WO2023052621A1

WO2023052621A1 - Method for insulating an inter-panel space

Info

Publication number: WO2023052621A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/077354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gaël TOS; Sébastien LARROQUE; Fabien PESQUET; Florian CLOUP; Vincent Fraysse; Léo COQUAND
Original assignee: Gaztransport Et Technigaz
Priority date: 2021-09-30
Filing date: 2022-09-30
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Also published as: FR3127486B1; KR20240065156A; CN118056089A; FR3127486A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for insulating an inter-panel space formed between a first insulating panel (1) and a second insulating panel (2) for a wall of a sealed, thermally insulating tank for storing a fluid at low temperature, the first insulating panel comprising a first side face (8) facing a second side face (9) of the second insulating panel, the inter-panel space (7) being delimited by the first side face and the second side face, the method comprising the following steps: - positioning at least one insert element (10) against at least the first side face of the first insulating panel; and - injecting expanding foam into the inter-panel space between the insert element and the second side face of the second insulating panel, so that the expanding foam expands and the insert element is pressed between said expanding foam and the first side face of the first insulating panel.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating membrane tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks for the storage and/or transport of liquefied gas at low temperature, such as transport tanks for the transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at approximately -163°C at atmospheric pressure, ammonia (NH3), dry ice (CO2 in solid form) or hydrogen. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. More particularly, the invention relates to the thermal insulation of these tanks.

Technology background

Has already been described, a multilayer tank structure comprising, from the outside of the tank to the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier, a secondary waterproof membrane, a primary thermally insulating barrier and a membrane of primary sealing intended to be in contact with the liquid contained in the tank. Such tanks comprise insulating panels arranged next to each other so as to form the thermally insulating barriers. However, inter-panel spaces between the insulating panels are present. These gaps lead to a decrease in the insulation performance of the thermally insulating barrier. Thus, in order to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation characteristics of said thermally insulating barriers, it is necessary to fill these interpanel spaces. Several solutions exist. For example, document WO2019155158A1 describes the addition of insulating elements comprising an envelope and a compressible material, such as glass wool, housed in the envelope. The envelope is placed under vacuum before the insertion of the insulating elements in the inter-panel space, which makes it possible to compress the compressible material to facilitate insertion. After insertion of the insulating elements, the casing is pierced so that the compressible material thus fills the inter-panel space. However, the vacuum placement of elements made of compressible materials is tricky to implement.

[0003] In addition, document KR20180060576A discloses a method for installing a thermal insulation structure in an inter-panel space of a cryogenic liquid storage tank. The method comprises in particular the insertion of a block glass wool to fill the inter-panel space to which a block of foam is added if the thickness of the glass wool is too low compared to the inter-panel space. In order to insert said block of foam into the remaining space, the method notably comprises measurement steps. The inventors have found that in such a tank, such a process is complex to implement and involves technical difficulties in large-scale production. Indeed, the elements making up the tanks have many assembly and manufacturing hazards, such as, for example, offsets or inaccuracies. Thus, said measuring steps must be repeated for each inter-panel space.

[0004] Thus, there is a real need to develop a reliable, efficient and easy-to-implement interpanel space insulation method.

Summary

An idea underlying the invention is a process for insulating an interpanel space making it possible to ensure continuity of the thermal insulation between the adjacent insulating panels.

Another idea at the basis of the invention is the installation of an efficient and durable inter-panel insulation in the presence of high thermal stresses, in particular in the presence of contraction and thermal expansion of the panels.

Another idea underlying the invention is to facilitate the placement of a compressible insulating element, such as glass wool, in an inter-panel space.

Another idea underlying the invention is to facilitate the manufacture of a sealed and thermally insulating tank.

[0009]According to one embodiment, the invention provides a method for insulating an inter-panel space provided between a first insulating panel and a second insulating panel of a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall for the storage of fluid at low temperature, the first insulating panel comprising a first side face facing a second side face of the second insulating panel, the inter-panel space being delimited by the first side face and the second side face, the method comprising the following steps:

- positioning at least one intermediate element against at least the first side face of the first insulating panel,

- inject expanding foam into the inter-panel space between the spacer element and the second side face of the second insulating panel, so that the foam foam expands in order to press the intermediate element between said expanding foam and the first side face of the first insulating panel.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, a continuity of the thermal insulation between the first and the second insulating panels is ensured by the expanding foam and the intermediate element. In addition, thanks to the presence of the spacer element, the in-situ expanded foam does not adhere directly against the first side face of the first insulating panel and is therefore free to move relative to it. This makes it possible to reduce the risks of deterioration of the expanded foam, in particular when there are relative movements of the insulating panels between them resulting for example from the phenomena of thermal contraction, thermal expansion or swell, since in such circumstances, an expanding foam that adheres directly against the side faces of the two adjacent insulating panels would tend to crack and alter its thermal insulation properties.

[0011] According to embodiments, such a method may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of compartmentalizing the inter-panel space, said compartmentalizing step being carried out before the injection of the expanding foam.

[0013] Thanks to these characteristics, the expanding foam is maintained in the inter-panel space, thus reducing the loss of a volume of expanding foam which could flow out of the inter-panel space.

According to a preferred embodiment, the expanding foam is injected in the liquid state.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the compartmentalization step comprises inserting a bottom strip into the inter-panel space, the bottom strip being located at a lower end of the inter-space. -panels and extending in a longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space over an entire length of the inter-panel space.

According to one embodiment, the bottom strip has a width greater than or equal to the spacing between the first side face of the first insulating panel and the second side face of the second insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the bottom strip is compressed between the first side face of the first insulating panel and the second side face of the second insulating panel. According to one embodiment, the bottom strip is compressed towards a lower end of the inter-panel space.

