Sealed and thermally insulated tank comprising a corrugated portion barrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank, wherein the tank wall comprises at least one thermal insulation barrier (1, 5) and at least one sealing membrane (4, 7), the sealing membrane comprising a parallel series of corrugations (25, 26), the thermal insulation barrier (1, 5) being located between the sealing membrane and a support structure, the thermal insulation barrier (1, 5) comprising a parallel series of grooves (14, 15) that receive the series of corrugations (25, 26), wherein the tank comprises at least one corrugation barrier (32) located between a corrugation of the series of corrugations (25, 26) and an insulation panel, wherein the corrugation barrier (32) comprises a core of compressible material and a cladding that completely covers said core, the corrugation barrier (32) being compressed between the sealing membrane and the thermal insulation barrier.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the prior art, sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing liquefied natural gas are known, which are integrated into the support structure of a vessel used for transporting liquefied natural gas, such as a catamaran. Such tanks typically have a multi-layered structure, which, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, includes: a secondary thermal insulation barrier held on the support structure; a secondary sealing membrane abutting the secondary thermal insulation barrier; a primary thermal insulation barrier abutting the secondary sealing membrane; and a primary sealing membrane abutting the primary thermal insulation barrier and intended to contact the liquefied natural gas contained within the tank.

[0003] Document WO2019102163 describes a secondary thermal barrier and a primary thermal barrier formed by juxtaposed insulating plates. In WO2019102163, the secondary sealing membrane comprises multiple metal plates, each including corrugated portions projecting outwards towards the tank, thus allowing the secondary sealing membrane to deform under thermal and mechanical loads generated by the fluid stored in the tank. The inner surfaces of the insulating plates of the secondary thermal barrier include grooves that receive the corrugated portions of the corrugated metal plates of the secondary sealing membrane. These corrugated portions and these grooves form a mesh of channels extending along the tank wall.

[0004] To block the channel, document WO2019102163 also describes a thermal insulation barrier comprising a shell intersecting the groove and having a width greater than the width of the groove. Therefore, the can includes a blocking element arranged in the shell such that the blocking element blocks a portion of the groove on the protruding side of the sealing membrane and generates a head loss for the flow circulating in the groove. Thus, the blocking element can be moved within the shell to adapt to the position of the corrugated portion in the groove. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the ideas behind this invention is to make the corrugated section blocking element more adaptable while simplifying its installation in the tank.

[0006] Another concept behind this invention is to limit the presence of continuous circulation channels in the thermal insulation barrier in order to restrict natural convection within the thermal insulation barrier.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed and thermally insulated tank for storing and securing a fluid to a support structure, wherein the tank wall includes at least one thermal insulation barrier and at least one sealing membrane, the sealing membrane comprising a series of longitudinally parallel corrugated portions and planar portions located between the corrugated portions, the corrugated portions protruding from the planar portions, the thermal insulation barrier being positioned against the sealing membrane, the thermal insulation barrier comprising insulating plates juxtaposed on top of each other.

[0008] The can includes at least one corrugated portion blocking member positioned aligned with one of the series of corrugated portions and located between one of the series of corrugated portions and one of the insulating plates. The corrugated portion blocking member is configured to block the space left between the corrugated portion and the groove accommodating the corrugated portion.

[0009] The corrugated portion barrier includes a compressible material core and a flexible covering that completely covers the core to form a container for the compressible material core. The corrugated portion barrier creeps or is compressed between the sealing membrane and the thermal insulation barrier.

[0010] Due to these features, this can provides the possibility of flexible barriers to receive the corrugated portion of the membrane within a groove, even with tolerances in the position of the corrugated portion within the groove. Such tolerances can be particularly caused by the fabrication and installation of the corrugated portion within the groove. Furthermore, due to these features, the space between the convex side of the corrugated portion and the bottom of the groove formed by the thermal insulation barrier can be blocked by the corrugated portion barrier depending on the different positions of the corrugated portion within the groove. In fact, the compressible material core, when compressed, can easily fill this space by adapting to the position of the corrugated portion and being compressed to a greater extent to align with it.

[0011] Therefore, corrugated baffles can restrict the flow formed in the channels of the thermal insulation barrier, especially the formation of thermosiphons between these channels and any flow channels positioned closer to the hull—for example, in the space where adhesive is applied between the thermal insulation barrier and the support structure.

[0012] In embodiments of the present invention, the can of the above type may have one or more of the following features.

[0013] According to one embodiment, a thermal barrier is positioned between a sealing membrane and a support structure, with corrugated portions protruding toward the interior of the tank. Each barrier plate includes a rigid plate with a planar surface forming a facet that contacts the sealing membrane. A corrugated portion blocking member is positioned between a corrugated portion of a series of corrugated portions and the rigid plate of the barrier plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the corrugated portion protrudes from the planar portion on the protruding side of the sealing film, the thermal barrier is positioned on the protruding side of the sealing film, the thermal barrier includes a series of parallel grooves for receiving the series of corrugated portions, and the corrugated portion blocking member is positioned aligned with the corrugated portion of the series of corrugated portions and located between the bottom of the corrugated portion of the series of corrugated portions and the groove of the series of grooves.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the corrugated portion blocking member is compressed by the sealing film such that the dimension in the thickness direction is locally reduced by at least 20% between the thickness before compression and the thickness after compression, preferably locally reduced by at least 30%, more preferably locally reduced by at least 40%, for example locally reduced by about 50%.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the cover includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being positioned in contact with a sealing film, and the first and second layers being fixed to each other at least a portion of their peripheries to form a container for a compressible material core.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first layer and the second layer are fixed to each other around the entire periphery of the first layer and the second layer to form a closed container for a compressible material core.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first layer is made of a material that is more flexible than the material of the second layer.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the cover includes only one layer, the single layer including an inner surface positioned to contact the sealing membrane, the single layer being formed in the form of a flexible tubular member to form a container for a compressible material core.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the single layer, the first layer, and / or the second layer include at least one perforation to facilitate air expulsion when the barrier is compressed. In the case of a single layer, the single layer may include at least one perforation on its outer surface and / or inner surface.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the core has at least 50% of the volume of the corrugated portion blocking member in the compressed state or before compression, preferably, the core has at least 90% of the volume of the corrugated portion blocking member in the compressed state or before compression.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the core is made of foam, powder, or nonwoven fiber material.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the core is made of a material selected from the following: mineral wool, melamine foam, polyester filler, polyethylene filler, synthetic plastic foam, polyamide fiber, acrylic fiber, or a combination thereof.

