WO2024003480A1

WO2024003480A1 - Storage tank for transporting and/or storing a gas in the liquid state

Info

Publication number: WO2024003480A1
Application number: PCT/FR2023/050834
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc BOYEAU; Emmanuel Rousseau; Killian VICTOR
Original assignee: Gaztransport Et Technigaz
Priority date: 2022-06-28
Filing date: 2023-06-09
Publication date: 2024-01-04
Also published as: FR3137152A1

Abstract

The main subject matter of the present invention is a storage tank (1) for transporting and/or storing a gas (4) in the liquid state, comprising at least an upper wall (8), a lower wall (10) and several side walls (6) extending between the upper wall (8) and the lower wall (10) and delimiting a storage space (2) for the gas (4) in the liquid state, the storage tank (1) comprising at least one anti-sloshing system (22) comprising at least one panel (24), at least one first fixing device (26) for the panel (24), connected to one of the walls (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1), and at least one second fixing device (28) for the panel (24), connected to another wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1), characterized in that at least one of the fixing devices (26, 28) is configured to allow two axial degrees of freedom (LL, VV) between the panel (24) and the wall of the storage tank (1) to which said fixing device (26, 28) is connected.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title: Storage tank intended to transport and/or store gas in the liquid state

The present invention relates to the field of storing a gas in the liquid state, and more particularly relates to a storage tank intended to transport and/or store said gas in the liquid state.

It is known to transport gas, particularly in the liquid state, by sea in waterproof and thermally insulating storage tanks provided on transport ships. The gas, which can for example be ammonia, carbon dioxide or even liquid dihydrogen, is maintained in the liquid state to increase the quantity of natural gas transported per tank, the volume of one liter of natural gas in liquid form being much less than the volume of a liter of natural gas in gaseous form. These tanks maintain the gas in the liquid state at very low temperature, and more precisely at a temperature below 0°C, the temperature at which ammonia is in liquid form at atmospheric pressure.

Natural gas tanks in the liquid state generally have a parallelepiped shape whose walls are supported by the internal hull of the ship in which the tank(s) are installed. More particularly, the hull of the ships on which the tanks are loaded comprise an external shell in contact with the external environment of the ship, and an internal shell used as a supporting structure for the tanks.

When transporting natural gas in the liquid state, the ship navigates on a body of water, such as at sea for example, it is subject to swell or pitching, causing the ship to move. The gas in liquid state stored in the tank is also bounced around until it forms waves which hit the internal walls of the tank. These waves then cause shocks against these walls which must be avoided if we wish to maintain the mechanical integrity of these walls.

It is known from document KR100961863 to install an anti-sloshing system within the storage tank in order to limit this phenomenon. This anti-sloshing system is composed at least one wall extending into the internal volume of the tank by delimiting two spaces in which the natural gas is stored in the liquid state. This wall installed within the tank breaks the waves and thus limits the shocks suffered by the internal wall of the tank.

The fixing of this anti-sloshing wall in relation to the tank is an important aspect. The fixing devices for this anti-sloshing wall do not meet all the thermal and mechanical constraints that exist within this tank. In fact, the tank alternates between phases where its walls are at ambient temperature and phases where the walls of the tank are in contact with a liquid whose temperature is less than 0°C. This temperature difference generates dimensional changes in the walls of the tank and the anti-sloshing wall must both fulfill its role of shock resistance while allowing these dimensional changes.

The present invention fits into this context by proposing an improvement compared to already existing solutions. The subject of the invention is therefore an anti-sloshing system which allows one or more movements relative to the walls of the tank so as to be able to absorb at least in part the thermal stresses.

In this context, the main object of the present invention is a storage tank intended to transport and/or store a gas in the liquid state comprising at least one upper wall, one lower wall and several side walls extending between the upper wall. and the lower wall delimiting a space for storing the gas in the liquid state, the storage tank comprising at least one anti-sloshing system comprising at least one panel, at least one first device for fixing the panel connected to one walls of the storage tank and at least one second device for fixing the panel connected to another wall of the storage tank, characterized in that at least one of the fixing devices is configured to allow at least one degree of axial freedom between the panel and the wall of the storage tank to which said fixing device is connected, while the other fixing device is configured to implement three degrees of axial connection between the panel and the wall of the storage tank to which said other fixing device is connected. The walls of the storage tank advantageously extend taking a parallelepiped shape which delimit the storage space in which the gas in the liquid state is intended to be stored. The anti-sloshing system is for its part installed at least partially in the storage space of the storage tank, being configured to reduce the sloshing of the gas in the liquid state stored in the storage tank. More particularly, the panel of the anti-sloshing system extends into the storage space of the storage tank, the fixing device advantageously extending both into the storage space of the wall of the storage tank and at least partially through the walls of the storage tank, to anchor on an internal hull of the ship.

Note that the panels of the sloshing system extend in a main plane of extension, one edge of the assembly formed by the panels being at a non-zero distance from a wall of the tank, according to said main plane d 'extension. In other words, the panels divide the internal volume of the tank but there is a passage provided between the edge of an end panel and the side wall of the tank which is perpendicular to the main plane of extension of this sign.

