SEALED AND THERMALLY INSULATED TANK COMPRISING A NON-Horizontal TANK WALL AND METHOD OF

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulated tank comprising a non-horizontal tank wall (1) and to an assembly method for assembling a non-horizontal tank wall. The secondary sealing membrane (4) of the tank wall comprises strakes (8), each strake (8) having two raised edges (8H, 8L). The primary thermal insulation barrier (5) of the tank wall comprises a primary thermal insulation element (11). The primary insulation element (11) comprises a bottom slit (99). The bottom slit (99) receives the two raised edges (8H, 8L), a portion of the weld support (48), and the stop block. An inner wall (99A) of the bottom gap (99) abuts against an abutment surface of the stop block, and a first support surface of the stop block opposite the abutment surface is supported on the raised edge (8H).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks with membranes. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting liquefied gases at low temperatures, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also known as LPG) with a temperature of, for example, between -50°C and 0°C, or tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) with a temperature of about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be installed on shore or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tanks can be used to transport liquefied gas or to receive liquefied gas used as fuel for propelling the floating structure. Background Art

[0002] A sealed and insulated tank is known from the related art, the tank comprising a plurality of tank walls defining an interior space of the tank, each tank wall comprising in sequence in the thickness direction a secondary thermal insulation barrier held on a supporting wall, a secondary sealing membrane arranged against the secondary thermal insulation barrier, and a primary thermal insulation barrier arranged against the secondary sealing membrane. The secondary sealing membrane comprises metal strakes welded in pairs by raised edges protruding toward the interior of the tank. The primary thermal insulation barrier comprises juxtaposed primary thermal insulation elements comprising bottom slits for receiving the raised edges of the strakes.

[0003] In such a tank, when the supporting wall is non-horizontal and the primary insulation element is anchored only to the secondary insulation barrier and the supporting wall by anchoring means, it is desirable to avoid displacement of the primary insulation element due to slipping on the strakes of the secondary sealing membrane, caused by the effects of gravity and possibly in combination with accelerations caused by the movement of the vessel at sea.

[0004] In fact, such slippage may lead to various problems, such as locally causing undesirable concentrations of strain on the strakes or even damaging the weld areas between the strakes. Summary of the invention

[0005] One idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a membrane tank wall structure that can solve at least some of the above problems. Another idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a membrane tank wall structure that is simple and reliable to assemble.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed and insulated tank, which includes a plurality of tank walls defining an interior space of the tank, the tank walls including a non-horizontal tank wall held on a non-horizontal supporting wall, the non-horizontal tank wall including, in sequence in a thickness direction, a secondary thermal insulation barrier held on the non-horizontal supporting wall, a secondary sealing membrane arranged against the secondary thermal insulation barrier, and a primary thermal insulation barrier arranged against the secondary sealing membrane, the secondary sealing membrane including a pair of welded metal strakes, each of the strakes having two raised edges extending in a first direction and protruding toward the interior of the tank at two opposite ends of the strakes, the primary thermal insulation barrier including juxtaposed primary thermal insulation elements, wherein the secondary thermal insulation barrier includes a top surface and a groove, the top surface forming a supporting surface for the secondary sealing membrane, the groove being formed on the top surface and extending in the first direction, wherein a welding support is inserted into the groove so that a top portion of the welding support protrudes from the top surface, , a first column plate and a second column plate of the column plates are positioned on both sides of the welded support so that the top portion extends between a first raised edge of the first column plate and a second raised edge of the second column plate, wherein the first direction is inclined or orthogonal to an upward direction of the non-horizontal support wall, the upward direction is parallel to a direction of a larger slope of the non-horizontal support wall, the first raised edge and the second raised edge are welded to a top portion of the welded support, wherein a primary thermal insulation element comprises a bottom gap extending along the first direction, the first raised edge, the second raised edge and the top portion of the welded support are received in the bottom gap, the first raised edge is higher than the second raised edge in an upward direction, wherein the bottom gap further receives a stop block, the stop block comprises an abutment surface directed toward the upward direction and a first support surface opposite to the abutment surface, wherein an inner wall of the bottom gap abuts against the abutment surface of the stop block, and the first support surface of the stop block is supported on the first raised edge.

[0007] By means of these features, the stopper tends to prevent or at least limit displacement of the primary thermal insulation element due to sliding on the first strake, ie on the strake with the first raised edge.

[0008] Depending on the implementation, such a sealed and insulated tank may include one or more of the following features.

[0009] The secondary thermal insulation barrier may be formed in various ways. According to one embodiment, the secondary thermal insulation barrier comprises juxtaposed secondary thermal insulation elements. The secondary thermal insulation element comprises a top surface forming part of the support surface for the secondary sealing membrane. A groove may be formed in the secondary thermal insulation element and appear on the top surface.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the non-horizontal support wall is a cofferdam wall or another support wall which is vertical or inclined in the earth's gravity field, for example a longitudinal support wall.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first direction is a direction orthogonal to the upward direction, for example, the first direction is a lateral direction of the non-horizontal supporting wall.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first support surface is fixed to the first raised edge, preferably, the first support surface is fixed to the first raised edge by bonding. This bonding can be achieved by an adhesive element, such as an adhesive layer or a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the stop comprises a shoulder, which points towards the first raised edge and the second raised edge. According to one embodiment in this case, the free end of the top portion of the welding support protrudes relative to the free end of the first raised edge and the free end of the second raised edge, the free end of the top portion of the welding support being opposite to said top surface. According to another embodiment in this case, the top portion of the welding support is bent back towards one of the first raised edge and the second raised edge.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the stop comprises a beveled end portion directed towards the first strake.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the stop block includes a central part, a first branch part and a second branch part, the first branch part and the second branch part extend on both sides of the central part, two opposite surfaces of the first branch part form the abutment surface and the first support surface of the stop block, and the second branch part includes a second support surface, and the second support surface is supported on the second raised edge.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a beveled end portion is formed at an end of the first branch opposite to the central portion.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the second branch comprises a second beveled edge directed towards the second strake, the second beveled end portion being formed at an end of the second branch opposite to the central portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first branch and the second branch are symmetrical about an axis of symmetry passing through the central portion.

[0019] Thus, the first branch and the second branch may be interchangeable, so that the function of the stop block is not affected by the direction in which it is inserted into the bottom slit of the primary thermal insulation element. Thus, assembly is even simpler for the operator.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the second branch is shorter than the first branch, and / or the second branch is not as thick as the first branch.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the central portion comprises at least one inclined surface on a side opposite to the first branch and the second branch.

[0022] In some embodiments, the primary thermal insulation element extends over a portion of the secondary membrane comprising a plurality of welded supports. In this case, the primary thermal insulation element may comprise a plurality of bottom slots greater than or equal to two, each receiving the welded supports, and one stop block being provided for each bottom slot or some of the bottom slots. In particular, it is worth noting that, according to one embodiment, the primary thermal insulation element further comprises a second bottom slot extending in the first direction and spaced apart from the first bottom slot in an upward direction. The spacing is equal to the width of the strake.

