Method for producing a thermal insulation barrier for a tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of producing a thermal insulation barrier (5) for a wall (1) of a tank, said method comprising the steps of anchoring a plurality of insulation panels (11) comprising seats (18) opening onto an inner surface and in which anchoring means (12) are housed; providing an insulation plug (25) having a size d1; providing a cover plate (30) having a thickness e1; inserting the insulation plug (25) into the seat (18) and pushing the plug towards a load-bearing structure (2) to bear against a bearing surface spaced apart from the inner surface of the plurality of insulation panels (11) by a distance d2, said distance d2 being greater than d1+e1; positioning a gasket (31, 32) in the seat (18) against an inner extremity of the insulation plug (25), said gasket (31, 32) having a thickness e2 determined according to Δ=d2-d1-e1; and positioning the cover plate (30, 33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated storage tanks for storing and / or transporting liquefied gases, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at temperatures, for example, between -50°C and 0°C, or for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at atmospheric pressure at about -162°C.

[0002] These tanks can be installed on shore or on floating structures. In floating structures, the tanks can be used to transport liquefied gas or to receive liquefied gas as fuel to power the floating structure. Background Technology

[0003] Document WO19092384 discloses a method for producing a thermally insulating barrier for the wall of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank. The tank wall has a multi-layered structure comprising the following items arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside: a secondary thermally insulating barrier including an insulating panel attached to a support mechanism; a secondary sealing membrane resting on the secondary thermally insulating barrier; and a primary thermally insulating barrier including an insulating panel resting on the secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane resting on the primary thermally insulating barrier, the primary sealing membrane being designed to contact the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank. Each insulating panel of the primary thermally insulating barrier has cutouts along its edges and at its corners. These cutouts form recesses that act as seats for anchoring devices used to secure the insulating panels of the primary thermally insulating barrier to the insulating panels of the secondary thermally insulating barrier. Insulating plugs, including an insulating polymer foam layer, are disposed in the recesses formed in the primary thermally insulating barrier to ensure continuous thermal insulation. For this purpose, this document proposes inserting each insulating plug into a corresponding seat and pushing the plug toward a supporting structure until the insulating plug is irreversibly damaged, wherein the insulating plug rests against a support member disposed within the seat. Each insulating plug is pushed until its inner end reaches a predetermined position within the seat.

[0004] This prevents the insulating plug from forming localized protrusions that could affect the flatness of the primary sealing membrane's support surface, even when the insulating plug has large dimensional manufacturing tolerances.

[0005] However, this method is not entirely satisfactory. In particular, pushing the insulating plug until it is irreversibly deformed requires considerable effort from the operator, which prolongs the manufacturing time of the thermal insulation barrier and worsens the operator's working conditions, especially when the polymer foam of the insulating plug is very dense. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A core concept of this invention is to propose a method for producing a thermal insulation barrier designed to form an inner support surface for a sealing membrane. The thermal insulation barrier includes a seat and an insulating plug disposed in the seat. The thermal insulation barrier is simple to use and limits the presence of protrusions on the inner support surface of the sealing membrane at the seat.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for producing a thermally insulating barrier for sealing and thermally insulating storage tanks, fastened to a load-bearing structure, the method comprising the following steps:

[0008] - A plurality of insulating panels are directly or indirectly anchored to the load-bearing structure using at least one anchoring device. The plurality of insulating panels form an inner surface designed to support a sealing membrane and include a seat that opens onto the inner surface, and the anchoring device is disposed within the seat.

[0009] - Provide an insulating plug designed to ensure continuous thermal insulation at the seat, the insulating plug having an inner end and an outer end and having a dimension d1 between the inner end and the outer end;

[0010] - Provide a cover plate with a thickness of e1;

[0011] - Insert the insulating plug into the seat and push the plug toward the support structure until the outer end of the insulating plug rests against the support surface toward the support structure, the support surface being spaced apart from the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels by a distance d2, the distance d2 being greater than d1+e1;

[0012] - The gasket is positioned in the seat abutting against the inner end of the insulating plug, the gasket having a thickness e2 determined according to Δ = d2 - d1 - e1; and

[0013] - Position the cover plate in a covered position, in which the cover plate covers the seat portion and has an inner surface flush with the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels.

