sealed and thermally insulated wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulated wall of a tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall comprising: a primary sealing membrane (6) comprising first corrugations (9) parallel to each other and second corrugations (10) parallel to each other, the second corrugations being perpendicular to the first corrugations (9) and intersecting the first corrugations (9) in a node zone (36); the wall (1) comprising at least one reinforcement system (11) comprising a first reinforcement element (12) and a second reinforcement element (13), the first reinforcement element being located inside one of the first corrugations (9), the second reinforcement element being positioned in alignment with the node zone (36) and extending on both sides of the node zone (36) into one of the second corrugations (10), the first reinforcement element (12) being a hollow profiled element and the second reinforcement element (13) having a solid cross section and being made of plywood.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sealed containers with corrugated metal membranes for storing and / or transporting liquefied gases.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting liquefied gases, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at temperatures between -50°C and 0°C, tanks for transporting ammonia at about -33°C, or tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at atmospheric pressure at about -162°C. These tanks can be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tanks may be designed to transport liquefied gases or to receive liquefied gases used as fuel for propelling the floating structure. Background Technology

[0003] In the prior art, sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing liquefied gases are known. These tanks include a corrugated primary sealing membrane designed to contact the liquefied gas contained within the tank, and the primary sealing membrane is reinforced by means of a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is disposed below the corrugations of the primary sealing membrane and between the primary sealing membrane and a primary thermal insulation barrier supporting the primary sealing membrane. This reinforcing element allows for the reduction of stresses that may be applied to the primary sealing membrane, particularly stresses exerted under hydrostatic pressure and dynamic pressures caused by the movement of cargo within the tank due to surging waves.

[0004] Different types of reinforcing elements are known. In particular, there are tanks with reinforcing elements in the form of plywood wedges, as well as other tanks with reinforcing elements in the form of irregularly shaped metal elements. The choice of the type of reinforcing element to be used depends particularly on the hydrostatic and dynamic pressures that may be applied to the primary sealing membrane. Therefore, for large tanks, for example when the maximum pressure on the corrugated portion of the membrane is about 80 to 100 bar, irregularly shaped metal elements are generally preferred, while for standard-sized tanks, for example when the maximum pressure is about 50 bar, plywood wedges are preferred.

[0005] However, there is no reinforced system suitable for the intermediate pressure range between the two pressure ranges mentioned above; that is, there is no reinforced system robust enough to withstand such pressures without being too large—an excessively large size would unnecessarily increase the cost and complexity of the sealed and thermally insulated tank. This is, for example, the case for medium-sized or standard-sized tanks, when these tanks are intended to store ethane or ammonia, because ethane and ammonia have higher densities than methane: ethane is 544 kg / m³, ammonia is 681 kg / m³, and methane is 423 kg / m³. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, one concept of the present invention is to provide a wall for a sealed and thermally insulated tank, which is optimized and reinforced, particularly for intermediate pressure ranges.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed and thermally insulated wall for a tank intended for storing liquefied gases, the wall comprising: A primary sealing membrane is designed to contact the fluid contained in the tank and is positioned against a primary thermal insulation barrier. The sealing membrane includes at least a first series of corrugated portions and a second series of corrugated portions. The first series of corrugated portions includes first corrugated portions that are parallel to each other, and the second series of corrugated portions includes second corrugated portions that are parallel to each other. The second corrugated portions are perpendicular to the first corrugated portions and intersect with the first corrugated portions in a junction area. The height of the first corrugated portions in the thickness direction of the wall is greater than the height of the second corrugated portions. The wall includes at least one reinforcing system, which includes a first reinforcing element and a second reinforcing element. The first reinforcing element is positioned inside one of the first corrugated portions and on both sides of one of the junction areas against the primary thermal insulation barrier. The second reinforcing element is positioned against the primary thermal insulation barrier and aligned with the junction area, and the second reinforcing element extends into one of the second corrugated portions on both sides of the junction area. The first reinforcing element is a hollow, irregularly shaped element, and the second reinforcing element has a solid cross-section and is made of wood, for example, plywood.

[0008] With these features, the reinforcement system can be optimized for the intermediate pressure range because the highest one or more corrugations, i.e. those that bear the greatest load, are reinforced with hollow, irregularly shaped elements, while the lowest one or more corrugations, i.e. those that bear the least load, are reinforced only with reinforcing elements made of wood, such as plywood.