[0024] For example, polyester fillers can be manufactured in the form of fiber mats, beads, spheres, or clusters.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the cover is preferably made of a non-airtight material that is prone to high pressure head loss.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the cover includes a woven or nonwoven fabric layer comprising mineral and / or synthetic fibers, such as glass fiber or polyester, polyamide, or acrylic polymer fibers. This layer can be combined with an aluminum foil or plastic film, which is preferably perforated to avoid a complete seal. This layer can also be coated to improve its sealing properties.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the can includes a plurality of corrugated portion blocking members, each corrugated portion blocking member being positioned between a corrugated portion and a groove receiving the corrugated portion.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the tank includes a plurality of corrugated portion blocking members, each corrugated portion blocking member being positioned between the corrugated portion and the insulating plate.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the can includes a plurality of corrugated portion blocks positioned aligned with a corrugated portion of a series of corrugated portions and located between a corrugated portion of a series of corrugated portions and a recess of a series of recesses. Each corrugated portion block is configured to block the space left between the corrugated portion and the recess that receives the corrugated portion. The corrugated portion blocks are regularly spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the series of corrugated portions.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the can includes a plurality of corrugated portion blocking members positioned aligned with and between the corrugated portions of the series of corrugated portions and an isolation plate formed to align with the corrugated portions. Each corrugated portion blocking member is configured to block the space left between the corrugated portions and the isolation plate. The corrugated portion blocking members are regularly spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the series of corrugated portions.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the can includes a plurality of corrugated portion blocking members positioned aligned with a corrugated portion of a series of corrugated portions and located between a corrugated portion of a series of corrugated portions and a recess of a series of recesses. Each corrugated portion blocking member is configured to block the space left between the corrugated portion and the recess accommodating the corrugated portion. The corrugated portion blocking members for the corrugated portions are regularly spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the thermal barrier is a first thermal barrier, and the can includes a second thermal barrier positioned opposite to the protruding side of the sealing film, and the can includes at least one complementary corrugated portion blocking member positioned facing the at least one corrugated portion blocking member to sandwich the corrugated portion of the sealing film between the corrugated portion blocking member and the complementary corrugated portion blocking member, the complementary corrugated portion blocking member being configured to block the space left between the corrugated portion and the second thermal barrier.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier includes an inner surface, a series of grooves formed on the inner surface, and a corrugated portion protruding toward the outside of the tank.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the sealing membrane is a secondary sealing membrane, the thermal barrier is a primary thermal barrier, the corrugated portion protrudes toward the interior of the can, and the can includes a secondary thermal barrier held on a support structure and supporting the secondary sealing membrane, the primary thermal barrier being supported by the secondary sealing membrane, the can including a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary thermal barrier and for contacting fluid in the can, and a series of grooves formed on the outer surface of the primary thermal barrier.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier includes insulation plates that are placed side by side with each other. The insulation plates are provided with grooves forming a series of recesses such that the grooves of two adjacent insulation plates are aligned in the longitudinal direction, and the at least one corrugated portion blocking member is received in the groove of one of the insulation plates.

[0036] According to one embodiment, an inter-plate space is defined between two adjacent insulating plates, and the at least one corrugated portion blocking member is accommodated in a groove of one of the two insulating plates and can protrude into the inter-plate space.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier includes: at least one insulating seal disposed in the inter-panel space and extending along the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space; and at least one bridging element disposed above the insulating seal.

[0038] Furthermore, the bridging element includes a bridging plate that bridges two adjacent insulating plates and is fixed to the inner surfaces of the two insulating plates to prevent them from moving apart. The inner surfaces of the insulating plates form the inner surface of a thermal insulation barrier.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier includes: at least one insulating seal housed in an inter-plate space and extending along the longitudinal direction of the inter-plate space; and at least one bridging element, said at least one bridging element being part of a bridging element chain and disposed above the insulating seal, wherein a first bridging element of the bridging element chain extends between two consecutive corrugated portions in a series of corrugated portions, and a corrugated portion blocking member is positioned between the first bridging element and the second bridging element of the bridging element chain.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the bridging element includes a barrier strip assembled to the bridging plate, the barrier strip being smaller in the longitudinal direction than the bridging plate in the longitudinal direction, so as to be accommodated in the inter-plate space and compressed along the thickness direction of the thermal barrier between the bridging plate and the barrier seal.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier includes a bridging element chain extending in the longitudinal direction of the space between the panels, and the bridging element chain includes a plurality of bridging elements that bridge and fix two adjacent insulation panels to each other.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a first bridging element of the bridging element chain extends between two consecutive corrugated portions in a series of corrugated portions, and a corrugated portion blocking member is positioned between the first and second bridging elements of the bridging element chain and aligned with a corrugated portion in a series of corrugated portions located between the sealing film and the thermal insulation barrier.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the first bridging element is fixed to the second bridging element by a corrugated portion blocking member.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the corrugated portion blocking member is fixed to the flexible layer, and two adjacent bridging elements of the chain are fixed to each other through the flexible layer.

