Liquid dome for liquefied gas storage tanks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage facility (1) for liquefied gas and a sealed and insulated storage tank (71) having a loading / unloading opening (10), the storage tank comprising a lower cover wall (23) having lateral closure strips (60, 61) adjacent to a structural insulation member (40), the lateral closure strips (60, 61) being mechanically secured to the adjacent structural insulation member (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of storage facilities for liquefied gases, including sealed and insulated membrane tanks. In particular, this invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also known as LPG) having temperatures, for example, between -50°C and 0°C, or tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at atmospheric pressure at approximately -162°C. These tanks can also be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tanks can be used to transport liquefied gases or to receive liquefied gases used as fuel to propel the floating structure. Background Technology

[0002] Document FR2991430 describes a storage facility for liquefied gases, comprising a sealed and insulated tank integrated into a load-bearing structure consisting of a double-hulled ship. Each wall of the tank includes a secondary insulation barrier, a secondary sealing membrane, a primary insulation barrier, and a primary sealing membrane; these different components constitute the main structure of the liquefied gas storage tank.

[0003] In the area located at the top of the tank, the tank has an opening section known as the liquid dome. In this area, the load-bearing structure is partially interrupted to define a loading / unloading opening through which fluid loading / unloading pipes are designed to pass. This loading / unloading opening, called the liquid dome, like the main structure of the tank, has insulation or a thermal barrier and elements that form the main sealing membrane.

[0004] The liquid dome is typically assembled independently of a storage tank, which has a polyhedral-shaped body and an opening for receiving the liquid dome, usually located at the rear of the tank. This opening has a square or rectangular cross-section. As described above, the polyhedral tank forms the main structure relative to the opening for receiving the liquid dome and is equipped with at least one metal sealing membrane and a thermal barrier. The main structure is manufactured as a storage facility for liquefied gases in a structure (typically a ship), and the liquid dome is arranged to seal the opening in the tank while allowing passage for pipes, particularly for loading / unloading liquefied gases, and other access routes for operators (referred to as "manholes") or materials (referred to as "material ports").

[0005] Since the liquid dome is assembled into a block that inherently includes its sealing membrane and thermal barrier, it is necessary to connect the liquid dome's sealing membrane to the sealing membrane of the main structure in a sealed manner. This connection is achieved by using four lateral sealing strips, which are welded in a sealed manner between the main structure and the liquid dome's sealing membrane. Figures 2 to 4The sequence of installing / assembling a liquid dome within or on top of the main structure of a liquefied gas storage tank is shown.

[0006] However, after numerous tests and experiments, the applicant has discovered that once the liquid dome is installed on the main structure of the storage facility, there is a risk of buckling of these lateral sealing strips when the ship is subjected to very high mechanical stress, particularly due to the ship's ballast conditions and / or critical environmental conditions, which typically involve significant longitudinal bending along the ship's axis. This results in cracks at the welds of these lateral sealing strips, leading to at least a partial loss of sealing.

[0007] Based on this analysis, the applicant intends to remedy potential weaknesses in this area by simply and effectively improving the mechanical integrity of these lateral closure strips to ensure a sealed connection between the liquid dome and the main structure. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the present invention relates to a storage facility for liquefied gases, the storage facility comprising a load-bearing structure and a sealed and insulated tank disposed within the load-bearing structure, the sealed and insulated tank having a main structure formed by a plurality of tank walls connected to and secured to the load-bearing structure, the main structure defining an internal storage space, the main structure including at least one sealing membrane and at least one thermal barrier disposed between the sealing membrane and the load-bearing structure; the load-bearing structure having a substantially flat upper load-bearing wall; the sealing membrane and thermal barrier of the main structure and the upper load-bearing wall being partially interrupted to define a loading / unloading opening through which a fluid loading / unloading conduit is intended to pass; wherein the tank has a lid disposed in the loading / unloading opening; wherein the lid includes an upper lid wall, a lower lid wall, and a thermal insulation structure located between the lower lid wall and the upper lid wall;

[0009] The lower cover wall has multiple flat metal plates connected to each other in a sealed manner. The multiple flat metal plates include at least one main partition and two lateral sealing strips. Each of the two lateral sealing strips is used to seal the lower cover wall in a sealed manner and connect the lower cover wall to the main structure.