[0019] Thanks to these characteristics, the bottom strip seals the lower end of the inter-panel space in a watertight manner.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the compartmentalization step further comprises the insertion of a first lateral strip and a second lateral strip respectively located at a first lateral end and at a second lateral end of the inter-panel space, the first side strip and the second side strip extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space.

According to one embodiment, the first side strip, the second side strip have a width greater than or equal to the spacing between the first side face of the first insulating panel and the second side face of the second insulating panel. According to one embodiment, the first side strip or the second side strip is compressed between the first side face of the first insulating panel and the second side face of the second insulating panel.

[0022]According to one embodiment, the compartmentalization step comprises the insertion of at least one holding rod into the inter-panel space, the holding rod extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the interpanel space.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the retaining strip is located between the first side strip and the second side strip.

According to one embodiment, the compartmentalisation step comprises covering the inter-panel space with a lid, the lid comprising an orifice through which the expanding foam is injected into the inter-panel space.

[0025] Thanks to these characteristics, the overflow of the expanding foam is avoided.

According to one embodiment, the orifice has a diameter of between 5 mm and 30 mm, preferably a diameter of 20 mm.

According to one embodiment, the cover comprises a plurality of orifices spaced from each other, the orifices being located in a longitudinal direction of the cover.

According to one embodiment, the cover has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with rounded edges. According to one embodiment, the cover comprises the following dimensions:

- A length of between 1 and 5 meters (m), for example 3.5 meters, and preferably between 1.4 and 1.6 m;

- a width of between 15 and 50 centimeters (cm), preferably between 20 and 30 cm;

- a thickness of between 10 and 60 millimeters (mm), preferably between 20 and 30 mm.

[0030]According to one embodiment, the cover comprises side edges resting against the first and the second insulating panel and comprises a plurality of holes provided in said side edges facing the first or the second insulating panel. The holes therefore do not open into the inter-panel space.

According to one embodiment, the holes of the plurality of holes have identical or different dimensions.

[0032] Thanks to these characteristics, the cover is lightened by the holes and handling of the cover by the operator is therefore facilitated.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of holes comprises an oblong hole.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the cover is fixed against the first and the second insulating panels via a fixing means. According to one embodiment, the fixing means is chosen from: a screw, which for example is received in a threaded insert fixed to the first or second insulating panel, and a clamping clamp.

[0035]According to one embodiment, the fixing means passes through at least one hole of the plurality of holes made in the lid. According to one embodiment, the fixing means passes through an oblong hole made in the lid. The oblong hole makes it possible to adapt the fixing of the cover via the fixing means more easily, in particular in order to compensate for the tolerances in the relative positioning of the first insulating panel with respect to the second insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the first and second insulating panels respectively comprise two recesses along the edge of the first side face of the first insulating panel and two recesses along the edge of the second side face of the second insulating panel, the cover being fixed against the first and the second insulating panels via an anchoring system fixed to the cover, the anchoring system comprising a recess anchoring element, each anchoring element comprising: a centering cone and an inflatable seal located around the centering cone and connected to an inflation system. After insertion, in the recess, each gasket inflatable is inflated via pneumatic power. Thus, taking into account the orientation of the conical surface, each inflatable joint exerts a force on the centering cone which is directed downwards, which makes it possible to maintain the cover against the first and the second insulating panels during the expansion of expanding foam. After the foam expansion stage, the inflatable seals are deflated, the cover and the anchoring system are removed.

[0037] Thanks to these characteristics, the centering of the cover covering the interpanel space is facilitated and any seals are optimally compressed in order to obtain a good seal.

According to one embodiment, the pneumatic supply is common to the anchoring elements.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of holes are oblong holes separated from each other. That is to say, there is no continuity between said oblong holes.

[0040] Thanks to these characteristics, the lid is lightened while maintaining good rigidity to carry out the method of insulating the inter-panel space, that is to say rigid enough to resist the expansion pressure. foam.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the lid comprises at least one handle fixed to the surface opposite the surface of the lid which is intended to be in contact with the expanding foam. Preferably, the lid includes two handles.

According to one embodiment, the length of the at least one handle extends in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the cover.

According to one embodiment, the at least one handle is located on the axis of symmetry of the length of the cover.

According to one embodiment, the two handles are spaced from each other in the direction of the length of the lid.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the cover is located astride the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the cover is fixed via seals on the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel.

[0047] Thanks to these characteristics, during the expansion of the foam, the expanding foam will not overflow the inter-panel space. The cover is fixed in such a way as to resist the expansion pressure exerted by the expanding foam. According to one embodiment, the seals extend over the entire length of the lid.

According to one embodiment, the seals on the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel have a sufficient thickness to form, with the surface intended to be in contact with the expanding foam, a passage for the evacuation of the excess foam. , said excess foam evacuation channel being connected to a foam receptacle located on one side of the first insulating panel and/or one side of the second insulating panel in order to allow the evacuation of any excess foam during the phase of expanding foam. For example, the foam receptacle is a box made of wood or composite material.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the seals forming the excess foam evacuation channel have a thickness of between 5 mm and 20 mm.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the gaskets forming the excess foam evacuation channel comprise a foam tape of the ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) type with closed cells. According to one embodiment, the seals forming the foam evacuation channel comprise neoprene glue.

According to one embodiment, the cover is transparent, preferably made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMME), better known under the trade name of Plexiglas®.

[0053] Thanks to these characteristics, the work of the operator to carry out the process is facilitated, in particular during the step of injection and expansion of the expanding foam because he will then be able to observe the expansion of the foam in time real and thus more easily adapt the quantity of expanding foam to be injected.