[0009] According to the implementation, such a sealed and thermally insulated wall may have one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement system includes a connecting member disposed inside a first corrugated portion and fastened to both a first reinforcing element and a second reinforcing element. The connecting member ensures the relative positioning of the reinforcing elements with respect to each other. The connecting member also prevents the first reinforcing element from contacting the joint.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the connecting member includes a metal strip that is fastened to a first reinforcing element and to a second reinforcing element.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the strip is engaged in a groove in each of the first reinforcing elements, and the strip is secured in the groove. Thus, the strip forms a sliding connection with the groove in the first reinforcing element, which facilitates the placement of the connecting member before the strip is secured to the first reinforcing element.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the groove is partially deformed to clamp the strip inside the groove.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the strip is fastened to the first reinforcing element by a fastening member, for example, by a screw, such as a self-drilling screw.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the strip includes a hole, preferably, the strip includes an oblong hole.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the strip is fastened to the first reinforcing element by a clamping fastening method.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the strip is fastened to the first reinforcing element by an assembly mechanism, for example, by a quarter-turn assembly mechanism.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the strip is joined in a groove provided in the second reinforcing element in a manner transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second reinforcing element, and the strip is fastened in the groove by at least one fastening member, such as by a clamp or a screw, for example, by a self-drilling screw.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement system includes a plurality of second reinforcement elements disposed in a plurality of adjacent node regions and connected to each other by connecting members, wherein the node regions are formed at the intersection of a plurality of second corrugated portions in a first corrugated portion and a second corrugated portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the connecting member is a first connecting member, and the first reinforcing element fastened to the first connecting member is a first set of first reinforcing elements positioned inside a first corrugated portion in the first corrugated portion. The reinforcement system also includes a second set of first reinforcing elements and a second connecting member. The second set of first reinforcing elements is positioned inside the second first corrugated portion of the first corrugated portion to abut against the primary thermal insulation barrier. The second connecting member is disposed inside the second first corrugated portion of the first corrugated portion and is fastened to the second set of first reinforcing elements and to the second reinforcing element or each of the second reinforcing elements. The second reinforcing element or each of the second reinforcing elements extends into the second corrugated portion located between the first first corrugated portion and the second first corrugated portion of the first corrugated portion, and extends on both sides of the junction area formed at the intersection of the second corrugated portion and the first and second first corrugated portions of the first corrugated portion.

[0021] With these features, the reinforcement system can take the form of a grid.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement system includes a plurality of first reinforcing elements spaced apart from each other in at least one corrugated gap positioned between two nodal regions. This allows for further limitation on the cost and weight of the reinforcement system.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the sealed and thermally insulated wall includes a plurality of reinforcement systems such that a second reinforcement element is disposed in each of the node regions of the sealing membrane and extends to one of the second corrugations on both sides of the node region, and a first reinforcement element is disposed in each corrugation gap positioned between two node regions in the second corrugations.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first reinforcing element is made of a metallic material, preferably selected from aluminum and aluminum alloys, or the first reinforcing element is made of a polymeric material, preferably selected from polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyetherimide.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the wood of the second reinforcing element is solid wood, plywood, or wood fiber impregnated with polymer resin.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the plywood of the second reinforcing element has fibers oriented perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the plywood of the second reinforcing element has fibers oriented parallel to the thickness direction of the wall. Therefore, the compressive strength of the second reinforcing element is greatest in the direction in which the main compressive load is applied.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the hollow irregularly shaped element includes a lower flange and an upper support portion, the lower flange being positioned against the inner surface of a primary thermal insulation barrier. According to one embodiment, the support portion has a shape corresponding to the shape of the interior of the first corrugated portion.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the support portion includes intersecting reinforcing webs that extend from one edge of the hollow irregular element to the other edge, and the intersecting reinforcing webs intersect at the plane of symmetry of the hollow irregular element.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the second reinforcing element has a lower flange that is designed to be positioned against the inner surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the second reinforcing element has a lateral face and a planar upper face, the lateral face not extending to the top of the second corrugated portion, and the planar upper face connecting the two lateral faces.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulated container comprising at least one sealed and thermally insulated wall of the type described above.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulated container comprising two thermally insulating barriers and two sealing membranes.

