Insulating block for creating an insulating wall in a storage container for cold liquids

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks. More particularly, the invention relates to an insulating block suitable for creating an insulating wall in a storage tank for a cold liquid, in particular a low-temperature liquefied gas. Technological background

[0002] In the field of maritime transport of low-temperature liquefied gases, a leak-proof and thermally insulated tank is known, for example from document WO 2014 / 096600 A1. This tank wall comprises a tank wall retained on a supporting structure, and the tank wall includes, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary waterproof membrane, and a primary waterproof membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier. The secondary insulating barrier is made by juxtaposing identical insulating blocks. The insulating blocks are made by layering a plywood base plate, a block of insulating foam such as polyurethane foam, and a plywood lid plate.The insulating blocks are held in place on the secondary waterproof membrane and on the supporting structure by means of retaining devices. The insulating foam block is bonded to the base plate and the cover plate. Document WO 2019 / 239049 A1 discloses an insulating block according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] As described in document WO 2014 / 096600 A1, when the tank is filled with liquefied gas, the temperature difference between the outside and inside of the tank generates a thermal gradient within the insulating blocks. This thermal gradient causes differential contraction within the insulating block, due to the difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the plywood and the polyurethane foam. This phenomenon tends to cause the insulating foam block to flex, especially since it is bonded to the base plate and the lid plate.

[0004] To limit the deflection of the insulating foam block, document WO 2014 / 096600 A1 proposes dividing the insulating foam block into two sub-blocks separated by an additional plywood panel. However, this solution tends to complicate the production of the insulating block.

[0005] Furthermore, during operation, the insulating blocks are subjected to stresses due to the deformation of the ship's structure at sea when the tank is filled with liquefied gas, or due to stresses exerted by the ship's ballast tanks when the tank is not filled with liquefied gas while the ship's ballast tanks are filled to maintain the ship's seakeeping. These phenomena also tend to cause the insulating foam block to flex. Summary

[0006] One idea behind the invention is to propose an insulating block suitable for making a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank that allows limiting the flexing of the insulating foam block.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the invention provides an insulating block suitable for forming a wall of a watertight and thermally insulating tank, the insulating block having a parallelepiped shape and comprising: a base plate having a first and a second pair of parallel sides; a cover plate parallel to the base plate, spaced from the base plate in a direction the thickness of the insulating block and having two grooves, the grooves being parallel to each other and extending in a direction parallel to the first pair of sides of the base plate, each of the grooves being suitable for receiving a weld support for welding a sealing membrane; a thermally insulating foam block disposed between the cover plate and the base plate and fixed to the base plate, the foam block having a plurality of lateral surfaces extending between the base plate and the cover plate and defining a rectangular geometric envelope and a plurality of recesses, each recess extending between two adjacent lateral surfaces, being intended to receive a retaining device, and the insulating block having a bearing surface for the retaining device in the recess; the insulating block comprising: a pair of stiffeners attached to the base plate and extending along the sides of one of the pairs of sides among the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate, the stiffeners having their largest dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, along the sides of said one of the pairs of sides, and each stiffener projecting from the base plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface in free contact with said lateral surface of the foam block.

[0008] The term "free contact surface" refers to a surface that is in contact with the lateral surface of the foam block without being bonded to it. Specifically, the surface is not glued to the lateral surface of the foam block. Therefore, when the insulation block is subjected to bending, the surface can slide slightly along the lateral surface of the foam block without exerting tensile or shear stress on the foam block.

[0009] Furthermore, since the stiffeners are integral with the base plate and extend along the sides of one of the pairs of sides (the first and second pairs of sides) of the base plate, they tend to limit the deflection of the insulation block in one of the directions parallel to and perpendicular to that of the grooves receiving the weld supports for welding the waterproofing membrane. Thus, the deflection of the waterproofing membrane in this direction is also limited. This prevents, in particular, the generation of stress concentrations in the waterproofing membrane where it spans the interface between two successive insulation blocks, especially when deflection in the direction perpendicular to that of the grooves is limited.

[0010] Depending on the embodiment, such an insulating block may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0011] According to one embodiment, each stiffener comprises a wooden block, an upper surface of the block which is turned towards the cover plate materializing a said bearing surface.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises a second pair of stiffeners attached to the base plate and extending along the sides of the other pair of sides between the first and second pair of sides of the base plate.

