Wall for tank for storing fluid and method for installing such wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall (8) for a tank for storing at least one fluid, the wall (8) comprising a housing (2) and at least one panel (10) held at a distance from the housing (2) by at least one anchoring element (14) holding the panel (10) relative to the housing (2) by defining a region between the housing (2) and the panel (10), the area is at least partially filled with a filling material (12), and the wall (8) comprises a sealing membrane (22) abutting against the panel (10), the sealing membrane (22) being arranged opposite the filling material (12) with respect to the panel (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of walls having surface irregularities that need to be levelled, and more particularly to the walls of tanks for storing fluids. Background Art

[0002] Fluids from the petroleum industry, such as gas or refined oil, are typically stored in tanks. Such storage of fluids may be necessary, for example, to ensure the transport of the fluids by land on trucks or by sea on ships. In other cases, these fluids may be stored permanently as a reserve or temporarily, such as at service stations, for distribution.

[0003] Known tanks, particularly those made of concrete, are manufactured and buried underground to form a fluid storage area. However, these tanks deteriorate over time as the concrete within them breaks up. Damage to the shell of the tank in this way results in leaks, which, in the case of storing fluids from the petroleum industry, can cause environmental damage, particularly soil pollution.

[0004] When a leak is detected or the risk of leakage appears too high, it is known to repair or reinforce the shell, for example, by attaching panels against the shell to ensure the sealing of the tank. These panels are pressed against the shell to be repaired using mastic. However, such methods are not suitable in cases where the surface of the shell to be repaired has surface irregularities with an amplitude greater than 40 mm. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In this context, the present invention provides a new means of sealing a defective shell by providing a new leak - proof tank wall, even if the shell to be repaired includes surface irregularities with an amplitude greater than 40 mm.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a wall of a tank for storing at least one fluid, the wall comprising a shell and at least one panel, the at least one panel being held at a distance from the shell by at least one anchoring element, the at least one anchoring element holding the panel relative to the shell by defining a region between the shell and the panel, the region being at least partially filled with a filling material, the wall comprising a sealing membrane bearing against the panel and arranged opposite the filling material with respect to the panel.

[0007] The wall comprises a shell that can be made of concrete, metal, or a combination of concrete and metal. The shell has a face facing the interior of the tank, to which the at least one anchoring element is attached. The anchoring element supports the panel and, more particularly, holds the panel at a distance from the shell by defining a space between the shell and the panel. It should be understood that the panel includes a face facing the shell and a face facing the interior of the tank. The region is defined between the face of the shell facing the interior of the tank and the face of the panel facing the shell.

[0008] The filling material that at least partially fills the region provides, in combination with the anchoring elements, a certain mechanical resistance to the compressive stresses that the fluid contained in the tank may exert on the walls of the tank.

[0009] The shell includes surface irregularities with an amplitude greater than 40 mm. It should be understood here that the surface of the shell has a series of protrusions and recesses, and the distance between the bottom of at least one of the adjacent recesses and the top of the protrusion is greater than 40 mm. This distance that defines the amplitude of the surface irregularities is measured parallel to the shortest section passing through the center of the tank, and this shortest section is at least partially defined by the wall and the surface irregularities.

[0010] Furthermore, the sealing film that bears against the panel makes the wall of the tank watertight. In other words, the sealing film prevents the fluid contained in the tank from reaching the shell in this region.

[0011] From the above, it can be understood that the panel used to define this region serves as a template element that, on the one hand, allows the filling material to be deposited between the shell and the panel, and on the other hand, allows the sealing film to bear against said panel, i.e., press against the panel.

[0012] According to a feature of the present invention, the wall includes a sealing layer arranged between the shell and the filling material. This sealing layer at least limits the penetration of the fluid through the face of the shell facing the outside of the tank. It should be understood that the sealing layer is in contact with the filling material. Furthermore, it should be understood that the filling material is contained between the panel and the sealing layer. Such a layer is a film that prevents the upward movement from the outside to the inside of the shell.

[0013] According to a feature of the present invention, the panel that is at a distance from the shell is a secondary panel, and the wall includes a primary panel that bears against the sealing film.