By degree of freedom we understand the fact that an object is mobile along an axis, in two directions along this axis. There are thus three axial degrees of freedom, along three axes perpendicular to each other, and three degrees of freedom in rotation around said three axes. The degrees of freedom mentioned here only concern the axial degrees of freedom, the rotational degrees of freedom are not concerned by the invention.

Thus, the degrees of freedom within the meaning of the invention correspond to the mobility offered by at least one of the fixing devices along an axis relative to the wall of the tank. The panel, or the set of panels, can thus move in two directions along two axial degrees of freedom, advantageously perpendicular to each other. Thus, as mentioned above, at least one of the fixing devices comprises two axial degrees of freedom, that is to say that the panel, or the set of panels, is movable relative to to the wall of the storage tank within which it is mounted along a first axis and along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. By degree of connection we understand the fact that an object is immobilized along an axis, in two directions along this axis. There are thus three degrees of axial connection, along three axes perpendicular to each other, and three degrees of connection in rotation around said three axes. The degrees of connection mentioned here only concern the axial degrees of connection, the degrees of rotational connection are not concerned by the invention.

Thus, the degrees of connection within the meaning of the invention correspond to the immobilization offered by at least one of the fixing devices along three axes relative to the wall of the tank. The panel, or set of panels, is thus immobile in two directions along three degrees of axial connection, advantageously perpendicular to each other.

Gas in the liquid state is generally stored at temperatures below 0°C, these temperatures can even go as low as -163°C. The tank wall components are designed to tolerate some deformation due to thermal change between the time liquid gas is stored in the storage tank and the time the storage tank is empty, the degrees of axial freedom therefore participating, and in a clever way, in reducing the risk of damage at the level of the attachment between the anti-sway system and the components of the wall of the storage tank.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the first fixing device comprises at least a first fixing point configured to allow three degrees of axial connection between the panel and the wall of the storage tank to which the first fixing device is connected. fixing, and at least a second fixing point configured to allow an axial degree of freedom and two degrees of axial connection between the panel and the wall of the storage tank to which the first fixing device is connected.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the second fixing device comprises at least a first fixing point configured to authorize an axial degree of freedom and two degrees of axial connection between the panel and the wall of the storage tank to which is connected the second fixing device, and at least one second fixing point configured to allow two axial degrees of freedom and one degree of axial connection between the panel and the wall of the storage tank to which the second fixing device is connected. The first fixing device and the second fixing device are distinct and separated from each other.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one of the fixing devices comprises at least one fixing foot which passes through one of the walls of the storage tank and a connecting rail between the panel and the foot of fixing, the connecting rail being integral with the panel, the fixing foot having at least one fixing portion extending at least partly through said wall of the storage tank and a connecting portion extending at least in part in the storage space and cooperating with the connecting rail, the connecting rail being able to be movable along one of the axial degrees of freedom.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the axial degree of freedom of the first fixing device corresponds to a direction of main elongation of the storage tank.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the fixing device comprises several fixing feet installed one after the other along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank, the connecting rail comprising at least one means for longitudinally blocking the movement of said connecting rail along one of the axial degrees of freedom. We understand that the longitudinal blocking means of the connecting rail is produced along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, one of the fixing feet is a central fixing foot disposed between at least two fixing feet, the means for blocking longitudinal movement cooperating with the central fixing foot.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the central fixing foot corresponds to the first fixing point of the first fixing device.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the connecting rail receives at least one bolt and has at least one opening intended to accommodate the bolt, the fixing foot comprising at least one means of fixing to the connecting rail, the bolt cooperating with the fixing means to secure the connecting rail to the fixing foot.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the connecting rail comprises at least one plate made integral with the guide rail by the bolt, the plate comprising at least one coating of material reducing the friction forces between the plate and the rail. guidance.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the panel comprises a main section extending in a plane parallel to a direction of main elongation of the storage tank and to a vertical direction and at least one end section extending extending in the plane parallel to a direction of main elongation of the storage tank and to a transverse direction, the end section being integral with the connecting rail.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the panel comprises side panels each extending in planes parallel to the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the panel comprises stiffening means comprising at least one stiffening wall extending perpendicular to the main panel and the end panel, being integral with the main panel and the end panel .

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the panel has an upper end facing the upper wall of the storage tank and a lower end facing the lower wall of the storage tank, the first fixing device being arranged between the upper end of the panel and the upper wall of the storage tank, the second fixing device being arranged between the lower end of the panel and the lower wall of the storage tank, thus forming an anti-sloshing wall.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the first fixing device is disposed between the lower end of the panel and the lower wall of the storage tank, the second fixing device being disposed between the upper end of the panel and the upper wall of the storage tank so as to form an anti-sloshing wall.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the anti-swaying system comprises a plurality of panels aligned in the same plane.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the main sections of the panels are part of the same plane.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the means for longitudinally blocking the movement of the connecting rail along one of the axial degrees of freedom constitutes the first fixing device.