[0045] According to one embodiment, each insulating plate includes an insulating polymer foam layer and a rigid plate having a face that contacts the sealing film, with a groove in a series of grooves formed in the rigid plate.

[0046] According to one embodiment, a series of corrugated portions is a first series of corrugated portions, and the corrugated metal plate includes a second series of parallel corrugated portions extending parallel to the transverse direction and a planar portion located between the corrugated portions.

[0047] These tanks can be integrated into onshore storage facilities, such as for storing LNG, or they can be installed in coastal or deep-water floating structures, particularly in methane tankers, floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, etc. These tanks can also be used as fuel tanks in any type of vessel.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a vessel for transporting cold liquid products, the vessel comprising a double hull and the aforementioned tank disposed within the double hull.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a transfer system for cold liquid products, the system comprising: the aforementioned vessel; an isolation conduit arranged to connect tanks installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or shore-based storage device; and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid products from the floating or shore-based storage device via the isolation conduit to the tanks of the vessel, or driving a flow of cold liquid products from the tanks of the vessel via the isolation conduit to the floating or shore-based storage device.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a vessel, wherein cold liquid products are transported from a floating or shore storage facility to the vessel's tanks via insulated pipes, or cold liquid products are transported from the vessel's tanks to a floating or shore storage facility via insulated pipes. Attached Figure Description

[0051] The invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings, and other objects, details, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent.

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[0065] The terms “outer” and “inner” are typically used to refer to the interior and exterior of a container to define the relative position of one element with respect to another.

[0066] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows a multi-layered structure of one embodiment of a sealed and thermally insulated tank for storing fluids.

[0067] Each wall of the tank, from the outside to the inside, includes: a secondary thermal insulation barrier 1, which is anchored to a support structure 3 by a secondary retaining member and includes juxtaposed insulation plates 2; a secondary sealing membrane 4, which is supported by the insulation plates 2 of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1; a primary thermal insulation barrier 5, which is anchored to the insulation plates 2 of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 by a primary retaining member 19 and includes juxtaposed insulation plates 6; and a primary sealing membrane 7, which is supported by the insulation plates 6 of the primary thermal insulation plates 5 and is used to contact the cryogenic fluid contained in the tank.

[0068] The support structure 3 may be, in particular, a self-supporting metal plate, or more generally, the support structure 3 may be any type of rigid partition with suitable mechanical properties. The support structure 3 may be formed, in particular, by the hull or double hull of a ship. The support structure 3 includes multiple walls that define the overall shape of the tank, typically a polyhedral shape.

[0069] The secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 comprises a plurality of insulation plates 2, which are anchored to the support structure 3 by resin beads (not depicted) and / or by studs welded to the support structure 3. If the resin beads are used to anchor the insulation plates 2 individually, the resin beads must have sufficient adhesiveness; however, if the insulation plates 2 are anchored by studs, the resin beads do not necessarily need to be adhesive. The insulation plates 2 have a generally cuboid shape.

[0070] In particular, such as Figures 3 to 10 As depicted, insulating panels 2 and 6 both include an insulating polymer foam layer 9, which has an inner rigid plate 10 disposed on its inner surface and possibly an outer rigid plate (not depicted) disposed on its outer surface. The inner rigid plate 10 and the outer rigid plate are, for example, plywood board glued to the insulating polymer foam layer 9. The insulating polymer foam may be, in particular, a polyurethane-based foam. The polymer foam is advantageously reinforced with glass fibers that help reduce the thermal shrinkage of the polymer foam.

[0071] The insulating panels 2 and 6 are arranged in a parallel row and separated from each other by the inter-panel space 12, which ensures functional assembly clearance. The inter-panel space 12 is filled with an insulating seal 13, which is particularly located in... Figure 5 and Figure 6The material is indicated in the text, and may be, for example, glass wool, rock wool, or open-cell flexible synthetic foam possibly wrapped in kraft paper. The insulating seal 13 is advantageously made of a porous material to create a gas flow space in the inter-plate space 12 between the insulating plates 2. This gas flow space is advantageously used to allow an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to circulate within the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1, to maintain the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 in an inert atmosphere and thus prevent combustible gases from being detected within explosive concentration ranges, and / or to reduce the pressure within the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1, thereby increasing the insulating capacity of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1. This gas circulation is also important for convenient detection of any combustible gas leaks. The inter-plate space 12 has a width of, for example, about 30 mm. The insulating seal 13 is therefore positioned in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the larger length of the insulating plates 2, 6, and in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The dimensions of the insulating seal 13 are set such that the inner portion of the insulating seal 13 pointing towards the secondary sealing membrane 4 is aligned with the boundary of the insulating polymer foam layer 9, as shown in the text. Figure 6 As can be seen in the text.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the internal panel 10 is in Figure 3 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The inner plate 10 is shown in detail. It includes two series of grooves 14, 15, which are perpendicular to each other to form a mesh-like portion. Each series of grooves 14, 15 is parallel to two opposite sides of the insulating plate 2. The grooves 14, 15 are used to receive corrugated portions projecting outwards from the metal plate of the secondary sealing barrier 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner plate 10 includes three grooves 14 extending longitudinally along the insulating plate 2 and nine grooves 15 extending transversely along the insulating plate 2.

[0073] The grooves 14 and 15 completely penetrate the thickness of the inner plate 10 and are therefore open at the level of the insulating polymer foam layer 9. Furthermore, the insulating plate 2 includes gap holes 16 formed in the insulating polymer foam layer 9 in the intersection area between the grooves 14 and 15. The gap holes 16 are capable of accommodating node areas at the intersections of the corrugated portions formed in the metal plate of the secondary sealing barrier 4. These node areas have tops protruding towards the outside of the tank.