[0054]According to one embodiment, the cover has a tongue protruding from the surface of the cover which is intended to be in contact with the expanding foam.

[0055] Thanks to these characteristics, the overflow of the expanding foam beyond the inter-panel space is avoided, in particular if the foam continues to expand after removal of the cover.

According to one embodiment, the tab extends over the entire length of the cover.

According to one embodiment, the tab has a height of between 2 mm and 15 mm.

According to one embodiment, the tab has a width less than the spacing located between the first side face and the second side face. According to one embodiment, the lid is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

According to one embodiment, a film covers the surface of the cover which is intended to be in contact with the expanding foam. According to one embodiment, the film is non-stick. According to one embodiment, the film is made of PTFE.

According to one embodiment, the film consists of perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) or fluoroethylene propylene (FEP) which have properties similar to PTFE.

[0062] Thanks to these characteristics, the expanded foam will not adhere to the cover, which facilitates the removal of said cover after the foam expansion step.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of drying the expanded foam.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of removing the cover.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of removing the foam receptacle.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises a step of shaving off the excess foam present in the foam evacuation channel.

According to one embodiment, the foam is injected until it reaches the height of the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the injection of expanding foam is a first injection of expanding foam, the method further comprising at least a second injection of foam, the second injection of foam being carried out after the expansion of the foam expansive from the first injection of foam.

[0069] Thanks to these characteristics, the operator can, taking into consideration the quantity of expanded foam injected and the height of the expanded foam generated, adapt the quantity of expanded foam injected during the last injection of foam in order to avoid the overflow of the expanding foam beyond the inter-panel space.

According to one embodiment, the expanding foam is injected via a foam injection gun.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises prior to the injection of expanding foam:

- positioning an inflatable device in an uninflated state in a zone defined between at least one of the first and second insulating panels and a third insulating panel adjacent to said first or second insulating panel, the zone being transverse to the inter-panel space and the inflatable device being positioned facing the inter-panel space,

- inflate the inflatable device so that said inflatable device in an inflated state bears at least against the third insulating panel and covers the first lateral end of the inter-panel space in order to maintain the expanding foam in the inter-panel space during injection and expansion of expanding foam.

- positioning an inflatable device in an uninflated state in an area defined between at least one of the first and second insulating panels and a third insulating panel adjacent to said first or second insulating panel, the area being transverse to the inter-panel space and the inflatable device being positioned facing the interpanel space,

[0073] Thanks to these characteristics, the inflatable device can be easily inserted into the area defined between the three insulating panels. In addition, the inflation of the inflatable device makes it possible to erase the hazards of manufacture and assembly, such as, for example, offsets or inaccuracies.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable device in an inflated state covers the first lateral end or the second lateral end of the inter-panel space.

[0075]According to one embodiment, the inflatable device is positioned opposite the first side strip, the inflatable device being inflated so that said inflatable device bears against the first side strip in order to maintain the first side strip in a static position.

[0076]According to one embodiment, the inflatable device is positioned opposite the second lateral rod, the inflatable device being inflated so that said inflatable device bears against the second lateral rod in order to maintain the second lateral rod in a static position. Thus, the first side strip or the second side strip is held in a static position over an entire length of the first side strip or the second side strip.

According to one embodiment, the zone is defined between the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel and, the third insulating panel adjacent to the first insulating panel and a fourth insulating panel adjacent to the second insulating panel, in which the inflatable device is inflated so that said inflatable device bears against the third insulating panel, the fourth insulating panel and against the first side strip.

According to one embodiment, the zone is defined between the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel and, the third insulating panel adjacent to the first insulating panel and a fourth insulating panel adjacent to the second insulating panel, in which the inflatable device is inflated so that said inflatable device bears against the third insulating panel, the fourth insulating panel and against the second side strip

According to one embodiment, after foam expansion, the inflatable device is removed. According to one embodiment, the inflatable device is removed in a deflated state.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable device comprises an inflatable element and a pump intended to inflate said inflatable element.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the inflatable element is chosen from: a pneumatic or hydraulic inflatable pocket.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable device comprises a pump chosen from: a manual pump or an automatic pump. According to one embodiment, the pump is an air pump or a liquid pump.

According to one embodiment, the inflatable device comprises a non-stick and/or insulating coating.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises, prior to the injection of expanding foam:

- positioning a first spider made from insulating material in a zone defined between at least one of the first and second insulating panels and a third insulating panel adjacent to said first or second insulating panel, the zone being transverse to the interspace panel and the brace being positioned so as to block a first lateral end of the inter-panel space during the injection and the expansion of the expanding foam. According to one embodiment, the zone is defined between the first insulating panel and the second insulating panel and the third insulating panel adjacent to the first insulating panel and a fourth insulating panel adjacent to the second insulating panel.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the brace has four branches which are respectively positioned between the first and the second insulating panels, between the second and the third insulating panels, between the third and the fourth insulating panels and between the fourth and the first insulating panels.

- position a second spacer made from insulating material in a manner analogous to the first spacer in order to block a second lateral end of the inter-panel space during the injection and expansion of the expanding foam.

According to one embodiment, the low temperature fluid is for example Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), preferably the low temperature fluid is a cryogenic fluid. The expression at low temperature means for example a liquid whose temperature is lower than -20°C, for example lower than -50°C, -163°C.

According to one embodiment, the expanding foam comprises a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer.

According to one embodiment, the expanding foam comprises a component chosen from: polyurethane (PU), polyisocyanurate (PI R).

[0092] Thus, the properties of the inter-panel insulation are more efficient. Indeed, polyurethane-based expanding foam has excellent insulation properties.

According to one embodiment, the expanding foam is a low-density foam, that is to say a foam having a density of between 30 and 70 kg/m ³ .