The present invention also relates to a ship intended to transport gas in the liquid state comprising at least one storage tank as explained above and a hull inside which the at least one storage tank is arranged. , at least one of the fixing devices being integral with said shell.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand. share, on which:

[Fig. 1] is a cross section of a storage tank according to the invention comprising an anti-sloshing system;

[Fig. 2] is a perspective view of the anti-sloshing system illustrated in Figure 1;

[Fig. 3] is a detailed perspective view of a fixing device for the anti-sway system illustrated in Figure 1;

[Fig. 4] is another detailed perspective view of the fixing device of the anti-sway system illustrated in Figure 3;

[Fig. 5] is a detailed perspective view of a first fixing device of the anti-swaying system illustrated in Figure 4; [Fig. 6] is a detailed perspective view of a second fixing device of the anti-swaying system illustrated in Figure 2;

[Fig. 7] is a cross section of the fixing device of the anti-sloshing system illustrated in Figure 3 by section A-A.

The characteristics, variants and different embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive with respect to each other. In particular, it will be possible to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and/or to differentiate the invention. compared to the prior art.

In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a storage tank according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main direction of extension of the storage tank, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of an L, V, T illustrated in the figures and corresponds to the main direction of extension of the ship between its bow and its stern. A transverse direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the plane in which an anti-sloshing system of the storage tank is located, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the mark L, V, T and this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T.

In Figure 1 is illustrated a sectional view of a storage tank 1 according to the invention comprising walls participating in delimiting a storage space 2 of a gas 4 in the liquid state. More particularly, the tank generally comprises two transverse walls extending parallel to each other, two side walls 6 extending parallel to each other along a direction of main elongation of the tank storage 1 and perpendicular to the transverse walls, an upper wall 8 and a lower wall 10 extending parallel to the upper wall 8 along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1 and perpendicular to the side walls 6 and the transverse walls, the two transverse walls not being shown in Figure 1.

In other words, the transverse walls extend in planes perpendicular to a longitudinal direction L, this longitudinal direction L being parallel and/or coincident with the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1. The side walls 6 are inscribed in planes perpendicular to a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, the upper wall 8 and the lower wall 10 extending in planes perpendicular to a vertical direction V.

The storage tank 1 also comprises at least two connecting walls 12 extending between the side walls 6 and the upper wall 8 along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1.

The storage tank 1 is configured to store gas 4 in the liquid state, such as liquid natural gas, ammonia or even liquid petroleum gas, this list not being exhaustive. This type of gas 4 is in the liquid state at temperatures below 0°C at atmospheric pressure, the temperatures being able to go, for example up to -163°C in the case of storage of liquid natural gas.

For this, the walls 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1 are designed to thermally isolate the gas 4 in the liquid state stored in the storage tank 1 with respect to the environment outside the storage tank 1 For this, the walls 6, 8, 10 successively comprise, from the outside towards the inside of the storage tank 1, a secondary layer of thermal insulation 14, a secondary sealing membrane 16, a primary layer of thermal insulator 18 and a primary sealing membrane 20, the latter delimiting the storage space 2. It is understood that each of the components rest on top of each other, that is to say that the primary sealing membrane 20 rests on the primary layer of thermal insulator 18, the latter resting on the secondary sealing membrane 16 which in turn rests on the secondary layer of thermal insulator 14. Advantageously, the storage tank 1 is mounted on a ship configured to transport gas 4 in the liquid state. More particularly, the ship comprises a hull to which the storage tank 1 is fixed, the secondary layer of thermal insulation 14 resting at least partly against the hull. We understand that the hull of the ship participates in forming a supporting structure of the storage tank 1.

As visible in Figure 1, the storage tank 1 comprises at least one anti-sloshing system 22 comprising at least one panel 24, at least one first fixing device 26 of the panel 24 connected to one of the walls 6, 8 , 10 of the storage tank 1 and at least one second fixing device 28 of the panel 24 connected to another of the walls 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1.

In the example illustrated here, the panel 24 has an upper end facing the upper wall 8 and a lower end facing the lower wall 10. The first fixing device 26 connects the upper end of the panel 24 to the wall upper 8 while the second fixing device 28 connects the lower end of the panel 24 to the lower wall 10. It is therefore understood that the panel 24 extends vertically between the upper wall 8 and the lower wall 10.

According to an alternative and/or complementary example to that illustrated in Figure 1, one of the fixing devices 26, 28 connects the panel 24 to one or the other of the upper wall 8 or the lower wall 10 while that the other fixing device 26, 28 connects the panel 24 to one of the transverse walls.

According to another alternative and/or complementary example to that illustrated in Figure 1, one of the fixing devices 26, 28 connects the panel 24 to one of the transverse walls while the other fixing device 26, 28 connects the panel 24 to the other of the transverse walls.

Note that despite the presence of the panel(s) 24, the anti-sloshing system 22 according to the invention allows circulation of gas in the liquid state from a first portion of the storage space 2 to a second portion of the storage space 2, the separation between these portions being achieved by the anti-sloshing system 22 according to the invention. In each of the examples described above, the panel 24 is in a plane parallel, or substantially parallel, to a plane in which at least one of the side walls 6 of the storage tank 1 extends. This arrangement is advantageous in order to allow the anti-sloshing system 22 to reduce the sloshing of the gas 4 in the liquid state stored in the storage tank 1.