[0014] This method is particularly simple because it does not require significant thrust to deform the insulating plug, thus allowing for increased plug dimensional tolerances, which are not critical to the proposed method. Furthermore, this method prevents the insulating plug from forming localized protrusions on the support surface of the sealing membrane and leaves no clearances that could adversely affect the thermal insulation performance of the thermal insulation barrier.

[0015] According to the implementation method, this method may have one or more of the following features.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the thickness e2 of the gasket is between Δ-1mm and Δ+1mm, advantageously between Δ-0.5mm and Δ+0.5mm, and preferably between Δ-0.1mm and Δ+0.1mm.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the plurality of insulating panels further have countersunk holes having a bottom adjacent to the seat portion, and the cover plate is positioned in the countersunk hole abutting against the bottom of the countersunk hole and / or against the gasket.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the gasket is rigid.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the gasket is selected from a series of gaskets of different thicknesses such that the thickness e2 of the selected gasket is equal to Δ or as close as possible to Δ.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the gasket has a thickness e2 between 3 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 9 mm.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the gasket is made of plywood, plastic, or a composite material. According to one embodiment, the gasket may also be made of metal.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the gasket is made of a flexible material and is positioned against the inner end of the insulating plug. According to one embodiment, the material is mastic or a polymer adhesive. According to one embodiment, the gasket is made of epoxy resin.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the gasket made of mastic or polymer adhesive has a thickness e2 between 2 mm and 18 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 12 mm.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the material used for the gasket is an adhesive material, and when the cover plate is positioned, the cover plate is pressed against the gasket such that the cover plate adheres to the insulating plug by means of the adhesive material.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the insulating plug has a density of 100 kg / m³. 3 and 260kg / m 3 The insulating polymer foam layer between them.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the insulating polymer foam layer is made of polyurethane foam, polystyrene, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the anchoring device disposed within the seat has a pin that is directly or indirectly fastened to the load-bearing structure. A retaining member is arranged on the pin when anchoring the plurality of insulating panels to engage with a support area of ​​at least one of the insulating panels to hold the insulating panel toward the load-bearing structure; the retaining member forms a support surface, and the outer end of the insulating plug is pushed against the support surface.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a thermal insulation barrier for a sealed and thermally insulated storage tank, fastened to a load-bearing structure, the thermal insulation barrier comprising:

[0029] - A plurality of insulating panels, which are directly or indirectly anchored to the load-bearing structure using at least one anchoring device, the plurality of insulating panels forming an inner surface designed to support a sealing membrane and including a seat portion that opens onto the inner surface and in which the anchoring device is disposed.

[0030] - An insulating plug, the insulating plug being designed to ensure continuous thermal insulation at the seat, the insulating plug having an inner end and an outer end and having a dimension d1 between the inner end and the outer end, the outer end of the insulating plug abutting against a support surface toward the bearing structure, the support surface being spaced apart from the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels by a distance d2;

[0031] - A gasket, positioned to abut against the inner end of the insulating plug, the gasket having a thickness e2; and

[0032] - A cover plate, the cover plate being arranged in a covered position, wherein the cover plate covers the seat portion and has an inner surface flush with the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels.

[0033] According to the implementation method, this thermal insulation barrier may have one or more of the following features.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the thickness e2 of the gasket is between Δ-1mm and Δ+1mm, where Δ = d2-d1-e1.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the plurality of insulating panels further have countersunk holes having a bottom adjacent to the seat portion, and the cover plate is positioned in the countersunk hole and rests against the bottom of the countersunk hole and / or against the gasket.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the gasket is rigid and made of plywood, plastic, or a composite material. According to one embodiment, the gasket may also be made of metal.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the gasket is made of a flexible material, particularly mastic or polymer adhesive (e.g., epoxy resin adhesive).

