchor shoulder 40 and the main base plate 16. Thus, movement of the casing in the tank wall thickness direction is prevented by the main base plate 16 on the one hand and anchor surface 41 on the other hand.

[0126] The protective section 45 is hollow and includes an inner end adjacent to the peripheral edge of the mounting section 44. The protective section 45 extends from the inner end along the compensator 42 in the direction of the sealing washer 34, and the compensator 42 is located in the said hollow protective section 45. In addition , the protective section 45 expands so that the outer end of said protective section 45 is located in line with the flange 37 of the sealing washer 34. In this way, the casing 43 completely surrounds the compensator 42 from the inner end of the mentioned compensator 42 on the anchor surface 41 to the outer end of the said compensator 42 attached to ledge 39.

[0127] The outer end of the protective portion 45 has a protrusion 46 extended in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall. The protrusion 46 forms a locking surface 47 facing the flange 37. The locking surface 47 blocks the movement of the flange 37 and, consequently, the sealing washer 34 towards the inside of the tank, and the casing 42 is itself blocked due to the abutment of the mounting section 44 against the main support plate 16.

[0128] Thus, since the flange 37 is hermetically attached to the auxiliary sealed membrane 2, when the bearing wall is deformed or in the event of excessive pressure on the auxiliary sealed membrane 2, local deformation of the auxiliary sealed membrane 2 on the main anchor element 12 is blocked due to the abutment of the flange 37 of the sealing washer 34 into the locking surface 47. In another embodiment, the mounting portion 44 of the casing 43 is attached to the stud, for example by welding.

[0129] In an embodiment not shown, the main insulating panels 11 and the sub insulating panels 5 are of the same size and positioned such that the corners of the sub insulating panels 5 are aligned in the tank wall thickness direction with the corners of the main insulating panels 11. In such an embodiment implementation, the main anchor element 12 is not attached to the auxiliary insulation panel 5, but directly to the auxiliary anchor element. Such a configuration is described, for example, in WO 2014096600, which discloses a connecting anchor device for auxiliary insulating panels 5 and main insulating panels 11, with the base 30 of the main anchor element 12 attached to one end of the auxiliary anchor element. Thus, in this embodiment, the main anchor element is made as described above, the base 30 of the main anchor element 12 is fixed not in the anchor plate 22 placed in the cover plate 8 of the auxiliary insulation panel 5, but in the base plate attached to the inner end of the auxiliary anchor element.

[0130] FIG. 6 illustrates the main anchor element 12 according to the second embodiment. Elements identical to or performing the same function as the elements described above with reference to Figures 1-5 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0131] The second embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 in that the sealing washer annular body has a radially bevelled outer surface, i. inclined relative to the direction of the tank wall thickness.

[0132] FIG. 7 illustrates the main anchor element 12 according to the third embodiment. Elements identical to or performing the same function as the elements described above with reference to Figures 1-5 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0133] The third embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1-5 in that the compensator 42 expands. Thus, the folds 61 forming said compensator 42 have dimensions increasing in the direction from the inner axial end of the compensator 42, attached to the anchor surface 41, to the outer axial end of the compensator 42, attached to the sealing washer 34.

[0134] In addition, in the third embodiment, the inner surface 38 of the annular body 35 of the sealing washer 34 does not include the protrusion 39, and said inner surface 38 is flat. In a third embodiment, the outer axial end of the compensator 42 is attached directly to the flat inner surface 38. In particular, since the compensator 42 has an expanding shape, the outer axial end of said compensator 42 is attached to the radially outer peripheral edge of said inner surface 38.

[0135] In addition, the third embodiment differs from the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1-5 in that the main anchor member 12 does not include a casing 43. However, a casing 43 can be added.

[0136] In the third embodiment, the pin 31 has a shoulder 48 protruding laterally. The shoulder 48 is inserted between the anchor shoulder 40 and the sealing washer 34. In addition, the shoulder 48 has at least one transverse dimension greater than the size of the central hole of the sealing washer 34. Thus, the shoulder 48 has an outer surface 49 facing the inner surface 38 of the annular body 35 of the sealing washer 34. In other words, the circumferential portion of the outer surface 49 forms the stop surface 47. Thus, the shoulder 48 serves as a stopper for the sealing washer 34, blocking movement towards the inside of the reservoir of said sealing washer 34 and preventing local deformation of the auxiliary sealing membrane 2 .