According to the invention, at least one of the fixing devices 26, 28 is configured to allow two axial degrees of freedom LL, W between the panel 24 and the wall 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1 to which is connected said fixing device 26, 28. By “degree of freedom” is meant the fact that an object can be movable along a given axis, in particular by translation.

In the example illustrated here, the two axial degrees of freedom LL, W authorize at least one of the fixing devices 26, 28 to be movable in translation along two axes perpendicular to each other, these two axes being respectively parallel to one of the longitudinal L or vertical V directions.

The two axial degrees of freedom LL, W of one of the fixing devices 26, 28 relative to the wall 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1 to which it is connected provide several advantages, while continuing to ensure a reduction in the sloshing of the cargo of gas 4 in the liquid state contained in the storage tank 1.

Advantageously, the first axial degree of freedom LL of one of the fixing devices 26, 28 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L while the other axial degree of freedom W of said fixing device 26, 28 extends substantially parallel to the vertical direction V.

In addition to its two axial degrees of freedom LL, W, one of the fixing devices 26, 28 is configured to implement a degree of axial connection TT between the panel 24 and the wall 6, 8, 10 of the tank storage device 1 to which said fixing device 26, 28 is connected. By “degree of axial connection” is meant the fact that an object is made immobile along a predefined axis relative to another object. Here, one of the fixing devices 26, 28 comprises a degree of axial connection along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis. Advantageously, the degree of axial connection of the fixing device 26, 28 is substantially parallel to the transverse direction T.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first fixing device 26 is configured to allow three degrees of axial connection LL, TT, W between the panel 24 and the upper wall 8 of the storage tank 1 to which is connected the first fixing device 26, the second fixing device 28 is configured to authorize at least one axial degree of freedom LL, W and one degree of axial connection TT between the panel 24 and the lower wall 10 of the storage tank 1 to which is connected to the second fixing device 28.

More precisely, a first degree of axial connection LL of the first fixing device 26 advantageously extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L, a second degree of axial connection TT extending parallel to the transverse direction T and a third degree of axial connection W parallel to the vertical direction V. Concerning the second fixing device 28, it preferably comprises a first axial degree of freedom LL extending along the longitudinal direction L and a second axial degree of freedom W extending along the vertical direction V, the degree of axial connection TT of said second fixing device extending parallel to the transverse direction T. It is understood here that this degree of axial connection TT authorizes the movement of the panels 24 along the axial degrees of freedom LL, W axial, in particular during the vertical contraction/expansion of the storage tank 1 relative to the panels 24 resulting from a thermal change of the walls 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1, and/or vice versa, that is to say a contraction/expansion of the panels 24 relative to the storage tank 1.

However, an anti-swaying system 22 in which the first fixing device 26 allows two axial degrees of freedom LL, W and one degree of axial connection TT and the second fixing device 28 allows three degrees of axial connection LL, W, TT , or an anti-swaying system 22 in which each of the fixing devices allows two axial degrees of freedom LL, W and one degree of axial connection TT would not, however, depart from the context of the invention. We will now describe in more detail the structure of the fixing device 26, 28 then of the panel 24 of the anti-swaying system 22, in particular with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

In the remainder of the description, the term “fixing device 26, 28” may refer to one and/or the other of the first fixing device 26 and/or the second fixing device 28, the characteristics described relatively to the term “fixing device 26, 28” can thus correspond to either of the fixing devices 26, 28, unless otherwise stated.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 7, at least one of the fixing devices 26, 28 comprises at least one fixing foot 30 which passes through one of the walls 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1 and a connecting rail 32 between the panel 24 and the fixing foot 30, the connecting rail 32 being secured to the panel 24. The fixing foot 30 thus ensures the connection between the anti-swaying system 22 and the wall 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1, the connecting rail 32 forming a link between the panel 24 and the fixing foot 30.

The fixing foot 30 thus comprises a fixing portion 34 intended to be arranged through the wall 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1 and a connecting portion 36 extending between the fixing portion 34 and the rail connection 32.

The fixing portion 34 has an end capable of being made integral with a supporting structure of the storage tank 1, for example the internal hull of the ship which receives the storage tank 1. In other words, the fixing foot 30 is directly fixed to the hull of the ship by extending through the wall 6, 8, 10 of the storage tank 1.

In order to guarantee the tightness of the wall of the storage tank 1, and as more particularly visible in Figures 1 and 7, the fixing portion 34 comprises, from the end capable of being made integral with the supporting structure towards the connecting portion 36, a secondary thermal insulation trunk 38, a secondary sealing platform 40, a primary thermal insulation trunk 42 and a primary sealing platform 44. More precisely, the secondary thermal insulation trunk 38 is configured to ensure continuity with the secondary thermal insulation layer 14, the secondary sealing platform 40 being configured to be arranged in continuity with the secondary sealing membrane 16, the primary thermal insulation trunk 42 being configured to ensure continuity with the primary thermal insulation layer 18 and the primary sealing platform 44 being configured to be arranged in continuity with the primary sealing membrane 20. In this configuration, the arrangement of the fixing foot 30 through the wall of the storage tank 1 makes it possible to secure the anti-sloshing system 22 to the hull of the ship while limiting the thermal impact on the storage tank 1, that is to say by limiting the heat loss between the cargo of the storage tank 1 and the environment outside the storage tank 1.