[0014] According to a feature of the present invention, the sealing film that bears against the panel is a secondary sealing film, and the wall includes a primary sealing film that bears against the primary panel.

[0015] It should be understood that the wall is formed by at least one panel, and the sealing film is supported on the panel. In this case, the wall includes two panels and two sealing films. More specifically, the wall includes a secondary panel on which the secondary sealing film is supported, where the primary panel abuts against the secondary sealing film and the primary sealing film is supported on the secondary sealing film. This stacking of elements gives the wall a double seal in the case where a leak occurs in one of the sealing films.

[0016] According to a feature of the present invention, the filling material at least partially includes synthetic foam. According to an example, the synthetic foam is an expanded foam, i.e., a foam whose volume increases after injection.

[0017] A feature of the present invention is that the synthetic foam is adiabatic.

[0018] According to a feature of the invention, the filling material at least partially comprises a particle-filled resin. The advantage of this type of resin is that it maintains substantially the same volume when the filling material is poured. The filling material made of particle-filled resin also has a higher mechanical strength than the expanding foam. By increasing the level of particulate filler within the resin, the amount of resin required can be reduced, thereby limiting the cost of the filling material used.

[0019] According to a feature of the invention, the sealing film comprises at least a first plate and a second plate, the first plate extending in a plane tangential to the plane in which the second plate extends, and the sealing film comprises a film bridge connecting the first plate and the second plate in a sealed manner. It should be understood that, like the secondary sealing film, the primary sealing film is formed by a series of plates supported against the panel. Advantageously, this shape adopted by the primary sealing film and the secondary sealing film allows them to follow the shape of the tank, especially when the tank is a cylindrical tank.

[0020] According to an alternative feature of the invention, the film bridge comprises at least one corrugated portion. This corrugated portion of the film bridge allows the film equipped with it to withstand deformation stresses, especially due to the expansion or contraction of the wall under the thermal effect of the fluid stored in the tank. According to one example, at least one plate of the sealing film, and advantageously each plate of the sealing film, is completely flat, i.e., without any corrugated portion or undulating portion similar to the corrugated portion or undulating portion included in the film bridge.

[0021] It should be noted that, alternatively, the planes may merge, especially in the case where the tank has a cubic shape and the housing comprises flat sides.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method for installing the wall of a tank for storing at least one fluid, the method implementing:

[0023] At least one first step, during which an anchoring member is fixed to the housing,

[0024] At least one second step, during which the at least one panel is fixed to the housing by means of the anchoring element,

[0025] At least a third step, during which the filling material is placed in the region defined between the housing and the panel.

[0026] It should be understood that the second step of the installation method is a templating step. This templating step allows the definition of a region configured to receive the filling material, the region being defined at least by the housing and at least one panel.

[0027] It should be noted that "arranging" means that the filling material is cast or injected, for example, between the face of the housing facing the interior of the tank and the face of the panel facing the housing.

[0028] According to a feature of the invention, a step is implemented before the first step, during which the housing is analyzed to measure surface irregularities of the housing, and the anchoring elements are arranged to correct the surface irregularities measured during this step before the first step.

[0029] This analysis of the housing allows correction of the surface irregularities of the housing. It should be understood that in the case where the invention is used for such a housing - on the surface of which changes have occurred, the analysis of the said surface of the housing allows the anchoring elements to be positioned to flatten the panel.

[0030] According to a feature of the invention, the installation method is implemented when the surface irregularity of the housing is greater than 40 mm. This distance is measured between two circles, the centers of which correspond to the center of the tank. The first circle passes through the point on the housing furthest from the center of the tank, and the second circle passes through the point closest to the center of the tank. The distance between the two circles is measured along the radii of these circles.

[0031] It should be noted that the invention can be implemented with tanks having flat walls, such as square or rectangular tanks. In this case, the surface irregularity is measured between a first plane and a second plane, the first plane passing through the point on the housing furthest from the center of the tank, and the second plane passing through the point closest to the center of the tank. Then, the distance of the surface irregularity is the section separating the two planes measured perpendicular to the first plane and / or the second plane.