[0074] Furthermore, the inner plate 10 is equipped with metal plates 17 and 18 for anchoring the edges of the corrugated metal plate of the secondary sealing membrane 4 to the insulating plate 2. The metal plates 17 and 18 extend in two perpendicular directions, each parallel to opposite sides of the insulating plate 2. The metal plates 17 and 18 are secured to the inner plate 10 of the insulating plate 2 by means of, for example, screws, rivets, or clips. The metal plates 17 and 18 are positioned in recesses formed in the inner plate 10 such that the inner surfaces of the metal plates 17 and 18 are flush with the inner surface of the inner plate 10.

[0075] The inner plate 10 is also equipped with studs 19 that protrude toward the interior of the tank and are intended to secure the primary thermal barrier 5 to the insulation plate 2 of the secondary thermal barrier 1. The metal studs 19 pass through holes formed in the metal plate 17.

[0076] Furthermore, the inner plate 10 has a stepped portion 21 in each interval between two consecutive grooves 14, 15 along the edge of the inner plate 10, which is used to receive the bridging element 20, which is described in more detail below.

[0077] like Figure 1 and Figure 9 As can be seen, the secondary sealing membrane 4 includes a plurality of corrugated metal plates 24, each of which has a generally rectangular shape. The corrugated metal plates 24 are disposed in a manner offset relative to the insulating plates 2 of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1, such that each of the corrugated metal plates 24 extends together on four adjacent insulating plates 2.

[0078] Each corrugated metal plate 24 includes a first series of parallel corrugated portions 25 extending laterally and a second series of parallel corrugated portions 26 extending longitudinally. Each series of corrugated portions 25, 26 is parallel to two opposite edges of the corrugated metal plate 24. The corrugated portions 25, 26 project outwards toward the tank, that is, toward the support structure 3. The corrugated metal plate 24 includes a plurality of planar surfaces between the corrugated portions 25, 26. At the level of each intersection between two corrugated portions 25, 26, the metal plate includes a node region. In the illustrated embodiment, the first series of corrugated portions 25 and the second series of corrugated portions 26 have the same height. However, the first series of corrugated portions 25 may have a greater height than the second series of corrugated portions 26, or the second series of corrugated portions 26 may have a greater height than the first series of corrugated portions 25.

[0079] like Figure 9As shown, the corrugated portions 25 and 26 of the corrugated metal plate 24 are accommodated in grooves 14 and 15 formed in the inner plate 10 of the insulating plate 2. Adjacent corrugated metal plates 24 are welded together in an overlapping manner. The corrugated metal plates 24 are anchored to metal plates 17 and 18 by spot welding.

[0080] The corrugated metal sheet 24 is made, for example, of Invar®: Invar® is a type of metal with a coefficient of thermal expansion typically around 1.2 x 10⁻⁶. -6 K -1 With 2 x 10 -6 K -1 Iron-nickel alloys, or those with a coefficient of thermal expansion typically around 7 x 10⁻⁶. -6 K -1 It is an iron alloy with a high manganese content. Alternatively, the corrugated metal plate 24 can also be made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0081] The primary thermal barrier 5 comprises a plurality of generally cuboid-shaped insulating plates 6. Here, the insulating plates 6 are offset relative to the insulating plates 2 of the secondary thermal barrier 1, such that each insulating plate 6 extends over the four insulating plates 2 of the secondary thermal barrier 1. The insulating plates 6 have a structure similar to that of the insulating plates 2 of the secondary thermal barrier 1.

[0082] exist Figure 1 The primary sealing membrane 7, visible in the middle, is obtained by assembling multiple corrugated metal plates 27. Each corrugated metal plate 27 includes a first series of parallel, so-called high corrugated portions 28 extending longitudinally and a second series of parallel, so-called low corrugated portions 29 extending transversely. The node region has a structure similar to that of the node region of the corrugated metal plate 24 of the secondary sealing membrane 4. The corrugated portions 28, 29 protrude toward the interior of the tank. The corrugated metal plates 27 are made, for example, of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0083] The dimensions of the grooves 14 and 15 are configured to form adjustment areas for arranging the corrugated portions 25 and 26 within the can during can manufacturing. Specifically, the dimensions of these grooves 14 and 15 must be configured to allow for dimensional variations in the corrugated portions 25 and 26 associated with manufacturing tolerances in the corrugated metal plate 24. Furthermore, this dimensional configuration must take into account tolerances for positioning the insulating plate 2 and the corrugated metal plate 24 relative to each other.

[0084] Figure 2A central position 35 and a limit position 36 are depicted, defining the range of possible positions of the corrugated portions 25 and 26 accommodated in the recesses 14 and 15. The dimensions of the recesses 14 and 15 are preferably configured such that they have a width 37 in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the corrugated portions 25 and 26 and parallel to the inner surface of the inner plate 10. This width 37 is greater than or equal to the width 38 of the corrugated portions 25 and 26 in said direction plus a predetermined tolerance, which corresponds to twice the positioning tolerance of the corrugated portions 25 and 26 on either side of the central position 35 in the recesses 14 and 15.

[0085] Due to these dimensions, space is maintained in the grooves 14 and 15 between the insulating barrier 1 and the sealing membrane 4. Therefore, these grooves 14 and 15 can form a mesh-like portion of the circulation channel. This channel, extending continuously throughout the tank wall between the sealing membrane and the thermal insulating barrier, facilitates convection, particularly on tank walls with a large vertical component, such as transverse tank walls. This continuous mesh-like channel can generate a thermosiphon effect, thereby facilitating heat transfer through gas convection within the thermal insulating barrier.

