Guiding device for cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower

Abstract

The invention relates to a guide device (16) for allowing a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower (6) to be positioned relative to a base (4) attached to a bottom wall (2) of a cryogenic fluid storage tank (1), said guide device (16) comprising a support (24) having an edge portion (46) which at least partially delimits a receiving area (54) of said buffer (26), the edge portion (46) has an opening (56) configured to insert the cushion (26) into the receiving area (54), the cushion carrier device (16) comprising a retaining member (58) for the cushion (26) defining the receiving area (54), the retaining member (58) being designed to extend at least partially into the opening (56).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cryogenic fluids, such as liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, ammonia or even hydrogen, and more particularly to the problems associated with their loading and unloading due to their transport. Background Art

[0002] For example, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a major energy source consisting mainly of methane. LNG is usually stored in a liquid state at a temperature close to -160°C, where the LNG occupies 1 / 600 of the volume it would occupy in the gaseous state. This makes it easier to transport the LNG between the extraction site and the destination. During transportation, the LNG is stored in watertight and insulated tanks for transportation. Such tanks can be installed on land or on floating structures.

[0003] In order to load and unload the tank in which the liquefied natural gas is stored, a loading and / or unloading tower is installed inside the tank. The loading and / or unloading towers can be mobile devices, but in the case of LNG tankers, they are usually attached directly to the tank. The tank then includes an upper opening configured to receive the loading and / or unloading tower, which has a plurality of supports extending over the entire height of the tank. A base is attached to the bottom of the tank, and the loading and / or unloading tower is positioned on the base for loading and unloading the liquefied natural gas.

[0004] During tank loading and unloading, the materials used in the loading and / or unloading tower may be subject to significant temperature changes due to the transition from the liquid methane storage temperature to the ambient temperature. Changes in the materials are understood to mean that the latter may expand or contract in accordance with the temperature changes. The loading and / or unloading tower must then be able to move vertically on the base in order to accommodate the changes in the materials, this vertical displacement being understood to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tank.

[0005] It is known to use buffers or pads which allow a loading and / or unloading tower to move in vertical translation while limiting its movement in a plane parallel to the tank bottom. Such buffers are carried by a buffer support which is attached to the underside of the tower and is positioned opposite the base so as to slide along the base. However, the mounting of the buffer support on the loading and / or unloading tower on the one hand and the mounting of the buffer on the buffer support on the other hand is complicated to implement in the tank, in particular because the working space therein is limited and the buffer support is a heavy and bulky component. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a buffer support member, the structure of which is convenient for installation on the loading and / or unloading tower, and this installation can be carried out before the loading and / or unloading tower is lowered into the liquefied natural gas storage tank, so that only the step of installing the buffer member on the buffer support is carried out in the tank.

[0007] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is a guiding device for positioning a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower relative to a base attached to the bottom wall of a cryogenic fluid storage tank, the guiding device comprising a support member, the support member being configured to be attached to the loading and / or unloading tower, the support member comprising an edge portion and a buffer receiving area, the edge portion having an opening, the opening being configured to insert the buffer into the receiving area, the guiding device comprising a buffer retaining member defining the receiving area and the edge portion, the retaining member being designed to extend at least partially into the opening.

[0008] The guide device according to the invention is a buffer bearing device. It forms an interface between a tower for loading and / or unloading a cryogenic fluid such as liquefied natural gas or LNG on the one hand and a base of a tank on the other hand, the base of the tank being more particularly designed to be positioned opposite the base of the loading and / or unloading tower. The guide device facilitates the mounting of the loading and / or unloading tower relative to the base.

[0009] The guide device comprises a support having a buffer receiving area, in which the buffer is intended to be accommodated. The buffer receiving area is at least partially surrounded by an edge portion, which forms a frame for the receiving area. The edge portion is not continuous around the entire periphery of the support; it has an opening through which the buffer is inserted up to the receiving area. In order to define the receiving area continuously around the entire periphery of the support once the buffer has been positioned, the guide device has a retaining member designed to be positioned in the opening of the edge portion.