According to one embodiment, the expansion of the expanding foam is carried out by a polymerization reaction.

According to one embodiment, the polymerization reaction is carried out in a temperature range between 10 and 150 degrees Celsius (°C), for example between 10°C and 100°C, preferably between 10°C and 40°C. °C.

According to one embodiment, the spacer element covers at least 50% of the first side face of the first insulating panel, preferably at least 90%, for example 95% or all of the first side face of the first insulating panel. . According to one embodiment, the bottom strip comprises a material that is compressible in the direction of the lower end of the inter-panel space.

According to one embodiment, the bottom strip comprises a material chosen from: glass wool or a polyurethane foam. The bottom strip preferably comprises polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam has the advantage of being adhesive on the concrete and makes it possible to erase the hazards of manufacture and assembly.

According to one embodiment, the first side strip and the second side strip comprise glass wool or poly(methyl methacrylate). Poly(methyl methacrylate) is known in particular under the trade name of Plexiglas®.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the holding rod comprises glass wool.

According to one embodiment, the intermediate element is a compressible insulating element.

[0102] Thanks to these characteristics, the relative movements of the insulating panels between them resulting for example from the phenomenon of thermal contraction, thermal expansion or swell are erased in particular thanks to the presence of the compressed compressible insulating element which has a capacity to expand and contract in the thickness direction of said compressible insulating member. In addition, thanks to these characteristics, the compressible insulating element is inserted into the inter-panel space without being compressed upstream, which facilitates its insertion. In addition, thanks to these characteristics, the pressure exerted by the expanding foam during the expansion phase of the foam is directed against the compressible insulating element, thus causing its compression.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the compressible insulating element has a compression capacity in the thickness direction greater than 1 millimeter (mm), preferably greater than 2 mm, for example between 1 mm and 10 mm, in response to the pressure exerted by the expansion of the expandable foam.

[0104] Thanks to these characteristics, the inter-panel insulation can expand and/or compress in the direction of the thickness in response to the phenomena of contraction and expansion of the first and/or second adjacent insulating panels.

According to one embodiment, the compressible insulating element has a thickness of 5 mm to 50 mm before compression by the expanding foam, preferably a thickness of between 5 mm and 30 mm, for example a thickness of 10 mm. According to one embodiment, the compressible insulating element has the shape of a plate covering the first side face of the first insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the compressible insulating element comprises glass wool, the glass wool being compressed during the expansion of the expanding foam.

According to one embodiment, the spacer element comprises kraft paper, a non-adhesive stretch film or a release agent, preferably, the spacer element comprises kraft paper. According to one embodiment, the mold release agent is a lubricant.

According to one embodiment, the method for insulating an inter-panel space further comprises positioning a second spacer element against the second side face of the second insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the second spacer element comprises kraft paper, a non-adhesive stretch film or a release agent, preferably, the second spacer element comprises kraft paper.

[0111] Thanks to these characteristics, the intermediate elements will not adhere to the side faces of the first and second insulating panels. Thus, the risks of alteration of the expanded foam are greatly reduced, especially when there are relative movements of the insulating panels between them.

According to another embodiment, the compressible insulating element is fixed against the first side face of the first insulating panel during a step of prefabrication of the insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the first insulating panel or the second insulating panel comprises an insulating foam sandwiched between a first plywood plate intended to carry a waterproof membrane and a second plywood plate intended to be positioned on a support .

According to one embodiment, the first plywood plates of the first and second panels each have a threaded bore, for example provided in an insert fixed to the first or second panel, the cover being fixed against the first plywood plates of the first and second insulating panels via fastening means having a threaded rod, the threaded rods each being engaged in a hole formed in the lateral edge of the cover and in the threaded bore formed in the first plywood plate of the first or second insulating panel. [0115] According to one embodiment, a bead of mastic is positioned continuously around the periphery of the second plywood plate of the first insulating panel and of the second insulating panel.

According to one embodiment, the compartmentalization step comprises:

- the positioning of a first bead of mastic on an outer face of the second plywood plate of the first insulating panel, the first bead of mastic extending continuously along the inter-panel space;

- the positioning of a second bead of mastic on an exterior face of the second plywood plate of the second insulating panel, the second bead of mastic extending continuously along the inter-panel space.

A method of insulating an inter-panel space provided between a first and a second insulating panels of a sealed and thermally insulating vessel wall for the storage of fluid at low temperature as indicated above is carried out in particular during the manufacture of a sealed and thermally insulating tank. Such a tank is for example described in the document FR2724623 or the document FR2599468.

Such a tank can be part of an onshore storage facility, for example for storing LNG or be installed in a floating, coastal or deep-water structure, in particular an LNG carrier, a floating storage and regasification unit. (FSRU), a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others.

Brief description of figures

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration. and non-limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] [fig.1] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the steps of a method of insulating an inter-panel space according to one embodiment.

[0121] [fig.2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of two adjacent insulating panels as well as a bottom strip intended to be placed in the inter-panel space provided between said insulating panels.

[0122] [fig.3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of two adjacent insulating panels similar to Figure 2 and a spacer element intended to be disposed in the inter-panel space between said insulating panels. [0123] [fig.4] Figure 4 is a sectional view along the axis II-II of Figure 3, after installation of the spacer element.

[0124] [fig.5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of two adjacent insulating panels similar to Figures 2 and 3 as well as two side strips intended to be arranged in the inter-panel space provided between said insulating panels .

[0125] [fig.6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of two adjacent insulating panels after fixing a cover covering the inter-panel space.

[0126] [fig.7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of two adjacent insulating panels whose inter-panel space has been filled according to one embodiment.

[0127] [fig.8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an intersection area between four insulating panels comprising an inflatable device in an inflated state according to one embodiment.