[0086] One aspect of the invention is based on the concept of preventing these convective movements within the tank wall. To this end, one aspect of the invention is based on the concept of limiting the length of the channels formed by the grooves 14, 15 of the thermal insulation barrier.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is inserted into one, some, or all of the grooves 14, 15 of the thermal insulation barrier. These corrugated portion blocking members 32 are disposed in the grooves 14, 15 to be arranged between the sealing membrane 4 and the thermal insulation barrier 1.

[0088] The corrugated portion blocking member 32 will be described below in conjunction with the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 and the secondary sealing membrane 4 described above. Clearly, the corrugated portion blocking member can also be well used between the primary thermal insulation barrier 5 and the primary sealing membrane 7 when the corrugated portions 25 and 26 protrude towards the outside of the tank, or between the primary thermal insulation barrier 5 and the secondary sealing membrane 4 when the corrugated portions 25 and 26 protrude towards the inside of the tank. Finally, these corrugated portion blocking members 32 can also be well used in tanks with only one sealing membrane.

[0089] Figure 3A first embodiment with a secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 is shown, the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 comprising a plurality of juxtaposed insulation plates 2, the insulation plates 2 being provided with a series of grooves 14, 15. In this embodiment, a corrugated portion blocking member 32 is accommodated in a plurality of grooves 14 of the series of grooves in the same insulation plate 2 and spaced apart from the inter-plate space 12, so as to be supported by an insulating polymer foam layer 9 and located between two portions of an inner rigid plate 10.

[0090] In this illustration, the blocking members 32 are aligned in the lateral direction to form blocking lines on the insulating plate 2. In another embodiment, the blocking members 32 may be positioned in a quincunx pattern or accommodated in alternating grooves 14.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 14 of the same insulating plate 2 includes a single blocking member 32, such that the pitch between the two blocking members of the groove 14 of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1 is equal to the dimension of the insulating plate 2 in the longitudinal direction of the corrugated portion 25. Obviously, in different embodiments, this pitch can be different, for example by accommodating two blocking members 32 in the groove 14 of the same insulating plate 2.

[0092] In particular, such as Figures 4 to 6 The depicted corrugated portion stopper 32 is formed of a compressible material core 33 and a covering 34 that completely covers the core 33. The core 33 is made of, for example, mineral wool, melamine foam, polyamide fiber, acrylic fiber, polyethylene filler, or polyester filler, and is capable of generating head loss in the groove 14, while allowing the corrugated portion stopper 32 to deform to accommodate the space left between the corrugated portion 25 and the groove 14. In practice, given the uncertainty in placing the corrugated portion in the groove 14, particularly due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, it is advantageous to install a larger and highly deformable corrugated portion stopper 32 with an integrally complementary shape into the space left between the corrugated portion and the groove 14, so that the corrugated portion stopper 32 is thus compressed to fill the entire space.

[0093] The cladding 34 itself is made of, for example, woven glass fiber and serves as a container for the core 33, generating additional head loss for fluid flow through the channels formed between the corrugated portion and the groove 14. In practice, the material of the cladding 34 can be chosen to have a greater or lesser filtration effect to fix the head loss of the flow through the cladding 34. Therefore, under normal operating conditions of the can, the corrugated portion barrier 32 with this cladding 34 can generate, for example, a head loss of about 3 Pa to 5 Pa. In this embodiment, the cladding 34 is formed of an inner layer 41 in contact with the secondary sealing membrane 4 and an outer layer 39 in contact with the insulating plate 2. These two layers 39, 41 are fixed to each other, for example, around their entire periphery, to form a closed container for the compressible material core 33. Furthermore, it has been found that it may be more advantageous to produce an inner layer 41 that is more flexible than the outer layer 39, making the inner layer 41 more easily deformable upon contact with the corrugated portion 25, while the outer layer 39 continues to perform its supporting and retaining function in the groove 14. The outer layer 39 of the corrugated portion stop 32 is, for example, glued or nailed to two parts of the inner rigid plate 10.

[0094] In an embodiment not shown, an additional flexible layer may be located below the outer layer 39, such that the retaining effect in the groove 14 is transferred to the additional flexible layer rather than the outer layer 39 of the container forming the core 33.

[0095] Figures 4 to 6 The diagram shows the corrugated portion blocking member 32 and the corrugated portion 25 in the groove 14 of the isolation plate 2 at different stages of assembling the tank wall, and their different placements in the groove 14.

[0096] In fact, Figure 4 The corrugated section blocker 32 is shown before the secondary sealing membrane 4 is installed, with the corrugated section blocker in an uncompressed state. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram itself shows the corrugated portion blocking member 32 after the secondary sealing film 4 has been positioned, and thus shows the corrugated portion 25 located in the groove 14 that accommodates the corrugated portion blocking member 32, with the corrugated portion blocking member 32 thus in a compressed state. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The range of possible locations described in the text, Figure 5 This illustrates the first scenario where the corrugated portion 25 is positioned at the center 35, while... Figure 6 The second case is shown where the corrugated portion 25 is in the extreme position 36.

[0097] exist Figure 4In this configuration, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is fixed to the inner rigid plate 10 of the insulating plate member 2 via both ends of the outer layer 39, and the central portion of the outer layer 39 rests on the foam layer 9. The corrugated portion blocking member 30 is thus fixed in the groove 14 and, by forming a U-shaped cross-section, has blocked most of the groove 14. Here, the compressible material core 33 is in an uncompressed state, and therefore the corrugated portion blocking member 32 has a generally constant initial thickness.

