Sealed and thermally insulated tank comprising

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulated tank (1) for storing a fluid, the tank (1) having a tank wall comprising a sealing membrane (14) and a thermal insulation barrier (12) comprising at least two insulation panels (13) and arranged between the sealing membrane (14) and a support wall, the two insulation panels (13) being juxtaposed so as to define an inter-panel space (25) therebetween, the thermal insulation barrier (12) has at least one insulation seal (26) housed in the inter-panel space (25) and bridging plates (30) arranged above the at least one insulation seal (26) to straddle the two insulation panels (13), each bridging plate (30) being provided with two main face portions (31A, 31B) extending parallel to an inner face portion of the thermal insulation barrier (12), 33A ', 33B') located at the longitudinal ends of the bridge plate (30) and connected by two longitudinal end surfaces (33A, 33B; 33A ', 33B'). According to the invention, a longitudinal end surface (33A, 33A ') of a first of the bridge plates (30) facing each other and a longitudinal end surface (33B, 33B') of a second of the bridge plates (30) have an interlocking system (40) that straddles the two insulating panels (13) in a transverse direction (All) of the inter-panel space (25) in order to extend the flow path between the first bridge plate (30) and the second bridge plate (30).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of storage and / or transport of fluids.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting cryogenic fluids, for example liquefied gases at low temperature, such as tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at about -162°C under atmospheric pressure, tanks for transporting liquid hydrogen (LH2) at -253°C under atmospheric pressure, tanks for transporting ammonia (NH3) at -30°C under atmospheric pressure, or tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG) at a temperature for example between 50°C and 0°C. These tanks can be installed on land or on offshore installations. In the case of offshore installations, the tanks can be used for transporting liquefied gases, or for receiving liquefied gases used as fuel for propelling the offshore installation. BACKGROUND

[0003] Document FR 3 082 274 describes the use of a sealed and thermally insulated tank for transporting and / or storing a fluid, the tank comprising insulated panels covered by a sealed membrane in corrugations. The sealed membrane has an inner face intended to come into contact with the fluid contained in the tank and an outer face intended to face the thermal insulation barrier. The sealed membrane comprises a plurality of metal sheets made of stainless steel having sets of vertical corrugations allowing the absorption of forces. The corrugated sheets are welded to each other along their edges and are anchored to the insulated panels by welding the edges of the sheets to strips also made of stainless steel and riveted to the insulated panels.

[0004] The insulated panels each have an inner face facing the inside of the tank and covered by the sealed membrane. The insulated panels are juxtaposed to each other. The insulated panels comprise edges having notches for receiving bridging plates made for example of plywood. The bridging plates are fixed to the covering plates of two adjacent insulated panels in order to prevent the insulated panels from moving apart at their junctions, thus improving the uniformity of the support surface on which the sealed membrane is arranged.

[0005] The bridging plates used are juxtaposed next to each other along the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space. Each bridging plate has two main faces parallel to the inner face of the thermal insulation barrier, the two main faces being connected by two transverse end surfaces and by two longitudinal end surfaces located at the longitudinal ends of the bridging plate. The longitudinal end surfaces are straight. The longitudinal end surfaces are flat and extend perpendicularly to the parallel main faces of the bridging plate.

[0006] In the event of loss of sealing of the sealed membrane, the fluid can penetrate between the longitudinal end surfaces of two adjacent bridging plates and between two insulated panels. However, this penetration of fluid into the thermal insulation barrier will be stopped by the secondary sealed membrane. SUMMARY

[0007] The idea underlying the present invention is to provide a tank that reduces the risk of fluid permeation through the tank wall. Another idea underlying the present invention is to provide a sealed and thermally insulated tank, in which a portion of the tank or the entire tank uses a single sealing barrier. Another idea underlying the present invention is to provide a sealed and thermally insulated tank that can be used for a long time as a fuel tank of a ship and needs to allow different filling levels.

[0008] The invention proposes a sealed and thermally insulated tank for storing a fluid, the tank comprising a tank wall fixed to a wall of a carrier, the tank wall comprising a sealing membrane and a thermally insulating barrier arranged between the sealing membrane and the wall of the carrier, - the sealing membrane having an inner face intended to come into contact with the fluid contained in the tank and an outer face intended to face the thermally insulating barrier, - the thermally insulating barrier comprising at least two insulating panels, each insulating panel having an inner face intended to face the inside of the tank and covered by the sealing membrane, the two insulating panels being juxtaposed and defining, between them, an inter-panel space extending in a longitudinal direction, the thermally insulating barrier comprising at least one insulating encapsulation material housed in the inter-panel space and comprising a bridging plate arranged above the at least one insulating encapsulation material to straddle the two insulating panels in the transverse direction of the inter-panel space, each bridging plate having an elongated configuration in the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space, each bridging plate being equipped with two main faces parallel to the inner face of the thermally insulating barrier and connected by two transverse end surfaces and two longitudinal end surfaces, the longitudinal end surfaces being located at the longitudinal ends of the bridging plate, wherein the longitudinal end surface of a first bridging plate among the bridging plates has an interlocking system with the longitudinal end surface of a second bridging plate among the bridging plates arranged opposite the longitudinal end surface of the first bridging plate to straddle the two insulating panels in the transverse direction of the inter-panel space to lengthen the flow path between the first bridging plate and the second bridging plate.

[0009] Thus, it is worth noting that the shape of the bridging plates ensures a partial overlap of the bridging plates juxtaposed in succession in the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space. In the event of fluid splashes contained in the tank reaching the junction between the bridging plates, the risk of these fluid splashes passing through the bridging plates and reaching the insulating encapsulation material is reduced. Indeed, the bridging plates interlock with each other so that the flow path that the fluid splashes must travel to pass through the bridging plates is lengthened. Thus, even without a secondary sealing barrier, the hull of the ship is not at risk of being damaged by fluid splashes.

[0010] According to some embodiments, such a tank can comprise one or more of the following features.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the two longitudinal end surfaces of each bridging panel have mutually complementary shapes adapted to form said interlocking system. Thus, a plurality of bridging panels manufactured according to this arrangement can be successively interlocked two by two at their adjacent ends. The two longitudinal end surfaces of the same bridging panel cannot naturally interlock with each other as they are not adjacent to each other.

[0012] According to an embodiment, said interlocking system has a coverage play greater than 10 millimeters (mm) in the longitudinal direction of the panel-to-panel space, preferably comprised between 10 mm and 30 mm. Thus, the interlocking system allows positioning tolerances of the bridging panels while maintaining a certain degree of effectiveness. The value of this coverage play provides an effective protection against fluid splashes.