[0128] [fig.9] Figure 9 illustrates a schematic sectional view of Figure 6 along the III-III axis.

[0129] [fig.1O] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of six insulating panels positioned facing each other in pairs, after fixing a cover covering an interpanel space, according to another embodiment.

[0130] [fig.11] Figure 11 illustrates a sectional view of two adjacent insulating panels as well as a cover fixed via joints according to another embodiment.

[0131] [fig.12] Figure 12 illustrates a top view of a cover according to an alternative embodiment.

[0132] [fig.13] Figure 13 illustrates a schematic perspective view of the cover shown in Figure 12.

[0133] [fig. 14] Figure 14 illustrates a sectional view of two adjacent insulating panels comprising beads of mastic according to another embodiment.

[0134] [fig. 15] Figure 15 illustrates a view from below of four insulating panels positioned facing each other two by two, comprising the beads of mastic according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 14.

[0135] [Fig.16] Figure 16 illustrates a top view of two adjacent insulating panels according to another embodiment with an inter-panel space.

[0136] [Fig. 17] Figure 17 illustrates a sectional view of the first circular recess located at the level of zone III Description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows the steps of an inter-panel space insulation process. Said inter-panel space is provided between a first and a second insulating panels of a leaktight and thermally insulating vessel wall for the storage of fluid at low temperature, in particular for the storage of LNG.

The first insulating panel comprises a first side face located opposite a second side face of the second insulating panel. The inter-panel space is delimited by the first and second side faces.

Step 100 corresponds to the insertion of an intermediate element in the interpanel space. The spacer element, for example glass wool or kraft paper is positioned against the first side face of the first insulating panel. Step 100 is represented in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is detailed below.

[0140] Figure 3 illustrates a first insulating panel 1 and a second insulating panel 2 adjacent. Said first and second insulating panels 1, 2 respectively comprise a layer of insulating foam 3, for example polyurethane foam, sandwiched between a first plywood plate 4 and a second plywood plate 5. The first plywood plate 4 being intended to carry a waterproof membrane and the second plywood plate 5 is intended to be positioned on a support, for example a wall of a ship. Cords of mastic 6 are positioned on an outer face of the second plywood plate 5 in order in particular to flatten the support on which the first insulating panel 1 and the second insulating panel 2 will be positioned. Other types of insulating panels could be also used. An inter-panel space 7 is formed by the spacing between the first insulating panel 1 and the second insulating panel 2 and more particularly by a first side face 8 of the first insulating panel 1 located opposite a second side face 9 of the second insulating panel 2. In addition, it is illustrated above the inter-panel space 7, the intermediate element 10 intended to be inserted into the inter-panel space 7. The intermediate element 10 is by example a glass wool plate 10 or a sheet of kraft paper of generally rectangular shape. The spacer element 10 has a dimension making it possible to cover the first side face 8 once installed in the inter-panel space 7. The spacer element 10 has a thickness less than the spacing located between the first side face 8 and the second side face 9. Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 2, after insertion of the intermediate element. The spacer element 10 is located against the first side face 8 and completely covers said first side face 8. The interspace panels 7 comprises at this stage of the process an empty space, that is to say without material, which is located between the intermediate element 10 and the second side face 9. This empty space is intended to be filled with expanding foam in the following the isolation process.

According to an alternative embodiment of step 100, the intermediate element 10 is fixed against the first side face of the first insulating panel during the prefabrication of the insulating panel.

[0142] The next step 101 indicated in Figure 1 corresponds to an injection of expanding foam into the inter-panel space, between the intermediate element and the second side face of the second insulating panel in order to fill said inter-panel space. . The expanding foam is for example a polyurethane-based foam. This step of injecting expanding foam makes it possible to fill the inter-panel space 7.

[0143] The next step 102 is the expansion of the expanding foam. This step makes it possible to compress the intermediate element between said expanding foam and the first side face of the first panel when the intermediate element is a compressible insulating element such as glass wool. For example, when the expanding foam is based on polyurethane, a chemical reaction of polymerization is carried out. The polymerization reaction makes it possible to increase the volume of the expanding foam initially injected. This increase in volume makes it possible to press and compress the compressible insulating element in the direction of the thickness against the first side face of the first insulating panel.

The polymerization reaction is carried out at a temperature of between 10° C. and 150° C. for 5 to 60 minutes. The polymerization reaction makes it possible to fill the inter-panel space 7, to press the intermediate element 10 against the first face 8.

As illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, the method of insulating an inter-panel space further comprises a step of compartmentalizing the inter-panel space. Said compartmentalization step has a plurality of variant embodiments that can be carried out alone or in combination.

FIG. 2 represents two adjacent insulating panels 1 and 2 as well as an inter-panel space 7 similar to FIG. 3. The spacer element 10 is not represented in this FIG. above the inter-panel space 7, a bottom strip 11 before its insertion into the inter-panel space 7. The bottom strip 11 has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. Figure 4 illustrates the bottom strip 11 after insertion into the inter-panel space 7 As shown in Figure 4, the compartmentalization step includes the insertion of the bottom strip 11 in the inter-panel space 7 to the level of a first lower end of the inter-panel space 7. This step is advantageously carried out before the step of inserting the intermediate element 10. The first lower end is located between the second plywood plate 5 of the first insulating panel 1 and the second plywood plate 5 of the second insulating panel 2, and defines a bottom of the inter-panel space 7. The first lower end extending in a longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space 7 over the entire length of the inter-panel space 7. The strip of bottom 11 has a width at least equal to the spacing located between the first side face 8 and the second side face 9 in order to fill the bottom of the inter-panel space 7, preferably, the bottom strip 11 is compressed between the first side face 8 of the first insulating panel 1 and the second side face 9 of the second insulating panel 2 and is compressed in the direction of a lower end of the inter-panel space. Such a bottom strip 11 makes it possible to prevent the flow of the expanding foam outside the interpanel space 7, in particular beyond an outer surface of the second plywood plate 5.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the compartmentalization step comprises the insertion of a first side strip 12 and a second side strip 13, performed before or after the insertion of the element spacer, preferably before insertion of the spacer element.