[0034] The facility according to one embodiment of the above embodiments can be, for example, an onshore storage facility for storing LNG or installed in a nearshore or offshore floating structure. The facility according to one embodiment of the above embodiments can particularly be an ethane or methane carrier, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit, etc. In the case of a floating structure, the tanks can be designed to receive liquefied natural gas used as fuel to propel the floating structure.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a vessel for transporting fluids, the vessel including facilities of the type described above.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the ship has a double hull, which forms a load-bearing structure.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a fluid transfer system comprising the aforementioned vessel, an isolation pipeline configured to connect the vessel's tanks to a floating or onshore storage facility, and a pump for allowing fluid to flow from the floating or onshore storage facility through the isolation pipeline to the vessel's tanks or from the vessel's tanks through the isolation pipeline to the floating or onshore storage facility.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a vessel, wherein fluid is transported from a floating or onshore storage facility to the vessel's tanks via insulated pipelines, or fluid is transported from the vessel's tanks to a floating or onshore storage facility via insulated pipelines.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a vessel for transporting fluids, the vessel including facilities of the type described above. Attached Figure Description

[0040] The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following description of several specific embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting illustration with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 It is an exploded 3D view of the tank wall.

[0042] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view of a corrugated metal plate designed to construct a sealing membrane.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a top view of a reinforcement system intended to be disposed below the corrugated portion of a primary sealing membrane, according to the first embodiment.

[0044] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A partial 3D view of the enhanced system.

[0045] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view showing the manner in which the connecting member is fastened to the first reinforcing element intended to be positioned below the high corrugated section, according to the first variant.

[0046] Figure 6 It shows according to Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the first variation of the method for fastening the connecting member to a second reinforcing element intended to be positioned below the low corrugated section.

[0047] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method, according to a second variation, for fastening a connecting member to a first reinforcing element intended to be positioned below a high corrugated section.

[0048] Figure 8 It shows according to Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a second variation of a method for fastening the connecting member to a second reinforcing element intended to be positioned below the low corrugated portion.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method, according to a third variant, for fastening a connecting member to a first reinforcing element intended to be positioned below a high corrugated section.

[0050] Figure 10 This is a bottom view of the first reinforcing element, which is designed to be positioned below the high corrugated section, according to the fourth variant.

[0051] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the first reinforcing element and connecting member according to the fourth variant before the first reinforcing element and connecting member are fastened to each other.

[0052] Figure 12 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tanks of a methane carrier and the dock used for loading / unloading the tanks.

[0053] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the reinforcement system according to the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0054] By convention, the terms "outer" and "inner" are used to define the position of one element relative to another, referring to the interior and exterior of the container. Additionally, the terms "upper" and "lower" are also used to define the position of one element relative to another, with "upper" indicating an element closer to the interior of the container and "lower" indicating an element farther from the interior; and this is independent of the element's position relative to the direction of the gravitational field.

[0055] Combination Figure 1 The wall 1 of a sealed and thermally insulated tank designed for storing liquefied gases is described.

[0056] Each wall 1 includes a multi-layer structure having, from the outside to the inside, the following components in the thickness direction of the wall 1: a secondary thermal insulation barrier 3 held on a supporting structure 2; a secondary sealing membrane 4 abutting against the secondary thermal insulation barrier 3; a primary thermal insulation barrier 5 abutting against the secondary sealing membrane 4; and a primary sealing membrane 6 abutting against the primary thermal insulation barrier 5 and intended to contact the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank.

[0057] The load-bearing structure 2 is formed, for example, by the twin hulls of a ship, but the load-bearing structure 2 can more generally be formed by any type of rigid partition with appropriate mechanical properties.