The connecting portion 36 for its part comprises a barrel 46 extending from the fixing portion 34 towards the panel 24 having a free end and at least one means of fixing 48 of the barrel 46 to the connecting rail 32, as visible on Figures 4 and 7. The barrel 46 has a direction of revolution which extends along the vertical direction V.

The fixing means 48 of the barrel 46 generally takes the form of a bar 50 extending on either side of the barrel 46, parallel to the transverse direction T. Advantageously, and as visible in Figure 3, the means of fixing 48 comprises the shape of two bars 50 extending one parallel to the other along the transverse direction T on either side of the barrel 46.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the connecting portion 36 of at least one of the fixing devices 26, 28 comprises a second fixing means 52, for example taking the form of a plate 54, extending towards the connecting rail 32 parallel to the transverse direction T, the bar 50 then being for example a first fixing means 48. Advantageously, the second fixing means 52 comprises two plates 54 extending from the free end of the portion connection 36 along the same direction parallel to the transverse direction T, in two directions opposite to each other. The plates 54 are configured to cooperate with the connecting rail 32, as will be described later in the remainder of the description.

In the example illustrated here, only the connecting portion 36 of the foot of the fixing 30 of the first fixing device 26 comprises a second fixing means 52, the connecting portion 36 of the fixing foot 30 of the second fixing device 28 not comprising here as the first fixing means 48. In addition, the connecting rail 32 of the first fixing device 26 is different from the connecting rail of the second fixing device 28.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the connecting rail 32 of the first fixing device 26 comprises on the one hand at least one connecting beam 56 and on the other hand a frame 58 secured to both the connecting beam 56 and the panel 24. In this configuration, the first fixing means 48 of the barrel 46 are advantageously secured to the connecting beam 56, while the second fixing means 52 of the barrel 46 is secured to at least the frame 58 thus making a connection between the connecting beam 56 and the panel 24.

More precisely, the connecting rail 32 of the first fixing device 26 comprises at least two connecting beams 56 extending mainly parallel to the longitudinal direction L. Each of the connecting beams 56 have an "I" section seen in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. According to the example illustrated in Figure 7, the bars 50 of the connecting portion 36 of the fixing foot 30 are made integral with the connecting beams 56. Advantageously, this connection between the bars 50 and the connecting beams 56 is made by screwing.

The frame 58, for its part, comprises two additional beams 60 also extending mainly parallel to the longitudinal direction L, each of the additional beams 60 having an "I" section seen in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, and at minus a brace 62 extending between the additional beams 60.

Each additional beam 60 is arranged vertically below one of the connecting beams 56 along the vertical direction V. It is understood here that the additional beams 60 are opposite the wall 6, 8, 10 on which is fixed the fixing device 26, 28 relative to the connecting beams 56 and in the vertical direction V.

At least one of the additional beams 60 has a transverse orifice 69 in which the plate 54 of the connecting portion 36 of the fixing foot 30 extends at least partially. Advantageously, each of the additional beams 60 comprises at least one transverse orifice 69 configured to accommodate at least in part a plate 54 of the connecting portion 36 of the fixing foot 30. The transverse orifice 69 presents by elsewhere an oblong shape of which a main extension dimension can be measured along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The length of the through orifice 69 is strictly greater than the dimension of the plate 54, measured along the same direction so as to allow movement along the longitudinal direction L.

Advantageously, the frame 58 comprises at least a first spacer 62 and a second spacer 62 extending between the additional beams 60, the first spacer 62 and the second spacer 62 participating in defining a housing for the free end of the connecting portion 36 of the fixing foot 30. The spacers 62 help to hold the additional beams 60 in position relative to each other.

Advantageously, the second fixing means 52 of the connecting portion 36 is integral with the frame 58 of the connecting rail 32, and more particularly with the additional beams 60. More precisely, the plates 54 extend partly through the through holes 69 additional beams 60. The plates 54 are then fixed at their free edges to the connecting beam 56, making the plate 54 integral both with the connecting beam 56, and with the additional beam 60 which is itself integral with the connecting beam 56.

As visible in Figure 7, each of the fixing means 48, 52 makes it possible to secure the fixing foot 30 to the connecting rail 32 at least by screwing.

In Figure 5, the connecting beam 56 comprises at least one through opening 53, the first fixing means 48 also comprising a similar opening so that a bolt 55 is housed through these two openings in order to secure the first means fixing 48 of the connecting beam 56. Furthermore, certain elements have been removed from Figure 5, such as bolts and a plate to be able to illustrate at least the opening 53 mentioned above.