[0023] In this case, the secondary thermal insulation barrier includes a second groove exposed on the top surface and extending in the first direction, the second welding support is inserted into the second groove so that the top portion of the second welding support protrudes from the top surface, the first and third strakes of the strakes are positioned on both sides of the second welding support so that the top portion of the second welding support extends between a third raised edge of the third strake and a fourth raised edge of the first strake opposite to the first raised edge, the third raised edge and the fourth raised edge are welded to the top portion of the second welding support, the primary thermal insulation element also includes a second bottom slit extending in the first direction, the third raised edge, the fourth raised edge and the top portion of the second welding support are received in the second bottom slit, the third raised edge is higher than the fourth raised edge in the upward direction, the second bottom slit receives a second stop block, which can be the same as the stop block, and the inner wall of the second bottom slit abuts against the abutment surface of the second stop block, and the first support surface of the second stop block is supported on the third raised edge.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides an assembly method for assembling a non-horizontal tank wall of a sealed and insulated tank, wherein the non-horizontal tank wall comprises, in sequence in the thickness direction, a secondary insulation barrier retained on the non-horizontal support wall, a secondary sealing membrane arranged against the secondary insulation barrier, and a primary insulation barrier arranged against the secondary sealing membrane, wherein the secondary sealing membrane comprises a pair of welded metal strakes, each of the strakes having two raised edges extending in a first direction and protruding toward the interior of the tank at two opposite ends of the strakes, and the primary insulation barrier comprises juxtaposed primary insulation elements, and the assembly method comprises the following steps: - arranging the secondary insulation barrier on the non-horizontal support wall, the secondary insulation barrier comprising a top surface and a groove, the top surface forming a supporting surface for the secondary sealing membrane, the groove being exposed on the top surface and extending in the first direction, inserting a welding support into the groove so that the top portion of the welding support protrudes from the top surface; - arranging the first strake and the second strake in the strake Two rows of plates are arranged on both sides of the welded support so that the top portion extends between the first raised edge of the first row of plates and the second raised edge of the second row of plates, and so that the first direction is inclined or orthogonal to the upward direction of the non-horizontal support wall, and the upward direction is parallel to the direction of the larger slope of the non-horizontal support wall; - the first raised edge and the second raised edge are welded to the top portion of the welded support; and - a stop block and a primary thermal insulation element are arranged on the first row of plates and the second row of plates so that the stop block, the first raised edge, the second raised edge and the top portion of the welded support are received in the bottom gap, the primary thermal insulation element includes a bottom gap extending along the first direction, and the first raised edge is higher than the second raised edge in the upward direction, the stop block includes an abutment surface pointing toward the upward direction and a first support surface opposite to the abutment surface, and the stop block is arranged so that the inner wall of the bottom gap abuts against the abutment surface of the stop block, and the first support surface of the stop block is supported on the first raised edge.

[0025] Such an assembly method makes it possible to obtain a sealed and heat-insulated tank as described above. Therefore, the relevant advantages are not described in detail.

[0026] It will be readily appreciated that the features described with respect to the method of assembly are applicable to the sealed and insulated tank, and vice versa.

[0027] Depending on the implementation, this assembly method may include one or more of the following features.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the secondary insulation barrier comprises juxtaposed secondary insulation elements and the method comprises the steps of arranging the secondary insulation elements on a non-horizontal supporting wall and fixing the secondary insulation elements to the non-horizontal supporting wall by anchoring means coupled to the supporting wall.

[0029] According to one embodiment, arranging the stop block and the primary thermal insulation element comprises: arranging the primary thermal insulation element on the first column of plates and the second column of plates, and then inserting the stop block into the bottom gap of the primary thermal insulation element.

[0030] In this case, according to an embodiment in which the primary thermal insulation element further includes a second bottom gap extending along the first direction, arranging the stop block and the primary thermal insulation element includes: arranging the primary thermal insulation element on the first column plate and the second column plate, and then inserting the stop block into the bottom gap of the primary thermal insulation element, and inserting a second stop block, which may be the same as the stop block, into the second bottom gap of the primary thermal insulation element.

[0031] According to one embodiment, arranging the stop block and the primary thermal insulation element comprises positioning the stop block in a bottom gap of the primary thermal insulation element and then mounting the primary thermal insulation element on the first column plate and the second column plate.

[0032] In other words, the primary thermal insulation element is mounted on the first and second strakes when the stop block is already positioned in the bottom slot, i.e. when the stop block has been pre-installed in the bottom slot. This possibility is particularly advantageous when the stop block comprises a central portion, a first branch and a second branch, as described below.

[0033] In this case, according to an embodiment in which the primary thermal insulation element further includes a second bottom gap extending along the first direction, arranging the stop block and the primary thermal insulation element includes: positioning the stop block in the bottom gap of the primary thermal insulation element, positioning a second stop block which may be the same as the stop block in the second bottom gap, and then mounting the primary thermal insulation element on the first column plate and the second column plate.

[0034] According to one embodiment, arranging the stop block and the primary thermal insulation element comprises positioning the stop block relative to the first raised edge and then mounting the primary thermal insulation element on the first and second strakes.

[0035] In other words, the primary thermal insulation element is mounted on the first and second strakes when the stop block is already positioned relative to the first raised edge, ie when the stop block has been pre-mounted on the first raised edge.

[0036] In this case, according to an embodiment in which the primary thermal insulation element further includes a second bottom gap extending in the first direction, the secondary thermal insulation barrier includes a second groove exposed on the top surface and extending in the first direction, the second welding support is inserted into the second groove so that the top portion of the second welding support protrudes from the top surface, and the assembly method further includes: arranging the first and third columns of the columns on both sides of the second welding support so that the top portion of the second welding support extends between a third raised edge of the third column and a fourth raised edge of the first column opposite to the first raised edge, and welding the third raised edge and the fourth raised edge to the top portion of the second welding support, the third raised edge, the fourth raised edge and the top portion of the second welding support being intended to be received in the second bottom gap, the third raised edge being higher than the fourth raised edge in an upward direction, arranging the stopper and the primary thermal insulation element includes: positioning the stopper relative to the first raised edge and positioning the second stopper, which may be the same as the stopper, relative to the third raised edge, and then installing the primary thermal insulation element on the first column, the second column and the third column.

[0037] According to one embodiment, positioning the stop block relative to the first raised edge comprises: fixing the first support surface to the first raised edge, preferably, fixing the first support surface to the first raised edge by bonding. Such bonding can be achieved by an adhesive element, such as an adhesive layer or a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the stop block includes a shoulder that points toward the first raised edge and the second raised edge. According to one embodiment in this case, positioning the stop block relative to the first raised edge includes: abutting the shoulder with a free end of an end portion of the welding support, the free end of the end portion of the welding support being opposite to the top surface, and positioning the stop block relative to the first raised edge includes: abutting the free end against the shoulder. According to another embodiment in this case, positioning the stop block relative to the first raised edge includes: abutting the free end of one of the first raised edge and the second raised edge against the shoulder. According to yet another embodiment in this case, positioning the stop block relative to the first raised edge includes: bending the top portion of the welding support back toward one of the first raised edge and the second raised edge, and then abutting the appropriately bent back top portion against the shoulder.

[0039] The assembly of non-horizontal tank walls is thus simplified. In fact, the operator in charge of the assembly only has to check whether this abutment is achieved to ensure that the stop is correctly positioned and whether this abutment also leaves an empty space at the curved junction of the strake between the first raised edge and the flat part.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the stop comprises, with respect to the shoulder, a chamfer on the side opposite to the abutment surface.

[0041] The bevel surface facilitates the insertion of the stop block into the slot of the primary insulating element when the stop block is pre-mounted on the first raised edge.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the stop comprises a beveled end portion directed towards the first strake, and arranging the stop comprises arranging an end surface of the beveled end portion to bear against the first strake.

[0043] The assembly of non-horizontal tank walls is thus simplified. In fact, the operator in charge of the assembly only has to check whether this formation has been achieved, thereby ensuring that the stop block is correctly positioned. In addition, the fact that the end portion is beveled avoids that the support causes excessive strains in the first strake at its first curved junction between the first raised edge and the flat portion, which would be detrimental to the mechanical strength, deformation capacity and life of the weld between the first strake and the strake.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the stop block includes a central part, a first branch part and a second branch part, the first branch part and the second branch part extend on both sides of the central part, two opposite surfaces of the first branch part form the abutment surface and the first support surface of the stop block, and the second branch part includes a second support surface, and the arrangement of the stop block includes: the second support surface is set to be supported on the second raised edge.