[0058] The primary sealing membrane 6 comprises a plurality of metal plates 7, which are overlapped and welded together in a sealing manner. The metal plates 7 are also anchored to the primary thermal insulation barrier 5. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the metal plates 7 are welded along their edges to anchoring strips 8, for example, by spot welding. The anchoring strips 8 are received and secured in cutouts provided in the inner surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier 5, such that the anchoring strips 8 are flush with the inner surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier 5.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, each metal plate 7 includes a first series of parallel corrugated portions (referred to as high corrugated portions 9) and a second series of parallel corrugated portions (referred to as low corrugated portions 10), the second series of parallel corrugated portions extending perpendicular to the first series of corrugated portions. It should be noted that the terms "high" and "low" have relative meanings herein, and mean that the height of the low corrugated portion 10 is less than the height of the high corrugated portion 9. At each intersection between the two corrugated portions 9, 10, the primary sealing membrane 6 includes a junction region 36. The junction region 36 includes a central portion having a top protruding toward the interior of the tank. Furthermore, the central portion is defined on one hand by a pair of concave corrugated portions formed in the top of the high corrugated portion 9, and on the other hand by a pair of notches through which the low corrugated portion 10 passes. The corrugated portions 9, 10 of the metal plate 7 allow the primary sealing membrane 6 to be flexible, such that the primary sealing membrane 6 can deform under the thermal and mechanical stress loads generated by the liquefied gas stored in the tank.

[0060] By way of example, the high corrugated portion 9 has a height between 45 mm and 70 mm, depending on the thickness of the insulating member, and the low corrugated portion 10 has a height between 20 mm and 44 mm, depending on the thickness of the insulating member.

[0061] By way of example, metal plate 7 can be made specifically of stainless steel, aluminum, or Invar®—that is, a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion typically around 1.10. -6 K - ¹and 2.10 -6 K - ¹ An alloy of iron and nickel—made of, or derived from, an alloy with a coefficient of thermal expansion typically of about 7.10. -6 K - ¹ to 9.10 -6 K - ¹ It is made of an iron alloy with a high manganese content. However, other metals or alloys are also conceivable. By way of example, the metal sheet has a thickness between 1 mm and 1.5 mm, for example, the metal sheet has a thickness of 1.2 mm. Other thicknesses are also conceivable, as it is known that increasing the thickness of the metal sheet leads to an increase in the cost of the metal sheet and generally increases the stiffness of the corrugations.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the can wall 1 is similar to the can wall described in application FR2691520, which pertains to the Mark III® product, and further details regarding the primary and secondary thermal insulation barriers and the secondary sealing membrane 4 can be obtained by referring to that application. Alternatively, the can wall 1 may also be manufactured according to other technologies, and in particular according to those technologies described in patent applications WO14057221 and FR3125323, respectively, for the Mark V and GTT NEXT1® products.

[0063] It should be noted that the reinforcement system is particularly optimized for use in combination with insulation panels for primary and secondary thermal insulation barriers, the insulation panels comprising an insulating polymer foam layer, which is advantageously made of polyurethane foam reinforced with fibers—such as glass fibers, and the density of the insulation panels is between 130 kg / m³ and 210 kg / m³, preferably between 150 kg / m³ and 170 kg / m³.

[0064] Combination Figures 3 to 11 The reinforcement system 11, which is intended to be disposed below the corrugated portions 9 and 10 of the primary sealing membrane 6 according to the first embodiment, will be described.

[0065] The reinforcing system 11 includes, on the one hand, a reinforcing element hereinafter referred to as "first reinforcing element 12," which is intended to be disposed inside the high corrugated portion 9 of the primary sealing membrane 6, and on the other hand, a reinforcing element hereinafter referred to as "second reinforcing element 13," which is intended to be disposed inside the low corrugated portion 10 of the primary sealing membrane 6. The reinforcing system 11 also includes a connecting member 14, which is fastened to the first reinforcing element 12 and the second reinforcing element 13, and thus ensures the relative positioning of the first reinforcing element 12 and the second reinforcing element 13 relative to each other.

[0066] The first reinforcing element 12 is a hollow, irregularly shaped element. The first reinforcing element 12 is made of a metallic material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or the first reinforcing element 12 is made of a polymer material, such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polyetherimide. The polymer material is advantageously reinforced with fibers, for example, glass fibers.

[0067] For example Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the hollow irregular element includes a lower flange 15 and an upper support portion 16, with the lower flange 15 designed to rest against the inner surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier 5.