[0137] FIG. 8 illustrates the main anchor element 12 according to the fourth embodiment. Elements identical to or performing the same function as the elements described above with reference to Figures 1-5 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0138] In the fourth embodiment, the main anchor plate 16 is replaced by an anchor cross 54. The anchor cross 54 has a mounting portion 55 and a plurality of support legs 56, such as four support legs 56, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 in WO 2014/057221.

[0139] The mounting portion 55 of the anchor cross 54 is flat and extends in a plane perpendicular to the tank wall thickness direction. The mounting section 55 has a central hole through which the stud 31 passes so that the anchor cross 54 is mounted on the stud 31.

[0140] Each support leg 56 has an inner end adjacent to a peripheral edge of the mounting portion 55. Each support leg 56 extends from the mounting portion 55 to a bearing surface 57 formed by a protruding portion of the bottom plate 13 of the main insulation panel 11. The outer end of the supporting leg 56 comprises a protrusion 58 extended in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness. The protrusion 58 rests on the support surface 57 to hold the main insulation panel 11 on the auxiliary sealed membrane 2.

[0141] The anchor cross 54 provides a degree of protection for the compensator 42, similar to the protective casing 43 described above with reference to figures 1-5.

[0142] In the fourth embodiment, the inner end of the compensator 42 is attached to the side surface 59 of the anchor shoulder 40, for example, in a recessed portion formed in the outer portion of said side surface 59.

[0143] Figures 10-12 illustrate the main anchor element 12 in accordance with the fifth embodiment. In these figures, elements identical to or performing the same function as the elements described above with reference to figures 1-5 are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0144] In the fifth embodiment, the protective portion 45 of the housing 43 is cylindrical and has a generatrix parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall. The outer end of the protective section 45 of the casing 43 is located in line with the inner surface 38 of the annular body 35. In other words, the locking surface 47, formed by the protrusion 46 of the outer end of the protective section 45, interacts with the inner surface 38 of the annular body 35 to block the movement of the sealing washer 34 in direction inside the tank. The flange 37 protrudes radially outward from the annular body 35 beyond the shoulder 46. In addition, the inner axial end of the compensator 42 is sealed, for example by welding, to the outer surface of the anchor shoulder 40, i. to the surface of the anchor shoulder 40 facing the sealing washer 34.

[0145] When liquefied natural gas (LNG) is stored in a tank, the movement of said LNG in the tank, for example associated with the movement of the vessel on which said tank is installed, can lead to lateral stresses on the main insulation panels 11. Typically, movement of the LNG in the tank can lead to the occurrence of lateral stresses on the corrugations 21 of the main sealed membrane 4. The lateral stress on the mentioned corrugation 21 is transmitted to the main insulating panel 11, to which the main sealed membrane 4 is attached. Under the influence of stress, the main insulating panel 11 can move in the lateral direction, those. in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness, and therefore transfer stress to the main anchor element 12.

[0146] Since the flange 37 protrudes outward in the radial direction from the annular body 35 beyond the projection 46 of the casing 43, the bottom plate 13 of the main insulating panel 11 can abut against the flange 37 when said main insulating panel 11 is moved. When the bottom plate 13 abuts against the flange 37 , this causes significant stress on the seal between the flange 37 and the auxiliary seal 2, and this stress may compromise the integrity of the auxiliary seal 2.

[0147] In order to prevent forces from lateral movement of the main insulation panel 11 from being applied to the sealing washer 34, the fifth embodiment includes a transfer wedge 62. The transfer wedge 62 allows transverse force to be transmitted to the stud 31 and its support, such as a secondary insulating barrier. In addition, the transverse dimension of the wedge is smaller than the space between adjacent main insulating panels to ensure sufficient mounting tolerance and transfer of forces from the main insulating panel to the stud 31.

[0148] In this case, the transfer wedge 62 includes a base 63, a circumferential portion 64, and wings 65.

[0149] The base 63 has a flat shape extending perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall. Base 63 is circular in shape with its center coaxial with pin 31. Base 63 has a central hole 66. Central hole 66 is round and coaxial with pin 31. Central hole 66 is larger than flange 37 so that base 63 is separated by space from flange 37.

[0150] The base 63 rests on an auxiliary sealed membrane 2 around the flange 37. The bottom plates 13 of the main insulation panels 11 cooperating with the main anchor element 12 may have an external recess 67 to accommodate the base 63.