[0010] Once the buffer has been placed in the receiving area, the retaining member is positioned in the opening. Thus, it is possible to separate the operations of assembling the buffer support device to the loading and / or unloading tower on the one hand and installing the buffer in the buffer support device on the other hand; in other words, the operations of assembling the buffer support device to the loading and / or unloading tower and installing the buffer in the buffer support device are performed in two stages and at different positions. Thus, the installation operations in the tank can be limited, in particular by fixing the guide device to the loading and / or unloading tower before installing the guide device in the tank, thereby solving space problems caused by the installation operations in the tank. Limiting the number of operations performed in the tank further reduces the risk of damaging the tank when handling material.

[0011] Furthermore, assembling the buffer device and the buffer itself in two stages allows other components, in particular the pump support and the pump, to be assembled with the loading and / or unloading tower before said tower is lowered into the tank.

[0012] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the support member includes a base, and the edge portion includes a first edge, a second edge and a third edge defining a receiving area, the second edge is arranged between the first edge and the third edge to form a "U" shape, and the retaining member is intended to be attached to the base of the support member opposite to the second edge.

[0013] The support comprises a base which forms the bottom of the support and which helps to define the buffer receiving area. The base of the support is bordered by an edge portion which projects relative to the base. The edge portion is divided into three parts, namely a first edge, a second edge and a third edge. Each of the three edges is arranged along a different end of the support so as to form a "U" shape. The receiving area is defined by the "U" shaped legs and a retaining member arranged between these "U" shaped legs. Once fixed to the base of the support, the retaining member engages the first edge and the third edge, thereby constituting a fourth edge of the guide device.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first edge and the third edge are respectively arranged at longitudinal ends of the support, and the second edge and the retaining member are respectively arranged at vertical ends of the support.

[0015] The longitudinal ends of the support correspond in this document to the ends thereof extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, which is the main extension direction of the support, and the vertical ends are those ends connecting the longitudinal ends two by two. The support is of a quadrilateral shape as a whole, preferably a rectangle, so as to be more easily adapted to receive a buffer which is also rectangular as a whole. Once the guide device is positioned in the tank, the longitudinal ends are the ends substantially parallel to the bottom wall of this tank, and the vertical ends are substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of this tank. The arrangement of the second edge and the retaining member at the vertical end corresponds to the first embodiment of the guide device according to the present invention. In this first embodiment, the buffer is inserted into the receiving area of ​​the guide device from the side of the guide device.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guiding means comprises an attachment system, preferably removable, which attaches the retaining member to the support.

[0017] The removable attachment system is, for example, a screw connection system. It fixes the holding member to the support, more specifically to the base of the support, wherein the screws pass through the base until they engage in the holding member.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the retaining member and the support are welded together.

[0019] The welding is TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding. The welding allows a one-piece assembly to be formed between the retaining member and the support.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, one of the edges of the support has a chamfer, said edge being intended to be the edge closest to the bottom wall and extending parallel to said bottom wall.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the support member comprises a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the first face comprising the receiving area, the guide device comprises a first plate and a second plate extending from the second face, the first plate and the second plate being configured to be fixed on either side of a portion of a loading and / or unloading tower.

[0022] The second face is designed to be positioned opposite to a loading and / or unloading tower. The second face carries two plates extending substantially perpendicularly thereto. When the guide device is positioned on a loading and / or unloading tower, the first plate and the second plate surround a portion of the loading and / or unloading tower; in other words, the portion is arranged between the first plate and the second plate.

[0023] The present invention also relates to a loading and / or unloading tower, which is configured to load a cryogenic fluid in a tank and / or unload a cryogenic fluid in a tank, and the loading and / or unloading tower comprises at least one guiding device as described above, a plurality of pillars and a base plate connecting the pillars together, the guiding device being attached to the base plate and being configured to contact a base attached to the bottom wall of the tank.

[0024] In the loading and / or unloading tower, the base plate corresponds to a frame connecting the pillars to each other. The base plate is integral with the guide device; more precisely, the base plate is welded to the guide device. The loading and / or unloading tower comprises at least one guide device. Preferably, the loading and / or unloading tower comprises a plurality of guide devices distributed around the base.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide device comprises a buffer configured to come into contact with the base and allow the loading and / or unloading tower to move along its axis of extension, the guide device at least partially blocking the loading and / or unloading tower in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall.