[0013] According to an embodiment, at least one of the longitudinal end surfaces of each bridging panel has at least one adjustment surface portion parallel to the main face portion of the bridging panel. Thus, when two bridging panels are interlocked with each other, the bridging panels can slightly slide on this adjustment surface portion with respect to each other while remaining engaged together. This ensures an effective protection against fluid splashes while allowing a slight deformation of the thermal insulation barrier.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the at least one adjustment surface portion is connected to at least one of the two main face portions of the bridging panel by a junction surface perpendicular to the main face portion.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the interlocking system comprises a rib formed in the first bridging panel and projecting in the longitudinal direction towards the second bridging panel, and a recess formed in the second bridging panel and receiving said rib. This arrangement allows two bridging panels to be simply and effectively interlocked.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the rib of the first bridging panel is defined partly by one of the two main face portions of the first bridging panel and partly by an undercut of the longitudinal end surface of the first bridging panel, and the recess of the second bridging panel opens on a corresponding main face portion of the second bridging panel. This structure allows the bridging panels to be particularly simply mounted.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the rib of the first bridging panel is defined by two undercuts of the longitudinal end surface of the first bridging panel, and the recess of the second bridging panel is formed as a groove in the longitudinal end surface of the second bridging panel. This structure allows the two bridging panels to be secured to each other while allowing a relative translational movement of one of the two panels with respect to the other in the longitudinal direction of the panel-to-panel space.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the sealing membrane comprises at least one corrugated portion protruding on a lateral portion of the inner face portion of the sealing membrane, said corrugated portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space, at right angles to the interlocking system.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the tank wall comprises a wall portion with a single barrier comprising said insulation panels juxtaposed with a same plurality of insulation panels to form a thermal insulation barrier, the sealing membrane being arranged on the thermal insulation barrier, said thermal insulation barrier being fixed to the carrier wall, without any other sealing membrane being arranged between the thermal insulation barrier and the carrier wall.

[0020] The tank wall then comprises a simplified wall portion which is less costly to manufacture.

[0021] According to an embodiment, said wall portion with a single barrier is arranged in an upper portion of the tank above a substantially horizontal median plane of the tank. The upper portion of the tank is less in contact with the fluid contained in the tank and it is therefore possible to install a simplified wall portion here. The risk of exposure of the carrier wall to the fluid contained in the tank is lower in the upper portion of the tank.

[0022] According to an embodiment, said wall portion with a single barrier forms the top of the tank.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the tank wall further comprises a wall portion with a double barrier comprising: a primary sealing membrane for contact with the fluid contained in the tank; a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the carrier wall; a primary thermal insulation barrier arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane; and a secondary thermal insulation barrier arranged between the secondary sealing membrane and the carrier wall, the thickness of each insulation panel forming the wall portion with a single barrier is equal to the cumulative thickness of the primary thermal insulation barrier, the secondary thermal insulation barrier and the secondary sealing membrane of the wall portion with a double barrier, so that the inner face portion of the insulation panel of the wall portion with a single barrier extends in the extension of the inner face portion of the insulation panel forming the primary thermal insulation barrier of the wall portion with a double barrier, and the sealing membrane of the wall portion with a single barrier extends in the extension of the primary sealing membrane of the wall portion with a double barrier.

[0024] It is thus possible to obtain a tank wall with continuous inner face portions, with an economical wall portion with a single barrier in the upper portion which is less in contact with the fluid, and a wall portion with a double barrier in the lower portion of the tank which is more in contact with the fluid.

[0025] According to an embodiment: - each insulation panel has four peripheral face portions extending from said inner face portion, - the sealing membrane comprises first corrugations extending along a first main direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space, - the sealing membrane further comprises parallel second corrugations extending along a second main direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space, The insulating panel comprises: - a first slackening groove extending along the thickness of the insulating panel from the inner face of the insulating panel and opposite the first corrugations of the sealing membrane in the first main direction, and comprising two first end slackening grooves, each first end slackening groove corresponding to the first slackening groove closest to one of the two first peripheral face portions of the insulating panel, and - a second slackening groove extending along the thickness of the insulating panel from the inner face of the insulating panel and opposite the second corrugations of the sealing membrane in the second main direction, and comprising two second end slackening grooves, each second end slackening groove corresponding to the second slackening groove closest to one of the two second peripheral face portions of the insulating panel, each first slackening groove intersects at least one of the second slackening grooves or each second slackening groove, and each first slackening groove extends between two ends respectively located between one of the two second end slackening grooves and the second peripheral face portion of the adjacent insulating panel and spaced apart from said second peripheral face portion, and each second slackening groove intersects at least one of the first slackening grooves or each first slackening groove, and each second slackening extends between two ends respectively located between one of the two first end slackening grooves and the first peripheral face portion of the adjacent insulating panel and spaced apart from said first peripheral face portion.

[0026] The use of the grooves that are not open on the peripheral face portions of the insulating panels enhances the sealing of the tank wall.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the first corrugations are spaced apart from each other by a first corrugation spacing, and the distance between the first end slackening groove and the first peripheral face portion is less than the first corrugation spacing, preferably equal to half the first corrugation spacing.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the second corrugations are spaced apart from each other by a second corrugation spacing, and the distance between the second end slackening groove and the second peripheral face portion is less than the second corrugation spacing, preferably equal to half the second corrugation spacing.

[0029] Thanks to these features, a corrugation positioning is obtained that favors the uniformity of the stresses applied to the different corrugations. The first corrugation spacing and the second corrugation spacing can be identical or different.

[0030] According to the embodiment, the distance between the end of each of the first relaxation groove and the second relaxation groove and the first or second peripheral face of the adjacent insulating panel is between 5 mm and 50 mm.

[0031] According to the implementation method, each relaxation groove is obtained by cutting with a circular saw.

[0032] According to the implementation, each relaxation groove extends in a plane perpendicular to the inner surface of the insulating panel.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the insulating panel includes a layer of polymer foam disposed between an upper rigid plate and a lower rigid plate.

[0034] According to the implementation, each relaxation groove extends through the upper rigid plate and over a portion of the thickness of the polymer foam layer without reaching the lower rigid plate.

[0035] The present invention also relates to a vessel comprising a hull, a propulsion system, and a sealed and thermally insulated tank as described above for storing liquefied combustible gas intended to provide combustible gas to the propulsion system.

[0036] The present invention also relates to a delivery system for liquefied combustible gas, the system comprising the vessel, an isolation pipe arranged to connect the vessel's tank to an offshore or onshore storage facility, and a pump for driving a flow of liquefied combustible gas from the offshore or onshore storage facility through the isolation pipe to the vessel's tank.

[0037] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for loading such a vessel, wherein liquefied combustible gas is guided from an offshore or onshore storage facility to a tank on the vessel via an isolated pipeline. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The invention will be better understood, and other details, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent, in light of the following description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given only in an illustrative and non-limiting manner.