[0151] The circumferential section 64 includes an outer skirt 68 and an inner skirt 69 connected by a central flat section 82.

[0152] The outer skirt 68 has a circular cylindrical wall, the generatrix of which is parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall. The outer skirt 68 extends from the inner periphery of the base 63, i. e. from the edge of the central opening 66 in the base 63. The outer skirt 68 extends towards the interior of the tank for a thickness in the tank wall thickness direction that is greater than or equal to the thickness of the annular body 35 in said tank wall thickness direction. Thus, the inner end of the outer skirt 68 is aligned with the protective portion 45 of the casing 43 in the radial direction.

[0153] The central flat portion 82 extends in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall. The central flat portion 82 extends inwardly in a radial direction from the inner end of the outer skirt 68. The central flat portion 82 includes a central opening 83, the inner diameter of which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protective portion 45 of the casing. Thus, the central flat area 82 surrounds the protective area 45 of the casing 43.

[0154] The inner skirt 69 has a circular cylindrical wall, the generatrix of which is parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall. The inner skirt 69 extends from the inner periphery of the central flat portion 82, i. e. from the edge of the central flat section 82, which defines the central opening 83. The inner skirt 69 extends inward of the tank for a thickness less than the thickness of the protective section 45 of the casing 43. Thus, the inner skirt 69 surrounds the protective section 45 of the casing 43 only in the area of the thickness protective area 45.

[0155] Typically, circumferential portion 64 surrounds flange 37 and defines the space shown in Figures 11 and 12 in which flange 37 is positioned with clearance, thus protecting said flange 37.

[0156] Thus, when the main insulation panel 11 experiences a stress causing said main insulation panel 11 to move laterally, the bottom plate 13 of said main insulation panel 11 abuts against the transfer wedge 62, typically the base 63 and/or the outer skirt 68 Because the wedge 62 surrounds the shroud 43 and the distance separating the wedge 62 from the shroud 43 is less than the distance separating the wedge 62 from the flange 37, the wedge 62 abuts against the shroud 43 without causing significant stress on the flange 37. Others In other words, the forces resulting from the lateral movement of the main insulating panel 11 are transmitted through the bottom plate 13 of the main insulating panel 11, which exerts a force on the transfer wedge 62, said transfer wedge exerting a force on the casing 43 and the pin 31. Thus, the transfer wedge 62 ensures that the forces resulting from the lateral movement of the of the main insulating panel 11 are not transferred to the flange 37, which limits the stresses on the sealed connection between the flange 37 and the auxiliary sealed membrane 2.

[0157] In the embodiment shown in Figures 10-12, the transfer wedge 62 further comprises four wings 65 to facilitate positioning of the transfer wedge 62 relative to adjacent main insulation panels 11. The positioning wings 65 are circumferentially spaced at regular intervals around the circumferential portion 64. The wings 65 extend in the radial direction from the circumferential portion 64 parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall. Each of said wings 65 is placed between two main insulating panels 11 interacting with the main anchor element 12. Wings 65 separate compartments, independently wedging each of the main insulating panels 11.

[0158] In an embodiment not shown, the outer skirt 68 extends inwardly into the tank beyond the bottom plate 13 of the main insulation panels 11. Thus, when the main insulation panel 11 moves laterally, the insulation pad 14 also abuts the outer skirt 68 for transmission. forces resulting from the lateral movement of the main insulating panel 11 on the transfer wedge 62.

[0159] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate the main anchor element 12 in accordance with the sixth embodiment.

[0160] This sixth embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 10-12 in that the outer end of the protective portion 45 of the housing 43 is aligned with the flange 37. In addition, the protrusion 46 of the outer end of the protective portion 45 protrudes beyond flange 37 limits in the radial direction. Thus, the locking surface 47 formed by the protrusion 46 of the outer end of the protective portion 45 interacts with the inner surface of the flange 37 to block the movement of the sealing washer 34 towards the inside of the tank.

[0161] In this embodiment, the transfer wedge 62 is formed by block 84. Block 84 includes a central hole. The central hole has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protective portion 45 of the casing 43, so that the block 84 surrounds the protective portion 45 of the casing 43.

[0162] The block 84 has a thickness in the tank wall thickness direction that is smaller than the thickness of the bottom plate 13 of the adjacent main insulation panels 11, so that the inside surface of the block 84 is located outside the inside surface of the bottom plates 13 in the tank wall thickness direction. Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the block 84 rests on the inner surface of the protrusion 46 of the protective portion 45 of the casing 43.