[0010] The invention is characterized in that at least one of the lateral closure strips is adjacent to a structural insulation element, and the lateral closure strip is mechanically fastened to the adjacent structural insulation element.

[0011] Therefore, after multiple tests and analyses, the applicant has observed that, due to the structure or operation of the vessel, especially under particularly harsh environmental conditions, particularly due to external cold, marine conditions and / or weather conditions, these lateral closure strips may be mechanically constrained, and for example, the sealing of the fastening welds of these lateral closure strips is prone to failure.

[0012] Based on these analyses, the applicant proposes a simple, effective, and inexpensive system for completely sealing and securing these specific areas. First, these adjacent lateral strips are positioned adjacent to the structural insulation. Next, these strips are mechanically fastened to the structural insulation at multiple points.

[0013] After multiple tests, the applicant has been able to demonstrate that this arrangement enables the storage facilities for liquefied gases to maintain a seal at these lateral sealing strips, which are undoubtedly among the most critical locations for structures such as ships in terms of mechanical stress.

[0014] The term "mechanical fastening" refers to the fastening between two components that is achieved by forming a physical connection, without the need for electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, or chemical energy (adhesive bonding or similar methods).

[0015] In the context of this invention, a thermal insulation element is referred to as "structural" when it has mechanical strength and / or integrity properties, and as "non-structural" when it does not have such mechanical properties.

[0016] Therefore, in the context of this invention, structural insulation can be made of plywood or have a density of at least ninety (90) kg·m³. -3 It consists of a polymer foam (referred to as "high-density polymer foam," preferably polyurethane foam). One of these two structural insulations is capable of accommodating mechanical fasteners (suitable for boxes made of plywood), while the other structural insulation does not have this capability, or does not accommodate mechanical fasteners in an optimal or preferred manner (suitable for high-density polymer foam). By convention, a structural insulation capable of accommodating or housing mechanical fasteners is defined by the expression "mechanical structural insulation (insulation)."

[0017] This is why, according to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the lateral closure strips are mechanically fastened to some or adjacent mechanical structural insulation elements.

[0018] In the context of this invention, non-structural insulation may be made of glass wool or material with a density of less than 90 kg·m³. -3It consists of polymer foam (referred to as low-density polymer foam, preferably still polyurethane foam).

[0019] By convention, the terms “external” and “internal” are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another element, referring to the interior and exterior of a storage tank.

[0020] Other advantageous features of the present invention are briefly described below:

[0021] According to one possibility provided by the present invention, the thermal insulation structure of the lid is composed of structural thermal insulation elements and non-structural thermal insulation elements.

[0022] Therefore, it should be understood in particular that the insulation box consists of structural parts (i.e., plywood) and non-structural parts (i.e., glass wool or low-density polymer foam contained in the structural parts).

[0023] According to a variant embodiment of the invention, the insulation structure of the lid consists solely of structural insulation. In this variant, the insulation structure of the lid may participate in maintaining or assist in maintaining the seal of the storage facility for liquefied gases according to the invention at one or more lateral closure strips.

[0024] Advantageously, the mechanical fastening device includes multiple screw connectors, rivet connectors or nail connectors, preferably multiple screw connectors.

[0025] Preferably, the lower cover wall, including the main partition and the lateral sealing strips, is made of material with a thermal expansion coefficient between 0.5 × 10⁻⁶. -6 K -1 Up to 2×10 -6 K -1 Made of an alloy of iron and nickel, preferably, the lower cover wall is made of Invar. Made.

[0026] Preferably, the flat metal plates comprising at least a main partition and a lower cover wall of lateral closure strips are fastened together by welding.

[0027] Preferably, the length of the lateral closure strip is between 400 cm and 550 cm, more preferably between 440 cm and 510 cm, the width is between 20 cm and 40 cm, more preferably between 25 cm and 30 cm, and the thickness is between 1.2 mm and 1.8 mm.