[0038] According to one embodiment, the material used to make the gasket is an adhesive material, and the cover plate is adhered to the insulating plug by means of the adhesive material. Therefore, the gasket serves a dual function: specifically, on the one hand, it rigidly connects the cover plate to the insulating plug, and on the other hand, it limits clearances in the thermal insulation barrier and protrusions from the supporting surface of the sealing membrane.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the insulating plug has a density of 100 kg / m³. 3 and 260kg / m 3 The insulating polymer foam layer between them.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the anchoring device disposed in the seat has a pin that is directly or indirectly fastened to the load-bearing structure, a retaining member is disposed on the pin and engages with a support area of ​​at least one of the insulating panels to hold the insulating panel toward the load-bearing structure, the retaining member forming a support surface, and the outer end of the insulating plug abutting against the support surface.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a tank wall comprising the aforementioned thermal insulation barrier and a sealing membrane, the sealing membrane being supported on the thermal insulation barrier and designed to contact the fluid stored in the tank.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the aforementioned thermal insulation barrier is a primary thermal insulation barrier, and the tank wall further includes a secondary thermal insulation barrier and a secondary sealing membrane, wherein the secondary sealing membrane is disposed between the primary thermal insulation barrier and the secondary thermal insulation barrier.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulated storage tank including the aforementioned wall.

[0044] Such a storage tank, according to one embodiment of the foregoing description, can be, for example, part of an onshore storage facility for storing LNG, or installed on a coastal or deep-water floating structure (particularly LNG carriers, floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units, etc.). In the case of a floating structure, the storage tank can be designed to receive LNG used as fuel to propel the floating structure.

[0045] According to one embodiment, a vessel for transporting fluids has a hull, such as a double hull, and the aforementioned storage tanks arranged in the hull.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading onto or unloading from such a ship, wherein fluid is transported from an onshore or floating storage facility to or from the storage tank on the ship via insulated pipelines.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a fluid transport system comprising the aforementioned vessel; an insulated pipeline arranged to connect the tank, mounted in the hull of the vessel, to an onshore or floating storage facility; and a pump for driving a fluid flow from the onshore or floating storage facility to or from the tank on the vessel to the storage facility via the insulated pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0048] The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly illustrated in the following detailed description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given only as non-limiting examples.

[0049] Figure 1 It is a perspective sectional view of the wall of a sealed and thermally insulated storage tank.

[0050] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the thermal insulation barrier cut through the insulating plug according to the first embodiment.

[0051] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the thermal insulation barrier cut through the insulating plug according to the second embodiment.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the thermal insulation barrier cut through the insulating plug according to the third embodiment.

[0053] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a ship including liquefied natural gas storage tanks and the loading / unloading dock for those tanks.

[0054] Figure 6 It is a perspective sectional view of the wall of a sealed and thermally insulated tank according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0055] By convention, the terms “outer” and “inner” are used to refer to the interior and exterior of a tank to determine the relative position of one element with respect to another.

[0056] Figure 1A multi-layered structure of the wall 1 of a sealed and thermally insulated storage tank for fluids such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) is shown. Each wall 1 of the tank, arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside along its thickness direction, comprises: a secondary thermal insulation barrier 3, which is fastened to a supporting structure 2; a secondary sealing membrane 4, which rests on the secondary thermal insulation barrier 3; a primary thermal insulation barrier 5, which rests on the secondary sealing membrane 4; and a primary sealing membrane 6, which is designed to contact the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank.

[0057] The load-bearing structure 2 may in particular include self-supporting metal plates or, more generally, any type of rigid baffle with suitable mechanical properties. The load-bearing structure 2 may be formed by the hull or double hull of a ship. The load-bearing structure 2 includes multiple walls defining the overall shape (typically a polyhedron) of the tank.