[0039] Figure 1 A partial view of the tank according to the invention in its carrier structure is schematically shown; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the wall section of the tank; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The first embodiment of the wall portion along Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-section taken from plane III-III; Figure 4 yesFigure 3 enlarged view of the central region IV; Figure 5 is Figure 2 a wall portion of the second embodiment of Figure 4 is an example view of the wall of Figure 6 is Figure 2 a schematic view of the wall taken along the plane VI-VI; Figure 7 is Figure 2 a schematic view of an example embodiment of the insulation panel of the wall of Figure 8 is Figure 7 a cross-sectional schematic view of the insulation panel of the wall taken along the plane VIII-VIII; Figure 9 is Figure 2 a schematic view of another example embodiment of the insulation panel of the wall of Figure 10 is a simplified schematic view of a tank of a liquefied gas carrier and of a terminal for loading / unloading the tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 a particular example embodiment of a sealed and thermally insulated tank 1 for storing a fluid is schematically illustrated, the sealed and thermally insulated tank being anchored to a carrier structure 1A.

[0041] The fluid is in particular a cryogenic fluid that is transported at low temperature. The fluid can be a liquefied gas, in particular a liquefied natural gas (LNG), i.e. a gas mixture mainly comprising methane, one or more other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, n-butane, iso-butane, n-pentane, iso-pentane, neopentane, and a low proportion of nitrogen.

[0042] The liquefied gas can also be ethane or a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), i.e. a mixture of hydrocarbons resulting from the refining of petroleum and mainly comprising propane and butane.

[0043] The liquefied natural gas is stored at a temperature of about -162°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0044] Alternatively, the liquefied gas can be liquid hydrogen (LH2) stored at -253°C at atmospheric pressure, or the liquefied gas can be ammonia (NH3) stored at -30°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0045] With reference to Figure 1, a carrier structure 1A is described against which a sealed and thermally insulated tank 1 for storing a fluid is fixed. The carrier structure 1A is formed for example by a double hull of a ship. The double hull comprises an outer hull 19 and an inner hull 18 arranged inside the outer hull 19. The carrier structure 1A has a generally polyhedral shape. The carrier structure has two walls, a carrier front wall and a carrier rear wall 2, here the carrier structure is octagonal in shape. The carrier front wall is not shown in Figure 1 , in order to be able to display the inside of the tank 1. The front and rear walls 2 are for example cofferdams walls of the ship, which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ship. The carrier structure 1A also comprises an upper carrier wall 3, a lower carrier wall 4 and side carrier walls 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

[0046] As a variant, the shape of the tank can be different, for example the tank can be parallelepiped in shape. The carrier structure can also be completely or partially separate from the hull of the ship, for example as described in document FR3122400.

[0047] The tank 1 comprises a plurality of tank walls, each of which is anchored against one of the carrier walls 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 of the carrier structure 1A. The walls of the tank 1 define an internal space for containing a fluid, for example a liquefied gas.

[0048] The tank 1 thus comprises at least one tank wall fixed to one of the above-mentioned carrier walls 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. As shown in Figure 2 , this tank wall comprises a sealing membrane 14 and a thermal insulation barrier 12 arranged between the sealing membrane 14 and the carrier wall of the carrier structure 1A.

[0049] More precisely, the tank wall has, in the thickness direction of the wall, in succession from the outside to the inside: - a thermal insulation barrier 12 comprising an insulation panel 13; - a sealing membrane 14 anchored to the insulation panel 13 of the thermal insulation barrier 12 Figure 2 ).

[0050] The thermal insulation barrier 12 comprises at least two insulation panels 13.

[0051] Each insulation panel 13 has a generally elongated parallelepiped shape, the insulation panel having: - an inner face 22A facing towards the inside of the tank and covered by the sealing membrane 14, - an outer face 23A opposite the inner face 22A, and - four peripheral face portions 21A, 21B extending from the inner face portion 22A. The four peripheral face portions 21A, 21B connect the inner face portion 22A to the outer face portion 23A.

[0052] The insulation panels 13 of the thermal insulation barrier 12 each comprise a layer 21 of insulating polymer foam, for example polyurethane, sandwiched between a rigid cover plate 22 and a rigid base plate 23, for example made of plywood Figure 6 ). The polymer foam can advantageously be reinforced with glass fibers, thereby helping to reduce the thermal shrinkage of the polymer foam.

[0053] The inner face portion 22A of the insulation panel 13 belongs to the cover plate 22, while the outer face portion 23A of the insulation panel 13 belongs to the base plate 23.

[0054] Two insulation panels 13 are juxtaposed, thereby defining an inter-panel space 25 between the two insulation panels. The inter-panel space 25 is defined by one of the peripheral face portions 21A, 21B of a first one of the insulation panels 13 and an adjacent peripheral face portion 21A, 21B of an adjacent one of the insulation panels 13 Figure 2 、 Figure 6 )。

[0055] The inter-panel space 25 extends along a first longitudinal direction Al, which is parallel to one of the peripheral face portions 21A, 21B of the insulation panel 13.

[0056] Based on the attached Figures 3 to 6 and the rest of the description, the insulation panel 13 has an elongated configuration along a longitudinal axis. The insulation panel 13 comprises a first longitudinal peripheral face portion 21A, which here corresponds to the longest side of a parallelepiped formed by the insulation panel 13, and a second transverse peripheral face portion 21B, which corresponds to the shortest side of the parallelepiped formed by the insulation panel 13.

[0057] In the following, the inter-panel space 25 arranged between the first longitudinal peripheral face portions 21A of the insulation panels 13 is described and presented. The longitudinal direction Al of the inter-panel space 25 is here parallel to the first longitudinal peripheral face portions 21A of the insulation panels 13 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insulation panels 13.

[0058] The structure of the insulation panel 13 is identical at the level of the two transverse peripheral face portions 21B of the insulation panel 13, which also define the inter-panel space 25 Figure 2 。

[0059] The thermally insulating barrier 12 further comprises at least one insulating encapsulation material 26 housed in the inter-panel space 25 and comprises a bridging plate 30 arranged over the at least one insulating encapsulation material 26 to straddle two insulating panels 13 in the transverse direction A11 of the inter-panel space 23 Figures 2 to 6 The transverse direction A11 of the inter-panel space 25 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A1 of the inter-panel space 25.

[0060] The insulating encapsulation material 26 can for example be made of glass wool, rock wool or flexible open-cell synthetic foam. The insulating encapsulation material can be wrapped in kraft paper. The insulating encapsulation material 26 is preferably made of a porous material to provide a gas circulation space in the inter-panel space 25 between the insulating panels 13. Such a gas circulation space is advantageously used to allow an inert gas such as nitrogen to circulate within the thermally insulating barrier 12, thereby maintaining an inert atmosphere within the thermally insulating barrier 12. Thus, in the event of a leak, the liquefied gas turned into a gaseous state cannot form an explosive environment with the oxygen in the air. Furthermore, this allows the thermally insulating barrier 12 to be in a state of reduced pressure to improve its thermal insulation capacity. Such a gas circulation is also important to facilitate the detection of any leak of liquefied gas. The inter-panel space 25 has a width of for example about 30 mm.

[0061] Each bridging plate 30 has an elongated configuration in the longitudinal direction A1 of the inter-panel space 25 and is equipped with two main face portions 31 A, 31 B parallel to the inner face portion 22A of the adjacent insulating panels 13, the two main face portions being connected by two transverse end surfaces 32 Figure 6 and opposite first longitudinal end surfaces 33A, 33A' and opposite second longitudinal end surfaces 33B, 33B'.