[0028] As in Figure 4It is particularly noteworthy that there are four lateral closure strips designed to seal the lower wall of the cover and connect it to the main structure. However, the invention is intended to be particularly applied to the lateral closure strips extending along the axis x'x perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ship, because, according to the applicant's analysis, these strips are subjected to the most severe mechanical stresses, especially buckling caused by the compression of the strip ends due to the elongation of the hull beams. In its broadest definition, the invention will be applied to at least one of two lateral closure strips extending along the axis x'x, very advantageously to both closure strips, but the invention will be described below by considering its application to two lateral closure strips extending along the axis x'x.

[0029] Of course, it is also conceivable to apply the invention to all four laterally closed strips, that is, to the other two strips extending along the longitudinal axis of the ship.

[0030] According to a first preferred embodiment, at least one lateral closure strip consists of three elements: a central element and two end elements, with only the central element being mechanically fastened to an adjacent structural insulation element.

[0031] Advantageously, in this first embodiment, the end element covers the mechanical fastening device in a sealed manner.

[0032] In the context of this first embodiment, preferably, the end elements are welded to the center element in a sealed manner.

[0033] Still within the context of this first embodiment, advantageously, the width of the central element is between 10 cm and 20 cm, and the width of the end elements is between 8 cm and 15 cm.

[0034] According to a second preferred embodiment, at least one lateral closure strip includes a plurality of openings for mechanical connection to an adjacent structural insulation element by means of screw fastening.

[0035] In the context of this second embodiment, preferably, each opening is configured such that there is a space between 10 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 25 cm, between the openings.

[0036] Still in the context of this second embodiment, advantageously, each orifice is covered with a metal component, preferably circular in shape and made of the same material as the lateral closure strip, the metal component being sealed, preferably by welding, to the lateral closure strip.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, the thermal insulation structure of the lid and / or the structural insulation adjacent to the lateral closure strip consists of a plurality of boxes, which are preferably made of plywood, and are arranged side by side and filled with thermal insulation filler.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the non-structural insulation element of the lid's insulation structure is made of at least one polymer foam (e.g., low density (less than or equal to 90 kg·m³)). -3 It consists of polyurethane foam blocks.

[0039] Advantageously, the sealing membrane is the primary sealing membrane, the thermal insulation barrier is the primary thermal insulation barrier, and wherein the main structure of the storage tank includes, in the thickness direction from the outside of the storage tank toward the inside of the storage tank, a secondary thermal insulation barrier fastened to a load-bearing structure, a secondary sealing membrane supported by the secondary thermal insulation barrier, a primary thermal insulation barrier supported by the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary thermal insulation barrier, the primary sealing membrane being intended to contact the liquefied gas.

[0040] More particularly, the present invention relates to a vessel for transporting cold liquid products, the vessel having a double hull and storage facilities as described above disposed within the double hull.

[0041] Advantageously, the ship has an inner deck and an outer deck, with the inner upper load-bearing wall of the load-bearing structure formed by the inner deck and the outer upper load-bearing wall formed by the outer deck.

[0042] The present invention also relates to a system for conveying cold liquid products, the system comprising: a ship as described above; an insulated conduit arranged to connect a storage tank installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or onshore external storage facility; and a pump for conveying a flow of cold liquid products through the insulated conduit from the floating or onshore external storage facility to the storage tank of the ship, or from the storage tank of the ship to the floating or onshore external storage facility.

[0043] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for loading or unloading from a vessel, which is as described above, wherein cold liquid products are supplied from a floating or onshore external storage facility to the vessel's tanks via insulated pipes, or from the vessel's tanks to a floating or onshore external storage facility. Attached Figure Description

[0044] The invention will be better understood in the course of the following description of several specific embodiments given by way of illustration only and not limitation, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, and other objects, details, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent.

[0045] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid dome according to a first or second embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates the first step in assembling a liquid dome, showing the lid of the liquid dome and the following parts of the main structure, into which the lid of the liquid dome is inserted and then connected.

[0047] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 It schematically shows the following Figure 2 The second step of assembling the liquid dome, as shown in the sequence, involves inserting the lid of the liquid dome into the main structure.