[0045] Thus, the assembly of non-horizontal tank walls is simplified.In fact, the support of the first support surface on the first raised edge and the support of the second support surface on the second raised edge combine to be sufficient to hold the stop block in place so that the primary thermal insulation element can be installed.

[0046] According to one embodiment, a beveled end portion is formed at an end of the first branch opposite to the central portion.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the central portion comprises at least one inclined surface on a side opposite to the first branch and the second branch.

[0048] The bevel tends to facilitate the insertion of the stop block into the bottom slot of the primary insulating element when the stop block is pre-mounted on the first raised edge or when it is desired to pre-mount the stop block in the bottom slot.

[0049] In one embodiment, the liquefied gas is LNG, i.e. a mixture with a high methane content stored at a temperature of about -162° C. at atmospheric pressure. Other liquefied gases are also conceivable, in particular ethane, propane, butane or ethylene. The liquefied gas can also be stored under pressure, for example, the liquefied gas can also be stored at a relative pressure between 2 bar and 20 bar, in particular, the liquefied gas can also be stored at a relative pressure of about 2 bar.

[0050] Such tanks may form part of an onshore storage facility, e.g. for the storage of LNG, or such tanks may be installed in floating, coastal or deepwater floating structures, in particular such tanks may be installed on methane transport vessels, floating storage and regasification units (FSRU), floating production and storage offshore (FPSO) units etc. Such tanks may also be used as fuel tanks in any type of vessel.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a ship for transporting liquefied gas comprises a double hull and the above-mentioned tank arranged in the double hull.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a transfer system for liquefied gas, which includes: the above-mentioned ship; an insulated pipeline, which is arranged to connect a tank installed in the hull of the ship to a floating storage facility or an onshore storage facility; and a pump, which is used to drive the liquefied gas flow from the floating storage facility or the onshore storage facility to the tank of the ship via the insulated pipeline, or to drive the liquefied gas flow from the tank of the ship to the floating storage facility or the onshore storage facility via the insulated pipeline.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a ship, wherein liquefied gas is transferred from a floating storage facility or an onshore storage facility to a tank of the ship via an insulated pipeline, or liquefied gas is transferred from a tank of the ship to a floating storage facility or an onshore storage facility via an insulated pipeline. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The present invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of a number of particular embodiments thereof, given only by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 It is a cutaway stereogram of the tank wall.

[0056] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 Is from and by Figure 1 The upward direction defined by the arrow U in is orthogonal to and is perpendicular to the Figure 1The lateral direction defined by the arrow T is viewed in a direction parallel to the Figure 1 Side view of the tank wall.

[0057] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Detail B is an enlarged view.

[0058] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 is with Figure 3 Similar views, in the left-hand view, show a tank wall comprising a stop block according to a first embodiment, while in the right-hand view, an enlarged view of the stop block is shown.

[0059] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 is with Figure 3 Similar views, in the left-hand view, show a tank wall comprising a stop block according to a second embodiment, while in the right-hand view, an enlarged view of the stop block is shown.

[0060] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 is with Figure 3 Similar views, in the left-hand view, show a tank wall comprising a stop block according to a third embodiment, while in the right-hand view, an enlarged view of the stop block is shown.

[0061] [ Figure 7 ] Figure 7 is with Figure 3 Similar views, in the left-hand view, show a tank wall comprising a stop block according to a fourth embodiment, while in the right-hand view, an enlarged view of the stop block is shown.

[0062] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 is with Figure 3 Similar views, in the left-hand view, show a tank wall including a stop block according to a fifth embodiment, while in the right-hand view, an enlarged view of the stop block is shown.

[0063] [ Fig. 9 ] Fig. 9 is a cutaway schematic representation of a methane transport vessel's tank and a terminal for loading / unloading the tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] By convention, the terms "bottom" and "top" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another element, such as in Figure 1 In the non-horizontal walls shown, the "bottom" and "top" are toward the outside or inside of the tank, respectively.

[0065] exist Figure 11 shows a multilayer structure of a sealed and heat-insulating tank wall 1 for storing liquefied fluid, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). The tank wall 1 includes, in order from the outside to the inside of the tank in the thickness direction: a secondary heat insulation barrier 3 held on a support wall 2, a secondary sealing film 4 arranged to abut against the secondary heat insulation barrier 3, a primary heat insulation barrier 5 arranged to abut against the secondary sealing film 4, and a primary sealing film 6 for contacting with the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank.

[0066] The support wall 2 may in particular be formed by a hull or a catamaran of a vessel.The support wall 2 typically forms part of a support structure and comprises a plurality of walls defining the general shape of the tank, typically in the form of a polyhedron.

[0067] The secondary insulation barrier 3 comprises a plurality of secondary insulation blocks 7 which are anchored to the support wall 2 by anchoring means 20 to be described below. The secondary insulation blocks 7 have a substantially parallelepiped form and are arranged in parallel rows.

[0068] The secondary sealing membrane 4 comprises a continuous sheet of metal strake 8 having raised edges. The metal strake 8 is welded by the raised edges 8H, 8L of the metal strake (see FIG. Figure 3 ), as will be described in detail below. The metal strake 8 is, for example, In other words, the metal column plate 8 is made of an alloy of iron and nickel, and its expansion coefficient is usually 1.2×10 -6 With 2×10 -6 K -1 or the metal column plate 8 is formed of an iron alloy with a high manganese content, and its expansion coefficient is usually 7×10 -6 With 10×10 -6 K -1 between.

[0069] The primary thermal insulation barrier 5 comprises a plurality of primary thermal insulation blocks 11 having a substantially parallelepiped shape and having the same length and width dimensions as those of the secondary thermal insulation blocks 7. Each of the primary thermal insulation blocks 11 is positioned to be aligned with one of the secondary thermal insulation blocks 7, aligned in the thickness direction of the tank wall 1.

[0070] The primary sealing film 6 can be produced in different ways, as will be described in detail below.

[0071] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the secondary insulation blocks 7 have been omitted to reveal the spacers 12 and mastic strips 13 for compensating for any imperfections in the flatness of the support wall 2. Positioning blocks, not shown, may also be provided, as described in publication WO-A-2018069585.

[0072] The anchoring devices 20 are preferably positioned at the four corners of the secondary insulation blocks 7 and the primary insulation blocks 11. Each stack of secondary insulation blocks 7 and primary insulation blocks 11 is anchored to the supporting wall 2 by four anchoring devices 20. In addition, each anchoring device 20 cooperates with the corners of four adjacent secondary insulation blocks 7 and the corners of four adjacent primary insulation blocks 11.

[0073] exist Figure 2 Two adjacent secondary insulation blocks 7, two adjacent primary insulation blocks 11 and the anchoring device 20 can be seen in detail.

[0074] Each secondary insulating block 7 comprises an insulating polymer foam layer 16 sandwiched between a base plate and a cover plate 15. The base plate and the cover plate 15 may be made of plywood or a fiber reinforced composite material, for example. The insulating polymer foam layer 16 is bonded to the base plate and the cover plate 15. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally a fiber reinforced polyurethane-based foam.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, the primary insulation block 11 has a similar structure to the secondary insulation block 7 described above. Figure 3 As can be better seen in FIG. 1 , each primary insulating block 11 comprises an insulating polymer foam layer 18 sandwiched between a bottom plate 19 and a cover plate 18T. The bottom plate 19 and the cover plate 15 are made of plywood, for example. An insulating polymer foam layer 16 is bonded to the bottom plate 19 and the cover plate 18T. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally a fiber-reinforced polyurethane-based foam.