The first side strip 12 and the second side strip 13 are illustrated above the inter-panel space 7, before insertion into the inter-panel space 7. The first side strip 12 and the second side strip 13 have a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space 7 over the entire thickness of the insulating panels 1, 2. The first side strip 12 is inserted at the level of a first side end of the inter-panel space 7 and the second side strip 13 is inserted at a second side end of the inter-panel space 7 remote from the first side end. Such a compartmentalization step makes it possible to avoid, during the injection of expanding foam, the flow of said expanding foam outside the inter-panel space 7 in particular the flows at the level of the first lateral end and of the second end side of the interpanel space 7. As shown in Figure 6, the compartmentalization step further comprises covering the inter-panel space 7 with a cover 14 upstream of the expandable foam injection step. The cover 14 has the shape of a rectangular plate and is arranged astride the first plywood plate 4 of the first insulating panel 1 and the first plywood plate 4 of the second insulating panel 2 and extends along the entire length of the inter-panel space in order to cover the upper surface of the inter-panel space 7. The cover 14 comprises an orifice 15 which is in communication with the inter-panel space. This orifice 15 is circular in shape and allows the injection of the expanding foam into the inter-panel space, between the spacer element 10 and the second side face of the second insulating panel 2. Subsequently, the expanding foam in the inter-panel space then it expands (not shown in Figure 6). After the expansion step, the expanded foam 21 fills said inter-panel space, between the intermediate element 10 and the second side face of the second insulating panel 2 and flattens said intermediate element 10 as illustrated in FIG. 9. When the The spacer element is a compressible insulating element, it is also compressed. Then, the cover 14 is removed in order to obtain an inter-panel insulator 16 filling the entire inter-panel space and having excellent thermal insulation properties, as shown in FIG. 7. The inter-panel insulator 16 is thus constituted by the bottom strip 11, the intermediate element 10, the first side strip 12 and the second side strip 13 as well as the expanded foam.

[0151] According to a variant shown in Figure 8, the method comprises prior to the injection of expanding foam the positioning of an inflatable device 17. Figure 8 illustrates a zone located between four insulating panels comprising the first insulating panel 1, the first second insulating panel 2, a third insulating panel 18 and a fourth insulating panel 19 adjacent. The inter-panel space 7 as well as the first lateral bead 12 as described previously are visible in FIG. 8. The first insulating panels 1 have, as previously indicated, a first lateral face facing a second lateral face. of the second insulating panel 2 forming the interpanel space 7. The first insulating panel 1 also has another side face facing a side face of the third insulating panel 18 forming a second inter-panel space. Similarly, the second insulating panel 2 also has another side face facing a side face of the fourth insulating panel 19 forming a third inter-panel space. Similarly, the third insulating panel 18 also has another side face facing a side face of the fourth insulating panel 19 forming a fourth inter-panel space. The inflatable device 17 is positioned in an uninflated state in the zone defined between the first, the second, the third and the fourth insulating panels, the zone being transverse to the inter-panel space 7, i.e. that is, formed by the second interpanel space and the third consecutive interpanel space. The inflatable device 17 is positioned opposite the first side strip 12. The inflatable device is then inflated via a pump 20, for example a manual pump, in order to maintain the side strip 12 in a static position during the injection and the expansion of the expanding foam and erasing assembly and manufacturing hazards, before injecting the expanding foam into the inter-panel space 7.

[0153] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of six insulating panels positioned in two parallel rows. Each of the four side faces of each insulating panel 2 is arranged opposite a side face of another insulating panel and is aligned therewith. Figure 10 shows a cover 14 covering the inter-panel space between a first insulating panel 1 and a second insulating panel 2 adjacent. This embodiment differs from previous embodiments in that two spacer elements, for example kraft paper, are positioned in the inter-panel space. A first spacer element 111 is located against the first side face of the first insulating panel 1 and a second spacer element 112 is located against the second side face of the second insulation panel 2.

The cover 14 is fixed via fixing means 30 located on the first insulating panel 1 and on the second insulating panel 2 in order to maintain the cover 14 in the static position in a sealed manner so that the expanding foam does not overflow above beyond cover 14 during foam expansion.

[0155] Furthermore, the method comprises, prior to the injection of expanding foam, the positioning of a first spider 32 located at the intersection of the first insulating panel 1, the second insulating panel 2, a third insulating panel 18 and a fourth insulating panel 19. The first spider 32 has four branches which are each inserted into an inter-panel space provided between two of the aforementioned insulating panels 18. The first spider 32 is positioned so as to block a first lateral end of the inter-panel space.

[0156] The method further comprising the positioning of a second spider 33 located, analogously to the first spider, at the intersection of the first insulating panel 1 of the second insulating panel 2, of a fifth insulating panel 28 and of a sixth insulating panel 29. The second spider 33 is positioned so as to block a second lateral end of the inter-panel space. The method further comprises the insertion of a holding rod 31, for example made of glass wool which is positioned between the first brace 32 and the second brace 33.