[0048] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 It schematically shows the following Figure 2 and Figure 3 The third step in assembling the liquid dome, as shown in the sequence, involves placing four lateral closure strips relative to the lid and preparing to connect the lid to the main structure in a sealed manner.

[0049] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the lateral closed strip according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laterally closed strip according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 This is another cross-sectional view of the lateral closed strip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laterally closed strip according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 The second embodiment of the invention provides a top view that allows for the observation of metal components that seal over openings for mechanically securing lateral closure strips.

[0054] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage facilities and terminals used for loading / unloading from a methane carrier. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Here, the term "vertical" refers to extending along the direction of the Earth's gravitational field. The term "horizontal" refers to extending along a direction perpendicular to the vertical.

[0056] The invention is illustrated below using a ship as an example. Indeed, it is from the structure of this type of storage facility, based on existing technology, that the applicant has been able to identify potential faults, which are then addressed by means of the invention. However, it is conceivable to apply the features of the invention to structures of different natures, such as onshore or offshore storage facilities (referred to as “GBS,” meaning “Global Basic Storage”).

[0057] Figure 1 A portion of a storage facility 1, including a load-bearing structure 2, is schematically depicted at a liquid dome. Inside the load-bearing structure 2, the storage facility 1 includes a sealed and insulated tank 71, which will be described below.

[0058] The load-bearing structure 2 has multiple interconnected walls, particularly the upper load-bearing wall 3, such as in Figure 1 As can be seen, the upper load-bearing wall 3 is located at the top of the storage facility 1.

[0059] When the storage facility 1 is located on a vessel such as a methane carrier, the load-bearing structure 2 is formed by the vessel's double hull. Therefore, the upper load-bearing wall 3 is referred to as the vessel's internal deck 3, and also exists... Figure 1 The outer deck is not visible in the middle.

[0060] The storage tank 71 has a main structure consisting of a bottom wall (not shown), a top wall 3 (upper wall or internal deck), two dike walls 4 connecting the bottom wall to the top wall 3 and located at the front and rear of the storage facility 1, two side walls (not shown), and optionally two to four chamfered walls (not shown) connecting the side walls to the bottom wall or top wall 3. Thus, the walls of the storage tank 71 are interconnected to form a polyhedral structure and define the internal storage space.

[0061] To load or unload liquefied gas into or from storage tank 71, storage facility 1 has a loading / unloading opening 10 that partially interrupts the top wall 3 of storage tank 71, specifically to allow loading / unloading pipes (not shown in the figures) to reach the bottom of storage tank 71 through the opening 10. In particular, the orifices required for these pipes in the liquid dome are located in... Figure 2 As can be seen in the text.

[0062] Storage facility 1 also includes a loading / unloading tower (not shown in the figures), which is aligned with opening 10 and forms support structures for loading / unloading piping (not visible in the figures) and pumps (not shown in the figures) over the entire height of tank 71. It is important to note that once tank 71 has been positioned, this loading / unloading tower is connected to the cover 12 of the liquid dome.

[0063] Therefore, the storage facility 1 has a cover 12, which is disposed in the loading / unloading opening 10 to close the internal storage space at the opening 10. The cover 12 includes an inlet / outlet allowing loading / unloading pipes to pass through it, and two through-inlets / outlets with a larger diameter, one referred to as the operator inlet / outlet (or “manhole”) and the other referred to as the material inlet / outlet (or “material port”). These two through-inlets / outlets also... Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen in the text.

[0064] In the context of this invention, the cover 12 also refers to a "liquid dome". The loading / unloading opening 10 has a rectangular or square outline.

[0065] Storage tank 71 is a membrane storage tank capable of storing liquefied gas. The main structure 6 of storage tank 71 includes a multi-layer structure, which, from the outside to the inside, includes a secondary heat insulation barrier 16, a secondary sealing membrane 17, a primary heat insulation barrier 18, and a primary sealing membrane 19. The secondary heat insulation barrier 16 has heat insulation elements and abuts against load support structures 2, 3, or 4 in the attached drawings. The secondary sealing membrane 17 abuts against the secondary heat insulation barrier 16. The primary heat insulation barrier 18 has heat insulation elements and abuts against the secondary sealing membrane 17. The primary sealing membrane 19 is designed to contact the liquefied gas contained in storage tank 71 in a liquid or gaseous state.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the main structure of storage tank 71 is based on NO. The technology used to manufacture it is specifically described in document FR-A-2867831. Technical. This document is incorporated herein by reference to describe the arrangement of the main structure 6, particularly the arrangement of elements 16, 17, 18 and 19.