[0076] Here, the anchoring device 20 is of the type described in document WO2021 / 239712A1. In other words, the anchoring device 20 mainly includes a fastening assembly 30 and an anchor rod 22 (in Figure 2 indicated by dot-dash lines).

[0077] The fastening assembly 30 includes a bottom plate 31, a top plate 32 parallel to the bottom plate 31, at least one coupling member (not shown), and a spacing member disposed between the bottom plate 31 and the top plate 32, the coupling member being, for example, a fixing screw that couples the bottom plate 31 to the top plate 32. The spacing member includes an abutment that defines a minimum spacing between the bottom plate 31 and the top plate 32 in an abutting position where the bottom plate 31 and the top plate 32 abut against the abutment. The abutment includes a spacing block 33.

[0078] The anchor rod 22 extends from the fastening assembly 30 at a right angle to the bottom plate 31. The bottom end of the anchor rod 22 is attached to the support wall 2 in a manner not shown. The top end of the anchor rod 22 opposite to the bottom end is coupled to the bottom plate 31 so that a pulling force toward the bottom end can be applied on the bottom plate 31.

[0079] The spacing member also includes an elastically compressible member, here a compression spring 69, such as a coil spring. As a variant, the elastically compressible member includes a stack of spring washers, such as Belleville washers. As described in document WO2021 / 239712A1, the elastically compressible member tends to keep the bottom plate 31 and the top plate 32 in a separated position, in which the connecting member defines the maximum spacing between the bottom plate 31 and the top plate 32, and the maximum spacing is greater than the minimum spacing; and the elastically compressible member is configured to: in response to a force tending to bring the top plate 32 closer to the bottom plate 31, the elastically compressible member is elastically compressed to an abutment position in which the bottom plate 31 and the top plate 32 abut against the abutment. More details about the construction of this anchoring device 20 can be found in document WO2021 / 239712A1. It should be noted that the anchoring device 20 also includes a primary support plate 28, which is supported on a support area of ​​each of the four adjacent primary insulation blocks 11 towards the support wall 2, so as to hold the primary insulation blocks against the secondary sealing membrane 4. In the embodiment shown, each support area is formed by an extension of the bottom plate 19 of the primary insulation block 11.

[0080] The nut 29 cooperates with the thread formed on the top end of the stud 27 to ensure that the primary support plate 28 is fixed on the stud 27. In the embodiment shown, the anchoring device 20 also includes a Belleville-type spring washer, which is screwed onto the stud 27 between the nut 29 and the primary support plate 28, which makes it possible to ensure that the primary insulation block 11 is elastically anchored on the secondary sealing membrane 4.

[0081] As a variant, the anchoring device 20 can be produced in other ways as needed, for example as described in document FR3128003A1, document WO2014 / 096600A1 or document WO2019 / 110894A1.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, the primary insulation block 11 includes a bottom gap 99. Each bottom gap 99 is arranged to face the groove 9 of the secondary insulation block 7 (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 ). In the example shown, Figure 1 As shown, each secondary insulation block 7 includes two mutually parallel grooves 9; therefore, each primary insulation block 11 includes two mutually parallel bottom gaps 99, Figure 3 Only one bottom slit 99 is shown for each primary insulation block 11. As a variant, a single groove 9 can be provided for each secondary insulation block 7 and one bottom slit 99 can be provided for each primary insulation block 11, or a number of grooves 9 greater than two can be provided for each secondary insulation block 7 and the same number of bottom slits 99 can be provided for each primary insulation block 11.

[0083] As from Figure 2 Detail B of the enlarged view Figure 3 As can be better seen in FIG. 1 , for each groove 9 a welding support 48 is provided. The welding support 48 has an “L” shaped cross section, thus having a rectilinear top portion 47 and a rectilinear bottom portion 49 extending in a direction orthogonal to the top portion 47. The groove 9 has a “T” shaped cross section and receives the bottom portion 49. The cooperation between the bottom portion 49 and the wall of the groove 9 holds the welding support 48 on the secondary insulating block 7.

[0084] The top portion 47 extends from the cover plate 15 and between the first raised edge 8H of the first column plate 8 and the second raised edge 8L of the second column plate 8. To this end, the two columns 8 are positioned on both sides of the welding support 48, such as Figure 3 The first raised edge 8H and the second raised edge 8L are welded to the top portion 47 of the welding support 48. In addition, the first raised edge 8H, the second raised edge 8L and the top portion 47 are received in the bottom gap 99.

[0085] In the example shown, the groove 9 extends over part of the thickness of the cover plate 15 of the secondary insulating block 7. However, as a variant, the groove 9 may extend to the insulating polymer foam layer 16 without penetrating the thickness of the insulating polymer foam 16, or even partially into the thickness of the insulating polymer foam 16.

[0086] As mentioned earlier, Figure 1 The tank wall 1 shown in the figure is non-horizontal. In other words, the tank wall 1 is a tank wall that is vertical or inclined to the earth's gravity field. It is noted that the supporting wall 2 can be a cofferdam wall, or another supporting wall that is vertical or inclined to the earth's gravity field, such as a longitudinal supporting wall. In the accompanying drawings:

[0087] - the arrow U indicates an upward direction, which is parallel to the direction of the greater slope of the supporting wall 2 and is directed upward;

[0088] The arrow T indicates the transverse direction, which is orthogonal to the upward direction U and to the thickness direction of the tank wall 1 .

[0089] As shown, the raised edges 8H, 8L of the strake 8 and the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 extend parallel to the transverse direction T and are therefore orthogonal to the upward direction U. As a variant, the raised edges 8H, 8L of the strake 8 and the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 may extend obliquely but not orthogonally relative to the upward direction U. In both cases, in the upward direction U, the first raised edge 8H is higher than the second raised edge 8L.

[0090] See especially Figure 2 and Figure 3, since the tank wall 1 is non-horizontal, the gravity effect on the primary insulation block 11 is directed in a downward direction, that is, the gravity effect on the primary insulation block 11 is directed in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow U. As described above, the anchoring device 20 anchors the primary insulation block 11 to the support wall 2 by holding the primary insulation block 11 against the support wall 2 according to an orientation parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall 1. It is desirable to prevent the action of gravity and possibly the acceleration caused by the movement of the ship at sea from causing the displacement of the primary insulation block 11 in the downward direction due to the sliding of the primary insulation block 11 on the strakes 8. Several embodiments of the tank wall 1 will be described below, which tend to prevent or at least limit the displacement of the primary insulation block 11 caused by the sliding of the primary insulation block 11 on the strakes 8.

[0091] Figure 4 A first embodiment is shown. Figure 4 and described below Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the above reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Elements that are similar or identical to the elements described have the same reference numerals and are not described again unless necessary.

[0092] like Figure 4 As shown, the stop block 150 is received in the bottom slot 99. The stop block 150 has a constant rectangular cross-section. In other words, the stop block 150 comprises a strip, such as a strip made of plywood or plastic. Therefore, the two larger opposite faces of the stop block 150 are flat. The two larger faces are Figure 4 The right view of the device is marked with reference numerals 151 and 152 respectively.

[0093] The assembly of a non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop block 150 will now be described.

[0094] After the non-horizontal support wall 2 has been constructed, one secondary insulation block 7 or a plurality of adjacent secondary insulation blocks 7 are arranged on the support wall 2. For example, four adjacent secondary insulation blocks 7 are arranged, which are held at their corners by the anchoring means 20 as described above.