According to the invention and as visible in Figure 5, the opening 53 through the connecting beam 56 and/or the opening of the first fixing means 48 have an oblong shape extending mainly along the direction d main elongation of the storage tank 1. We understand that the bolt 55, even once correctly housed and fixed in the openings of the connecting beam 56 and the first fixing means 48, allows movement along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1, between the connecting beam 56 and the first fixing means 48 This particular shape of the opening 53 helps to authorize an axial degree of freedom LL of the connecting rail 32 relative to the fixing foot 30, in particular along the longitudinal direction L.

The connecting rail 32 also comprises at least one plate 57 which is arranged against the connecting beam 56 and which advantageously has an opening similar to that of the connecting beam 56 and the first fixing means 48. In other words, the opening can have a circular shape or an oblong shape without departing from the scope of the invention.

Advantageously, the connecting rail 42 comprises two plates 57 arranged on either side of the connecting beam 56 so that the openings are aligned with each other along the transverse direction T. Several bolts 55 secure the plates 57, the connecting beam 56 and the first fixing means 48 between them.

The plate 57 comprises at least one coating made of a material reducing friction forces. Advantageously, the plate 57 is entirely composed of a material reducing friction forces, which allows the plate 57 to slide against the connecting beam 56 to allow dimensional changes which result from contractions and thermal expansions. The material reducing the friction forces can for example be Teflon®, without this being limiting to the invention.

The connecting beam 56 comprises at least one other through opening 59 on either side of the connecting beam 56 along the transverse direction V, the additional beam 60 and the second fixing means 52 each also comprising a similar opening of so that a bolt 61 is housed through these openings in order to secure the second fixing means 52 of the additional beam 60 with the connecting beam 56. Similar to what has been described previously, the through opening 59 of the connecting beam 56 and/or the opening of the second fixing means 52 and of the additional beam 60 have an oblong shape extending mainly along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1. It is understood that the bolt 61, even once correctly housed and fixed in the openings of the connecting beam 56, of the additional beam 60 and of the second fixing means 52, allows a movement along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1, between the longitudinal ends of the openings. This particular shape of the other opening 59 also contributes to authorizing the axial degree of freedom LL of the connecting rail 32 relative to the fixing foot 30, in particular along the longitudinal direction L.

Advantageously, a plate 57 similar to what has been described previously can also be placed between the connecting beam 56 and/or the second fixing means 52.

It is understood from the above that the connecting rail 32 of the first fixing device 26 is advantageously movable in translation at least along the longitudinal direction L relative to at least one of the fixing feet 30, which is, as a reminder, parallel to the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1. In other words, it is the cooperation between the connecting rail 32 and the fixing foot 30 which authorizes at least one axial degree of freedom LL of the fixing device 26, 28 This translation is in particular authorized by the mounting of the connecting rail 32 on the fixing foot 30, which is advantageously produced by screwing into openings 53, 59 of oblong shape and which tolerates, in the context of the invention, a translation of the rail connection 32 relative to the fixing foot 30 at least along the longitudinal direction L.

The connecting rail 32 of the second fixing device 28 differs from the connecting rail 32 of the first fixing device 26 in that it comprises at least one connecting beam 56 in contact with both the fixing foot 30 of the second device fixing device 28 and the panel 24, as visible in Figure 6. The connecting rail 32 of the second fixing device 28 does not include a frame similar to that which was described previously in about the connecting rail 32 of the first fixing device 26, the panel being directly fixed on the connecting beam 56.

Advantageously, the connecting rail 32 of the second fixing device 28 comprises two connecting beams 56 arranged relative to each other similar to what has been described with regard to the connecting beams 56 of the first fixing device 26. In this configuration, the connecting beams 56 of the second fixing device 28 each comprise at least one through hole 63 intended to accommodate a bolt 65 to secure the first fixing means 48 of the connecting beam 56 and a plate 67. This The latter is similar to what was described previously with regard to the plate 57 of the first fixing device 26.

The through holes 63 of the connecting beams 56 of the second fixing device 28 have a circular shape whose periphery falls within a diameter significantly greater than the diameter of the bolt 65. It is understood that the bolt 65, even once correctly housed and fixed in the through hole 63 of the connecting beam 56 and the first fixing means 48, is movable along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1 and along the vertical direction V. As an example , the diameter of the through hole 63 is at least twice greater than the diameter of a screw constituting the bolt 65, while nevertheless being greater than the hole made in the plate 67. This particular shape of the through hole 63 helps to allow two degrees of axial freedom LL, W of the connecting rail 32 relative to the fixing foot 30, in particular in a plane in which the longitudinal direction L and the vertical direction V are inscribed.

It is understood from the above that the connecting rail 32 of the second fixing device 28 is advantageously movable in translation at least along the vertical direction V and along the longitudinal direction L which is, as a reminder, parallel to the direction main elongation of the storage tank 1. In other words, it is the cooperation between the connecting rail 32 and the fixing foot 30 which authorizes at least two axial degrees of freedom LL, W of the second fixing device 28. This translation is notably authorized by the mounting of the connecting rail 32 on the fixing foot 30, which is advantageously produced by screwing into through holes 63 of circular shape and which tolerates, in the context of the invention, a translation of the connecting rail 32 relative to the fixing foot 30, along the longitudinal direction L and along the direction vertical V.