[0098] exist Figure 5 In this configuration, the corrugated portion 25 is positioned in the central position 35 within the groove 14. Therefore, the corrugated portion 25 compresses the central portion 42 of the corrugated portion blocking member 32, which is aligned with the top of the corrugated portion 25, to a greater extent, thereby locally and significantly reducing the thickness of the corrugated portion blocking member 32, for example, by approximately 50% relative to its initial value. By means of the compressible material core 33 of the corrugated portion blocking member 32 compressed in this manner, the blocking member thus blocks the space left between the insulating plate 2 and the sealing film 4 by adapting to the position of the corrugated portion 25.

[0099] In a similar way, Figure 6 In this arrangement, the corrugated portion 25 has been positioned at its extreme position 36 within the groove 14 (here, on the right-hand side of the groove 14). Therefore, the corrugated portion 25 has significantly compressed the first portion 43 of the corrugated portion blocking member 32 located on the right side of the corrugated portion, while the second portion 44 of the corrugated portion blocking member 32 itself is not compressed. Thus, compared to the initial value of the right-hand portion 43, the thickness of the right-hand portion 43 is greatly reduced, for example, by about 50%. In the example shown, the thickness of the left-hand portion 44 itself is slightly increased because this portion of the compressible material of the core 33 undergoes creep. By means of the compressible material core 33 of the corrugated portion blocking member 32 compressed in this way, the blocking member thus blocks the space left between the insulating plate 2 and the sealing membrane 4 by adapting to the position of the corrugated portion 25.

[0100] Bridge element 20 is particularly in Figures 7 to 10 As shown in these figures, each bridging element 20 includes a bridging plate 22 that bridges two adjacent partition plates 2, thereby bridging the inter-plate space 12 between the partition plates 2. Each bridging plate 22 is fixed abutting against each of the two adjacent partition plates 2 to prevent the two partition plates 2 from moving away from each other. The bridging plate 22 has a cuboid shape and includes, for example, plywood.

[0101] The outer surface of the bridging plate 22 is fixed to abut the bottom of the stepped portion 21. The depth of the stepped portion 21 is substantially equal to the thickness of the bridging plate 22, and therefore the inner surface of the bridging plate 22 substantially reaches the level of other planar areas of the inner plate 10 of the insulating plate 2. Thus, the bridging plate 22 is positioned to ensure the continuity of the bridging of the secondary sealing film 4.

[0102] In this way, which ensures good distribution of the connecting force between adjacent plates, a plurality of bridging plates 22 extend along each edge of the inner plate 10 of the insulating plate 2, and the bridging plates 22 are disposed in each gap between two adjacent grooves 14, 15 of a series of parallel grooves.

[0103] The bridging plate 22 advantageously extends over substantially the entire length of the gap between two adjacent recesses 14, 15. Furthermore, the stepped portions 21 on both sides of the inter-plate space 12 form receiving portions for the bridging plate 22, i.e., gaps formed between the edges of the stepped portions 21 of the two separating plates 2. These receiving portions have a lateral dimension slightly larger than the lateral dimension of the bridging plate 22, such that installation and / or manufacturing tolerances can be ignored when the bridging plate 22 is inserted into the receiving portion.

[0104] The bridging plate 22 can be secured against the inner plate 10 of the insulating plate 2 by any suitable means. For example, and as... Figure 3 As shown, adhesive 40 is applied in the stepped portion 21 between the outer surface of the bridging plate 22 and the inner plate 10 of the insulating plate 2, so that the bridging plate 22 can be satisfactorily fixed to the insulating plate 2.

[0105] Each bridging element 20 also includes a spacer strip 23, which is fixed to the outer surface of the bridging plate 22, for example, glued to the outer surface of the bridging plate 22. During assembly of the bridging element 20 and the spacer plate 2, the spacer strip 23 is accommodated in the inter-plate space 12 between the bridging plate 22 and the spacer seal 13 and is compressed between the two elements. To facilitate accommodation in the inter-plate space 12, the dimension of the spacer strip 23 in the lateral direction of the inter-plate space 12 is equal to the dimension of the inter-plate space 12 in the lateral direction. The spacer strip 23 is made of, for example, a polymer foam, such as polyurethane foam. The spacer strip 23 has a longitudinal dimension, for example, equal to the longitudinal dimension of the bridging plate 22.

[0106] In addition, especially such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in the embodiment depicted, bridging elements 20 that bridge two identical adjacent insulating plates 2 are connected in pairs to form a bridging element chain 30 extending along the longitudinal direction of the space 12 between the plates. However, in another embodiment not shown, the bridging elements 20 may be entirely independent of each other.

[0107] Two adjacent bridging elements 20 of the bridging element chain 30 are fixed to each other by means of a corrugated portion blocking member 32, specifically as follows: Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, the outer layer 39 of the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is more specifically fixed to the inner plate 10 of the two insulating plates 2, for example, by nailing or gluing. In this embodiment, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is thus placed horizontally in the space between the plates and aligned with the two grooves 14 to be positioned between the corrugation and the insulating seal 13.

[0108] In an embodiment not shown, two adjacent bridging elements 20 of the bridging element chain 30 are fixed to each other by means of a flexible layer 31, for example, two adjacent bridging elements 20 of the bridging element chain 30 are pinned to each other by means of the flexible layer 31. The corrugated portion blocking member 32 is fixed to the flexible layer 31, for example, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is glued to the flexible layer 31.

[0109] Furthermore, in particular Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the bridging plate 22, which is positioned aligned with the direction of the metal plates 17, 18 fixed to the insulating plate 2, is equipped with a heat protection strip 45. The heat protection strip 45 is fixed to abut against the inner wall of the bridging plate 22 and is used to protect the bridging plate 22 during the welding of the plate to form a sealing film.

[0110] exist Figure 7 In the process, the bridging component chain 30 has already been depicted in the step of bonding the bridging component chain 30 to the insulating plate 2 at the level of the stepped portion 21 using adhesive 40, while... Figure 8 In the middle, the bridging element chain 30 has been fixed to the insulating plate 2.