[0058] The secondary thermal insulation barrier 3 has a plurality of secondary insulation panels 7 anchored to the load-bearing structure 2 using resin beads and / or pins welded to it. The secondary insulation panels 7 are generally cuboid in shape and are arranged in parallel rows spaced apart from each other by gaps providing assembly spacing. The gaps are filled with insulating pads, which are made, for example, of glass fiber, mineral wool, or open-cell soft synthetic foam. Each secondary insulation panel 7 has a polymer foam layer 8 sandwiched between an inner panel 9 and an outer panel 10. The inner panel 9 and the outer panel 10 are, for example, plywood bonded to the polymer foam layer 8. The polymer foam 8 may, in particular, be a polyurethane-based foam optionally reinforced with fibers (e.g., such as glass fiber).

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary sealing film 4 comprises a continuous layer of metal plates with raised edges. The plates are welded via their raised edges to parallel weld supports, which are secured in slots formed in the inner plate 9 of the secondary insulating panel 7. The plates are, for example, made of… It is made of iron and nickel, that is, an alloy of iron and nickel, whose coefficient of thermal expansion is usually between 1.2·10-6K-1 and 2·10-6K-1.

[0060] According to another embodiment (not shown), the secondary sealing membrane 4 has a plurality of corrugated metal plates welded together, each corrugated metal plate being generally rectangular. Furthermore, the corrugated metal plates are welded to a metal plate fastened to the inner plate 9 of the secondary insulation panel 7. The corrugations, for example, protrude towards the outside of the tank and are positioned in slots formed in the inner plate 9 of the secondary insulation panel 7.

[0061] Furthermore, the primary thermal insulation barrier 5 has a plurality of primary insulation panels 11, which are generally cuboids. Figure 1In this configuration, the primary insulation panel 11 is offset relative to the secondary insulation panel 7 of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 3, such that each primary insulation panel 11 is staggered over the four secondary insulation panels 7. The primary insulation panel 11 is secured to the secondary insulation panel 7 using the anchoring device 12 described below.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, each primary insulation panel 11 has a polymer foam layer 13 sandwiched between two rigid panels (i.e., outer panel 15 and inner panel 14). The inner panel 14 and outer panel 15 are made of plywood, for example. The polymer foam layer 13 is, for example, polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with fibers (such as glass fiber).

[0063] The primary sealing membrane 6 is obtained by assembling multiple corrugated metal sheets. Each corrugated metal sheet is generally rectangular. The corrugations protrude towards the interior of the tank. The corrugated metal sheets of the primary sealing membrane 6 are offset relative to the primary insulation panels 11, such that each of the corrugated metal sheets extends together on four adjacent primary insulation panels 11. The corrugated metal sheets are lapped together and also welded along their edges to metal sheets, which are secured to the primary insulation panels 11 and more specifically to their inner plates 14. The inner plates 14 of the primary insulation panels 11 form the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, each primary insulation panel 11 has a recess 16 at each of its corners. Each recess 16 passes through the inner panel 14 and extends through the entire thickness of the polymer foam layer 13.

[0065] Therefore, as Figure 2 As shown, at each of the recesses 16, the outer panel 15 protrudes beyond the polymer foam layer 13 and the inner panel 14 to form a support area 17 that mates with the anchoring device 12, as described below. Each recess 16 formed at the corner of one of the primary insulation panels 11 is arranged opposite to a recess 16 formed at the corner of three adjacent primary insulation panels 11, such that the four recesses 16 together form a seat 18 in the primary thermal insulation barrier 5. Therefore, a single anchoring device 12 located in the seat 18 can mate with four support areas 17 belonging to the four adjacent primary insulation panels 11 respectively.

[0066] exist Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, for example, strips 19 made of plywood are fastened to the support area 17 of each primary insulation panel 11 to reinforce the panel.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, each seat portion 18 is formed by a plurality of recesses 16 formed at the corner of the primary insulating panel 11. However, in other embodiments not shown, each seat portion 18 is not formed at the edge of the primary insulating panel 11 or at one of its corners, but is formed through the polymer foam layer 13 of a single primary insulating panel 11.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, each anchoring device 12 has a pin 20 protruding from a metal plate (not shown) fastened to the inner plate 9 of one of the secondary insulation panels 7. Each of the pins 20 passes through a hole formed in a secondary sealing membrane 4. Furthermore, the secondary sealing membrane 4 is welded sealingly to the metal plate around the entire orifice to ensure that the passage of the pin 20 through the secondary sealing membrane 4 is sealed.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, each anchoring device 12 has a retaining member 21 that is fastened to each of the pins 20, and in this case, rests against a support area 17 of each of the four adjacent primary insulation panels 11 by means of a strip 19. Furthermore, a fastening member (such as a nut 22) engages with the threaded portion of the pin 20 and rests against the inner surface of the retaining member 21 to fasten the retaining member 21 to the pin 20, thereby applying a holding force to the support area 17. For example, the nut 22 may be a slotted nut, the special feature of which is that the nut will not loosen.