The second fixing device 28 is axially blocked in position at least along the transverse direction T, which is, as a reminder, perpendicular to the longitudinal directions L and vertical directions V. In other words, it is the cooperation between the connecting rail 32 and the fixing foot 30 which blocks the translation of the second fixing device 28 according to the degree of axial connection TT.

Advantageously, and as visible in Figures 2 to 4, the first fixing device 26 comprises several fixing feet 30 aligned one after the other along the longitudinal direction L, all of the fixing feet 30 cooperating with the connecting rail 32 of the fixing device 26, 28. The fixing feet 30 are similar to what has been previously described, and they are also arranged through the wall 6, 8, 10 while being fixed to the shell of the vessel like what has been previously described.

According to the invention, the connecting rail 32 comprises at least one longitudinal blocking means 64 for the movement of said connecting rail 32 along one of the axial degrees of freedom LL of the panel 24. It is understood that the longitudinal blocking means 64 of the movement of the connecting rail 32 is designed to limit the movement of said connecting rail 32 relative to the fixing foot 30 along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1, that is to say the along the longitudinal direction L and therefore along the axial degree of freedom LL of the panel 24. The longitudinal blocking means 64 of the connecting rail 32 takes for example the form of at least one stop member 66 projecting from a connecting beam 56 along the transverse direction T, extending for example between the two connecting beams 56 of the connecting rail 32. In the example, the longitudinal blocking means 64 of the movement comprises a pair of members stop 66 configured so that one of the bars 50 of the fixing foot 30 abuts against the stop members 66 of the same pair of stop members 66, each of the stop members 66 of the pair projecting from the beams of connection 56 towards each other. Advantageously and as particularly visible in Figure 3, the longitudinal blocking means 64 of the movement of the connecting rail 32 comprises two pairs of stop members 66, one of which projects from one of the connecting beams 56 on either side and other bars 50 of the fixing foot 30, so that one of the two pairs of stop members 66 are in contact with one of the bars 50 while the other pair of stop members 66 is in contact with contact of the other bar 50 of the fixing foot 30.

It can be understood from the above that the longitudinal blocking means 64 represents a fixed point of the anti-sloshing system 22 relative to the walls of the storage tank 1.

Even more advantageously, each of the fixing devices 26, 28 comprises a longitudinal blocking means 64 of the movement of the connecting rail 32 along one of the axial degrees of freedom LL, W. It is understood that one of the means of longitudinal blocking 64 is arranged at the level of the fixing device 26 secured to the upper wall 8 of the storage tank 1 and that the other longitudinal blocking means 64 is arranged at the level of the second fixing device 28 secured to the lower wall 10 of the storage tank 1.

It can also be defined that one of the fixing feet 30 of the set of fixing feet is a central fixing foot 30 disposed between at least two other fixing feet 30. According to the invention, the longitudinal blocking means 64 of the connecting rail 32 cooperates with the central fixing foot 30.

It is understood from the above that the central fixing foot 30 of the first fixing device 26 then represents a fixing point allowing three degrees of axial connection LL, TT, W of the panel relative to the storage tank 1, while the central fixing foot 30 of the second fixing device 28 represents a fixing point authorizing two degrees of axial connection LL, TT and one degree of axial freedom W.

In addition, the fixing feet 30 of the first fixing device 26, apart from the central fixing foot 30, allow an axial degree of freedom LL along the longitudinal direction L. The fixing feet 30 of the second fixing device 28, apart from the central fixing foot, allows two axial degrees of freedom LL, W along one side of the longitudinal direction L and along the vertical direction V. We will now describe the panel 24 of the anti-sloshing system 22 in more detail, in particular with reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, the anti-sway system 22 comprises an anti-sway wall 23 formed by at least two panels 24. At least one panel 24 comprises a main section 68 fitting into the main plane d the extension of the panel 24 and at least one end section 70 extending perpendicular to the vertical direction V, the end section 70 being integral with the connecting rail 32, in particular not welded. The main plane of extension of the panel 24 in which the main section 68 fits is a plane in which the direction of main elongation of the storage tank 1 fits, that is to say the longitudinal direction L , and in the vertical direction V.

Advantageously, the panel 24 comprises an end section 70 at each of its vertical ends, that is to say that an upper end section 70 is arranged at the upper end of the panel 24 while a section lower end 70 is arranged at the lower end of the panel 24.

The panel 24 also comprises stiffening means 72 comprising at least one stiffening wall 74 extending perpendicular to the main panel 68 and the end panel 70 while being integral with the main panel 68 and the end panel 70, the wall of stiffening 74 being particularly visible in Figure 7. These stiffening means 72 contribute to reducing the risk of deformation of the panel 24, in particular when the gas 4 in the liquid state is tossed around in the storage tank 1.

The stiffening means 72 also include intermediate walls 76 projecting from either side of the main panel 68 extending in longitudinal and transverse planes, as visible in Figure 2. These intermediate walls are distributed between the end upper end of panel 24 and its lower end.