[0068] The support portion 16 can be manufactured according to various geometries, such as those shown in document FR2936784. Preferably, the outer shape of the support portion 16 corresponds to the inner shape of the high corrugated portion 9 in order to provide effective support for substantially the entire surface of the high corrugated portion 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the overall cross-section of the support portion 16 is a semi-elliptical top. Furthermore, the flange 15 has a lower wall that is planar and configured to abut against the inner surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier 5. The support portion 16 includes intersecting reinforcing webs 17 that extend from one edge of the hollow shaped element to the other edge and intersect at the plane of symmetry of the hollow shaped element.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing system 11 includes a plurality of first reinforcing elements 12 in each inter-corrugation gap between the two lower corrugated portions 10, the plurality of first reinforcing elements 12 being spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, as described in disclosure FR2861060, reinforcing ribs (not shown) may be provided on the lateral surfaces of the higher corrugated portion 9. In this case, the reinforcing ribs are preferably located between the first reinforcing elements 12 spaced apart from each other in each inter-corrugation gap between the two lower corrugated portions 10.

[0070] However, in another embodiment (not shown), the reinforcement system 11 may also include a single first reinforcing element disposed in each inter-corrugation gap between the two lower corrugations 10. In this case, the longitudinal dimension of the single reinforcing element 12 is adjusted accordingly to provide effective support over a large portion of the length of the inter-corrugation gap between the two lower corrugations 10.

[0071] Furthermore, the second reinforcing element 13 has a solid cross-section and is made of plywood. The second reinforcing element 13 has a lower flange 18, which is designed to abut against the inner surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier 5. The second reinforcing element 13 has lateral faces 19 that do not extend to the top of the lower corrugated portion 10, and a planar upper face that connects the two lateral faces 19. Therefore, the second reinforcing element 13 has a cross-section in the form of an isosceles trapezoid. Thus, gas can circulate between the top of the corrugated portion and the upper face 20. The second reinforcing element 13 has a shape complementary to the shape of the lower portion of the lower corrugated portion 10. In the illustrated embodiment, each second reinforcing element 13 is configured to align with one of the node regions 36 and extends to both sides of the node region 36 into the lower corrugated portion 10.

[0072] Advantageously, the fibers of the plywood forming the second reinforcing element 13 are oriented parallel to the thickness direction of the wall 1. Therefore, the compressive strength of the second reinforcing element 13 is greatest in the thickness direction of the wall 1, which corresponds to the direction along which the compressive load is mainly applied to the second reinforcing element 13.

[0073] The connecting member is formed by strip 21, which is advantageously made of metal, and for example, stainless steel.

[0074] exist Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the first embodiment variant shown, strip 21 has a rectangular cross-section. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, strip 21 is engaged in slot 22 in each of the first reinforcing elements 12, and strip 21 passes through the first reinforcing element 12 in the longitudinal direction. The slot 22 has a rectangular cross-section complementary to the rectangular cross-section of strip 21, thus forming a sliding connection. Therefore, mounting of the first reinforcing element 12 on strip 21 is easily achieved by sliding the first reinforcing element 12 along strip 21. Furthermore, to secure the first reinforcing element 12 to strip 21 in a defined position, the first reinforcing element 12 can be stamped to locally deform the slot 22, thereby clamping strip 21. Alternatively, strip 21 can be secured to the first reinforcing element 12 by fastening members—such as screws, for example, self-drilling screws—thus avoiding pre-drilling. Alternatively, strip 21 can include holes to facilitate the use of fastening screws or rivets; preferably, the holes can be oblong.

[0075] In addition, such as Figure 6 As shown, the second reinforcing element 13 has a groove 23 in which the strip 21 is engaged. The groove 23 is disposed in the second reinforcing element 13 in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second reinforcing element 13. The strip 21 is fastened to the second reinforcing element 13 by fastening members, such as clamps 24 or screws, one of the clamps 24 being... Figure 6 The diagram schematically illustrates a screw, for example, a self-drilling screw.

[0076] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the second embodiment variant shown, strip 21 is fastened to the first reinforcing element 12 by a clamping fastening method. Strip 21 has an L-shaped cross-section, and one of its branches has a bent end 25. Figure 7As shown, the groove 26 provided in the first reinforcing element 12 also has an L-shaped cross-section and leads to the flange 15. The bent end 23 of the branch of the strip 21 is shaped to deform when the strip 21 is engaged in the groove 26, and generates a reaction force that presses the bent end 23 against one of the walls of the groove 26. This allows the first reinforcing element 12 to be fastened to the strip 21.