[0062] Each bridging plate 30 is formed from a single piece and straddles two adjacent insulating panels. Thus, one of the two transverse end surfaces 32 of each bridging plate 30 extends facing an insulating panel, while the other of the two transverse end surfaces 32 of the bridging plate 30 extends facing an adjacent insulating panel.

[0063] The longitudinal end surfaces 33A, 33A', 33B, 33B' are located at longitudinal ends of the bridging plate 30 Figures 2 to 5 .

[0064] The inner face portion 22A of the cover plate 22 of each insulating panel 13 comprises a recess 28 located on a peripheral edge extending along the peripheral face portion 21 A, 21 B of the insulating panel 13, the recess receiving the bridging plate 30 Figure 6 and Figure 7 .

[0065] The outer major face portion 31 B of the bridging plate 30 facing the layer 21 of insulating polymer foam is fixed against the base of the recess 28. The depth of the recess 28 is substantially equal to the thickness of the bridging plate 30, so that the inner major face portion 31 A of the bridging plate 30 is substantially at the level of the inner face portion 22A of the adjacent covering plate 22. Thus, the bridging plate 30 is able to ensure continuity of support to the sealing membrane 14.

[0066] The recesses 28 on both sides of the panel-to-panel space 25 form a recessed portion for the bridging plate 30. The lateral dimension of this recessed portion is slightly greater than the lateral dimension of the bridging plate 30, to allow for mounting and / or manufacturing tolerances when the bridging plate 30 is inserted into the recessed portion.

[0067] The bridging plate 30 can be fixed against the covering plate 22 of the insulating panel 13 by any appropriate means, for example by a clip.

[0068] The first longitudinal end surface 33A, 33A' of a first bridging plate 30 and the second longitudinal end surface 33B, 33B' of a second bridging plate 30, which is arranged opposite the first longitudinal end surface 33A, 33A' of the first bridging plate 30, have an interlocking system 40 Figures 3 to 5 which straddles the two adjacent insulating panels 13 in the transverse direction Al l of the panel-to-panel space 25, to lengthen the flow path of any fluid projection between the first and second bridging plates 30.

[0069] Preferably, the thermal insulation barrier 12 comprises a plurality of bridging plates 30 aligned over the panel-to-panel space 25. All the bridging plates 30 have the same shape. Thus, there is no distinction between the first and second bridging plates 30. In the following, the first bridging plate on the left and the second bridging plate on the right will be described arbitrarily Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0070] In practice, the interlocking system 40 is configured so that the major face portions 31 of the bridging plates 30 extend in the extension of one another.

[0071] The interlocking system 40 comprises longitudinal end surfaces 33A, 33B which are arranged so that two adjacent bridging plates 30 are opposite one another. The interlocking system 40 ensures that one of the two bridging plates 30 is partially covered by the other bridging plate. In practice, the first longitudinal end surface 33A, 33A' of one of the two adjacent bridging plates 30 partially covers the entire second longitudinal end surface 33B, 33B' of the other bridging plate 30 Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0072] Conversely, the second longitudinal end surface of one of the two adjacent bridge plates can be arranged to partially cover the first longitudinal end surface along the entire first longitudinal end surface of the other bridge plate 30.

[0073] Thus, in case of fluid permeation through the sealing membrane 14, the risk of fluid passing through the bridge plates 30 is reduced, as the fluid accessible flow path between the two bridge plates 30 is lengthened compared to the related art. In the related art, the longitudinal end surfaces of the bridge plates are flat and extend in a manner parallel to each other, perpendicular to the main face of the bridge plate.

[0074] Preferably, the interlocking system 40 has a covering play greater than 10 millimeters (mm) in the longitudinal direction Al of the inter-panel space 25. This covering play is for example comprised between 10 mm and 30 mm.

[0075] In other words, the first longitudinal end surface 33A, 33A' of one of the two adjacent first and second bridge plates 30 partially covers the second longitudinal end surface 33B, 33B' of the other bridge plate by a distance greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably comprised between 10 mm and 30 mm. This distance is measured along the longitudinal direction Al of the inter-panel space.

[0076] Thus, the interlocking system 40 allows positioning tolerances of the bridge plates 30 while maintaining a certain degree of effectiveness.

[0077] The two longitudinal end surfaces 33A, 33B, 33A', 33B' of each bridge plate 30 have a mutually complementary shape adapted to form said interlocking system 40.

[0078] In other words, the first longitudinal end surface 33A, 33A' of one of the two first and second bridge plates 30 and the second longitudinal end surface 33B, 33B' of the other bridge plate have a mutually complementary shape adapted to interlock with each other.

[0079] This can be any type of shape adapted to interlock with each other, such as a sawtooth shape, a curved shape or a stepped shape. Each longitudinal end surface 33A, 33B, 33A', 33B' preferably has a uniform shape in the transverse direction Al l of the inter-panel space 25.

[0080] The interlocking can also be created by adding complementary parts interposed between two adjacent bridge plates. For example, the two longitudinal ends of each bridge plate can be identical and each have a longitudinal end surface defining a recess in the form of a groove, such as Figure 5The recesses 42, 42' are open opposite each other when the two adjacent bridge plates are placed end to end. The complementary part can then take the form of a plate which is entirely housed in the two recesses of the two adjacent bridge plates.

[0081] Preferably, at least one of the longitudinal end surfaces 33A, 33A', 33B, 33B' of each bridge plate 30 has at least one adjustment surface portion 34, 34' parallel to the main face portion 31 of the bridge plate 30. The at least one adjustment surface portion 34, 34' is connected to at least one of the two main face portions 31 of the bridge plate 30, for example by a junction surface perpendicular to the main face portion 31.

[0082] As a variant, the junction surface can be inclined at an angle different from 90°, for example an angle comprised between 45° and 135°, with respect to the main face portion.

[0083] The bridge plate with a junction surface perpendicular to the main face portion has the advantage of being simple to manufacture.

[0084] The provision of the adjustment surface portion 34, 34' allows a relative positioning range between two adjacent bridge plates 30 in the longitudinal direction Al of the panel-to-panel space 25, while maintaining contact between the first longitudinal end surface 33A, 33A' of one of the two bridge plates 30 and the second longitudinal end surface of the other bridge plate 30. The two adjacent bridge plates 30 remain engaged throughout the relative positioning range. This has been found to facilitate the installation of the bridge plates 30.

[0085] Preferably, each longitudinal end surface 33A, 33B, 33A', 33B' comprises the adjustment surface portion 34, 34'. The adjustment surface portion 34, 34' of the first longitudinal end surface of a bridge plate 30 and the adjustment surface portion 34, 34' of the second longitudinal end surface of an adjacent bridge plate 30 press against each other when the bridge plates 30 are interlocked with each other.

[0086] Thus, in the event of penetration of fluid through the sealing membrane 14, the risk of passage of fluid through the bridge plates 30 is reduced.