[0067] The cover 12 has a multi-layered structure, comprising an upper cover wall 22, a lower cover wall 23, and an insulating structure 24 disposed between the two walls 22 and 23. The lower cover wall 23 has a plurality of flat metal plates connected to each other in a sealing manner, the plurality of flat metal plates including at least one main partition and two pairs of lateral sealing strips 60, 61, which are described in more detail below. Thus, the lower cover wall 23 forms the main sealing membrane of the cover 12; this is why the lower cover wall 23 must be connected to the main membrane 19 of the main structure 6. This connection is ensured by the lateral sealing strips 60, 61, as will be seen in more detail below. The upper cover wall 22 is sealed to the inner deck 3 around the entire opening 10, such that the upper cover wall 22 acts as a secondary sealing membrane 17. The upper cover wall 22 is made of a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel).

[0068] The insulation structure 24 comprises multiple insulation elements juxtaposed on top of each other and may have similar or different constructions. These insulation elements may be so-called “structural” insulation elements 40, which inherently possess better or even significantly better mechanical integrity characteristics or performance than so-called “non-structural” insulation elements 41. Structural insulation elements 40 may optionally be fiber-reinforced high-density polymer foam blocks, or boxes made of plywood or composite materials filled with insulating fillers such as glass wool, polymer foam, or perlite (which are essentially non-structural insulation elements). Non-structural insulation elements 41 may be low-density polymer foam blocks or glass wool. The terms “structural insulation element” and “non-structural insulation element” refer to the fact that these elements, in addition to possessing the existing insulation performance of these two types of elements 40, 41, also possess the aforementioned mechanical properties.

[0069] Figures 2 to 4 The sequence of installing and assembling the cover 12 into the opening 10 is shown. (As in...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, the size of the lid 12 is substantially the same as the size of the opening 10. Once the lid 12 has been placed in the opening 10, the four lateral closure strips 60, 61 are positioned to ensure the sealing connection of the lid 12, and more specifically, to ensure the sealing connection of the lower lid wall 23.

[0070] Advantageously, the lower cover wall 23, the lateral sealing strips 60, 61, and the main sealing membrane 19 of the main structure 6 are all made of a single material with a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, such as Invar. Fabricated. The identical metallic alloy properties of these three components, 23, 19 and 60, 61, make them easier to connect in a sealed manner by welding. (See attached diagram.) Figure 6 and Figure 8 The black triangle 20 in the center schematically shows the weld between the various components.

[0071] Two of the four lateral closure strips (i.e., strips 61) extend along the longitudinal axis of the ship, while the other two lateral closure strips 60 extend along an axis x'x perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ship. As stated above, the applicant has found that strips 60 are more susceptible to buckling than strips 61, which is why the invention is initially intended to be implemented for at least one of these strips 60, ideally for two strips 60. The invention is described below with reference to a single strip 60, but again, it is advantageous and desirable even to apply the invention to two strips 60, or even to the other two strips 61, rather than to apply the invention only to these two strips 61.

[0072] In the context of this invention, it is crucial that the structural insulation 40 be arranged adjacent to the lateral closure strip 60 along its entire length, where the mechanical fastening between the structural insulation 40 and the strip 60 will be achieved. Essentially, it becomes apparent to the applicant that this arrangement of the structural insulation 40 in contact with the lateral closure strip 60 is primarily for the aforementioned fastening, but also to ensure support for the strip 60 and absorption of mechanical forces by the structural insulation 40, forces that primarily tend to cause buckling of the strip 60.