[0077] like Figure 8 As shown, the groove 27 provided in the second reinforcing element 13 is also L-shaped. The bent end 23 can also be deformed and pressed against the wall of the groove 27. Alternatively or additionally, the strip 21 is fastened to the second reinforcing element 13 by fastening members, such as clamps 28 or self-drilling screws, one of the clamps 28 being... Figure 8 It is shown schematically in the middle.

[0078] Figure 9 A first reinforcing element 12 and a connecting member 14 according to a variation of the third embodiment are shown. The connecting member 14 is a shaped metal strip 29 having a cross-section, the shaped metal strip 29 having a male element 30 having a shape complementary to the shape of the groove 31 provided in the first reinforcing element 12. Therefore, the male element 30 and the groove 31 form a sliding connection, thereby allowing the first reinforcing element 12 to slide along the connecting member 14 when the first reinforcing element 12 is placed in place. Furthermore, as in the variation of the first embodiment, the first reinforcing element 12 is advantageously stamped to partially deform the groove 31, thereby clamping the male element 30 of the connecting member inside the groove 31.

[0079] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Another variation for fastening the first reinforcing element 12 to the connecting member 14 is shown. In this embodiment variation, the first reinforcing element 12 is fastened to the connecting member 14 by an assembly mechanism, for example, the first reinforcing element 12 is fastened to the connecting member 14 by a quarter-turn assembly mechanism. Such an assembly mechanism includes... Figure 11 and Figure 12 The document describes a male portion 32 and a female portion 33, which is attached herein to the strip 21 of the connecting member 14. The female portion 33 corresponds herein to an opening provided in the flange of the first reinforcing element 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the male portion 32 is disposed on a wedge 35, which is fastened to the strip 21. The wedge 35 is made, for example, of aluminum or stainless steel.

[0080] The male portion 32 has a lug (not shown) designed to engage in a recess 34 provided in the opening of the female portion 33. Therefore, in order to secure the first reinforcing element 12 to the connecting member 14, the reinforcing element 12 is first positioned relative to the connecting member as follows: Figure 11 The relative positions shown are such that the lugs of the male portion 32 each pass through one of the notches 34 of the female portion 33. Next, the first reinforcing element 12 is rotated about an axis parallel to the thickness direction of the wall to... Figure 12 As shown in the assembly position, the outline direction of the first reinforcing element 12 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the strip 21 of the connecting member 14.

[0081] exist Figure 13 In the reinforcement system 111 according to the second embodiment shown, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment are marked with the same reference numerals with an increase of 100, and will only be described in aspects where the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment.

[0082] The reinforcement system 111 includes a plurality of reinforcing frames 50, which are intended to be positioned within a plurality of consecutive high corrugations 9 of the primary sealing membrane 6. Similar to the reinforcement system 11, each reinforcing frame 50 includes a plurality of first reinforcing elements 112 and a connecting member 114, which is intended to be positioned within one of the high corrugations 9, and the connecting member 114 is fastened to the first reinforcing elements 112 of the reinforcement frame 50. By way of illustration, in Figure 13 The reinforcement system 111 has three reinforcement frames 50.

[0083] The reinforcing frames 50 of the reinforcing system 111 are attached to each other by second reinforcing elements 113 intended to be disposed within the lower corrugated portion 10 of the primary sealing membrane 6. For this purpose, the connecting members 114 of all the reinforcing frames 50 of the reinforcing system 111 are fastened to each of the second reinforcing elements 113. Thus, the second reinforcing elements 113 are long enough to extend along the lower corrugated portion 10 through at least two consecutive node regions 36. By way of illustration, the second reinforcing elements 113 are long enough to... Figure 13 The reinforcing system 111 extends through three consecutive node regions 36. Therefore, the reinforcing system 111 forms a reinforcing grid in the high corrugated portion 9 and the low corrugated portion 10, which are intended to be positioned within the entire rectangular region of the primary sealing membrane 6. Depending on the size of the grid, i.e., based on the number of reinforcing frames 50 in the width direction of the reinforcing system 111 and the number of second reinforcing elements 113 in the length direction of the reinforcing system 111, the rectangular region may correspond to a corrugated metal plate, multiple corrugated metal plates, or a portion of a corrugated metal plate.