[0095] For a given secondary insulation block 7, a welding support 48 is inserted into the groove 9 of the secondary insulation block 7. The top portion 47 of the welding support 48 protrudes from the cover plate 15, as described above. The top surface of the cover plate 15 forms a part of the support surface for the secondary sealing membrane 4, more specifically, the top surface of the cover plate 15 forms a part of the support surface for the flat portion of the strake 8 constituting the secondary sealing membrane 4. On the cover plate 15, two strakes 8 are arranged on both sides of the top portion 47, so that the top portion 47 extends between the first raised edge 8H of the first strake 8 and the second raised edge 8L of the second strake 8. As described above, the first raised edge 8H, the second raised edge 8L and the top portion 47 extend obliquely or orthogonally with respect to the upward direction U, and the first raised edge 8H is higher than the second raised edge 8L in the upward direction U.

[0096] Next, the first raised edge 8H and the second raised edge 8L are welded to the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 according to known techniques.

[0097] Next, the stop block 150 and the primary insulating block 11 are arranged on the strake 8 so that the stop block 150 , the first raised edge 8H, the second raised edge 8L and the top portion 47 are received in the bottom gap 99 of the primary insulating block 11 .

[0098] The stopper 150 can be added in different ways. In one variant, the stopper 150 is inserted into the bottom slot 99 after the primary thermal insulation block 11 has been arranged on the strake 8. In another variant, the stopper 150 is pre-mounted on the first raised edge 8H, in other words, the stopper 150 is positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before the primary thermal insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8. To this end, for example, the stopper 150 is fixed to the first raised edge 8H by a face 152 of the stopper, for example, the stopper 150 is fixed to the first raised edge 8H via the face 152 of the stopper by an adhesive element 152C, such as a layer of glue or a layer of double-sided adhesive tape.

[0099] In any case, after the stop block 150 and the primary insulation block 11 have been arranged, the stop block 150 is Figure 4 The orientation shown is received in the bottom gap 99. The face 151 of the stopper 150 is implemented as an abutment surface pointing toward the upward direction U, while the surface 152 opposite to the surface 151 is implemented as a support surface opposite to the abutment surface. Figure 4As shown by arrow D in the left view of the primary thermal insulation block 11, the gravity acting on the primary thermal insulation block 11 tends to make the inner wall 99A of the bottom slot 99 facing the first raised edge 8H abut against the abutment surface implemented by the surface 151. Therefore, the support surface implemented by the surface 152 tends to bear on the first raised edge 8H. In this way, the stopper 150 tends to prevent or at least limit the displacement of the primary thermal insulation block 11 caused by sliding on the strake 8 with the first raised edge 8H.

[0100] The above steps can be repeated for each groove 9 of the secondary insulation block 7 and each secondary insulation block 7. Figure 1 In the example shown, both bottom gaps 99 of each primary insulating block 11 are provided with stoppers 150. Next, the assembly of the tank wall 1 can be completed, and in particular, the primary sealing membrane 6 can be mounted on the primary insulating barrier 5 including the primary insulating blocks 11.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane 6 is similar to the secondary sealing membrane 4. In other words, the primary sealing membrane 6 also comprises a metal strake 8 welded to parallel welding supports 48 by its raised edges 8H, 8L. The welding supports 48 are fixed in grooves 9T formed on the cover plate 18T of the primary insulating block 11. As a variant, the primary sealing membrane 6 can be produced in other ways, for example the primary sealing membrane 6 can be produced from a corrugated metal sheet welded by overlapping its edges.

[0102] Examples of sizes:

[0103] - Inner dimensions of the bottom gap 99: 10 mm in the upward direction U; 40 mm in the direction orthogonal to the upward direction U and the transverse direction T;

[0104] -The dimensions of the stop block 150: between 2 mm and 5 mm inclusive, for example 3 mm, in the upward direction U; 20 mm in a direction perpendicular to the upward direction U and the transverse direction T; between 40 mm and 500 mm in the transverse direction T, preferably between 200 mm and 500 mm in the transverse direction T, so as to be able to slide between two adjacent insulation blocks.

[0105] Figure 5 A second embodiment is shown. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the stopper is provided with reference number 250. Elements of the stopper 250 that are similar to elements of the stopper 150 are provided with the same reference numbers increased by 100 and are not described again unless necessary.

[0106] The stopper 250 includes a beveled end portion 253 between the face portion 251 and the face portion 252. In other words, the end portion 253 has a trapezoidal cross section, and the end portion 253 is continuously reduced to an end surface 253P. The end surface 253P is flat and is orthogonal to the face portions 251 and 252 here.

[0107] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop block 250 is the same as the assembly described above with respect to the first embodiment, except that the stop block 250 is added so that the end portion 253 is directed toward the column plate 8 with the first raised edge 8H and so that the end surface 253P is supported on the curved joint 8H1 between the first raised edge 8H and the flat portion of the column plate 8.

[0108] During assembly of a non-horizontal tank wall 1, it is only necessary for the operator in charge of assembly to ensure that the support of the end surface 253P on the curved joint 8H1 is achieved, thereby ensuring that the stop block 250 is correctly positioned. Assembly is thus simplified for the operator.

[0109] Furthermore, the fact that the end portion 253 is inclined makes it possible to prevent such a support from causing excessive strain to the curved joint 8H1, which would be detrimental to the mechanical strength and life of the strake 8. More specifically, if the end portion 253 does not have an inclined surface, but has a surface like the end 153 of the stopper 150 of the first embodiment (see Figure 4 ), the curved joint 8H1 will be in contact with the end portion 253 over a larger surface, and thus the curved joint 8H1 will be more stressed, in particular, unable to work due to bending. This is why the end surface 153P of the stopper 150 directed toward the strake 8 with the first raised edge 8H is not designed to be supported on the curved joint 8H1 in the first embodiment.

[0110] The face portions 251 and 252 cooperate with the bottom gap 99 and the first raised edge 8H in the same manner as the face portions 151 and 152. Therefore, this cooperation will not be described again.

[0111] As in the first embodiment, the stopper 250 of the second embodiment can be added in different ways. In one variant, the stopper 250 is inserted into the bottom gap 99 after the primary thermal insulation block 11 has been arranged on the strake 8. In another variant, the stopper 250 is pre-installed on the first raised edge 8H, in other words, the stopper 250 is positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before the primary thermal insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8. To this end, for example, the stopper 250 is fixed to the first raised edge 8H by its surface 252, for example, the stopper 250 is fixed to the first raised edge 8H by its surface 252 via an adhesive element 252C similar to the adhesive element 152C.

[0112] Figure 6 A third embodiment is shown. Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, the stopper is provided with reference number 350. Elements of the stopper 350 that are similar or identical to elements of the stopper 150 are provided with the same reference numbers increased by 200 and are not described again unless necessary.

[0113] The stopper 350 comprises a shoulder 354 located between the faces 351 and 352 and opposite the end surface 353P directed towards the strake 8 with the first raised edge 8H. The shoulder 354 comprises an abutment surface 354B which is flat here and orthogonal to the faces 351 and 352.

[0114] Assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop block 350 is the same as described above with respect to the first embodiment, except that the stop block 350 is added so that the free end 47A of the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 abuts the shoulder 354 at point 354B1 of the abutment surface 354B.

[0115] During the assembly of a non-horizontal tank wall 1, the operator in charge of the assembly only has to ensure that this abutment of the free end 47A at 354B1 is achieved, thereby ensuring that the stop block 350 is correctly positioned. The assembly is thus simplified for the operator. Moreover, this abutment leaves an empty space at the curved connection 8H1 of the strake 8 between the first raised edge 8H and the flat portion.