[0070] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the retaining member 21 is an annular plate having a hole screwed onto the pin 20.

[0071] Furthermore, in embodiments not shown, one or more spring washers (such as disc washers) are screwed onto pin 20 between nut 22 and retaining member 21, thereby providing resilient anchoring of primary insulation panel 11 to secondary insulation panel 7.

[0072] The primary thermal insulation barrier 5 has an insulating plug 25 designed to insert into the seat 18 to ensure continuous thermal insulation. The insulating plug 25 comprises an insulating polymer foam layer 23. The insulating polymer foam layer 23 is, for example, a polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with fibers (such as glass fiber). The density of the insulating polymer foam layer 23 is approximately 100 kg / m³. 3 and 260kg / m 3 Between and advantageously at 110 kg / m 3 and 150kg / m 3 Between, for example, approximately 130 kg / m 3 According to other embodiments, the insulating plug 25 is made of polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam.

[0073] The insulating plug 25 has an inner end and an outer end, the outer end of which rests against a support surface disposed in the seat 18 toward the bearing structure 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface is formed by a retaining member 21. The support surface is located at a distance d2 from the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating plug 25 has a recess 26 that opens at the outer end of the insulating plug 25 and the nut 22 of the anchoring device 12 is positioned in the recess. The insulating plug 25 also has a blind hole 27 that opens into the recess 26 and the end of the pin 20 is disposed in the blind hole.

[0074] In addition, Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the primary thermal insulation barrier 5 has countersunk holes 28 machined in the inner plate 14 of the primary insulation panel 11. Each of the countersunk holes 28 has a bottom 29 abutting one of the seat portions 18. The countersunk holes 28 are designed to receive a cover plate 30 covering the seat portion 18. The cover plate 30 has a thickness e1, which is equal to or substantially equal to the depth of the countersunk hole 28 in the thickness direction of the wall 1, such that when the cover plate 30 is arranged in the countersunk hole 28 and rests against the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28, the inner surface of the cover plate 30 is flush with the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6. The cover plate 30 is made, for example, of plywood or a composite material.

[0075] The insulating plug 25 has a dimension d1, measured in the thickness direction of the wall 1, between its inner and outer ends. Dimension d1 is less than d2-e1. In other words, when the insulating plug 25 is properly positioned in the recess 16, the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28 is located above the inner end of the insulating plug 25.

[0076] During the production of a primary thermal insulation barrier 5, an insulating plug 25 is inserted into the recess 16 and then pushed until the outer end of the insulating plug 25 rests against the support surface toward the bearing structure 2 (i.e., against the retaining member 21).

[0077] Then determine the dimension between the inner end of the insulating plug 25 and the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28 in the thickness direction of the tank wall 1. This dimension is Δ = d2 - d1 - e1.

[0078] The gasket 31 is then positioned in the recess against the inner end of the insulating plug 25, the gasket having a thickness e2 determined according to Δ, such that the inner surface of the gasket is flush with the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28. Advantageously, the thickness e2 of this gasket 31 is between Δ-1mm and Δ+1mm, advantageously between Δ-0.5mm and Δ+0.5mm, and preferably between Δ-0.1mm and Δ+0.1mm.

[0079] exist Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, gasket 31 is a rigid gasket. Gasket 31 is made of, for example, plywood, plastic, metal, or composite material. According to an advantageous embodiment, the operator has a set of different gaskets of varying thicknesses and selects a gasket with a thickness e2 equal to or as close as possible to dimension Δ.