[0157] According to a variant embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the cover 114 is fixed via fixing means, for example via screws which can in particular be screwed into a threaded insert fixed to the first or second insulating panel. The cover 114 rests against the first and the second insulating panels via a first seal 131 which extends over the entire length of the cover, along the edge of the first side face 8 of the first insulating panel 1 and via a second seal 132 which extends over the entire length of the cover, along the edge of the second side face 9 of the second insulating panel 2. The spacing between the first seal 131, the second seal 132 and the cover 114 forms an evacuation passage excess foam 50. The excess foam evacuation channel 50 is intended to evacuate the excess foam during the performance of the process for insulating the inter-panel space.

In addition, a film 40 consisting of a non-stick material covers the surface of the cover which is intended to be in contact with the expanding foam. The film 40 is for example made of Teflon®, that is to say made of PTFE.

Thus, in the case where the expanding foam expands and reaches a height greater than the height of the first insulating panel 1 and of the second insulating panel 2, the excess foam characterized by the volume of foam exceeding said height is evacuated. via the foam evacuation passage 50 to a container (not shown) which is located close to an edge of the first panel 1 or of the second panel 2.

[0160] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a cover that can be used in the present method. Cover 115 has a generally rectangular shape with rounded edges. The cover 115 comprises a plurality of orifices 15 similar to that illustrated in FIG. 6, the orifices 15 pass through and open towards the inter-panel space, the orifices 15 are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cover 115 The orifices 15 each have, for example, a diameter of 20 mm. The injection of expanding foam can be carried out independently via one or more orifices 15. The orifices 15 can be closed off via plugs, in particular after the step of injecting expanding foam in order to contain the foam in the interspace. panels.

The cover 115 also has a plurality of oblong holes 41, some of which have different dimensions. The oblong holes 41 make it possible to lighten the cover and therefore to facilitate the work of the operator who carries out the process. The oblong holes 41 can pass through and emerge facing the first insulating panel or the second insulation panel. Thus, the oblong holes 41 do not open into the inter-panel space.

The oblong holes 41 also make it possible to provide a through passage in order to allow the cover 115 to be fixed to the first and second insulating panels via a fixing means.

According to a variant embodiment, the lid 115 has a tab 34 projecting from the surface of the lid which is intended to be in contact with the expanding foam. Such a tongue 34 makes it possible to avoid an overflow of the foam beyond the inter-panel space by limiting the volume of the inter-panel space.

[0164] According to another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the bottom strip 11 positioned in the inter-panel space 7 as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 9 is replaced by cords of putty.

In this variant embodiment, a first bead of mastic 42 is positioned on an outer face of the second plywood plate 5 of the first insulating panel 1. The first bead of mastic 42 extends continuously along the first insulating panel 1, close to the inter-panel space 7 in order to form a first barrier intended to prevent the propagation of the expanding foam beyond the first bead of mastic 42, in particular in order to prevent the expanding foam largely flows under the first insulating panel 1.

A second bead of mastic 43 is positioned on an outer face of the second plywood plate 5 of the second insulating panel 2. The second bead of mastic 43 extends continuously along the second insulating panel 2, near of the inter-panel space 7 in order to form a second barrier intended to prevent the propagation of the expanding foam beyond the second bead of sealant 43, in particular in order to prevent the expanding foam from flowing largely under the second insulating panel 2.

The distance D between the first bead of mastic 42 and the second bead of mastic 43 is equal to or greater than the distance between the first side face 8 of the first insulating panel 1 and the second side face 9 of the second insulating panel 2 forming the inter-panel space 7. The first bead of mastic 42 and the second bead of mastic 43 have in particular the role of defining the lower lateral limits of the inter-panel space 7 so that the expanding foam can expand in the inter-panel space 7, similarly to the bottom strip 11 particularly illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 9. The expanding foam injected into the inter-panel space will therefore be partly housed in the space located between the first bead of mastic 42 and the second bead of mastic 43 and partly housed in the inter-panel space 7 .

Next, the expanding foam expands similar to the embodiments described above and forms an inverted T-shaped inter-panel insulator 116.

The same arrangement can be applied to a plurality of adjacent insulating panels as shown in Figure 14 with four insulating panels each comprising a bead of mastic positioned around the perimeter of the plywood plate 5.

Another alternative embodiment of the fixing of the cover is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. In this embodiment, the first insulating panel 1 and the second insulating panel 2 differ from the first and second insulating panels of FIG. 4 in that they respectively have a first circular recess 44, 45 and a second circular recess 46, 47 along the edge of the first side face 8 of the first insulating panel and along the edge of the second side face 9. fixing of the cover 117 is carried out via an anchoring system comprising an anchoring element 51 by circular recess 44, 45. The diagram on the left illustrated in FIG. 17 represents an anchoring element 51 in the high position, housed in the first recess 44. The anchoring element 51 comprises from the cover 117, a rod 52 which extends longitudinally in the recess 44 and which is fixed to a centering cone 55. The centering cone has a conical surface whose apex faces upward and defining a camming surface 56. The anchor 51 also includes an inflatable seal ring 54 which surrounds the camming surface 56 of the centering cone 55 and which is shown in a deflated condition on this scheme.

[0172] The diagram on the right illustrated in Figure 17 shows the anchoring element 51 in the low position, fixing the cover 117 and the gasket 133 against the first and the second insulating panels.

To do this, the inflatable annular seal 54 is inflated via an inflation system, such as a pump (not shown).

[0174] The inflation of the inflatable annular seal 54 causes:

- a displacement of the centering cone 55, downwards, in the direction of the second plywood plate of the insulating panel 2 in order to fix the cover 117 and to compress the seal 133. [0175] After the foam expansion step, the inflatable annular seal 54 is deflated, the cover and the anchoring system can be removed.

These indications concerning the anchoring element 51 inserted in the recess 44 are applicable in the same way to each anchoring element, inserted for example respectively in the first and the second circular recesses 45, 47 of the first insulating panel. 1 and the second circular recess 46 of the second insulating panel.