[0032] According to a feature of the invention, the installation method includes a step before the first step, during which a sealing layer is placed against the housing of the tank. For example, such a layer is sprayed to form a film made of, for example, resin.

[0033] In the case where the wall comprises a plurality of panels, the first step and the second step are repeated during the installation method in order to arrange the panels side by side to form a panel ring. It can be understood that the third step of the installation method is implemented after the panel ring is formed. In other words, once the panel ring has been formed, the filling material is placed between the housing and the panel, and a new panel ring is formed.

[0034] According to a feature of the invention, the installation method includes a fourth step, during which a first plate is fixed to the panel and a second plate is fixed to an adjacent panel, and the installation method performs a fifth step, during which a membrane bridge is fixed in a sealed manner to the first plate and the second plate. Description of the Drawings

[0035] On the one hand, when reading the following description, and on the other hand, by referring to the examples of embodiments given in an indicative and non-limiting manner by the attached schematic diagrams, other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become clearer. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the contour of one face of the housing facing the interior of the tank;

[0037] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the wall according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the wall in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a view illustrating the juxtaposition and superposition of the panels forming the wall according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 shows a view of the wall according to the present invention as seen from the interior of the tank;

[0041] Figure 6 shows Figure 5 a cross-sectional view of the wall shown in Detailed Description of the Invention

[0042] First of all, it should be noted that although the drawings elaborate on the embodiments of the present invention in detail, these drawings can of course be used to better define the present invention if necessary. It should also be noted that these drawings only show examples of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] The features, variations and different embodiments of the present invention can be related to each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, if a selected set of features described below that is isolated from other described features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to distinguish the present invention from the prior art, variants of the present invention can be envisaged that only include that selected set of features.

[0044] In the drawings, elements common to several drawings bear the same reference numerals. In addition, elements hidden behind other elements are shown as dashed lines.

[0045] Figure 1 is a very schematic representation of the housing 2 of a tank for storing at least one fluid to which the present invention can be applied. In particular, Figure 1 shows the contour of one face of the housing 2 facing the interior of the tank. It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment and without limiting the present invention, the fluid stored in the tank is a fluid in a liquid state from the petroleum industry, such as refined petroleum or the liquefied natural gas acronym "LNG".

[0046] ​​​​​​The shell 2 of the tank has surface irregularities relative to a reference profile 4, which represents the median surface of the shell 2 of the tank.

[0047] The surface irregularities present on the shell 2 are distinguished by the portions of the faces of the shell 2 that deviate from the reference profile 4. In the illustrated embodiment, some of the distances between the faces of the shell 2 and the reference profile 4 are greater than 40 mm. Thus, as can be seen in Figure 1 , some of the surface irregularities of the shell 2 (such as those represented by the double arrow 6) are greater than 40 mm. It should be noted that this distance, measured from the surface irregularity and represented by the double arrow 6, corresponds to the distance separating a first circle 40 passing through the top of the irregularity from a second circle 41 passing through the bottom of the irregularity. This distance is measured along the radius of either of these circles. Figure 1 It is intended to show the irregularities that the present invention may handle, but the shapes or positions shown here are given only by way of example.

[0048] Figure 2 A partial view of the shell 2 is schematically shown, in which the surface irregularities of the shell 2 are corrected so that a sealing structure can be mounted on the face of the shell 2 facing the interior of the tank.

[0049] More specifically, Figure 2 the installation of a wall 8 according to the present invention is shown. The wall 8 comprises at least the shell 2, a panel 10 and a sealing film supported against the panel 10. A filling material 12 is placed between the shell 2 and the panel 10, where the panel 10 is mounted on the side of the shell 2 facing the interior of the tank. The sealing film, which will be described in more detail with respect to Figure 3 , is arranged opposite the filling material 12 with respect to the panel 10.

[0050] During the installation of the wall 8, an anchoring element 14 is fixed to the shell 2, for example by being inserted into the shell 2. The panel 10 is positioned on these anchoring elements 14 so as to be held at a distance from the shell 2 by means of the said anchoring elements 14. This distance by which the panel 10 is separated from the shell 2 is at least 40 mm, but the present invention is intended for distances between 40 mm and 250 mm.