[0080] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the thickness of the gasket 31 is between 3 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 9 mm.

[0081] The cover plate 30 is then positioned in the recess 16 against the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28 and / or against the gasket 31. This method helps to limit or eliminate clearance between the insulating plug 25 and the cover plate 30 that can adversely affect the quality of thermal insulation.

[0082] Furthermore, advantageously, the gasket 31 is flush with the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28, such that the cover plate 30 rests against both the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28 and the insulating plug 25 via the gasket 31. This enhances the absorption of dynamic and static pressures applied to the primary sealing diaphragm 6.

[0083] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the gasket 32 ​​is made of a flexible material that is advantageously an adhesive before application, such as mastic or polymer glue. For example, the gasket 32 ​​is made of epoxy resin. The flexible material is placed in the recess 16 against the inner end of the insulating plug 25. The flexible material can be arranged in layers or multiple zones and can take the form of dots or beads, for example. The amount of flexible material applied is such that the flexible material is flush with or slightly protrudes above the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28. The thickness e2 of the gasket 32 ​​is between 2 mm and 18 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 12 mm.

[0084] The cover plate 30 is then positioned in the recess 16 and pushed against the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28 and / or against the flexible material pad 32. With the flexible material arranged to protrude slightly above the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28, the flexible material flows and / or is compressed under the influence of compressive force so that the flexible material pad 32 is flush with the bottom 29 of the countersunk hole 28.

[0085] Furthermore, when the flexible material is an adhesive, the thrust will adhere the cover plate 30 to the insulating plug 25.

[0086] Therefore, the advantage of this method is that it eliminates any clearance that could adversely affect the thermal insulation performance, ensures excellent absorption of dynamic and static pressures applied to the primary sealing membrane 6, and also ensures that the cover plate 30 adheres to the insulating plug 25, thereby facilitating the construction of a thermal insulation barrier, especially when the wall 1 to be made is the ceiling wall of a tank.

[0087] exist Figure 2 In one embodiment, the gasket 31 is advantageously fastened to the cover plate 30, for example, by means of one or more nails. Figure 3 This can also be useful if the gasket 32 ​​in the embodiment is not an adhesive.

[0088] Advantageously, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 In both embodiments, the cover plate 30 is fastened to the primary thermal insulation barrier 5. For this purpose, the cover plate 30 is fastened, for example, to one of the four primary insulation panels 11 adjacent to the seat portion 18 using one or more nails.

[0089] The following text is for reference only. Figure 4 To describe another implementation. This implementation is consistent with the above reference. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The difference in the described implementation is that the primary thermal insulation barrier 5 does not have a countersunk hole 28 adjacent to the recess 16. Therefore, the cover plate 33 does not rest against the primary insulation panel 11. The cover plate 33 is then placed in the recess 16 and rests only against a gasket 31, which is arranged to rest against the insulating plug 25. In this embodiment, the gasket 31 arranged between the insulating plug 25 and the cover plate 30 can be rigid, as referenced above. Figure 2 The aforementioned, or made of flexible materials, such as referenced Figure 3 As stated above.

[0090] Figure 6 A tank wall according to another embodiment is shown. This embodiment is consistent with the above reference. Figure 1 The difference in the described implementation is that each of the primary insulation panels 11 is aligned with one of the secondary insulation panels 7 in the thickness direction of the wall 1.

[0091] Therefore, the anchoring devices are preferably located at the four corners of the secondary insulation panel 7 and the primary insulation panel 11. Thus, four anchoring devices are used to anchor each stack of a secondary insulation panel 7 and a primary insulation panel 11 to the load-bearing structure 2. Furthermore, each anchoring device engages with the corners of four adjacent secondary insulation panels 7 and four adjacent primary insulation panels 11.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the primary sealing membrane 6 comprises a continuous layer of metal plates with raised edges. Additionally, as in... Figure 1 In the secondary sealing membrane 4 of the illustrated embodiment, the metal plate is welded to a parallel welding support via its raised edge, the parallel welding support being fastened in a slot formed in the inner plate of the primary insulation panel 11.