[0087] According to an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The interlocking system 40 comprises ribs 41, 41' formed in one of the bridge plates 30 and projecting in the longitudinal direction Al towards an adjacent bridge plate 30. The interlocking system 40 comprises recesses 42, 42' formed in each adjacent bridge plate 30 and receiving the ribs 41, 41'.

[0088] The cover play is defined for example by the smallest dimension between the depth of the recesses 42, 42' and the length of the ribs 41, 41'.

[0089] For example, in Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the interlocking system 40 comprises a rib 41 formed in the first bridge plate 30 and projecting in the longitudinal direction Al towards the second bridge plate 30. The interlocking system 40 comprises a recess 42 formed in the second bridge plate 30 and receiving said rib 41.

[0090] According to this exemplary embodiment, the rib 41 of the first bridge plate 30 is defined partly by one of the two main face portions 31A, 3 IB of the first bridge plate 30, here the inner main face portion 31A, and partly by an undercut 36 of the first longitudinal end surface 33A of the first bridge plate 30. Figure 4 The recess 42 of the second bridge plate 30 opens on the inner main face portion 31A of the second bridge plate 30.

[0091] The base of the undercut 36 and the portion of the longitudinal end surface 33A defining the rib 41 are formed as adjustment surface portions 34.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 , the interlocking system 40 comprises a rib 41' in the form of a finger formed in the second bridge plate 30 and projecting in the longitudinal direction Al towards the first bridge plate 30. The interlocking system 40 comprises a recess 42' formed in the first bridge plate 30 and receiving said rib 41'.

[0093] The rib 41' of the second bridge plate 30 is defined by two undercuts 36' of the longitudinal end surface 33B' of the second bridge plate 30, and the recess 42' of the first bridge plate 30 is formed as a groove in the longitudinal end surface 33A' of the first bridge plate 30.

[0094] The portion of the longitudinal end surface 33B' defining the rib 41' and the portion of the longitudinal end surface 33A' defining the groove 42' are formed with two adjustment surface portions 34' in parallel.

[0095] The sealing membrane 14 has an inner face portion 14A for contact with the fluid contained in the tank and an outer face portion 14B facing the thermal insulation barrier 12 Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0096] As Figures 2 to 5 illustrated, the sealing membrane 14 comprises at least one corrugated portion 15, 16 projecting on the side of the inner face portion of the sealing membrane.

[0097] More precisely, two sets of corrugations 15, 16 are provided, each set extending in a manner respectively parallel to one of the peripheral face portions 21A, 21B of the insulation panel 13. The first set of corrugations 15 comprises at least two first corrugations 15 projecting on the side of the inner face portion 14A of the sealing membrane 14, each first corrugation 15 extending along a first main direction dl parallel to the first longitudinal peripheral face portion 21A of the insulation panel 13, and each second corrugation 16 extending along a second planar direction d2 parallel to the second transverse peripheral face portion 21B of the insulation panel 13. Figure 2 .

[0098] The first main direction dl is here parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insulation panel 13, while the second main direction d2 is orthogonal to this longitudinal axis.

[0099] The first set of corrugations 15 here extends along the longitudinal direction Al of the inter-panel space 25. The second set of corrugations 16 extends along the transverse direction A11 of the inter-panel space 25 at right angles to the interlocking system 40 of the bridging plate 30, the height of the second set of corrugations 16 being different from that of the corrugations 15.

[0100] In practice, as shown in Figure 3 , the length of the bridging plate 30 in the longitudinal direction Al of the inter-panel space 25 is equal to the distance between two corrugations of the second set of corrugations 16.

[0101] As mentioned above, the structure of the insulation panel 13 at the level of the two transverse peripheral face portions 21B, which also define the inter-panel space 25, is identical Figure 2 . The arrangement of the bridging plate 30 described above with reference to the inter-panel space 25 defined by the first longitudinal peripheral face portion 21A of the insulation panel 13 can also be applied to the inter-panel space 25 defined by the second transverse peripheral face portion 21B.

[0102] The inter-panel space 25 defined by the second transverse peripheral face portion 21B also accommodates the insulation encapsulation material 26, and the bridging plate 30 described above can be arranged above this insulation encapsulation material.

[0103] The sealing membrane 14 is obtained by assembling a plurality of corrugated metal sheets welded to one another in a covering manner along their edges. The first corrugations 15 and the second corrugations 16 project towards the inside of the tank. The corrugated metal sheets are fixed to the anchoring strip 29, which is itself fixed in a rebate provided in the covering plate 22 of the insulation panel 13. The corrugated metal sheets are made, for example, of stainless steel or aluminium.

[0104] As mentioned above, the sealing membrane 14 is obtained by assembling a plurality of corrugated metal sheets welded to one another in a covering manner along their edges. The first corrugations 15 and the second corrugations 16 project towards the inside of the tank. The corrugated metal sheets are fixed to the anchoring strip 29, which is itself fixed in a rebate provided in the covering plate 22 of the insulation panel 13. The corrugated metal sheets are made, for example, of stainless steel or aluminium. Figures 2 to 8As illustrated in FIG. 1, the insulation panel 13 of the thermal insulation barrier 12 of the tank comprises a first slack groove 50 extending from the inner face portion 22A of the insulation panel 13 along the thickness of the insulation panel 13, opposite the first corrugated portion 15 of the sealing film 14, and extending along a first main direction dl corresponding to the longitudinal direction Al of the inter-panel space 25. The first slack groove 50 comprises two first end slack grooves 51 each corresponding to the first slack groove closest to one of the two first longitudinal peripheral face portions 21A of the insulation panel 13.

[0105] Figure 7 More particularly, one of the insulation panels 13 of the tank wall is illustrated in FIG. 2. In the case of this insulation panel 13, three first slack grooves 50 are provided: a first central slack groove 50 extending in the middle of the insulation panel 13 along the longitudinal direction Al, and two first end slack grooves 50 extending on either side of the first central slack groove 50 close to the first peripheral face portion 21A of the insulation panel 13. Figure 2

[0106] The first corrugated portions 15 are spaced apart from each other by a first corrugated portion spacing Pl (FIG. 1). Figure 2

[0107] The distance separating the two first slack grooves 50 is equal to the distance provided between the two first corrugated portions 15, i.e. equal to the first corrugated portion spacing Pl.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the distance between the first end slack groove 51 of the insulation panel 13 and the adjacent first longitudinal peripheral face portion 21A is less than the first corrugated portion spacing Pl, preferably equal to half the first corrugated portion spacing Pl.

[0109] The insulation panel 13 of the thermal insulation barrier 12 of the tank also comprises a second slack groove 60 extending from the inner face portion 22A of the insulation panel along the thickness of the insulation panel 13, opposite the second corrugated portion 16 of the sealing film 14, and extending along a second main direction d2 corresponding to the transverse direction Al l of the inter-panel space 25. The second slack groove 60 comprises two second end slack grooves 61 each corresponding to the second slack groove 60 closest to one of the two second transverse peripheral face portions 21B of the insulation panel 13.