[0051] As can be seen in Figure 2 or Figure 6 , the panel 10 is more specifically positioned on the heads of the said anchoring elements 14, opposite the part of the anchoring elements 14 that is received in the shell 2. Each head of the anchoring elements 14 supporting the same panel 10 is advantageously located at a distance from the shell 2 so as to reconstruct a profile close to the above-mentioned first circle 40.

[0052] The positioning of the panel 10 on the head of the anchoring element 14 creates a region 16 between the panel 10 and the housing 2. Then, the region 16 is at least partially filled with a filling material 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the filling material 12 is at least partially formed of a synthetic foam that is poured or injected into the region 16 via a supply conduit 18. The panel 10 forms a structural element that is disposed directly opposite the housing 2. This configuration allows the panel 10 to define the region 16 between the housing 2 and the panel 10.

[0053] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the filling material is advantageously thermally insulating, which is advantageous when the tank contains, for example, LNG, ammonia, LPG, and any fluid that generally remains in a liquid state at a temperature below -50 °C at atmospheric pressure.

[0054] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the filling material 12 is at least partially formed of a particle-filled resin. As illustrative and non-limiting examples of the present invention, the resin can be an epoxy resin, a vinyl ester resin, a polyester resin, or a polyurethane resin. Within the resin, the particles constituting the filler are preferably glass beads or hollow glass beads. As illustrative and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, the particles constituting the resin filler can be clay, sand, or vermiculite beads, or recycled particles from, for example, crushed concrete, tires, or composite materials. When the filling material 12 is poured, this particle-filled resin has a substantially equal volume. The filling material 12 is poured at an angle between the housing 2 and the plurality of panels 10. As a result, there is an angular continuity of the filling material 12 on several adjacent panels 10. This angular continuity is significant for there being no notch in the filling material 12 at the junction between two juxtaposed panels 10.

[0055] In addition, the wall 8 further includes a sealing layer 20 disposed between the housing 2 and the filling material 12. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the sealing layer 20 presses against the housing 2 and allows at least a restriction of the penetration of fluids (such as water) from outside the tank.

[0056] From the foregoing, it can be understood that the present invention implements an installation method during which, during a first step, the anchoring element 14 is fixed to the housing 2. Then, in a second step, the panel 10 is fixed to the housing 2 by means of the anchoring element 14. Then the filling material 12 is placed in the region 16 between the housing 2 and the panel 10.

[0057] It should be noted that the method for installing the wall 8 also implements a step before the first step. As previously mentioned, this step before the first step allows the anchoring element 14 to be positioned in order to reconstruct the contour of the first circle 40. More specifically, during this step before the first step, the face of the housing 2 facing the interior of the tank is analyzed to measure the surface irregularities of the housing 2. As an illustrative and non-limiting example, a laser analysis identification device connected to a computer modeling device can be used to perform this analysis of the housing 2. This analysis of the face of the housing 2 facing the interior of the tank allows the anchoring element 14 to be positioned and adjusted during the first step to correct the surface irregularities. This adjustment can be produced, for example, by anchoring elements of different lengths. This adjustment can also be made by inserting the anchoring element more or less into the housing 2.

[0058] It should also be noted that the method for installing the wall 8 also implements another earlier step, in which the sealing layer 20 is sprayed against the housing 2 of the tank. It should be understood that this step is preferably and if necessary implemented after the step of analyzing the face of the housing 2 facing the interior of the tank in order to allow an optimal analysis of the housing 2.

[0059] Figure 3 The structure of the wall 8 in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As can be seen in this figure, the panel 10 that is held at a distance from the housing 2 by the anchoring element 14 and on which the sealing film 22 is supported is the secondary panel 10. The wall 8 also includes a primary panel 24 that is supported against the sealing film 22. It should also be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, the sealing film 22 is the secondary sealing film 22. The wall 8 also includes a primary sealing film 26 that is supported against the primary panel 24.

[0060] According to Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment, the wall 8 sequentially includes, from the housing 2 towards the interior of the tank, the sealing layer 20, the filling material 12, the secondary panel 10, the secondary sealing film 22, the primary panel 24, and the primary sealing film 26.