[0093] refer toFigure 5 The cross-sectional view of the liquefied natural gas carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated storage tank 71 with an integral prismatic shape installed in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the storage tank 71 has a primary membrane designed to contact the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary membrane disposed between the primary membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two thermal insulation barriers disposed between the primary membrane and the secondary membrane and between the secondary membrane and the double hull 72, respectively.

[0094] In a known manner, the loading / unloading pipe 73, arranged on the upper deck of a ship, can be connected to a sea or port terminal using appropriate fittings to transport cargo LNG to and from the storage tank 71.

[0095] Figure 5 An example offshore terminal is also shown, comprising a loading / unloading point 75, a subsea pipeline 76, and a shore facility 77. The loading / unloading point 75 is a static shore installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a column 78 holding the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated hoses 79 that can be connected to a loading / unloading pipe 73. The oriented movable arm 74 can be adapted to LNG carriers of various sizes. A connecting pipeline (not shown) extends inside the column 78. The loading / unloading point 75 allows for the loading and unloading of LNG carriers 70 to and from the shore facility 77. The facility has LNG storage tanks 80 and a connecting pipeline 81 connected to the loading / unloading point 75 via the subsea pipeline 76. The subsea pipeline 76 enables the transport of LNG between the loading / unloading point 75 and the shore facility 77 over a greater distance (e.g., 5 km), allowing the LNG carrier 70 to remain well off-shore during loading and unloading operations.

[0096] To generate the pressure required for transporting liquefied gas, pumps mounted on the ship 70 and / or installed at the shore facility 77 and / or at the loading / unloading point 75 were used.

[0097] Although the invention has been described with respect to several specific embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is by no means limited thereto, and that it includes all technical equivalents of the described apparatus and combinations thereof, all of which fall within the scope of the invention.

[0098] In the claims, the reference numerals enclosed in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A method for producing a thermally insulating barrier (5) for sealing and thermally insulating storage tank walls (1) fastened to a supporting structure (2), the method comprising the following steps: - A plurality of insulating panels (11) are directly or indirectly anchored to the load-bearing structure (2) using at least one anchoring device (12), the plurality of insulating panels (11) forming an inner surface designed to support the sealing membrane (6) and including a seat (18) that opens onto the inner surface and in which the anchoring device (12) is disposed. - Provide an insulating plug (25) designed to ensure continuous thermal insulation at the seat (18), the insulating plug (25) having an inner end and an outer end and having a dimension d1 between the inner end and the outer end; - Provide a cover plate (30) with a thickness e1; - Insert the insulating plug (25) into the seat (18) and push the insulating plug toward the support structure (2) until the outer end of the insulating plug (25) rests against the support surface toward the support structure (2), the support surface being spaced apart from the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels (11) by a distance d2, the distance d2 being greater than d1 + e1; - Positioning the gaskets (31, 32) in the seat (18) against the inner end of the insulating plug (25), the gaskets (31, 32) having according to = d2 - d1 - e1, where the thickness e2 is determined; and - Position the cover plate (30, 33) in the covered position, in which the cover plate (30) covers the seat (18) and has an inner surface flush with the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels (11).

2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness e2 of the gaskets (31, 32) is in - 1 mm and Between +1 mm.

3. The production method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plurality of insulating panels (11) also have countersunk holes (28) having a bottom (29) adjacent to the seat (18), and wherein the cover plate (30) is positioned in the countersunk hole (28) abutting against the bottom (29) of the countersunk hole (28) and / or against the gasket.

4. The production method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The gasket (31) is rigid.

5. The production method according to claim 4, wherein, The gasket (31) is selected from a series of gaskets of different thicknesses, such that the thickness e2 of the selected gasket (31) is equal to or as close as possible .

6. The production method according to claim 4, wherein, The gasket has a thickness e2 between 3 mm and 15 mm.

7. The production method according to claim 4, wherein, The gasket (31) is made of plywood, plastic, composite material or metal.