[0110] The second corrugated portions 16 are spaced apart from each other by a second corrugated portion spacing P2 (FIG. 3). Figure 2 The first corrugated portion spacing Pl and the second corrugated portion spacing P2 can be the same or different.

[0111] ​​The distance separating the two second relaxation grooves 60 is equal to the distance set between the two second corrugated portions 16, that is, equal to the distance P2 between the second corrugated portions.

[0112] According to the embodiment, the distance between the second end relaxation groove 61 of the insulating panel 13 and the adjacent second lateral peripheral surface 21B is less than the second corrugated portion spacing P2, and preferably equal to half of the second corrugated portion spacing P2.

[0113] Because of these features, the positioning of the first corrugated portion 15 and the second corrugated portion 16 can be obtained, which is beneficial to make the stress applied to the different corrugated portions uniform.

[0114] exist Figure 7 In the case of the insulating panel 13, nine second relaxation grooves 60 are provided. Each of the two second end relaxation grooves 61 extends into one of the second lateral peripheral faces 21B near the insulating panel 13.

[0115] Therefore, the relaxation grooves 50 and 60 are arranged to allow the corrugated portions 15 and 16 arranged directly above or below the relaxation grooves 50 and 60 to deform in a direction transverse to the extension direction of the corrugated portions 15 and 16.

[0116] Here, each first relaxation groove 50 intersects with all the second relaxation grooves 60, and each first relaxation groove 50 extends between two ends 50A, 50B located between one of the two second end relaxation grooves 61 and the second lateral peripheral face 21B of the adjacent isolation panel 13 but spaced apart from the second lateral peripheral face 21B.

[0117] Each second relaxation groove 60 intersects with all the first relaxation grooves 50, and each second relaxation groove 60 extends between two ends 60A, 60B located between one of the two first end relaxation grooves 51 and the first longitudinal peripheral surface 21A of the adjacent isolation panel 13 but spaced apart from the first longitudinal peripheral surface 21A.

[0118] The lengths of the first relaxation groove 50 and the second relaxation groove 60 are less than the dimensions of the insulating panel 13 along its axis. In other words, the relaxation grooves 50 and 60 do not extend to the peripheral surfaces 21A and 21B of the insulating panel 13.

[0119] Therefore, the inner surface 22A of the insulating panel 13 includes a continuous peripheral edge portion 221 ( Figure 7The edge portion is not interrupted by the first relaxation groove 50 and the second relaxation groove 60. The continuous peripheral edge portion 221 extends between each first longitudinal peripheral surface 21A of the insulating panel 13 and the ends 60A, 60B of the second relaxation groove 60, and extends between each second transverse peripheral surface 21B of the insulating panel 13 and the ends 50A, 50B of the first relaxation groove 50.

[0120] The peripheral edge portion 221 has a dimension between 5 mm and 50 mm in the transverse direction perpendicular to the first peripheral surface 21A or the second peripheral surface 21B adjacent to the insulating panel 13.

[0121] In other words, the distance E between the ends 50A, 50B, 60A, 60B of each of the first relaxation groove 50 and the second relaxation groove 60 and the first peripheral surface 21A or the second peripheral surface 21B of the adjacent insulating panel 13 is between 5 mm and 50 mm. Figure 8 ).

[0122] Each of the first relaxation grooves 50 and the second relaxation groove 60 is obtained, for example, by circular saw cutting. The contours of these relaxation grooves 50 and 60 are, for example, in... Figure 8 As shown in the image.

[0123] Each of the first relaxation grooves 50 and the second relaxation groove 60 has a rounded corner at each end of its end, corresponding to the circular shape of the circular saw used.

[0124] As a variation, relaxation grooves 50 and 60 can be cut using a grooving machine-type device, or any other suitable device such as a milling device, a guided cutter, a ring saw, or other device.

[0125] Each relaxation groove 50, 60 extends in a plane perpendicular to the inner surface 22A of the insulating panel 13.

[0126] Each relaxation groove 50, 60 passes through the cover plate 22 of the insulating panel 13 and a portion of the polymer foam layer sandwiched between the cover plate 22 and the base plate 23, without contacting the base plate 23.

[0127] The depth of each relaxation groove is, for example, between 50 mm and 130 mm.

[0128] Therefore, the first relaxation groove 50 and the second relaxation groove 60 are not open and cannot be passed through: the first relaxation groove 50 and the second relaxation groove 60 are not open on any peripheral surfaces 21A, 21B of the insulating panel 13, and do not pass through the insulating polymer foam layer 21.

[0129] The insulating panel 13 can be produced by various methods. For example, the cover plate 22 and the base plate 23 are bonded to both sides of the insulating polymer foam layer 21, and then relaxation grooves 50, 60 are cut out.

[0130] The use of this insulating panel 13 in the tank enhances the tank's sealing performance and includes a support structure 1A that is protected from leakage of the fluid contained in the tank. In fact, if the fluid contained in the tank reaches the insulating panel 13 and successfully passes through the cover plate 22, the fluid will not be guided by a slot in the channel to the interpanel space 25, because there is no slot in the insulating panel 13 leading to the interpanel space.

[0131] The interlocking system located at the joint of the bridging plate, and the fact that the relaxation groove is not open on the peripheral surface of the isolation panel 13, help to enhance the tank's sealing and protect the carrier structure—in this case, the ship's hull—from leakage of fluid contained in the tank, which could otherwise damage the carrier structure.

[0132] The relaxation grooves 50 and 60, which are not open, used on the peripheral surfaces 21A and 21B of the insulating panel 13, can also limit convection and thermosiphon phenomena within the tank wall.

[0133] As a variation, the insulating panel 13 may include relaxation grooves 55 and 65 opened on the peripheral surfaces 21A and 21B of the insulating panel 13, such as... Figure 9 As shown.

[0134] In the specific example shown here, the can comprises two different types of can walls. In the first part of the can, the can wall is a can wall with a single sealing barrier, while in the second part of the can, the can wall comprises a double sealing barrier.

[0135] In the first tank section, the wall section 11 has a single barrier ( Figure 1 The aforementioned thermal barrier 12 includes a plurality of identical and juxtaposed insulation panels 13, on which a sealing film 14 is disposed. The insulation panels 13 of the thermal barrier 12 are fixed to the support walls 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Figure 2 No additional sealing membrane is provided between the insulating panel 13 and the carrier structure 1A.

[0136] A wall portion 11 with a single barrier is arranged in the upper portion of the tank, above the intermediate plane PM which is approximately horizontal to the tank.

[0137] The wall portion 11, which has a single barrier, is more specifically arranged in an area of ​​the tank where there is less contact with the fluid contained in the tank. In fact, the risk of the carrier wall being exposed to the fluid contained in the tank is lower in the upper portion of the tank.

[0138] In fact, the wall portion 11 with a single barrier is therefore anchored to the upper portion of the load-bearing structure 1A, such as Figure 1 The area shown is schematically represented by the horizontal dashed line, while the wall portion 17 with double barriers is anchored to the lower portion of the load-bearing structure 1A, as shown in the figure. Figure 1 The area is schematically shown in shaded regions.