Such a process for isolating an inter-panel space from a leaktight and thermally insulating vessel wall is easily adaptable in order to allow the insulation of several types of inter-panel space. Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0179] The use of the verb "to comprise", "to understand" or "to include" and of its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0180] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

[Claim 1] Method for insulating an inter-panel space provided between a first insulating panel (1) and a second insulating panel (2) of a sealed and thermally insulating vessel wall for the storage of fluid at low temperature , the first insulating panel (1) comprising a first lateral face (8) facing a second lateral face (9) of the second insulating panel (2), the interpanel space (7) being delimited by the first side face (8) and the second side face (9), the method comprising the following steps:

- positioning at least one intermediate element (10, 111, 112) against at least the first side face (8) of the first insulating panel (1),

- injecting expanding foam into the inter-panel space (7) between the intermediate element (10, 111, 112) and the second side face (9) of the second insulating panel (2), so that the expanding foam expands in order to press the intermediate element (10, 111, 112) between said expanding foam and the first side face (8) of the first insulating panel (1).

[Claim 2] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to claim

1, in which the method further comprises a step of compartmentalizing the inter-panel space (7), said compartmentalizing step being carried out before the injection of the expanding foam.

[Claim 3] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to claim

2, wherein the compartmentalization step comprises inserting a bottom strip (11) into the inter-panel space (7), the bottom strip (11) being located at a lower end of the inter-panel space (7) and extending along a longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space (7) over an entire length of the inter-panel space (7).

[Claim 4] A method of insulation according to claim 3, wherein the bottom strip (11) comprises polyurethane foam.

[Claim 5] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the compartmentalizing step further comprises inserting a first side bead (12) and a second side strip (13) respectively located at a first side end and a second side end of the inter-panel space (7), the first side strip (12) and the second side strip (13 ) extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space (7).

[Claim 6] Insulation method according to one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the compartmentalization step comprises the insertion of at least one retaining rod (31) in the inter-panel space (7) , the retaining strip (31) extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space (7).

[Claim 7] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to claim 5 or the combination of claims 5 and 6, in which the first side strip (12) and the second side strip (13) comprise wool glass.

[Claim 8] Method for insulating an inter-panel space of a leaktight and thermally insulating vessel wall according to one of Claims 2 to 7, comprising, prior to the injection of expanding foam:

- positioning an inflatable device (17) in an uninflated state in an area defined between at least one of the first and second insulating panels and a third insulating panel adjacent to said first or second insulating panel, the area being transverse to the space inter-panel and the inflatable device being positioned facing the inter-panel space (7),

- inflating the inflatable device (17) so that said inflatable device (17) in an inflated state bears at least against the third insulating panel and covers the first lateral end of the inter-panel space (7) in order to maintain the foam expansive in the inter-panel space (7) during the injection and the expansion of the expanding foam.

[Claim 9] Method of insulating an inter-panel space of a sealed and thermally insulating vessel wall according to claim 8 taken in combination with claim 5, in which the inflatable device (17) is positioned facing the first side strip (12), the inflatable device (17) being inflated so that said inflatable device (17) presses against the first side strip (12) in order to maintain the first side strip (12) in a static position.

[Claim 10] Method for insulating an inter-panel space according to one of Claims 1 to 7, comprising, prior to the injection of expanding foam:

- positioning a first spider (31) made from insulating material in an area defined between at least one of the first insulating panel (1) and second insulating panel (2) and a third insulating panel (18) adjacent to said first or second insulating panel, the zone being transverse to the inter-panel space (7) and the spider (31) being positioned so as to block a first lateral end of the inter-panel space (7) during injection and expansion expanding foam.

[Claim 11] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to one of Claims 2 to 10, in which the compartmentalisation step comprises covering the inter-panel space (7) with a cover (14), the cover (14) comprising an orifice (15) through which the expanding foam is injected into the interpanel space (7).

[Claim 12] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to claim 11, in which the cover (14) has a tongue (34) projecting from a surface of the cover which is intended to be in contact with the foam expansive.

[Claim 13] A method of insulating an inter-panel space according to claim 11 or 12, in which the cover (14) is fixed against the first and the second insulating panels (1, 2) via a fixing means.

[Claim 14] Method of insulating an inter-panel space of a sealed and thermally insulating vessel wall according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which the expanding foam comprises polyurethane.

[Claim 15] Method of insulating an inter-panel space of a leaktight and thermally insulating vessel wall according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the intermediate element is a compressible insulating element (10).

[Claim 16] A method of insulating an inter-panel space of a sealed and thermally insulating vessel wall according to claim 15, wherein the compressible insulating element comprises glass wool, the glass wool being compressed during the expansion of the expanding foam.

[Claim 17] A method of insulating an inter-panel space of a watertight and thermally insulating vessel wall according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which the intermediate element comprises kraft paper, a non-stretchable film adhesive or a release agent, preferably kraft paper.

[Claim 18] Method for insulating an inter-panel space of a leaktight and thermally insulating vessel wall according to one of Claims 2 to 17, in which the first insulating panel (1) and the second insulating panel (2 ) each comprise an insulating foam (3) sandwiched between a first plywood plate (5) intended to carry a waterproof membrane and a second plywood plate (5) intended to be positioned on a support, in which the step of compartmentalization includes:

- the positioning of a first mastic bead (42) on an outer face of the second plywood plate (5) of the first insulating panel (1), the first mastic bead (42) extending continuously along inter-panel space (7);

- the positioning of a second bead of mastic (43) on an outer face of the second plywood plate (5) of the second insulating panel (2), the second bead of mastic (43) extending continuously along of the inter-panel space (7). I