[0026] The buffer or pad is a protective element that cushions any impact when the second part moves towards the base. The buffer is configured to allow the loading and / or unloading tower to move in a vertical direction, but prevents at least one movement of the loading and / or unloading tower in a horizontal direction. Thus, the movement of the loading and / or unloading tower in at least one direction perpendicular to the buffer is blocked.

[0027] The support and retaining member are made of stainless steel. The buffer is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE.

[0028] Inserting the cushioning member through the opening in the rim portion facilitates replacement of the cushioning member.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the present invention, the pillar extends mainly in the vertical direction, the base extends mainly in the longitudinal-transverse plane, and the support member extends mainly in the longitudinal direction, the second edge and the retaining member are respectively arranged at the longitudinal ends of the support member, and the first edge and the third edge are respectively arranged at the vertical ends of the support member.

[0030] The arrangement of the second edge and the retaining member at the longitudinal end corresponds to the second embodiment of the guide device. In this second embodiment, for example, the buffer can be inserted from below the guide device into a receiving area of ​​the guide device, which receiving area is accessible in the tank.

[0031] The aforementioned chamfer is more particularly provided on an edge arranged at the longitudinal end which is closest to the bottom wall of the tank once the loading and / or unloading tower is associated with a base integral with the bottom wall of the tank. The chamfer facilitates the mounting of the loading and / or unloading tower in contact with the base.

[0032] The invention also relates to a cryogenic fluid storage tank comprising a loading and / or unloading tower according to the invention, a base and a bottom wall to which the base is attached, the guide means being configured to guide the positioning of the loading and / or unloading tower on the base.

[0033] More specifically, the guide means are configured to block the loading and / or unloading tower in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall, while allowing translation of the loading and / or unloading tower in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. In other words, within the tank, movement of the loading and / or unloading tower in the vertical direction is allowed, but movement in the horizontal direction is blocked by the guide means. The tank is, for example, a tank of a floating structure, which is watertight and thermally insulated.

[0034] Furthermore, the invention is intended to cover a method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower as described above, comprising the steps of inserting the buffer into the receiving area of ​​the support, followed by the steps of positioning the retaining member in the opening and at least fixing the retaining member to the support.

[0035] During the method of installing the loading and / or unloading tower, the holding member is placed against the base of the support and then fixed thereto. More specifically, the buffer is inserted into the receiving area through the opening in the edge portion before said opening is blocked by the holding member.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower comprises, prior to the insertion step, a calibration step, during which a calibration component is inserted into a receiving area of ​​the support so as to measure the distance between the support and the base, and then the calibration component is removed from the receiving area, and a buffer processing step based on the distance measurements collected during the calibration step.

[0037] The calibration component is, for example, a calibrated metal bumper that allows the gap to be measured at the four corners of the calibrated metal plug using a feeler gauge. The purpose of the calibration step is to determine the spacing measurements that will be used to machine the final bumper so that it is a predetermined distance from the base. This ensures that the bumper is as close to the base as possible because the bumper is custom fit.

[0038] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one step of fixing the retaining member to the support comprises a first step of fixing by a removable attachment system and a second step of fixing by welding.

[0039] Welding is used to supplement the removable attachment system, for example by overlapping the screws in order to fix their position. Welding is also used directly between the retaining member and the base of the support.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for assembling a tank for receiving a loading and / or unloading tower as described above, comprising the steps of associating the support of the guide device with the loading and / or unloading tower, lowering the loading and / or unloading tower until it comes into contact with the base, and installing the loading and / or unloading tower according to the above-described installation method.

[0041] The assembly method according to the invention allows a loading and / or unloading tower to be installed in a tank for the purpose of loading or unloading a cryogenic fluid. Initially, a guide device is associated with the loading and / or unloading tower, which is then lowered in the tank. The buffer is then inserted into the receiving area and the opening is closed by a retaining member. Once the buffer is in contact with the base, the guide device blocks the horizontal translation of the loading and / or unloading tower while allowing its vertical translation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent on the one hand by reading the following description and on the other hand by means of an example, which is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0043] [ Figure 1 ] schematically shows a tank for storing a cryogenic fluid, comprising a tower for loading and / or unloading the cryogenic fluid, the loading and / or unloading tower having a base plate resting on a base of the tank;

[0044] [ Figure 2] The front view schematically shows the arrangement of Figure 1 A plurality of guide devices between the substrate and the base, the insertion direction of the buffer member in the guide device is indicated by an arrow;