[0116] The stopper 350 is dimensioned so that when the free end 47A abuts the shoulder 354 at 354B1, the end surface 353P is not supported on the curved joint 8H1. This is why the end 353 of the stopper 350 can be like the end 153 of the stopper 150 of the first embodiment (see Figure 4) has a rectangular cross-section. As a variation, the stopper 350 may include an end portion with a bevel similar to the end portion 253 of the second embodiment. This beveled end portion is not designed to be supported on the curved joint 8H1, but can also prevent the curved joint 8H1 from being overly strained when the free end 47A abuts at 354B1.

[0117] The face parts 351 and 352 cooperate with the bottom gap 99 and the first raised edge 8H in the same manner as the face parts 151 and 152. Therefore, this cooperation will not be described again.

[0118] Preferably, before the primary insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8, the stopper 350 is added so that the free end 47A is abutted against the shoulder 354 at 354B1. In order to facilitate the insertion of the stopper 350 into the bottom gap 99 when the primary insulation block 11 is installed, the stopper 350 preferably includes an inclined surface 359 relative to the shoulder 354 on the opposite side of the abutment surface portion 354B, and the inclined surface 359 points toward the inner wall 99A of the bottom gap 99.

[0119] Figure 7 A fourth embodiment is shown. Figure 7 In the embodiment of the present invention, the stopper is provided with reference number 450. Elements of the stopper 450 that are similar or identical to elements of the stopper 150 are provided with the same reference numbers increased by 300 and are not described again unless necessary.

[0120] The stopper 450 includes a central portion 480 , a first branch portion 470 , and a second branch portion 490 . The first branch portion 470 and the second branch portion 490 extend on both sides of the central portion 480 .

[0121] The first branch portion 470 has surface portions 451 and 452 similar to the surface portions 151 and 152 .

[0122] The second branch 490 includes a face 496 and a face 497. The face 496 is flat and faces the face 452 of the first branch 470. The face 497 is flat and opposite to the face 496.

[0123] The face 451 is implemented as a first abutment surface directed towards the upward direction U. The face 452 is implemented as a first support surface for bearing on the first raised edge 8H. The face 496 is implemented as a second support surface for bearing on the second raised edge 8L.

[0124] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop block 450 is the same as described above in relation to the first embodiment, with the difference that the stop block 450 is preferably pre-mounted on the first raised edge 8H, in other words, the stop block 450 is preferably positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before the primary thermal insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8. In fact, the support of the face 452 on the first raised edge 8H combines with the support of the face 496 on the second raised edge 8L to sufficiently hold the stop block 450 in place so that the primary thermal insulation block 11 can be installed when the stop block 450 is already positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H. Therefore, the assembly is simplified for the operator. As a variant, the stop block 450 is advantageously pre-mounted in the bottom gap 99, in other words, the stop block 450 is advantageously positioned in the bottom gap 99 before the primary thermal insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8.

[0125] The face portions 451 and 452 cooperate with the bottom gap 99 and the first raised edge 8H in the same manner as the face portions 151 and 152. This cooperation will therefore not be described again. The above-mentioned support of the face portion 496 on the second raised edge 8L can be obtained in various ways, for example by imparting a degree of elasticity to the stopper 450, which tends to keep the face portion 452 supported on the first raised edge 8H while keeping the face portion 496 supported on the second raised edge 8L.

[0126] In the example shown, the first branch 470 and the second branch 490 are symmetrical about the symmetry axis S4 passing through the central portion 480. In this case, the first branch 470 and the second branch 490 are interchangeable, so that the function of the stopper 450 is not affected by the direction in which it is inserted into the bottom slit 99. Therefore, assembly is even simpler for the operator.

[0127] In the example shown, the face 497 is implemented as a second abutment surface, which points in a direction opposite to the upward direction U and which abuts against an inner wall 99X of the bottom gap 99 opposite to the inner wall 99A. However, it is not disadvantageous that such abutment of the face 497 against the inner wall 99X cannot be obtained in practice, for example due to dimensional tolerances of the bottom gap 99 when manufacturing the primary insulating block 11.

[0128] The first branch 470 includes a beveled end portion 453 between the face portion 451 and the face portion 452. Similarly, the second branch 490 includes a beveled end portion 493. The beveled end portions 453, 493 are similar to the beveled end portion 253, and therefore include end surfaces 453P, 493P similar to the end surface 253P. Like the beveled end portion 253 of the block 250 of the second embodiment, the beveled end portion 453 (and correspondingly 493) can prevent excessive strain on the curved joint 8H1 (and correspondingly 8L1). During the assembly process of the non-horizontal tank wall 1, the beveled end portion 453, 493 is similar to the beveled end portion 253, and therefore includes end surfaces 453P, 493P similar to the end surface 253P. As with the beveled end portion 253 of the block 250 of the second embodiment, the beveled end portion 453 (and correspondingly 493) can prevent excessive strain on the curved joint 8H1 (and correspondingly 8L1). Figure 7 In a manner not shown in the figure, the end surfaces 453P, 493P can be made to bear on the curved joints 8H1, 8L1. As a variant, the end surfaces 453P, 493P may not be made to bear on the curved joints 8H1, 8L1, such as Figure 7 In this case, Figure 7 In a manner not shown in the drawing, the central portion 480 forms between the first branch 470 and the second branch 490 a shoulder 454 against which the free end 47A of the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 can abut at a point 454B1 of the abutment surface portion 454B.

[0129] Figure 8 A fifth embodiment is shown. Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the stopper is provided with reference number 550. Elements of the stopper 550 that are similar or identical to elements of the stopper 450 are provided with the same reference numbers increased by 100 and are not described again unless necessary.

[0130] The stopper 550 differs from the stopper 450 in that the first branch 570 and the second branch 590 are asymmetrical about the central portion 580. More specifically, the second branch 590 is shorter than the first branch 570. Nevertheless, the second branch 590 is long enough to allow the face 596 of the second branch 590 facing the face 552 to support on the second raised edge 8L. For the stopper 450, the support of the face 596 on the second raised edge 8L can be achieved in various ways, such as by imparting a certain degree of elasticity on the stopper 550, which tends to keep the face 552 supported on the first raised edge 8H while keeping the face 596 supported on the second raised edge 8L.

[0131] In addition, the second branch 590 here is not as thick as the first branch 570, so that the face 597 may not abut against the inner wall 99X. In fact, as described above with reference to the stopper 450, in practice, the abutment of the face 597 against the inner wall 99X cannot be obtained in practice and is not disadvantageous.

[0132] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 7 It will be appreciated that the stop block 550 enables the same cooperation with the bottom gap 99 and the raised edges 8H, 8L as the stop block 450, and the stop block 550 has a lower cost because less material is required to manufacture the stop block 550 than to manufacture the stop block 450.

[0133] First branch 570 includes a beveled end portion 553 between face portion 551 and face portion 552. Beveled end portion 553 is similar to beveled end portion 453. Thus, beveled end portion 553 includes an end surface 553P similar to end surface 253P.

[0134] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stopper 550 is the same as described above with respect to the fourth embodiment, except that the stopper 550 is added so that the end 553 is directed toward the strake 8 with the first raised edge 8H and so that the end surface 553P is supported on the curved joint 8H1, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 shown.

[0135] During assembly of a non-horizontal tank wall 1 , the operator in charge of the assembly only has to ensure that such support of the end surface 553P on the curved joint 8H1 is achieved, thereby ensuring that the stop block 550 is correctly positioned. Assembly is therefore simplified for the operator.