[0111] Figure 9 and Figure 10 yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view allows for a better distinction of the relative arrangement of different components relative to each other in two different cross-sectional directions.

[0112] exist Figure 9 The diagram also depicts a corrugated metal plate 24 of the secondary sealing membrane 4, with corrugated portions 25 and 26 of the corrugated metal plate 24 disposed in grooves 14 and 15 of the insulating plate 2 of the secondary thermal insulation barrier 1. Therefore, Figure 9 It is a cross section taken at the horizontal position of the space between the plates along the longitudinal direction of the space between the plates 12.

[0113] Therefore, the bridging plates 22 can be distinguished, with their edges angled, and the outer layer 39 is nailed or adhered to these angled surfaces. A barrier strip 23 extends along the angled edges of the bridging plates 22 at its edges to form a V-shaped cross-section outer layer 39, wherein the base of the V-shape rests on the barrier seal 13. Thus, the outer layer 39 connects the edges of two adjacent bridging plates 22. A corrugated portion blocking member 32 is placed on the flexible layer 31 and compressed between the flexible layer 31 and the corrugated portion 25.

[0114] Figure 10 This is a cross-section taken along the transverse direction of the space 12 between the plates. Therefore, the following isolation strip 23 can be distinguished in this figure: the isolation strip 23 is compressed between the bridging plate 22 and the isolation seal 13 and fills the entire space left by the isolation seal 13 in both the thickness and transverse directions. The bridging plate 22 is accommodated on both sides of the latter in two stepped portions 21 of the two adjacent isolation plates 2.

[0115] exist Figures 2 to 10 In the first embodiment, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is received in the groove 15 to be compressed between the corrugated portion and the bottom of the groove 15. Furthermore, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 is glued or nailed to the wall of the groove formed by the rigid plate 10. This embodiment specifically corresponds to the case where the corrugated portion of the sealing film protrudes towards the outside of the can and is received in the groove.

[0116] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Corresponding to the second embodiment, the difference between the second and first embodiments is that the blocking member 32 is glued to the inside of the corrugated portion and compressed between the corrugated portion and the planar rigid plate 10 of the insulating plates 2 and 6. Furthermore, this second embodiment specifically addresses the case where the corrugated portion of the sealing film protrudes towards the inside of the can 71.

[0117] therefore, Figure 11 The diagram schematically illustrates a corrugated portion stopper 32 housed within a corrugated portion before compression, such that the corrugated portion stopper has a height greater than the top height of the corrugated portion. Furthermore, before compression, the corrugated portion stopper 32 does not necessarily have a shape complementary to the corrugated portion.

[0118] Figure 12 The corrugated portion blocking member 32, housed within the corrugated portion, is also schematically shown, but this time after compression between the planar rigid plate 10 of the insulating plates 2, 6 and the corrugated portions of the sealing films 4, 7. Therefore, the corrugated portion blocking member 32 has been compressed and deformed to fill all the space left between the corrugated portion and the rigid plate 10 in one of the series of corrugated portions 25, 26.

[0119] Reference Figure 13 The cross-sectional view of the methane tanker 70 shows a generally prismatic, sealed, and isolated tank 71 installed in the twin hulls 72 of the vessel. The walls of the tank 71 include: a primary sealing barrier for contact with the LNG contained in the tank; a secondary sealing barrier disposed between the primary sealing barrier and the twin hulls 72 of the vessel; and two isolation barriers disposed between the primary sealing barrier and the secondary sealing barrier and between the secondary sealing barrier and the twin hulls 72, respectively.

[0120] In a manner known per se, the loading / unloading pipe 73 located on the top deck of a vessel can be connected to a seaport or port terminal via appropriate connectors to transfer LNG cargo from tank 71 or to tank 71.

[0121] Figure 13 An example of a marine terminal is shown, comprising a loading / unloading station 75, underwater pipelines 76, and shore-based equipment 77. The loading / unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility, comprising a boom 74 and a tower 78 supporting the boom 74. The boom 74 is supported by a bundle of isolated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading / unloading pipeline 73. The directional boom 74 is suitable for all methane tanker loaders. Connecting pipes (not shown) extend within the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows a methane tanker 70 to be loaded from or unloaded to the shore-based equipment 77. The shore-based equipment 77 includes a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81 connected to the loading or unloading station 75 via the underwater pipeline 76. The underwater pipeline 76 enables the liquefied gas to be transferred over long distances, such as 5 km, between the loading or unloading station 75 and the shore-based equipment 77, which allows the methane tanker 70 to maintain a large distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0122] Pumps 70 on board the ship and / or pumps equipped in shore-based installations 77 and / or pumps equipped in loading and unloading stations 75 are used to generate the pressure necessary for transferring liquefied gas.

[0123] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is by no means limited to these embodiments, and the invention covers all technical equivalents and combinations of the described technical means, as long as such combinations fall within the scope of the invention.

[0124] The use of the verbs “comprising” or “including” and their related forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those set forth in the claims.

[0125] In the claims, any reference numerals between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A sealed and thermally insulated tank for storing and securing a fluid to a supporting structure, wherein, The tank wall includes at least one thermal barrier and at least one sealing membrane. The sealing membrane includes a series of longitudinally parallel corrugated portions (25, 26) and a planar portion located between the corrugated portions (25, 26). The corrugated portions (25, 26) protrude from the planar portion. The thermal barrier is positioned against the sealing membrane. The thermal barrier includes insulating plates that are juxtaposed with each other. The can includes at least one corrugated portion blocking member (32) positioned aligned with one of the corrugated portions (25, 26) in a series of corrugated portions (25, 26) and located between one of the insulating plates in the series of corrugated portions (25, 26). The corrugated portion blocking member (32) is configured to block the space left between the corrugated portions (25, 26) and the insulating plate. The corrugated portion blocking member (32) includes a compressible material core (33) and a flexible covering member (34), the covering member completely covering the compressible material core (33) to form a container for the compressible material core, and the corrugated portion blocking member (32) creeps or is compressed between the sealing film and the thermal insulation barrier.