[0045] [ Figure 3 ] The top view schematically shows the arrangement of Figure 2 A plurality of guide devices between the substrate and the base, wherein the insertion direction of the buffer member in the guide device is indicated by an arrow;

[0046] [ Figure 4 ] schematically shows according to the perspective view Figure 2 and Figure 3 one of the guiding devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Features, variants and different embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other in various combinations, as long as they are not mutually compatible or exclusive. In particular, variants of the present invention can be envisaged, which only include a selection of the features described below, without the other features described, if the selection of features is sufficient to give the present invention a technical advantage or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art.

[0048] In the figures, components common to the several figures retain the same reference numerals.

[0049] In the following detailed description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the guide device according to the invention. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main extension direction of the support of the guide device, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the reference system L, V, T shown in the figures. The vertical direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the base of the tank in which the guide device is arranged, which is parallel to the vertical axis V of the reference system L, V, T and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, the transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to the transverse axis T of the reference system L, V, T, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V.

[0050] therefore, Figure 1 A storage tank 1 for a cryogenic fluid, such as liquefied natural gas, is schematically shown. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the cryogenic fluid may alternatively be liquefied petroleum gas, methane, ethane, ammonia, nitrogen (dinitrogen), carbon dioxide or even hydrogen (dihydrogen). The storage tank 1 is a tank of a floating structure, such as a liquefied gas processing vessel, such as an LNG tanker, or even a tank of a land-based installation or a gravity platform. The storage tank 1 comprises a bottom wall 2 corresponding to its floor. The storage tank 1 also comprises side walls, which together with the bottom wall 2 contribute to defining the liquefied natural gas storage volume. The wall of the storage tank 1 is provided with at least one thermal insulation layer covered by a sealing film, which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas.

[0051] A cone-shaped base 4 is fitted to the bottom wall 2 of the tank 1. The base 4 protrudes from the bottom wall 2 in a vertical direction V substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2. The base 4 forms a seat for receiving other elements of the tank 1.

[0052] Among the elements supported by the base 4, the tank 1 comprises at least one loading and / or unloading tower 6 configured for loading and / or unloading liquefied natural gas into the tank 1. In other words, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 allows the liquefied natural gas to be conveyed to the tank 1 and / or discharged from the tank 1. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends between the top wall of the tank and its bottom wall 2, more precisely the base 4. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 is mounted within the volume of the tank 1, for example by means of a cover on the top wall of this tank 1.

[0053] The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends along a main extension direction which is substantially parallel to the vertical direction V, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends between a first end 8 arranged opposite the top wall of the tank 1 and a second end 10 arranged opposite the bottom wall 2. More specifically, the first end 8 is opposite the cover, while the second end 10 is in contact with the base 4.

[0054] The loading and / or unloading tower 6 comprises a plurality of struts 12 extending mainly in the vertical direction V. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 comprises here three struts 12 forming a tripod, only two of which are in the vertical direction V. Figure 1 The three columns 12 are joined together at the second end 10 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 by a base plate 14, a plate connecting the columns 12 to one another, substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2 and thus extending mainly in a longitudinal-transverse plane.

[0055] The base plate 14 corresponds to the portion of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 located opposite the foundation 4. Due to this arrangement of the base plate 14 relative to the foundation 4, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is maintained in a vertical position inside the tank 1, in particular when it is at least partially immersed in liquefied natural gas.

[0056] During installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 within the volume of the tank 1, the base plate 14 is positioned relative to the foundation 4 by means of at least one guide device 16, the function of which is more particularly to allow vertical translation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 relative to the foundation 4 while preventing movement in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2.

[0057] Now about Figures 2 to 4Description of the guide means 16. The tank 1 comprises herein several guide means 16 arranged around the base 4. More specifically, the tank 1 comprises six guide means 16, of which two guide means 16 are arranged along the end edge 18 of the base plate 14 and four guide means 16 are arranged along the side edge 20 of this base plate 14. Thus, there are two guide means 16 along the first side edge 20 of the base plate 14 and two guide means 16 along the second side edge 20 of the base plate 14, the first side edge 20 and the second side edge 20 corresponding to the longer sides of the base plate 14 and joining the two end edges 18. Unless otherwise stated, the features described with respect to one of these guide means 16 are intended to apply mutatis mutandis to all guide means 16.