[0139] Specifically, the wall portion 11 with a single barrier forms the top of the tank.

[0140] The use of the aforementioned bridge plate 30 equipped with an interlocking system, and the use of non-open relaxation grooves 50, 60 on the peripheral surfaces 21A, 21B of the insulating panel 13, is particularly advantageous in the context of manufacturing the wall portion 11 with a single barrier.

[0141] The wall portion 17 with double barriers is preferably used in tank areas specifically exposed to the fluid contained in the tank. The risk of the carrier wall being exposed to the fluid contained in the tank is greater in the lower portion of the tank.

[0142] The wall portion 17 with double barriers can be of any suitable type known to those skilled in the art. The wall portion with double barriers comprises, from the outermost to the innermost side, the following in the wall thickness direction: - Secondary thermal insulation barrier, which includes insulation elements fixed to the carrier structure; - Secondary sealing membrane, which is anchored to the insulating element of the secondary thermal insulation barrier; – A primary thermal barrier, comprising other insulating elements positioned to abut against a secondary sealing membrane; and – A primary sealing membrane, which is anchored to the insulating element of a primary thermal insulation barrier and is used to contact the fluid contained in the tank.

[0143] Primary sealing membranes are similar to those described above.

[0144] The secondary sealing membrane can be produced by various known methods, such as in the form of a bonded composite panel. According to another example, the secondary sealing membrane is formed from a continuous strip of sheet material with raised edges. Each strip has a flat central portion resting on an insulating element of the secondary thermal barrier, and a raised edge projecting toward the interior of the tank. The strip is welded to a weld support via its raised edges, the weld support being secured in a groove disposed in the insulating element of the secondary thermal barrier.

[0145] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating element of the primary thermal barrier is a primary insulating panel with a structure similar to that of the insulating panel 13 having a single barrier wall portion 11. The insulating element of the primary thermal barrier includes a layer of insulating polymer foam, such as polyurethane, sandwiched between a rigid cover plate and a rigid base plate—for example, made of plywood.

[0146] To ensure the continuity of the tank wall, the thickness of each insulating panel 13 forming a wall portion 11 with a single barrier is equal to the cumulative thickness of the primary thermal barrier, the secondary thermal barrier, and the secondary sealing film of the wall portion with double barriers, such that the inner surface of the insulating panel 13 forming a wall portion with a single barrier extends in the extension of the inner surface of the insulating panel forming the primary thermal barrier of the wall portion with double barriers.

[0147] As an example, the insulation panel 13 is 3 meters long and 1 meter wide. The plywood cover plate 22 can have a thickness between 9 mm and 15 mm; the plywood base plate 23 can have a thickness between 9 mm and 15 mm; and the insulating polymer foam layer 21 has a thickness sufficient to obtain an insulation panel with a total thickness of approximately 200 mm to 500 mm—for example, 400 mm. Of course, the dimensions and thicknesses are given as indications only and will vary depending on the application and the required thermal insulation performance.

[0148] The thickness of each of the primary barrier and the secondary barrier in the wall portion 17 with double barriers can be approximately 200 mm in this case.

[0149] Therefore, the sealing membrane 14 of the wall portion 11 with a single barrier and the primary sealing membrane of the wall portion 17 with double barriers extend in each other's extensions. The sealing membrane 14 of the wall portion 11 with a single barrier and the primary sealing membrane of the wall portion 17 with double barriers are formed of corrugated plates, which are welded to each other in an overlapping manner along their edges to form a single continuous sealing membrane.

[0150] The aforementioned technology for producing sealed and thermally insulated tanks can be used for various types of storage components, such as forming the walls of LNG storage components in onshore or offshore facilities, such as liquefied gas carriers or the like. This technology can also be used to produce fuel storage components suitable for all types of ships used in propulsion systems. In this case, the liquefied gas contained in the tank is referred to as liquefied combustible gas.

[0151] Figure 10A schematic diagram of a vessel 70 is shown, which includes a sealed and thermally insulated tank 1 installed in the hull 72 of the vessel 70. In a known manner, piping for loading the vessel can be connected to a sea or port terminal via suitable connectors to transport cargo containing liquefied combustible gases to the tank 1.

[0152] Figure 10 An example of an offshore terminal is shown, comprising a loading and unloading station 75, underwater pipelines 76, and an onshore facility 77. The loading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility and includes a movable boom 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable boom 74. The movable boom 74 carries at least one flexible pipe 79, allowing the flexible pipe to be connected to the vessel's loading pipeline. The movable boom and directional boom 74 are suitable for vessels of all sizes. Connecting pipelines (not shown) extend inside the tower 78. The loading station 75 allows the loading of a vessel 70 with LNG fuel from the onshore facility 77. The onshore facility includes a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and connecting pipeline 81 connected to the loading station 75 via underwater pipeline 76. The underwater pipeline 76 allows the liquefied gas to be transported between the loading station 75 and the onshore facility 77 over a longer distance, for example, 5 kilometers, which allows the vessel 70 to remain at a greater distance from the shore during loading operations.

[0153] To generate the pressure necessary for the transport of liquefied gas, onboard pumps on the vessel 70, and / or pumps mounted to onshore facilities 77, and / or pumps mounted to loading stations 75 may be used.

[0154] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is obvious that the invention is by no means limited thereto, and the invention includes all technical equivalents of the described device and combinations thereof, as long as they fall within the scope of the invention.

[0155] The use of the verbs “comprising,” “including,” or “containing,” and their variations, does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps besides those listed in the claims.

[0156] In patent claims, any reference numerals in parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A sealed and thermally insulated tank (1) for storing fluid, the tank (1) comprising a tank wall fixed to a support wall (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), the tank wall comprising a sealing membrane (14) and a thermally insulated barrier (12) disposed between the sealing membrane (14) and the support wall. - The sealing membrane (14) has an inner surface (14A) for contact with the fluid contained in the tank (1) and an outer surface (14B) facing the thermal insulation barrier (12). - The thermal insulation barrier (12) includes at least two insulation panels (13), each insulation panel having an inner surface (22A) facing the interior of the tank (1) and covered by the sealing film (14), the two insulation panels (13) being juxtaposed and defining an interpanel space (25) between the two insulation panels, the interpanel space (25) extending in the longitudinal direction (A1). The thermal barrier (12) includes at least one insulating encapsulation material (26) and a bridging plate (30), the at least one insulating encapsulation material (26) being housed in the inter-panel space (25), the bridging plate (30) being arranged above the at least one insulating encapsulation material (26) to straddle the two insulating panels (13) along the lateral direction (A11) of the inter-panel space (25), each bridging plate (30) having an elongated configuration in the longitudinal direction (A1) of the inter-panel space (25), each bridging plate (30) being configured with two main faces (31A, 31B), the two main faces being parallel to the inner face of the thermal barrier (12) and connected by two lateral end surfaces (32) and two longitudinal end surfaces (33A, 33B; 33A', 33B'), the longitudinal end surfaces (33A, 33B; 33A', 33B') being located at the longitudinal ends of the bridging plate (30). Its features are, The longitudinal end surfaces (33A; 33A') of the first bridging plate (30) and the longitudinal end surfaces (33B; 33B') of the second bridging plate (30) arranged opposite to the longitudinal end surfaces (33A; 33A') of the first bridging plate (30) have an interlocking system (40) that straddles the two isolation panels (13) in the lateral direction (A11) of the inter-panel space (25) to extend the flow path between the first bridging plate and the second bridging plate (30).