[0061] The sealing film 22 or the secondary sealing film 22 includes at least a first plate and a second plate. In Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment, only one of the two aforementioned plates is shown. The secondary sealing film 22 also includes a film bridge 30 for sealingly connecting the first plate and the second plate. Note that the film bridge 30 will be described in more detail with respect to Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 more specifically.

[0062] The primary sealing film 26 includes at least a first plate and a second plate. In Figure 3 the illustrated embodiment, only one of the two aforementioned plates is shown. The primary sealing film 26 also includes a film bridge 30 for sealingly connecting the first plate and the second plate. Note that the film bridge 30 will be described in more detail with respect to Figure 4 、Figure 5 and Figure 6 describe the membrane bridge 30 in more detail.

[0063] Figure 4 The wall 8 of a tank for storing fluid according to the present invention is schematically shown. It should be noted that in this Figure 4 the housing 2, the sealing layer 20, the filling material 12 and the secondary panel 10 are not shown, and only the sealing membranes 22, 26 are visible. In other words, the visible surfaces of the sealing membranes 22, 26 are the surfaces configured to bear against the secondary panel 10. It should also be noted that in Figure 4 the illustrated embodiment, the tank has a circular shape. Of course, the tank may have other shapes, particularly a parallelepiped or cube shape, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0064] As previously mentioned, the sealing membranes 22, 26 include a first plate 32 and a second plate 34. The first plate 32 is flat and extends in a plane tangent to the plane in which the second plate 34 extends, and the second plate 34 is also flat. The membrane bridge 30 provides a sealing joint between the first plate 32 and the second plate 34.

[0065] Figure 4 The features of the method for mounting the wall 8 are also highlighted. The first and second steps of the mounting method are repeated such that the panels are arranged side by side to form a panel ring 36.

[0066] It should be understood that each panel 10 is positioned adjacent to another panel 10 to form a panel ring 36. The panels 10 are also stacked on top of each other such that the panel rings 36 are also stacked on top of each other and line the housing 2.

[0067] Figure 5 A view of the wall 8 is shown, and more particularly a view of the primary sealing membrane 26 bearing against the primary panel 24. As Figure 5 shown, the primary sealing membrane 26 is fixed to the primary panel 24 by studs 28. The studs 28 hold the primary sealing membrane 26 against the primary panel 24.

[0068] Figure 5 The fourth and fifth steps in the method for mounting the wall 8 are also highlighted. During the fourth step of the mounting method, the first plate 32 is fixed to one panel, in this case the primary panel 24, and the second plate 34 is fixed to another adjacent panel, in this case another primary panel 24. In the fifth step of the method for mounting the wall 8, the membrane bridge is fixed to the first plate 32 and the second plate 34 in a sealed manner. This can be achieved by welding the edges of the membrane bridge 30 to the surfaces of the plates against which the membrane bridge 30 is pressed.

[0069] It should be noted that what has just been described with respect to the primary sealing film 26 applies, mutatis mutandis, to the secondary sealing film 22. In other words, like the primary sealing film 26, the secondary sealing film 22 is formed by a first plate 32 which is fixed in this case to the primary panel 10 and a second plate 34 which is fixed to another adjacent primary panel 10, and the film bridge 30 is fixed in a sealed manner to the first plate 32 and the second plate 34.

[0070] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the wall 8 along section A-A is shown, as Figure 5 shown. Figure 6 The superposition of the various elements forming the wall 8 is shown more clearly. Specifically, Figure 6 the corrugations 38 in the film bridge 30 are shown. This corrugation 38 of the film bridge 30 allows the membrane (the film bridge forms part of the membrane) to deform under the various stresses to which the tank is subjected, in particular the stresses of expansion or contraction of the wall 8 under the influence of the temperature of the fluid that may be stored in the tank.

[0071] In one example, the film bridge 30 includes two straight corrugations 38 arranged at right angles to each other. The film bridge 30 can then be made in one piece, but it is advantageous to be made of two straight parts which are perpendicular to each other and joined by a junction.