[0058] As in Figure 4 As can be seen in particular in FIG, the guide device 16 has a body 22 attached to the base plate 14. When the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is installed in this tank 1, the body 22 is welded to the base plate 14, for example against one of its faces opposite the bottom wall 2 of the tank 1.

[0059] The body 22 of the guide device 16 comprises a support 24 which is intended to be arranged opposite the base 4. This support 24 forms a seat for a buffer 26 of the guide device 16, which is a protection device designed to come into contact with the base 4. This buffer 26 is configured to allow the loading and / or unloading tower 6 to move in the vertical direction V, but to prevent it from moving in a direction parallel to the bottom wall 2, i.e. in the longitudinal-transverse plane. The buffer 26 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, while the body 22 of the guide device 16, in particular its support 24, is made of stainless steel.

[0060] The support 24 is substantially rectangular in shape. It extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2. The support 24 extends between a first longitudinal end 28 and a second longitudinal end 30, both of which are parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The second longitudinal end 30 is closer to the bottom wall 2 of the tank 1 than the first longitudinal end 28. The first longitudinal end 28 and the second longitudinal end 30 are connected in pairs by vertical ends 32, 34 of the support 24, and the vertical ends 32, 34 include a first vertical end 32 and a second vertical end 34. Due to the substantially rectangular shape of the support 24, the first longitudinal end 28 and the first vertical end 32 meet to form a first corner 36 of the support 24, the first longitudinal end 28 and the second vertical end 34 meet to form a second corner 38, the second vertical end 34 and the second longitudinal end 30 meet to form a third corner 40, and the second longitudinal end 30 and the first vertical end 32 meet to form a fourth corner 42.

[0061] The support member 24 includes a substantially flat base 44 on which an edge portion 46 of the support member 24 is arranged. Thus, the support member 24 forms a protrusion relative to a plane in which the base 44 extends primarily. The edge portion 46 includes a first edge 48, a second edge 50, and a third edge 52 corresponding to a straight portion of the edge portion 46. The edges 48, 50, 52 are arranged relative to each other to form a "U" shape, wherein the second edge 50 is arranged between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, substantially perpendicular thereto.

[0062] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, which corresponds to the first embodiment, the first edge 48 and the third edge 52 are arranged along the first longitudinal end 28 and the second longitudinal end 30, respectively, while the second edge 50 is arranged along the first vertical end 32. In contrast, in a second embodiment, not shown in the figures, the first edge 48 and the third edge 52 are arranged along the first vertical end 32 and the second vertical end 34, respectively, while the second edge 50 is arranged along the first longitudinal end 28. As will be explained below, the first embodiment corresponds to the guide means 16 being arranged along the side edge 20 of the base plate 14, while the second embodiment corresponds to the guide means 16 being arranged along the end edge 18 of this base plate 14. Regardless of the embodiment, it should be understood that the edge portion 46 extends along three of the four ends 28, 30, 32, 34 of the support 24.

[0063] like Figure 4 , i.e. for the guide means 16 positioned along the side edge 20 of the base plate 14, the edge arranged along the second longitudinal end 30 closest to the bottom wall 2, i.e. the third edge 52, has a chamfer 53. This chamfer 53 is configured to facilitate the lowering of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 into the tank 1, and more specifically its lowering into contact with the base 4 attached to the bottom wall 2 of the tank 1. Although not shown herein, the guide means 16 according to the second embodiment, in other words the guide means 16 positioned along the end edge 18 of the base plate 14, also has a chamfer 53 on its second longitudinal end 30, which is its end without the edge portion 46.

[0064] The edge portion 46 delimits, together with the base 44, a receiving area 54 for the damping element 26. In other words, when associated with the support 24, the damping element 26 is intended to be accommodated in this receiving area 54. To this end, the edge portion 46 has an opening 56 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, the opening 56 being opposite the second edge 50 in the longitudinal direction L. This opening 56 thus corresponds to the portion of the support 24 without the edge portion 46. The opening 56 is arranged along the second vertical end 34 in the first embodiment and along the second longitudinal end 30 in the second embodiment. When the damping element 26 is associated with the support 24, the damping element 26 more particularly slides into the receiving area 54 through the opening 56. The damping element 26 then abuts against the first edge 48, the second edge 50 and the third edge 52 surrounding the receiving area 54.