[0136] As a variant, the end surface 553P may not be supported on the curved joint 8H1. In this case, the central portion 580 forms a shoulder 554 between the first branch 570 and the second branch 590, against which the free end 47A of the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 can abut at the point 554B1 of the abutment surface portion 554B.

[0137] In addition, the fact that the end portion 553 has a bevel, like the end portion 253 of the stopper 250 of the second embodiment, makes it possible to prevent the bent joint 8H1 from being overly strained. In contrast, the end surface 593P of the second branch portion 590 is not designed to be supported on the bent joint 8L1. That is, the end portion 593 of the second branch portion 590 with the end surface 593P can be like the end portion 153 of the stopper 150 of the first embodiment (see Figure 4 ) has a rectangular cross-section.

[0138] Preferably, the stop block 550 is pre-installed on the first raised edge 8H, in other words, the stop block 550 is preferably positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before the primary thermal insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8. As a variant, the stop block 550 is advantageously pre-installed in the bottom gap 99, in other words, the stop block 550 is advantageously positioned in the bottom gap 99 before the primary thermal insulation block 11 is arranged on the strake 8. In order to facilitate the insertion of the stop block 550 into the bottom gap 99, the central portion 590 preferably comprises:

[0139] - an inclined surface 559 opposite to the end surface 553P and directed towards the inner wall 99A of the bottom slot 99; and / or

[0140] - An inclined surface 559X of the inner wall 99X opposite the end surface 593P and pointing towards the bottom gap 99.

[0141] It should be noted that the central portion 490 of the stopper 450 of the fourth embodiment may also include a slope similar to the slope 559 and / or a slope similar to the slope 559X.

[0142] In some embodiments, the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 can be shortened, for example, by cutting the top portion 47 before adding the stop block 150, 250, 350, 450, 550. According to one example, the shortened top portion 47 is relative to Figures 3 to 8 The free ends of the raised edges 8H, 8L shown may protrude less. Thus, for example, the abutment of the free end 47A against the shoulder 354, 454, 554 may be achieved by a stopper 350, 450, 550 having smaller dimensions. According to another example, the shortened top portion 47 may not protrude relative to the free ends of the raised edges 8H, 8L. Thus, for example, one or the other of the free ends may be brought into abutment against the shoulder 354, 454, 554.

[0143] Additionally or alternatively, the top portion 47 of the welding support 48 may be bent back toward one of the first raised edge 8H and the raised edge 8L. Thus, for example, the top portion 47 bent back in this way may abut against the shoulder 354, 454, 554.

[0144] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a stopper 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 is provided for each bottom slit 99 of a single primary thermal insulation block 11. As a variation, all or some of the stoppers 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 may be shared by a plurality of adjacent primary thermal insulation blocks 11, in other words, a given stopper 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 may have a length in the transverse direction T sufficient to be received in the aligned bottom slits 99 of a plurality of adjacent primary thermal insulation blocks 11.

[0145] The stop block 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 preferably has a constant cross-section in the transverse direction T, which simplifies the manufacture of the stop block 150, 250, 350, 450, 550. Various materials can be envisaged to produce the stop block 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, in particular plywood, or polymer materials, such as polyethylene and its derivatives, polypropylene and its derivatives, polybutadiene and its derivatives.

[0146] The structure of the secondary insulation block 7 is described above by way of example. In addition, in another embodiment, the secondary insulation block 7 may have another general structure, such as the structure described in document WO-A-2012127141. Then, the secondary insulation block 7 is formed into a box shape, which includes a bottom plate, a cover plate, and a supporting web, which extends between the bottom plate and the cover plate in the thickness direction of the tank wall 1 and defines a plurality of chambers filled with insulation fillers, such as perlite, glass wool or rock wool.

[0147] The structure of the primary insulation block 11 is described above by way of example. In addition, in another embodiment, the primary insulation block 11 may have another general structure, such as the structure described in document WO-A-2012127141.

[0148] The liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank may in particular be liquefied natural gas (LNG), i.e. a gaseous mixture comprising mainly methane and one or more other hydrocarbons. The liquefied gas may also be ethane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), i.e. a mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by refining of oil, comprising mainly propane and butane.

[0149] See also Fig. 9, a cutaway view of a methane transport vessel 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 having a generally prismatic shape installed in a double hull 72 of the vessel. The tank wall 71 includes a primary sealing membrane for contacting the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulation barriers arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72, respectively.

[0150] As known per se, the loading / unloading line 73 arranged on the top deck of the vessel may be connected to an offshore pier or a port terminal via appropriate connectors to transfer the LNG cargo from or to the tank 71 .

[0151] Fig. 9 An example of an offshore terminal is shown, which includes a loading and unloading station 75, a submarine pipeline 76 and an onshore facility 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility, including a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 supports a bundle of flexible insulated pipes 79, which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipeline 73. The orientable movable arm 74 is suitable for all methane transport ship types. The connecting pipeline not shown extends into the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the methane transport ship 70 to load and unload from the onshore facility 77 to the onshore facility 77. The onshore facility 77 includes a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipeline 81 connected to the loading or unloading station 75 by a submarine pipeline 76. The submarine pipeline 76 allows the liquefied gas to be transferred between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore facility 77 over a long distance, such as 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the methane transport ship 70 at a great distance from the coast during the loading and unloading operation.

[0152] In order to generate the pressure required for transferring the liquefied gas, a pump embedded in the vessel 70 and / or a pump equipped with the shore facility 77 and / or a pump equipped with the loading and unloading station 75 is implemented.

[0153] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with a number of specific embodiments, it is readily apparent that the present invention is by no means limited thereto, and that the present invention includes all technical equivalents of the described devices and combinations thereof if such equivalents fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0154] Use of the verbs "comprise", "include" or "have" and their conjugations does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0155] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. A sealed and heat-insulated tank, the tank comprising a plurality of tank walls defining an interior space of the tank, the tank walls comprising a non-horizontal tank wall (1) held on a non-horizontal support wall (2), the non-horizontal tank wall (1) being arranged in sequence in a thickness direction include: a secondary thermal insulation barrier (3) held on the non-horizontal support wall (2), a secondary sealing membrane (4) disposed against the secondary thermal insulation barrier, and a primary thermal insulation barrier (5) disposed against the secondary sealing membrane (4), The secondary sealing membrane (4) comprises a pair of welded metal strakes (8), each of the strakes (8) having two raised edges (8H, 8L) extending in a first direction and protruding toward the interior of the tank at two opposite ends of the strakes, The primary thermal insulation barrier (5) comprises juxtaposed primary thermal insulation elements (11), The secondary thermal insulation barrier (3) comprises a top surface and a groove (9), wherein the top surface forms a support surface for the secondary sealing membrane (4), and the groove (9) is exposed on the top surface and extends along the first direction. wherein a welding support (48) is inserted into the groove (9) such that a top portion (47) of the welding support (48) protrudes from the top surface, wherein a first column plate and a second column plate of the column plates (8) are positioned on both sides of the welding support (48) so that the top portion (47) extends between a first raised edge (8H) of the first column plate and a second raised edge (8L) of the second column plate, wherein the first direction is inclined or orthogonal to an upward direction (U) of the non-horizontal support wall (2), the upward direction (U) is parallel to a direction of a greater slope of the non-horizontal support wall (2), and the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L) are welded to the top portion (47) of the welding support (48), wherein one of the primary thermal insulation elements (11) comprises a bottom gap (99) extending in the first direction, the first raised edge (8H), the second raised edge (8L) and the top portion (47) of the welding support (48) being received in the bottom gap (99), the first raised edge (8H) being higher than the second raised edge (8L) in the upward direction (U), The bottom gap (99) further accommodates a stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550), the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) comprises an abutment surface directed toward the upward direction (U) and a first support surface opposite to the abutment surface, Wherein, the inner wall (99A) of the bottom gap (99) abuts against the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550), and the stop block (150; 250; The first supporting surface of the support member (350; 450; 550) is supported on the first raised edge (8H).