In addition, the panel 24 comprises side panels 78 each extending in a vertical and transverse plane, that is to say perpendicular to the planes in which the main panel 68 and the end panel(s) fit respectively. 70. Advantageously, the intermediate walls 76 extend longitudinally between the side panels 78. As particularly visible in Figure 2, the anti-sloshing system 22 comprises a plurality of panels 24 aligned in the same plane. At least one of the side panels 78 of one of the panels 24 is pressed against one of the side panels 78 of the neighboring panel 24, said side panels 78 of these two panels 24 being fixed to one another, in particular by welding. This is how the anti-sloshing wall 23 of the anti-sloshing system 22 according to the invention is formed.

It is particularly visible that the main sections 68 of the panels 24 are in the same plane, so as to form a set of panels 24 generally in a longitudinal L and vertical V plane.

As a reminder, the main object of the present invention is an anti-sloshing system 22 installed in a storage tank 1 of a gas 4 in the liquid state and comprises at least one panel 24 intended to extend in a volume of the storage tank 1 and a device for fixing said panel 24 to one of the walls of the storage tank 1, the storage device allowing at least one axial degree of freedom LL, W axial of the panel 24 relative to the tank. It is understood that the at least one axial degree of freedom LL, W allows the panel 24 to be held in position despite the thermal contractions of the walls of the storage tank 1 when the latter is loaded or unloaded with gas 4 in liquid state.

The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

1. Storage tank (1) intended to transport and/or store a gas (4) in the liquid state comprising at least one upper wall (8), a lower wall (10) and several side walls (6) extending between the upper wall (8) and the lower wall (10) delimiting a storage space (2) for the gas (4) in the liquid state, the storage tank (1) comprising at least one anti-sloshing system (22) comprising at least one panel (24), at least one first fixing device (26) of the panel (24) connected to one of the walls (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) and at least one second fixing device (28) of the panel (24) connected to another wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1), characterized in that at least one of the fixing devices (26, 28) is configured to allow at least one axial degree of freedom (LL, W) between the panel (24) and the wall of the storage tank (1) to which said fixing device (26, 28), while the other fixing device (26, 28) is configured to implement three degrees of axial connection (LL, TT, W) between the panel (24) and the wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) to which said other fixing device (26, 28) is connected.

2. Storage tank (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first fixing device (26) comprises at least a first fixing point configured to allow three degrees of connection (LL, TT, W) axial between the panel ( 24) and the wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) to which the first fixing device (26) is connected, and at least one second fixing point configured to allow an axial degree of freedom ( LL) and two degrees of connection (TT, W) axial between the panel (24) and the wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) to which the first fixing device (26) is connected.

3. Storage tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second fixing device (28) comprises at least a first fixing point configured to allow one axial degree of freedom (LL) and two axial degrees axial connection (TT, W) between the panel (24) and the wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) to which the second fixing device (28) is connected, and at least a second fixing point configured to allow two axial degrees of freedom (LL, W) and one degree of axial connection (TT) between the panel (24) and the wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) to which is connected to the second fixing device (28).

4. Storage tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the fixing devices (26, 28) comprises at least one fixing foot (30) which passes through one of the walls (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) and a rail connection (32) between the panel (24) and the fixing foot (30), the connecting rail (32) being integral with the panel (24), the fixing foot (30) having at least one fixing portion (34 ) extending at least partly through said wall (6, 8, 10) of the storage tank (1) and a connecting portion (36) extending at least partly into the storage space ( 2) and cooperating with the connecting rail (32), the connecting rail (32) being able to be movable along one of the axial degrees of freedom (LL, W).

5. Storage tank (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing device (26, 28) comprises several fixing feet (30) installed one after the other along the direction of main elongation of the storage tank (1), the connecting rail (32) comprising at least one longitudinal blocking means (64) of the movement of said connecting rail (32) along one of the axial degrees of freedom (LL).

6. Storage tank (1) according to the preceding claim, in which one of the fixing feet (30) is a central fixing foot (30) disposed between at least two fixing feet (30), the blocking means longitudinal movement (64) cooperating with the central fixing foot (30).

7. Storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, in which the panel (24) comprises a main section (68) extending in a plane parallel to a direction of main elongation (L) of the storage tank (1) and in a vertical direction (V), and at least one end section (70) extending in the plane parallel to the direction of main elongation (L) of the storage tank (1) and in a transverse direction (T), the end section (70) being integral with the connecting rail (32).

8. Storage tank (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the panel (24) comprises side panels (78) each extending in planes parallel to the vertical direction (V) and the transverse direction (T) .

9. Storage tank (1) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, in which the panel (24) comprises stiffening means (72) comprising at least one stiffening wall (74) extending perpendicular to the pan main panel (68) and the end panel (70) while being integral with the main panel (68) and the end panel (70).

10. Storage tank (1) according to claim 5, in which the longitudinal blocking means (64) of the movement of the connecting rail (32) along one of the axial degrees of freedom (LL, W) is constituting the first fixing device (26).

11. Storage tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-sloshing system (22) comprises a plurality of panels (24) aligned in the same plane.

12. Vessel intended to transport gas (4) in the liquid state comprising at least one storage tank (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a hull inside which is arranged the at least one storage tank (1), at least one of the fixing devices (26, 28) being integral with said shell.