[0013] This second pair of stiffeners attached to the base plate tends to limit the bending of the insulating block also in the other direction parallel and perpendicular to that of the grooves.

[0014] According to one embodiment, each stiffener is received in a corresponding recess in the foam block opposite an upper side of the base plate.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the insulating block comprises a plurality of support elements, preferably made of wood, each support element being received in a recess and held in said recess by said stiffener, an upper face of the support element which is turned towards the cover plate materializing said support surface.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each of the support elements has at least one face in free contact with the foam block.

[0017] The term "free contact face" refers to a surface that is in contact with the foam block without being bonded to it. Specifically, the surface is not glued to the foam block. Therefore, when the insulation block is subjected to bending, the support elements are likely to slide slightly on the foam block rather than deforming it.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the support elements have a height along the thickness direction of the insulating block of between 20 mm and 250 mm.

[0019] According to one embodiment, each stiffener comprises a wooden block, the block having a surface which is in free contact with the foam block.

[0020] According to one embodiment, each stiffener is fixed to the support element and to the base plate by stapling, screwing, tack welding and / or gluing.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises a second pair of stiffeners attached to the base plate and extending along the sides of the other pair of sides among the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate, each stiffener of the second pair of stiffeners comprising a wooden cleat, the cleat having a surface which is in free contact with a lateral surface of the foam block.

[0022] According to one embodiment, each stiffener has an L-shaped cross-section so as to present a first surface in free contact with a lateral surface of the foam block and a second surface held rigidly in contact with the base plate.

[0023] The term "held rigidly in contact with the base plate" means that the surface is in contact with the base plate and that this contact is maintained by the effect of a stress exerted on the stiffener, for example by stapling or screwing it to the base plate.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the foam block has four lateral surfaces, each of the four lateral surfaces defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, and each recess extending between two adjacent lateral surfaces so as to be located at a corner of the foam block.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the lateral surfaces of the foam block comprise three first lateral surfaces, each of the first three lateral surfaces defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, and two second lateral surfaces, the two second lateral surfaces together defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, the two second lateral surfaces being parallel to one side of said one of the pairs of sides among the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises an additional stiffener, the additional stiffener having a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, along said one side of the base plate, the additional stiffener projecting from the base plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface in free contact with said second lateral surface of the foam block.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the recess extends between the two second lateral surfaces and receives two said support elements, one held in said recess by a stiffener and the other held in said recess by the additional stiffener.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the lateral surfaces of the foam block comprise two first lateral surfaces parallel to the sides of the other pair of sides among the first pair and the second pair of sides of the base plate, each of the first two lateral surfaces defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, and three second lateral surfaces, the three second lateral surfaces together defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, the three second lateral surfaces being parallel to one side of said one of the pairs of sides among the first and the second pair of sides of the base plate.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the insulating block further comprises two additional stiffeners, said additional stiffeners having a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, along said one side of the base plate, said additional stiffeners projecting from the base plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface in free contact with said second lateral surface of the foam block.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the two recesses extending each between two of the three second lateral surfaces receive two said support elements, one held in said recess by a stiffener and the other held in said recess by an additional stiffener.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a watertight and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall retained on a supporting structure, the tank wall including, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier, wherein the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of insulating blocks according to any one of the embodiments described above juxtaposed and a plurality of anchoring members, each anchoring member being received in the recesses of adjacent insulating blocks and bearing on the bearing surfaces of said adjacent insulating blocks so as to retain said adjacent insulating blocks on the supporting structure,and the secondary waterproof membrane being held onto said insulating blocks by welding supports received in the grooves of said insulating blocks.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a watertight and thermally insulating tank comprising a tank wall retained on a supporting structure, the tank wall including, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier retained on the supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane retained on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier retained on the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane retained on the primary insulating barrier, wherein the primary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of insulating blocks according to any one of the embodiments described above juxtaposed and a plurality of anchoring members,Each anchoring element is received in the recesses of adjacent insulating blocks and bears on the bearing surfaces of said adjacent insulating blocks so as to retain said adjacent insulating blocks on the secondary waterproof membrane, and the primary waterproof membrane is retained on said insulating blocks by welding supports received in the grooves of said insulating blocks.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a vessel for the transport of a cold liquid product, the vessel comprising a double hull and a tank described above disposed in the double hull.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a use of a vessel described above for loading or unloading a cold liquid product, in which a cold liquid product is conveyed through insulated pipelines from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising a vessel described above, insulated pipes arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility, and a pump to drive a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank. Brief description of the figures