[0163] The peripheral side surface of the block 84 generally has a shape corresponding to the recesses formed in the bottom plates 13 of the main insulation panels 11 cooperating with the main anchor element 12. In other words, the distance separating the bottom plates 13 of the main insulation panels 11 from the block 84, essentially corresponds to the mounting gap. Thus, the lateral movement of the main insulating panel 11, practically from the very beginning of said movement, results in pressure being exerted on the peripheral side surface of the block 84.

[0164] Thus, during the lateral movement of the main insulating panel 11, the bottom plate 13 of said main insulating panel 11 abuts against the transfer wedge 62 and, in particular, against the peripheral side surface of the block 84, and the transfer wedge abuts against the casing 43 and the pin 31, along essentially without exerting force on the flange 37. Thus, the force exerted by the main insulating panel 11 on the transfer wedge 62 is transmitted to the stud 31 without substantially passing through the connection between the flange 37 and the secondary sealed membrane 2.

[0165] An example of the installation method of the main anchor element is described below with reference to figures 15-17. In figures 15-17 and in the description below, elements that are identical or perform the same function as the elements described above are indicated by the same reference numbers.

[0166] As in the description above with reference to figures 1-5, the anchor plate 22 is placed in the recess 23 formed in the cover plate 8 of the auxiliary insulating panel 5. The inner surface 26 of the anchor plate 22 is flush with the inner surface 27 cover plate 8 of the auxiliary insulating panel 5. The anchor plate 22 additionally contains a threaded central socket 29 designed to accommodate the base 30 of the main anchor element 12.

[0167] Preferably, the main anchor element 12 is at least partially prefabricated. The prefabricated portion of the main anchor element 12 comprises, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a base 30, a pin 31, a compensator 42 with its inner axial end attached to an anchor shoulder 40, and a sealing washer 34 to which the outer axial end of the compensator is attached.

[0168] However, in the case of such a prefabricated main anchor element 12, the sealing washer 34 rotates integrally with the pin 31 by means of the compensator 42. Thus, when the pin 31 is rotated to screw the base 30 into the threaded center seat 29, the sealing washer 34 also rotates. However, the rotation of the sealing washer 34 may cause friction between the outer surface of said sealing washer 34 and the auxiliary sealing membrane 2, in particular at the end of the screwing of the base 30 into the socket 29. therefore, break the tightness of the mentioned compensator 42.

[0169] To prevent the compensator 42 from twisting when the base 30 is screwed into the socket 29, the body 35 of the sealing washer 34 includes flat sections 85 on the side surface connecting the flange 37 and the inner surface 38 of the body 35. Similarly, the anchor shoulder 40 also contains flat sections 86. Flat the portions 85 of the sealing washer 34 and the flat portions 86 of the anchor shoulder 40 preferably extend in the same plane.

[0170] The installation method of the main anchor element 12 includes the use of a socket wrench 87 having internal surfaces 88 mutually corresponding to flat portions 85 and 86. In addition, the wrench head 87 preferably has a height greater than the height of the pin 31 and at least greater than or equal to the distance between the inner axial end of the stud and the flat section 85 on the sealing washer 34. Thus, due to the relationship between the inner surfaces 88 of the key and the flat sections 85 and 86, the rotation of the key 87 causes the rotation of both the stud 31 and, therefore, the base 30, and the sealing washers 34. FIG. 16, the anchor shoulder 40 and the body 35 comprise six flat sections 85 and 86, but the number and size of the flat sections may vary, and the main anchor element 12 may contain one, two or more flat sections 85 and 86, mutually corresponding to the inner surfaces 88 of the key 87, so that when wrench 87 is used, sealing washer 34 and anchor shoulder, and hence pin 31 and base 30, rotate together.

[0171] To install the prefabricated portion of the main anchor element 12 on the anchor plate 22, the prefabricated portion is inserted into the head of the key 87. The key 87 is then rotated to screw the base 30 into the socket 29. Since the sealing washer 34 rotates with the pin 31, the friction between sealing washer 34 and auxiliary sealed membrane 2 does not cause twisting of the compensator 42.

[0172] When base 30 is fully screwed into socket 29, stud 31 can be shrouded 43 as shown in FIG. 17. Alternatively, the prefabricated section of the anchor element may also comprise a casing 43, which in this case is attached, for example by welding, to the stud 31.