2. The sealed and insulated tank according to claim 1, in, The first supporting surface is fixed to the first raised edge (8H), preferably, the first supporting surface is fixed to the first raised edge (8H) by bonding.

3. A sealed and insulated tank according to any one of claims 1 and 2, in, The stop block (350; 450; 550) includes a shoulder (354; 454; 554), wherein the shoulder (354; 454; 554) points toward the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L).

4. A sealed and insulated tank according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in, The stop block (250; 450; 550) comprises a beveled end portion (253; 453; 553) directed towards the first strake.

5. A sealed and insulated tank according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in, The stopper (450; 550) comprises a central portion (480; 580), a first branch portion (470; 570) and a second branch portion (490; 590), the first branch portion (470; 570) and the second branch portion (490; 590) extending on both sides of the central portion (480; 580), and two opposite surfaces of the first branch portion (470; 570) forming the stop block (450; 550) and the first supporting surface, and the second branch portion (490; 590) includes a second supporting surface, which is supported on the second raised edge (8L).

6. The sealed and insulated tank according to claim 5, in, The stop block (250; 450; 550) comprises an end portion (253; 550) with a bevel directed toward said first column. 453; 553), wherein the beveled end portion (453; 553) is formed at an end of the first branch portion (470; 570) opposite to the central portion (480; 580).

7. The sealed and insulated tank according to claim 5, in, The first branch portion (470) and the second branch portion (490) are symmetrical about a symmetry axis (S4) passing through the central portion (480).

8. The sealed and insulated tank according to claim 5, in, The second branch portion (590) is shorter than the first branch portion (570), and / or the second branch portion (590) is thinner than the first branch portion (570).

9. The sealed and insulated tank according to claim 5, in, The central portion (580) includes at least one inclined surface (559, 559X) on a side opposite to the first branch portion (570) and the second branch portion (590).

10. A method for assembling a non-horizontal tank wall of a sealed and insulated tank, wherein the non-horizontal tank wall (1) is formed in a thickness direction in sequence include: a secondary thermal insulation barrier (3) held on a non-horizontal support wall (2), a secondary sealing membrane (4) arranged against the secondary thermal insulation barrier (3), and a primary thermal insulation barrier (5) arranged against the secondary sealing membrane (4), The secondary sealing membrane (4) comprises a pair of welded metal strakes (8), each of the strakes (8) having two raised edges (8H, 8L) extending in a first direction and protruding toward the interior of the tank at two opposite ends of the strakes, The primary thermal insulation barrier (5) comprises juxtaposed primary thermal insulation elements (11), The assembly method comprises the following steps: - arranging the secondary thermal insulation barrier (3) on the non-horizontal supporting wall (2), the secondary thermal insulation barrier (3) comprising a top surface and a groove (9), the top surface forming a bearing surface for the secondary sealing membrane (4), the groove (9) emerging from the top surface and extending in the first direction, inserting a welding support (48) into the groove (9) so that a top portion (47) of the welding support (48) protrudes from the top surface; - arranging a first and a second of the strakes (8) on both sides of the welded support (48) such that the top portion (47) extends between a first raised edge (8H) of the first strake and a second raised edge (8L) of the second strake, and such that the first direction is inclined or orthogonal to an upward direction (U) of the non-horizontal support wall (2), the upward direction (U) being parallel to the direction of the greater slope of the non-horizontal support wall (2), - welding the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L) to the top portion (47) of the welding support (48); and - arranging a stopper (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and one of the primary thermal insulation elements (11) on the first and second strakes, such that the stopper (150; 250; 350; 450; 550), the first raised edge (8H), the second raised edge (8L) and the top portion (47) of the welded support (48) are received in a bottom slot (99) comprised by the primary thermal insulation element (11), the bottom slot (99) extending in the first direction and the first raised edge (8H) being higher than the second raised edge (8L) in the upward direction (U), The stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) comprises an abutment surface directed toward the upward direction (U) and a first support surface opposite to the abutment surface, and the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) is arranged so that an inner wall (99A) of the bottom gap (99) abuts against the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550), and the stopper (150; 250; 350; 450; The first supporting surface of the support member 550 is supported on the first raised edge (8H).

11. The assembly method according to claim 10, in, Arrange the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and the primary thermal insulation element (11) include: arranging the primary thermal insulation element (11) on the first column plate and the second column plate, and then inserting the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) into the bottom gap (99) of the primary thermal insulation element (11).

12. The assembly method according to claim 10, in, Arrange the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and the primary thermal insulation element (11) comprises: placing the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) are positioned in the bottom gap (99) of the primary thermal insulation element (11), and then the primary thermal insulation element (11) is installed on the first column plate and the second column plate.

13. The assembly method according to claim 10, in, Arrange the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and the primary thermal insulation element (11) comprises: placing the stop block (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) is positioned relative to the first raised edge (8H), and then the primary insulation element (11) is installed on the first column plate and the second column plate.

14. The assembly method according to claim 13, in, Positioning the stop block (150; 250) relative to the first raised edge (8H) comprises: fixing the first support surface to the first raised edge (8H), preferably, fixing the first support surface to the first raised edge (8H) by bonding.

15. The assembly method according to claim 13, in, The stop block (350; 450; 550) comprises a shoulder (354; 454; 554) directed toward the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L), and wherein the stop block (350; 450; 550) relative to the first raised edge (8H) comprises: making the free end (47A) of the end portion (47) of the welding support (48) abut against the shoulder (354; 454; 554), the free end (47A) of the end portion (47) of the welding support (48) being opposite to the top surface; or, placing the stop block (350; 450; 550) relative to the first raised edge (8H) comprises: making the free end of one of the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L) abut against the shoulder (354; 454; 554).

16. The assembly method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, in, The stop block (250; 450; 550) comprises an end portion (253; 453; 553) with a bevel pointing toward the first column plate, and wherein arranging the stop block (250; 450; 550) comprises: placing an end surface (253P; 453P; 553P) is configured to be supported on the first column of plates.

17. The assembly method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, in, The stopper (450; 550) comprises a central portion (480; 580), a first branch portion (470; 570) and a second branch portion (490; 590), wherein the first branch portion (470; 570) and the second branch portion (490; 590) extend on both sides of the central portion (480; 580), and two opposite surfaces of the first branch portion (470; 570) form the stopper (450; 550) and the first supporting surface, and the second branch portion (490; 590) includes a second supporting surface, wherein arranging the stop block (450; 550) includes: setting the second supporting surface to be supported on the second raised edge (8L).

18. A ship (70) for transporting liquefied gas, the ship comprising a catamaran (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 arranged in the catamaran.

19. A transfer system for liquefied gas, the system include: A vessel (70) according to claim 18; an insulated pipeline (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) mounted in the hull of the vessel to a floating storage facility or an onshore storage facility (77); and a pump for driving a liquefied gas flow from the floating storage facility or the onshore storage facility to the tank of the vessel via the insulated pipeline, or driving a liquefied gas flow from the tank of the vessel to the floating storage facility or the onshore storage facility via the insulated pipeline.

20. A method for loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 18, in, The liquefied gas is transferred from a floating storage facility or an onshore storage facility (77) to the tank (71) of the ship (70) via an insulated pipeline (73, 79, 76, 81), or the liquefied gas is transferred from the tank (71) of the ship (70) to a floating storage facility or an onshore storage facility (77) via an insulated pipeline (73, 79, 76, 81).

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