2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein, The two longitudinal end surfaces (33A, 33B; 33A', 33B') of each bridging plate (30) have mutually complementary shapes suitable for forming the interlocking system (40).

3. The tank according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, The interlocking system (40) has a coverage clearance of more than 10 mm in the longitudinal direction (A1) of the inter-panel space (25).

4. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the longitudinal end surfaces (33A, 33B; 33A', 33B') of each bridging plate (30) has at least one adjusting surface portion (34, 34') parallel to the main face portion (31A, 31B) of the bridging plate (30).

5. The tank according to claim 4, wherein, The at least one adjustment surface portion (34, 34') is connected to at least one of the two main faces (31A, 31B) of the bridging plate (30) via a connecting surface perpendicular to the main faces (31A, 31B).

6. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The interlocking system (40) includes ribs (41, 41') and recesses (42, 42'), the ribs (41, 41') being formed in the first bridging plate (30) and protruding toward the second bridging plate (30) along the longitudinal direction (A1), and the recesses (42, 42') being formed in the second bridging plate (30) and receiving the ribs (41, 41').

7. The tank according to claim 6, wherein, The rib (41) of the first bridging plate (30) is partially defined by one of the two main faces (31A, 31B) of the first bridging plate (30) and partially defined by the undercut (36) of the longitudinal end surfaces (33A, 33B) of the first bridging plate (30), and wherein the recess (42) of the second bridging plate (30) is open on the corresponding main face (31A, 31B) of the second bridging plate (30).

8. The tank according to any one of claims 6, wherein, The rib (41') of the first bridging plate (30) is defined by two undercut portions (36') of the longitudinal end surfaces (33A', 33B') of the first bridging plate (30), and the recess (42') of the second bridging plate (30) is formed as a groove located in the longitudinal end surfaces (33A', 33B') of the second bridging plate (30).

9. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The sealing membrane (14) includes at least one corrugated portion (15, 16) protruding on the side of the inner surface (14A) of the sealing membrane (14), the corrugated portion (15, 16) extending in a direction (A11) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (A1) of the interpanel space (25) to be perpendicular to the interlocking system (40).

10. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The tank wall includes a wall portion (11) with a single barrier, the wall portion with a single barrier including the insulating panel (13), the insulating panel (13) being juxtaposed with a plurality of identical insulating panels (13) to form a thermal barrier (12), the sealing film (14) being disposed on the thermal barrier (12), the thermal barrier (12) being fixed to the carrier wall (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10), and no other sealing film being disposed between the thermal barrier (12) and the carrier wall.

11. The tank according to claim 10, wherein, The wall portion (11) with a single barrier is arranged in the upper portion of the tank (1) above the generally horizontal intermediate plane (PM) of the tank (1).

12. The tank according to claim 11, wherein, The wall portion (11) with a single barrier forms the top of the tank.

13. The tank according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The tank wall also includes a wall portion (17) with double barriers, the wall portion having double barriers comprising: a primary sealing membrane for contacting fluid contained in the tank; a secondary sealing membrane disposed between the primary sealing membrane and the carrier wall; a primary thermal insulation barrier (12) disposed between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane; and a secondary thermal insulation barrier (12) disposed between the secondary sealing membrane and the carrier wall. Wherein, the thickness of each insulating panel (13) forming the wall portion (11) having a single barrier is equal to the cumulative thickness of the primary thermal barrier, the secondary thermal barrier (12), and the secondary sealing film of the wall portion having a double barrier, such that the inner surface of the insulating panel (13) of the wall portion (11) having a single barrier extends in the extension of the inner surface of the insulating panel of the primary thermal barrier (12) forming the wall portion having a double barrier, and The sealing membrane (14) of the wall portion (11) having a single barrier and the primary sealing membrane of the wall portion (17) having a double barrier extend in each other's extensions.

14. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: - Each insulating panel (13) has four peripheral faces (21A, 21B) extending from the inner face (22A). - The sealing film (14) includes a first corrugated portion (15) extending along a first main direction (d1), the first main direction being parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inter-panel space (25). - The sealing film (14) further includes a parallel second corrugated portion (16) extending along a second principal direction (d2), the second principal direction being orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (A1) of the inter-panel space (25). The insulating panel includes: - A first relaxation groove (50) extends from the inner surface (22A) of the insulating panel (13) along the thickness of the insulating panel (13) and is opposite to the first corrugated portion (15) of the sealing film (14) in the first main direction (d1). The first relaxation groove includes two first end relaxation grooves (51), each first end relaxation groove (51) corresponding to the first relaxation groove (50) closest to one of the two first peripheral surfaces (21A, 21B) of the insulating panel (13). - A second relaxation groove (60) extends from the inner surface (22A) of the insulating panel (13) along the thickness of the insulating panel (13) and is opposite to the second corrugated portion (16) of the sealing film (14) in the second principal direction (d2). The second relaxation groove includes two second end relaxation grooves (61), each second end relaxation groove (61) corresponding to the second relaxation groove (60) closest to one of the two second peripheral surfaces (21A, 21B) of the insulating panel (13). Each first relaxation groove (50) intersects with all second relaxation grooves (60), and each first relaxation groove (50) extends between one of the two second end relaxation grooves (61) and the second peripheral facet (21B) of the adjacent insulating panel (13), and between two ends (50A, 50B) spaced apart from the second peripheral facet (21B). Each second relaxation groove (60) intersects with all the first relaxation grooves (50), and each second relaxation groove extends between one of the two first end relaxation grooves (51) and the first peripheral face (21A) of the adjacent insulating panel (13) and between the two ends (60A, 60B) spaced apart from the first peripheral face (21A).

15. A vessel (70) comprising a hull (72), a propulsion system, and a sealed and thermally insulated tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the tank being used to store liquefied combustible gas intended to provide combustible gas to the propulsion system.

16. A delivery system for liquefied combustible gas, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 15, an isolation conduit (79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (1) of the vessel (70) to an offshore storage facility or an onshore storage facility (77), and a pump for driving a flow of liquefied combustible gas from the offshore storage facility or the onshore storage facility (77) through the isolation conduit (79, 76, 81) to the tank (1) of the vessel (70).

17. A method for loading a vessel (70) according to claim 15, wherein, The liquefied combustible gas is directed from an offshore or onshore storage facility (77) to the tank of the vessel (70) via insulated pipes (79, 76, 81).

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