2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein, The corrugated portions (25, 26) protrude from the planar portion on the protruding side of the sealing membrane, and the thermal barrier is positioned on the protruding side of the sealing membrane. The thermal barrier includes a series of parallel grooves (14, 15) that receive the series of corrugated portions (25, 26). The corrugated portion blocking member (32) is positioned aligned with the corrugated portions (25, 26) of the series of corrugated portions (25, 26) and located between the bottom of the corrugated portions (25, 26) of the series of corrugated portions (25, 26) and the bottom of the grooves (14, 15) of the series of grooves (14, 15).

3. The tank according to claim 2, wherein, The insulating plate includes grooves (14, 15) forming a series of grooves (14, 15) such that the grooves (14, 15) of two adjacent insulating plates are aligned in the longitudinal direction, and at least one of the corrugated portion blocking members (32) is received in the groove (14, 15) of one of the insulating plates.

4. The tank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The thermal barrier is a first thermal barrier, and the can includes a second thermal barrier positioned opposite to the protruding side of the sealing film, wherein the can includes at least one complementary corrugated portion blocking member positioned facing at least one of the corrugated portion blocking members (32) to sandwich the corrugated portion (25, 26) of the sealing film between the corrugated portion blocking member and the complementary corrugated portion blocking member, the complementary corrugated portion blocking member being configured to block the space left between the corrugated portion (25, 26) and the second thermal barrier.

5. The tank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The thermal insulation barrier includes an inner surface, a series of grooves (14, 15) formed on the inner surface, and corrugated portions (25, 26) protruding toward the outside of the tank.

6. The tank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The sealing membrane is a secondary sealing membrane, the thermal insulation barrier is a primary thermal insulation barrier, the corrugated portions (25, 26) protrude toward the interior of the can, and wherein the can includes a secondary thermal insulation barrier held on the support structure and supporting the secondary sealing membrane, the primary thermal insulation barrier being supported by the secondary sealing membrane, the can including a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary thermal insulation barrier and for contact with fluid in the can, and a series of the grooves (14, 15) formed on the outer surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier.

7. The tank according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, Each insulating panel includes an insulating polymer foam layer (9) and a rigid plate (10) having a face that contacts the sealing film, wherein the grooves (14, 15) of a series of grooves (14, 15) are formed in the rigid plate.

8. The tank according to claim 1, wherein, The thermal barrier is located between the sealing membrane and the support structure, the corrugated portions (25, 26) protrude toward the interior of the tank, each barrier plate includes a rigid plate (10) with a plane having a face that contacts the sealing membrane, and the corrugated portion blocking member (32) is located between the corrugated portion (25, 26) of the series of corrugated portions (25, 26) and the rigid plate (10) of the barrier plate.

9. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The corrugated portion blocking member (32) is compressed by the sealing film, such that the dimension in the thickness direction is locally reduced by at least 20% between the thickness before compression and the thickness after compression.

10. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The covering (34) includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being positioned in contact with the sealing film, the first layer and the second layer being fixed to each other at least a portion of their peripheries to form the container for the compressible material core, the first layer being made of a material more flexible than the material of the second layer.

11. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The covering (34) includes a single layer having an inner surface positioned in contact with the sealing film, the single layer being formed in the form of a flexible tubular member to form the container for the compressible material core.

12. The tank according to claim 10, wherein, The first layer and / or the second layer includes at least one perforation.

13. The tank according to claim 11, wherein, The single layer includes at least one perforation.

14. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The compressible core (33) has at least 90% of the volume of the corrugated portion blocking member (32) in the compressed state or before compression.

15. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The compressible core (33) is made of foam, powder or nonwoven fiber material.

16. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The compressible core material (33) is selected from the following: mineral wool, polyester filler, polyethylene filler, synthetic plastic foam, polyamide fiber, acrylic fiber or a combination thereof.

17. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The compressible core material (33) is melamine foam.

18. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The covering (34) includes a woven or nonwoven fabric layer comprising mineral and / or synthetic fibers.

19. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The tank includes a plurality of corrugated section blocking members (32), each corrugated section blocking member (32) being located between the corrugated section (25, 26) and the insulating plate.

20. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The can includes a plurality of corrugated portion blocking members (32) positioned to align with and between the corrugated portions (25, 26) of the series of corrugated portions (25, 26) and an insulating plate formed to align with the corrugated portions (25, 26). Each corrugated portion blocking member (32) is configured to block the space left between the corrugated portions (25, 26) and the insulating plate. The corrugated portion blocking members (32) are regularly spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the series of corrugated portions (25, 26).

21. A vessel (70) for transporting cold liquid products, the vessel comprising a twin hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 disposed in the twin hull.

22. A transfer system for a cold liquid product, the transfer system comprising: The vessel (70) according to claim 21; an isolation conduit arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the twin hulls of the vessel to a floating or shore storage device; And a pump for driving a stream of cold liquid product from the floating or shore storage unit via the isolation pipe to the tank of the vessel, or driving a stream of cold liquid product from the tank of the vessel via the isolation pipe to the floating or shore storage unit.

23. A method for loading or unloading the vessel (70) according to claim 21, wherein, The cold liquid product is transported from a floating or onshore storage facility to the tank (71) of the vessel via an insulated pipeline, or the cold liquid product is transported from the tank of the vessel to a floating or onshore storage facility via an insulated pipeline.

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