[0173] In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the casing 43 includes a flat portion 89 similar to the flat portion 86 of the anchor shoulder 40. In addition, the sealing washer 34, and in particular the flat portion 85, is located outside the protrusion 46 of the casing 43 in the radial direction. Thus, the inner surfaces 88 of the key 87 interact with the flat portion of the casing 43 and the flat portion of the sealing washer 34 to screw the base 30 into the socket 29 as the sealing washer 34 rotates without causing the compensator 42 to twist.

[0174] The sealed and insulated tank technology described above can be used for various types of storage tanks, for example, for making an LNG storage tank in an onshore storage facility or on a floating structure, such as an LNG transport vessel or the like.

[0175] With reference to FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of an LNG vessel 70 illustrating a sealed and insulated tank 71 in a generally prismatic shape mounted in a double hull 72 of the vessel. The tank wall 71 comprises a main pressurized barrier for contact with the LNG contained in the tank, an auxiliary pressurized barrier located between the main pressurized barrier and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulating barriers located respectively between the main pressurized barrier and the auxiliary pressurized barrier and between auxiliary pressurized barrier and double housing 72.

[0176] As is known, the loading and unloading pipelines 73, located on the upper deck of the vessel, can be connected using appropriate connectors to the sea or port terminal to transfer LNG to the tank 71 or from the tank to the sea or port terminal.

[0177] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an offshore terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an offshore pipeline 76, and an onshore storage facility 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is an offshore fixed structure containing a movable boom 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable boom 74. The movable boom 74 includes a bundle insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading and unloading pipelines 73. The orientable mobile boom 74 can be adjusted to adapt to all sizes of LNG carriers. Inside the tower 78 is a connecting pipeline (not shown). Loading and unloading station 75 allows loading and unloading of the vessel 70 for transporting LNG from the onshore storage 77 or transporting LNG to the vessel from the onshore storage. The storage facility includes LPG storage tanks 80 and interconnecting pipelines 81 connected by a subsea pipeline 76 to the loading and unloading station 75. The underwater pipeline 76 allows the transfer of LPG between the loading and unloading station 75 and the onshore storage 77 over a long distance, for example, 5 km, which allows the LNG carrier 70 to be stopped far offshore during loading and unloading operations.

[0178] To create the pressure necessary for the transfer of liquefied gas, pumps installed on board the ship 70 and / or pumps installed in the shore storage 77 and / or pumps installed at the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0179] Although the invention has been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it is obvious that it is not limited to them in any way, and that it includes all technical equivalents of the described means, as well as combinations thereof, if they are within the scope of the invention.

[0180] The use of the verb "comprise" or "include" and derivative forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps in addition to those mentioned in the claims.

[0181] In the claims, no parenthetical references should be interpreted as limiting the claims.

Claims (27)