[0072] Furthermore, the film bridge 30 is fixed by welding to the first plate 32 and the second plate 34 of the same sealing films 22, 26. For this purpose, the film bridge 30 includes fastening parts on either side of the corrugation 38 which extend above the plane of the first plate 32 and the second plate 34. In this way, the film bridge 30 is fixed in a sealed manner to the first plate 32 and the second plate 34.

[0073] Figure 6 The corrugations 38 of the film bridge 30 forming the primary sealing film are also shown above the corrugations 38 of the film bridge forming the secondary sealing film.

[0074] Figure 6 The primary panel 24 is shown held against the secondary panel 10 by means of studs 28. To accommodate the latter, the primary panel 24 includes at least one counterbore to receive a fastening nut. The stud 28 includes a collar which is welded in a sealed manner to the secondary sealing film 22.

[0075] The panel 10 also includes a counterbore for receiving the head of the anchoring element 14, such counterbore being covered by a sealing film pressed against the panel 10.

[0076] The present invention achieves its intended purpose by providing a wall for a tank, in which the changes in the housing have been corrected by means of a panel which is held at a distance from the housing by means of anchoring elements, and at least one sealing film bears against the panel. Once the filling material has cured, the mechanical stresses applied to the wall are absorbed by the filling material. This material is advantageously thermally insulating.

Claims

1. A wall (8) of a tank for storing at least one fluid, the wall (8) comprising a shell (2) and at least one panel (10), the shell (2) comprising surface irregularities with an amplitude greater than 40 mm, the at least one panel (10) being held at a distance from the shell (2) by at least one anchoring element (14), the at least one anchoring element (14) holding the panel (10) relative to the shell (2) by defining a region (16) between the shell (2) and the panel (10), the region (16) being at least partially filled with a filling material (12), the wall (8) comprising a sealing film (22) bearing against the panel (10) and arranged opposite the filling material (12) relative to the panel (10).

2. The wall (8) according to claim 1, comprising a sealing layer (20) arranged between the shell (2) and the filling material (12).

3. The wall (8) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein The panel (10) held at a distance from the shell (2) is a secondary panel (10), the wall (8) comprising a primary panel (24) bearing against the sealing film (22).

4. The wall (8) according to claim 3, wherein, The sealing film (22) bearing against the panel (10) is a secondary sealing film (22), the wall (8) comprising a primary sealing film (26) bearing against the primary panel (24).

5. The wall (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The filling material (12) at least partially comprises a synthetic foam.

6. The wall (8) according to claim 5, wherein The synthetic foam is adiabatic.

7. The wall (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The filling material (12) at least partially comprises a resin filled with particles.

8. The wall (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The sealing film (22) comprises at least a first plate (32) and a second plate (34), the first plate (32) extending in a plane tangential to the plane in which the second plate (34) extends, the sealing film (22) comprising a film bridge (30) connecting the first plate (32) and the second plate (34) in a sealed manner.

9. The wall (8) according to claim 8, wherein The film bridge (30) comprises at least one corrugated portion (38).

10. A method for installing a wall (8) of a tank for storing at least one fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the installation method implementing: at least one first step, during which the anchoring element (14) is fixed to the shell (2), a step before the first step, during which the shell (2) is analyzed to measure the surface irregularities of the shell, the anchoring element (14) being arranged to correct for the surface irregularities measured during this step before the first step, at least one second step, during which the at least one panel (10) is fixed to the shell (2) by means of the anchoring element (14), at least one third step, during which the filling material (12) is placed in the region (16) defined between the shell (2) and the panel (10).

11. The installation method according to claim 10, implementing the method when the surface irregularities of the shell (2) are greater than 40 mm.

12. The installation method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 in combination with claim 2, including a step before the first step, during which the sealing layer (20) is placed against the housing (2) of the tank.

13. The installation method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the wall (8) comprises a plurality of panels (10), and during the installation method, the first step and the second step are repeated so as to arrange the panels (10) side by side to form a panel ring (36).

14. The installation method according to any one of claims 9 to 13 in combination with claim 7, the installation method includes a fourth step, during which the first plate (32) is fixed to the panel (10) and the second plate (34) is fixed to an adjacent panel (10), and the installation method implements a fifth step, during which the membrane bridge (30) is fixed to the first plate (32) and the second plate (34) in a sealed manner.

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