[0073] Figures 5 to 7 A first embodiment of the invention is shown, wherein the lateral closure strip 60 is constituted or formed by three elements: a central element 65 and two end elements 66. In this embodiment, only the central element 65 is mechanically fastened to the adjacent structural insulation 40, and the two end elements 66 are welded to the central element 65 in a sealing manner. Advantageously, the dimensions (width, length, thickness) of the two end elements 66 are not strictly identical, for one end element (i.e., the one fastened to the lower cover wall 23) due to the arrangement of the insulation structure 24, and for the other end element (i.e., the one fastened to the main sealing membrane 19) due to the arrangement of the main structure 6. Advantageously, the length of the central element 65 is the same as the length of the end elements 66, but the width and thickness may differ slightly, by approximately a few millimeters in width and one or two millimeters in thickness.

[0074] As in Figure 5 and Figure 7 Specifically, it can be observed that adjacent structural insulation elements 40 advantageously have recesses 67 for each screw 68 or similar, the recesses 67 being designed to mechanically fasten the lateral closure strip 60 to the structural insulation element 40. Thus, in the case of screws, the head of the mechanical device 68 does not come into contact with the end element 66.

[0075] Figure 8 and Figure 9 A second embodiment of the invention is shown. In this case, the lateral closure strip 60 consists of a single strip through which a plurality of orifices 69 pass, which are advantageously spaced at the same length / distance from each other. Each of these orifices 69 is intended to receive a screw 68 or the like (i.e., a mechanical device 68 for fastening the strip 60 to an adjacent structural insulation 40).

[0076] Once the mechanical device 68 has been placed in place and arranged to function in each orifice 69, the orifice 69 is covered with a mechanical component 90, which is fastened to the lateral closure strip 60 in a sealing manner. As in the first embodiment of the invention, at each orifice 69, the lateral closure strip 60 forms a recess 67 that prevents the head of the screw 68 or similar object from contacting the mechanical component 90 once the screw 68 has been placed in place and is functioning in its dedicated orifice 69. Alternatively or supplementing to this recess 67, adjacent structural insulation members 40 may also have a single recess that functions identically to the mechanical fastening device.

[0077] Figure 10 An example of a marine terminal with a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76, and a land-based facility 77 is depicted. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed marine facility with a boom 74 and a tower 78 supporting the boom 74. The boom 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible hoses 79, which connect to the loading / unloading pipeline 73. The directional boom 74 is suitable for methane carriers of all sizes. A connecting pipeline (not shown) extends within the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows a methane carrier 70 to load or unload onto or onto the land-based facility 77. The land-based facility 77 has liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and a connecting pipeline 81 connected to the loading and unloading station 75 via the underwater pipeline 76. The underwater pipeline 76 enables the transport of liquefied gas over long distances (e.g., 5 km) between the loading or unloading station 75 and the land-based facility 77, allowing the methane carrier 70 to remain at a considerable distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0078] To generate the pressure required for transporting liquefied gases, pumps on the vessel 70 and / or pumps provided to the onshore facility 77 and / or pumps provided to the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0079] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with many specific embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is by no means limited to these specific embodiments, and the invention includes all technical equivalents and combinations thereof of the described apparatus if such technical equivalents and combinations thereof fall within the scope of the invention.

[0080] The use of the verbs “having,” “including,” or “comprising,” and their variations, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those mentioned in the claims.

[0081] In the claims, any reference numerals placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A storage facility (1) for liquefied gases, said storage facility comprising a load-bearing structure (2) and a sealed and insulated storage tank (71) arranged in said load-bearing structure (2), The sealed and insulated storage tank (71) has a main structure (6) formed by a plurality of tank walls connected to each other and fastened to the load support structure (2), the main structure (6) defining an internal storage space, the main structure (6) including at least one sealing membrane (17, 19) and at least one heat insulation barrier (16, 18) placed between the sealing membrane (17, 19) and the load support structure (2); The load support structure (2) has a substantially flat upper load support wall (3); The sealing membrane (17, 19) and thermal insulation barrier (16, 18) of the main structure (6) and the upper load support wall (3) are partially interrupted to define a loading / unloading opening (10) intended for the passage of a fluid loading / unloading pipe. in, The storage tank (71) has a cover (12) disposed in the loading / unloading opening (10); The cover (12) includes an upper cover wall (22), a lower cover wall (23), and a heat insulation structure (24) located between the lower cover wall (23) and the upper cover wall (22); The lower cover wall (23) has a plurality of flat metal plates connected to each other in a sealed manner. The plurality of flat metal plates include at least one main partition and two lateral sealing strips (60, 61). Each of the two lateral sealing strips is used to seal the lower cover wall (23) in a sealed manner and to connect the lower cover wall to the main structure (6). The feature is that at least one of the lateral closure strips (60) is adjacent to the structural insulation member (40), and the lateral closure strip (60) is mechanically fastened to the adjacent structural insulation member (40) by a mechanical fastening device.

2. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The mechanical fastening device (68) includes multiple screw connectors, rivet connectors or nail connectors.

3. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The lower cover wall (23), including the main partition and the lateral sealing strips (60, 61), is made of materials with a thermal expansion coefficient between 0.5 × 10⁻⁶. -6 K -1 Up to 2×10 -6 K -1 It is made of an alloy of iron and nickel.

4. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The flat metal plates of the lower cover wall (23), including at least the main partition and the lateral closure strips (60, 61), are fastened together by welding.

5. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The lateral closure strips (60, 61) are between 400 cm and 550 cm in length, between 20 cm and 40 cm in width, and between 1.2 mm and 1.8 mm in thickness.

6. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one lateral closure strip (60) consists of three elements: a central element (65) and two end elements (66), with only the central element (65) being mechanically fastened to the adjacent structural insulation (40).

7. The storage facility (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The end element (66) covers the mechanical fastening device in a sealed manner.

8. The storage facility (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The end element (66) is welded to the center element (65) in a sealed manner.

9. The storage facility (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The width of the central element (65) is between 10 cm and 20 cm, and the width of the end element (66) is between 8 cm and 15 cm.

10. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one lateral closure strip (60) includes a plurality of openings (69) for mechanical connection to the adjacent structural insulation member (40) by means of screw fastening.

11. The storage facility (1) according to claim 10, wherein, Each orifice (69) is configured such that there is a space between 10 cm and 30 cm between the orifices.

12. The storage facility (1) according to claim 10, wherein, Each opening (69) is covered with a metal component (90) that is securely fastened to the lateral closure strip (60) in a sealed manner.

13. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The thermal insulation structure (24) of the cover (12) and / or the structural insulation element (40) adjacent to the lateral closure strip (60) consists of a plurality of boxes, which are placed side by side and filled with thermal insulation filler.

14. The storage facility (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The sealing membrane is a primary sealing membrane (19), the thermal insulation barrier is a primary thermal insulation barrier (18), and wherein the main structure (6) of the storage tank (71) includes, in the thickness direction from the outside of the storage tank (71) toward the inside of the storage tank, a secondary thermal insulation barrier (16) fastened to the load support structure, a secondary sealing membrane (17) supported by the secondary thermal insulation barrier (16), a primary thermal insulation barrier (18) supported by the secondary sealing membrane (17), and a primary sealing membrane (19) supported by the primary thermal insulation barrier (18), the primary sealing membrane being intended to contact the liquefied gas.

15. The storage facility (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The lower cover wall (23) is made of Made.

16. The storage facility (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The boxes are made of plywood.

17. A vessel (70) for transporting cold liquid products, the vessel having a double hull (72) and a storage facility (1) disposed in the double hull according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The vessel (70) according to claim 17, wherein, The vessel (70) has an inner deck (3) and an outer deck, wherein the inner upper load-bearing wall of the load-bearing structure is formed by the inner deck (3) and the outer upper load-bearing wall is formed by the outer deck.

19. A system for conveying cold liquid products, the system comprising: a vessel (70) according to claim 17 or 18; insulated conduits (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect a storage tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based external storage facility (77); and a pump for conveying a flow of cold liquid products through the insulated conduits from the floating or land-based external storage facility to the storage tank of the vessel, or from the storage tank of the vessel to the floating or land-based external storage facility.

20. A method for loading or unloading from a vessel (70), said vessel being the vessel according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, Cold liquid products are supplied from a floating or onshore external storage facility (77) to the vessel's storage tanks (71) via insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81), or from the vessel's storage tanks to the floating or onshore external storage facility.

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