[0065] In order to fix the position of the buffer 26 in the receiving area 54, the guide device 16 includes a retaining member 58. The retaining member 58 is positioned in the opening 56, that is, between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, substantially parallel to the second edge 50 and opposite thereto in the longitudinal direction L. Figure 4 In the first embodiment shown, the retaining member 58 is therefore arranged along the second vertical end 34 of the support 24. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the retaining member 58 is arranged along the second longitudinal end 30 of the support 24. It should be understood that once the buffer 26 has been inserted into the receiving area 54, the retaining member 58 is positioned in the opening 56 so as to close the receiving area 54.

[0066] The retaining member 58 is fixed to the support 24; more specifically, the retaining member 58 is fixed to the base 44 of the support 24. This fixation is achieved by means of a removable attachment system 60. Figure 4 As shown, this removable attachment system 60 comprises screws which pass through holes provided for this purpose in the base 44, opposite the opening 56 and the retaining member 58. When using the removable attachment system 60, the screws are inserted into the holes from the face of the base 44 opposite the body 22 of the guide device 16 to the face intended to be opposite the base 4, until these screws engage in the retaining member 58, which is positioned against the base 44 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52.

[0067] In order to ensure that the removable attachment system remains in place over time, the retaining member 58 is also fixed to the support 24 by means of a permanent attachment system, in particular by welding. This welding is performed on the one hand by overlapping screws and on the other hand optionally between the retaining member 58 and the support 24. The welding is, for example, arc welding with a tungsten electrode.

[0068] The method of assembling the tank 1 will now be described, which method itself includes a method of installing the loading and / or unloading tower 6. During the method of assembling the tank 1, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is positioned within the volume of the tank 1 in order to load and / or unload the liquefied natural gas in the tank 1.

[0069] The method of assembling the tank 1 begins with a step of associating the body 22 of the guide device 16 with the loading and / or unloading tower 6. In particular, the body 22 of the guide device 16 carrying the support 24 is welded to the base plate 14 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6. At this stage of the assembly method, the guide device 16 lacks the buffer 26 and the retaining member 58.

[0070] Once the body 22 has been associated with the loading and / or unloading tower 6, the assembly method comprises a step of lowering the supports 12 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 from the cover of the tank 1 to the base 4 attached to the bottom wall 2, the supports 12 being associated with each other via the base plate 14. The step of lowering the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is facilitated by the presence of a chamfer on the second longitudinal end 30 of the support 24.

[0071] Once the base plate 14 is opposed to the foundation 4 , the method of assembling the tank 1 continues with the step of installing the loading and / or unloading tower 6 .

[0072] The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 first begins with a calibration step. During this calibration step, a substantially rectangular calibration part is inserted into the receiving area 54 of the support 24 via the opening 56. The spacing measurements are then taken at the four corners 36, 38, 40, 42 of the support 24 using a feeler gauge, and the calibration part is then removed from the receiving area 54. The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 then includes a step of machining the buffer 26, which is machined based on the spacing measurements collected during the calibration step; more precisely, the buffer 26 is machined so that once inserted into the support 24, it is arranged at a distance of less than half a millimeter from the base 4.

[0073] The step of machining the buffer 26 is performed, for example, outside the tank 1, and the machined buffer 26 is subsequently lowered into the tank 1 to be inserted into the support 24. During this insertion step, the buffer 24 slides into the receiving area 54 through the opening 56. In the case of the guide device 16 according to the first embodiment, the buffer 26 is inserted through the second vertical end 34 of the support 24, while in the case of the guide device 16 according to the second embodiment, the buffer 16 is inserted through the second longitudinal end 30. The insertion direction of the buffer 26 is shown in the figure by the arrow SI, and the first embodiment is shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 and the second embodiment is shown in Figure 2 Shown in.

[0074] The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 continues with the following steps: positioning the retaining member 58 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, inside the opening 56. During the fixing step, this retaining member 58 is first fixed to the base 44 of the support 24 by a removable attachment system 60 and then fixed to the base 44 of the support 24 by welding that complements the removable attachment system 60. The guide device 16, in which the buffer 26 is held in place by the retaining member 58, is then able to block the horizontal translation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6, while allowing its vertical translation.