1. A sealed and heat-insulating tank containing a tank wall, and the tank wall contains in series from the outside of the tank to the inside of the tank in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall an auxiliary insulating barrier (1) intended for attachment to the bearing wall, an auxiliary sealed membrane (2), supported by an auxiliary sealing barrier (1), a main sealing barrier (3) supported by an auxiliary sealed membrane (2), and a main sealed membrane (4) supported by the main sealing barrier (3) and designed to come into contact with the product contained in the tank, the main insulating barrier (3) contains a plurality of adjacent main insulating panels (11), moreover, the tank additionally contains a plurality of main anchor elements (12) designed to be held directly or indirectly on the bearing wall, while each of the said main anchor elements (12) interacts with at least one main insulating panel (11) from a plurality of main insulating panels (11) so as to hold said at least one main insulating panel (11) on the auxiliary sealed membrane (2), in which said main anchor element (12) contains base (30) intended to be held directly or indirectly on the bearing wall, a pin (31) extended in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall from said base (30) towards the main sealed membrane (4), wherein said pin (31) passes through a hole in the auxiliary sealed membrane (2), a support element (16, 54) mounted on a pin (31), wherein said support element (16, 54) rests on the main insulating panel (11) in such a way as to hold said main insulating panel (11) on the auxiliary sealed membrane (2 ), a sealing washer (34) put on a pin (31) between the support element (16) and the hole in the auxiliary sealed membrane (2), and the sealing washer (34) has a central hole (36) through which the pin (31) passes, and the sealing washer (34) is hermetically attached to the auxiliary sealed membrane (2) around the hole in said auxiliary sealed membrane (2), a deformable seal (42) sealing said sealing washer (34) and the pin (31) so as to allow relative movement between the sealing washer (34) and the pin (31). 2. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1, characterized in that the central hole (36) of the sealing washer (34) has a transverse dimension exceeding the transverse dimension of the section of the pin (31) included in the said central hole (36) to enable moving the pin (31) in said central hole (36) of the sealing washer (34) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the tank wall thickness. 3. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main anchor element (12) additionally contains a stopper on a pin (31), and said stopper is located on a pin (31) between the support element (16) and the sealing washer (34), and the stopper has a locking surface (47) facing the sealing washer (34) to stop the movement of said sealing washer (34) relative to the pin (31) towards the main sealed membrane (4) in the direction of the tank wall thickness. 4. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 3, characterized in that the pin (31) has a shoulder (48), and said shoulder (48) protrudes laterally from the pin (31) beyond the central hole (36) of the sealing washer ( 34) in such a way that the outer surface (49) of said shoulder (48) forms a locking surface (47). 5. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main anchor element (12) additionally contains a casing (43) mounted on a stud (31), and said casing (43) contains an installation section (44) and protective section (45), the mounting section (44) has a central passage through which the pin (31) passes, and the protective section (45) is extended in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall from the mounting section (44) towards the sealing washer (34), the protective section (45) is hollow, and a deformable seal (42) is placed in the protective section (45). 6. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 3, characterized in that the main anchor element (12) additionally contains a casing (43) mounted on a stud (31), and said casing (43) contains an installation area (44) and a protective area (45), the mounting section (44) has a central passage through which the pin (31) passes, and the protective section (45) extends in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall from the mounting section (44) towards the sealing washer (34), the protective section (45) is hollow, and a deformable seal (42) is placed in the protective section (45), and that the outer end of the protective section (45), opposite the mounting section (44), forms a locking surface (47) facing the sealing washer (34 ). 7. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 5, characterized in that the casing (43) is attached to the pin (31). 8. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealed and heat-insulating tank additionally contains a transfer wedge located around the casing in the gap between the casing and adjacent main insulating panels. 9. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 5, characterized in that the sealing washer (34) contains a flat section (85), and the casing (43) contains a flat section (89), and said flat sections are made with the possibility of being gripped by a screwing tool so that the pin (31) and sealing washer (34) rotate together without twisting the deformable seal (42). 10. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deformable seal contains a deformable compensator (42), and said deformable compensator (42) is hollow and extends around and along the pin (31) in the axial direction, and the first the axial end of said compensator (42) is hermetically attached to the pin (31), and the second axial end of said compensator (42) is hermetically attached to the sealing washer (34). 11. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 10, characterized in that the compensator (42) has at least three folds. 12. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 10, characterized in that the compensator (42) has an expanding shape, and the second axial end of the compensator (42), attached to the sealing washer (34), has a circumferential dimension exceeding the circumferential dimension of the first axial end of compensator (42) attached to pin (31). 13. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base (30) of the main anchor element (12) is rigidly fixed in the auxiliary insulating barrier (1). 14. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner end of the stud (31), opposite the base (30), is threaded and in which the main anchor element (12) additionally contains a nut (32) screwed onto said internal threaded end, wherein the support element (16, 54) is inserted between said nut (32) and the base (30) of the main anchor element (12), and a deformable seal is inserted between the support element (16, 54) and the sealing washer (34) . 15. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 14, characterized in that a spring washer (33) is inserted between the nut (32) and the support element (16, 54). 16. Sealed and heat-insulating tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main anchor element (12) has an anchor shoulder (40) protruding laterally from the pin (31), and said anchor shoulder (40) forms the anchor surface (41) extended in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction, wherein said anchor surface (41) faces the support element (16, 54), and the deformable seal is hermetically attached to said anchor surface (41). 17. Vessel (70) for transporting a cold liquid product containing a double hull (72) and a tank according to any one of paragraphs. 1-16, located in a double hull. 18. A cold liquid product transfer system, comprising a ship (70) according to claim 17, insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) located so as to connect a tank installed in the ship's hull with floating or shore storage (77) , and a pump for supplying a stream of cold liquid product through insulated pipelines from the floating or shore storage to the ship's tank or from the ship's tank to the floating or shore storage. 19. The method of loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 17, in which a cold liquid product is supplied through insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) from a floating or shore storage (77) to a ship tank (71) or from a tank ship to floating or shore storage.

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