8. The production method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The gasket (32) is made of mastic or polymer glue.

9. The production method according to claim 8, wherein, The material used for the gasket (32) is an adhesive material, and wherein when the cover plate (30) is positioned, the cover plate (30) is pressed against the gasket (32) such that the cover plate (30) adheres to the insulating plug (25) by means of the adhesive material.

10. The production method according to claim 8, wherein, The gasket (32) is made of epoxy resin.

11. The production method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The insulating plug (25) has an insulating polymer foam layer (23).

12. The production method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The anchoring device (12) disposed in the seat (18) has a pin (20) that is directly or indirectly fastened to the bearing structure (2), wherein a retaining member (21) is arranged on the pin (20) when anchoring the plurality of insulating panels (11) to engage with the support area (17) of at least one of the insulating panels (11) to hold the insulating panel toward the bearing structure (2), and wherein the retaining member (21) forms the support surface, and the outer end of the insulating plug (25) is pushed against the support surface.

13. A thermally insulating barrier (5) fastened to the wall (1) of a sealed and thermally insulating storage tank of a supporting structure (2), the thermally insulating barrier (5) comprising: - A plurality of insulating panels (11) designed to be directly or indirectly anchored to the load-bearing structure (2) using at least one anchoring device (12), the plurality of insulating panels (11) forming an inner surface designed to support a sealing membrane (6), the plurality of insulating panels (11) including a seat (18) opening onto the inner surface and the anchoring device (12) disposed in the seat. - An insulating plug (25) is designed to ensure continuous thermal insulation at the seat (18), the insulating plug (25) having an inner end and an outer end and having a dimension d1 between the inner end and the outer end, the outer end of the insulating plug (25) resting against the support surface toward the bearing structure (2), the support surface being spaced apart from the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels (11) by a distance d2; - Gaskets (31, 32), said gaskets being positioned against the inner end of said insulating plug (25), said gaskets (31, 32) having a thickness e2; and - A cover plate (30) is arranged in a covered position, in which the cover plate (30) covers the seat (18) and has an inner surface that is flush with the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels (11).

14. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 13, wherein, The thickness e2 of the gaskets (31, 32) is in -1 mm and Between +1 mm, of which = d2 - d1 - e1.

15. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The plurality of insulating panels (11) also have countersunk holes (28) having a bottom (29) adjacent to the seat (18), and wherein the cover plate (30) is positioned in the countersunk hole (28) and rests on the bottom (29) of the countersunk hole (28) and / or rests on the gasket (31).

16. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The gasket (31) is rigid and made of plywood, plastic, composite material or metal.

17. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The gasket (32) is made of a flexible material.

18. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 17, wherein, The material used to make the gasket (32) is an adhesive material, and the cover plate (30) is adhered to the insulating plug (25) by means of the adhesive material.

19. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The insulating plug (25) has an insulating polymer foam layer (23).

20. The thermal insulation barrier (5) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The anchoring device (12) disposed in the seat (18) has a pin (20) that is directly or indirectly fastened to the bearing structure (2), a retaining member (21) is disposed on the pin (20) and engages with the support area of ​​at least one of the insulating panels (11) to hold the insulating panel toward the bearing structure (2), wherein the retaining member (21) forms the support surface, and the outer end of the insulating plug (25) rests on the support surface.

21. A sealed and thermally insulated storage tank comprising a thermally insulating barrier (5) according to claim 13 or 14 and a sealing membrane (6) abutting the thermally insulating barrier (5).

22. A vessel (70) for transporting fluids, the vessel having a double hull (72) and a storage tank (71) according to claim 21.

23. A fluid transport system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 22; insulated conduits (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect a tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to a shore or floating storage facility (77); and a pump for driving fluid from the shore or floating storage facility to the tank on the vessel, or from the tank to the shore or floating storage facility, via the insulated conduits.

24. A method for loading or unloading the vessel (70) according to claim 22, wherein, Fluid is transported from an onshore or floating storage facility (77) to or from the tank on the vessel (70) via insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81).

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