[0075] Therefore, the present invention proposes a guide device, the retaining member of which is fixed to a support of the guide device in order to hold in place a buffer for adjusting the position of a liquefied natural gas loading and / or unloading tower.

[0076] However, the present invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and shown here, and it also extends to any equivalent devices or configurations and any combination of technically using these devices.

Claims

1. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) configured for loading and / or unloading a cryogenic fluid in a storage tank (1), the loading and / or unloading tower (6) comprising at least one guide device (16) designed to allow the cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower (6) to be positioned relative to a base (4), the base (4) being attached to a bottom wall (2) of a cryogenic fluid storage tank (1), the guide device (16) comprising a support (24), the support (24) being configured to be attached to the loading and / or unloading tower (6), the support (24) comprising an edge portion (46) having an opening (54) and a receiving area (54) for receiving a buffer (26), the edge portion (46) having an opening (54) and a receiving area (54) for receiving a buffer (26). 6), the opening (56) being configured to insert the buffer (26) into the receiving area (54), the guiding device (16) comprising a retaining member (58) for the buffer (26), the retaining member (58) defining the receiving area (54) together with the edge portion (46), the retaining member (58) being designed to extend at least partially into the opening (56), the loading and / or unloading tower (6) comprising a plurality of pillars (12) and a base plate (14) connecting the pillars (12) together, the guiding device (16) being attached to the base plate (14) and being configured to contact the base (4) attached to the bottom wall (2) of the tank (1).

2. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 1, wherein: The support member (24) includes a base (44), and the edge portion (46) includes a first edge (48), a second edge (50) and a third edge (52) defining the receiving area (54), the second edge (50) being arranged between the first edge (48) and the third edge (52) to form a "U" shape, and the retaining member (58) is designed to be fixed to the base (44) of the support member (24) opposite to the second edge (50).

3. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 2, wherein: One of the edges (48, 50, 52) of the support (24) has a chamfer (53), the edge (48, 50, 52) being the edge (48, 50, 52) closest to the bottom wall (2) of the can and extending parallel to the bottom wall (2).

4. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The first edge (48) and the third edge (52) are respectively arranged at the longitudinal ends (28, 30) of the support (24), and the second edge (50) and the retaining member (58) are respectively arranged at the vertical ends (32, 34) of the support (24).

5. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The guide means comprises an attachment system (60) for securing the retaining member (58) to the support (24), the attachment system preferably being removable.

6. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The support (24) comprises a first face and a second face opposite to the first face, the first face comprising the receiving area (54), the guide device (16) comprising a first plate and a second plate extending from the second face, the first plate and the second plate being configured to be fixed on either side of a portion of the loading and / or unloading tower (6).

7. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The guide device comprises a buffer (26) configured to come into contact with the base (4) and to allow the loading and / or unloading tower (6) to move along its axis of extension, the guide device (16) at least partially blocking the loading and / or unloading tower (6) in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall (2).

8. A cryogenic fluid storage tank (1), comprising a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the base (4) and the bottom wall (2) to which the base (4) is attached, and the guiding device (16) is configured to guide the positioning of the loading and / or unloading tower (6) on the base (4).

9. A method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 7, comprising an insertion step of inserting the buffer (26) into the receiving area (54) of the support (24), followed by a positioning step of positioning the retaining member (58) in the opening (56), and at least one fixing step of fixing the retaining member (58) to the support (24).

10. The method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 9 comprises a calibration step before the insertion step, during which a calibration component is inserted into the receiving area (54) of the support (24) in order to measure the spacing between the support (24) and the base (4), and then the calibration component is removed from the receiving area (54), and a step of machining the buffer (26) based on the spacing measurements collected during the calibration step.

11. Method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 9 or 10 in combination with claim 5, wherein: The at least one fixing step of the retaining member (58) to the support (24) comprises a first fixing step by a preferably removable attachment system (60) and a second fixing step by welding.

12. A method for assembling a tank (1) for receiving a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of associating the support (24) of the guide device (16) with the loading and / or unloading tower (6), lowering the loading and / or unloading tower (6) until it comes into contact with the base (4), and installing the loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to the installation method according to claims 9 to 11.

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