[0084] At each longitudinal end of the reinforcing system 111, the reinforcing system 111 may be terminated by a second reinforcing element 113 or by a first reinforcing element 112. These two possibilities are... Figure 13 As shown, the reinforcing system 111 has different structures at its two longitudinal ends. In a variant, the reinforcing system 111 may have the same structure at both longitudinal ends.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the second reinforcing element 113 is formed by assembling a plurality of components, each component being similar to the second reinforcing element 13 of the first embodiment. In this case, the reinforcing system 111 can be obtained by assembling a plurality of reinforcing systems 11 together.

[0086] Reference Figure 12 A cross-sectional view of the methane carrier 70 shows a generally prismatic, sealed, and thermally insulated tank 71 installed within the vessel's twin hulls 72. The walls of tank 71 have: a primary sealing membrane designed to contact the LNG contained within the tank; a secondary sealing membrane disposed between the primary sealing membrane and the vessel's twin hulls 72; and two thermal barriers disposed respectively between the primary and secondary sealing membranes and between the secondary sealing membrane and the twin hulls 72.

[0087] As is known by way of itself, the loading / unloading pipeline 73 located on the upper deck of the vessel can be connected to a seaport or port terminal by appropriate connectors to transfer LNG cargo from tank 71 or to tank 71.

[0088] Figure 12 An example of a marine terminal is shown, comprising a loading and unloading station 75, underwater pipelines 76, and onshore facilities 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility having a boom 74 and a tower 78 supporting the boom 74. The boom 74 carries bundles of flexible insulated hoses 79, which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipeline 73. The directional boom 74 is suitable for methane carriers of all sizes. Connecting pipelines (not shown) extend within the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows loading of a methane carrier 70 from the onshore facility 77 and unloading of the methane carrier 70 to the onshore facility 77. The onshore facility 77 has liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipelines 81, which are connected to the loading or unloading station 75 via underwater pipelines 76. The underwater pipeline 76 enables the transfer of liquefied gas over long distances, such as 5 km, between the loading or unloading station 75 and the shore facility 77, thereby allowing the methane carrier 70 to be kept at a considerable distance from the shore during loading and unloading operations.

[0089] To generate the pressure required to transfer the liquefied gas, pumps carried on the vessel 70 and / or pumps equipped on the shore facility 77 and / or pumps equipped on the loading and unloading station 75 were used.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with several specific embodiments, it is obvious that the present invention is by no means limited thereto, and the present invention includes all technical equivalents and combinations thereof of the described apparatus, as long as all technical equivalents and combinations thereof of the described apparatus fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0091] The use of the verbs “having,” “comprising,” or “including,” and their variations, does not preclude the presence of other elements or steps besides those stated in the claims.

[0092] In the claims, any reference numerals between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims

1. A sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) for use in a tank intended for storing liquefied gases, the wall (1) comprising: A primary sealing membrane (6) is designed to contact the fluid contained in the tank and is positioned against a primary thermal insulation barrier (5). The primary sealing membrane (6) includes at least a first series of corrugated portions and a second series of corrugated portions. The first series of corrugated portions includes first corrugated portions (9) that are parallel to each other, and the second series of corrugated portions includes second corrugated portions (10) that are parallel to each other. The second corrugated portions (10) are perpendicular to the first corrugated portions (9) and intersect with the first corrugated portions (9) in a junction area (36). The height of the first corrugated portions (9) in the thickness direction of the wall is greater than the height of the second corrugated portions (10). The wall (1) includes at least one reinforcing system (11, 111), which includes a first reinforcing... The first reinforcing element (12, 112) is positioned inside a first corrugated portion of the first corrugated portion (9) and abuts against the primary thermal insulation barrier (5) on both sides of a node region (36). The second reinforcing element (13, 113) is positioned against the primary thermal insulation barrier (5) and aligned with the node region (36). The second reinforcing element (13, 113) extends on both sides of the node region (36) into a second corrugated portion of the second corrugated portion (10). The first reinforcing element (12, 112) is a hollow, irregularly shaped element, and the second reinforcing element (13, 113) has a solid cross-section and is made of wood.

2. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The reinforcement system (11, 111) includes connecting members (14, 114) disposed inside the first corrugated portion (9), and the connecting members (14, 114) are fastened to the first reinforcing element (12, 112) and to the second reinforcing element (13, 113).

3. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The connecting member (14) includes metal strips (21, 30) which are fastened to the first reinforcing element (12, 112) and to the second reinforcing element (13, 113).

4. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The strips (21, 30) are engaged in slots (22, 26, 31) in each of the first reinforcing elements (12, 112), and wherein the strips (21, 30) are fastened in the slots (22, 26, 31).

5. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The grooves (22, 26, 31) are partially deformed to clamp the strips (21, 30) inside the grooves (22, 26, 31).

6. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The strips (21, 30) are fastened to the first reinforcing element (12, 112) by fastening members, for example, the strips (21, 30) are fastened to the first reinforcing element (12, 112) by screws.

7. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The strip (21) is fastened to the first reinforcing element (12, 112) by clamping and fastening.

8. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The strip (21) is fastened to the first reinforcing element (12) by an assembly mechanism, for example, the strip (21) is fastened to the first reinforcing element (12) by a quarter turn assembly mechanism.

9. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein, The strips (21, 30) are joined in a groove (23) provided in the second reinforcing element (13, 113) in a manner transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second reinforcing element (13, 113), and wherein the strips (21, 30) are fastened in the groove (23) by at least one fastening member (24), for example, the strips (21, 30) are fastened in the groove (23) by a clamp or screw.

10. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein, The reinforcement system (11, 111) includes a plurality of second reinforcement elements (13, 113), which are disposed in a plurality of adjacent node regions (36) and connected to each other by the connecting members (14, 114). The node regions are formed at the intersection of the first corrugated portion (9) and the plurality of second corrugated portions (10).

11. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein, The connecting member is a first connecting member (114), and the first reinforcing element fastened to the first connecting member (114) is a first set of first reinforcing elements (112) positioned inside the first first corrugated portion in the first corrugated portion (9). The reinforcement system (111) further includes a second set of first reinforcing elements (112) and a second connecting member (114), the second set of first reinforcing elements (112) being positioned against the primary heat insulation barrier (5) inside the second first corrugated portion in the first corrugated portion (9), the second connecting member (114) being disposed inside the second first corrugated portion in the first corrugated portion (9), and the second connecting member (114) being fastened to the second set of first reinforcing elements (12) and fastened to the second reinforcing element (113) or each of the second reinforcing elements (113), the second reinforcing element (113) or each of the second reinforcing elements (113) extending into the second corrugated portion (10) located between the first first corrugated portion and the second first corrugated portion in the first corrugated portion (9) and extending on both sides of the junction area (36) formed at the intersection of the second corrugated portion (10) and the first first corrugated portion and the second first corrugated portion in the first corrugated portion (9).

12. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The reinforcement system (11) includes a plurality of first reinforcing elements (12) spaced apart from each other in at least one inter-corrugation gap positioned between two nodal regions (36).

13. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The first reinforcing element (12) is made of a metallic material, preferably selected from aluminum and aluminum alloys, or the first reinforcing element (12) is made of a polymer material, preferably selected from polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyetherimide.

14. The sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The wood of the second reinforcing element (13) is plywood and has fibers oriented parallel to the thickness direction of the wall.

15. A sealed and thermally insulated container, said container comprising at least one sealed and thermally insulated wall (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A vessel (70) for transporting liquefied gas, the vessel comprising a twin hull (72) and a tank (71) according to claim 15, the twin hull comprising a load-bearing structure.

17. A transfer system for liquefied gases, the system comprising: The vessel (70) according to claim 16; isolation lines (73, 79, 76, 81) configured to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or onshore storage facility (77); and a pump for causing liquefied gas to flow from the floating or onshore storage facility through the isolation lines to the tank of the vessel, or to cause liquefied gas to flow from the tank of the vessel through the isolation lines to the floating or onshore storage facility.

18. A method for loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 16, wherein, The liquefied gas is transported from the floating or onshore storage facility (77) to the tank (71) of the vessel (70) via isolation pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) or from the tank (71) of the vessel (70) to the floating or onshore storage facility (77) via isolation pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81).

Images