[0036] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a partial perspective view of an insulating barrier on a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall. Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a perspective view of an insulating block of the insulating barrier of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a top view of the insulating block of the figure 2 , And [ Fig. 4 ] there figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of the figure 3 . [ Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a sectional view of the figure 1 so as to represent two adjacent insulating blocks and a wall anchoring device figure 1 . [ Fig. 6 ] There figure 6 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to another embodiment. Fig. 7 ] There figure 7 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to yet another embodiment. Fig. 8 ] There figure 8 is an exploded view of the insulating block of the figure 7 without its lid panel. Fig. 9 ] There figure 9 is an expansion of region IX of the figure 7 , in front view along the direction of frame B. [ Fig. 10 ] There Figure 10 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to yet another embodiment. Fig. 11 ] There figure 11 is a view of the insulating block of the Figure 10 , in front view along the direction of the frame of reference D. [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 is a perspective view from below, along the direction of the coordinate system E, of a variant of the insulating block of the Figure 10 not featuring an intermediate plate between the base plate and the lid plate. Fig. 13 ] There figure 13 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to yet another embodiment. Fig. 14 ] There figure 14 is a perspective view of an insulating block according to yet another embodiment. Fig. 15 ] There figure 15 is a schematic cutaway representation of a tank on an LNG carrier and a loading / unloading terminal for that tank. Description of the implementation methods

[0037] There figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a secondary insulating barrier for a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall. Such a structure can be implemented over large areas with various orientations, for example, to cover the bottom, ceiling, and side walls of a tank. The orientation of the figure 1 Therefore, it is not limiting in this respect.

[0038] The tank wall is attached to the wall of a supporting structure 1. By convention, a position closer to the inside of the tank will be called "above" and a position closer to the supporting structure 1 will be called "below", regardless of the orientation of the tank wall with respect to the Earth's gravitational field.

[0039] The tank wall includes a secondary insulating barrier 2 retained on the supporting structure 1 and an omitted waterproof membrane.

[0040] The secondary insulating barrier 2 consists of a plurality of parallelepiped-shaped secondary insulating blocks 6 placed side by side to substantially cover the internal surface of the load-bearing structure 1. figures 2 to 4 represent in more detail one of these secondary insulating blocks 6.

[0041] As shown in these figures, a secondary insulating block 6 has a base plate 12, a cover plate 11 parallel to the base plate 12, and a thermally insulating foam block 13.

[0042] The base plate 12 has a first pair of parallel sides 12a and a second pair of parallel sides 12b. The base plate has a generally rectangular shape, meaning that sides 12a and 12b are perpendicular to each other.

[0043] The cover plate 11 is parallel to the base plate 12 and is spaced from the base plate 12 in a thickness direction of the secondary insulating block 6.

[0044] The cover plate 11 has two parallel grooves 14 extending in a direction parallel to the sides 12a of the base plate 12. The grooves 14 are substantially inverted T-shaped to receive L-shaped weld wings. The portion of the weld wings that projects upwards from the top of the cover plate 11 allows for the anchoring of a secondary sealing barrier (not shown). The secondary sealing barrier consists of a plurality of strakes. The raised edges of each strake are welded to the aforementioned weld wings using a known technique. The strakes are, for example, made of Invar®, an iron-nickel alloy with a coefficient of thermal expansion typically between 1.2 x 10⁻⁶ and 2 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. In this case, the strakes may have a thickness of approximately 0.7 mm.Alternatively, the strakes can be made of a high-manganese iron alloy with a coefficient of thermal expansion typically between 7 x 10⁻⁶ and 9 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. In the case of a ship's tank, the strakes are preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ship.

[0045] The base plate 11 and / or the lid plate 12 can be made of plywood.

[0046] The foam block 13 is arranged between the cover plate 11 and the base plate 12. The foam block 13 is made of a thermally insulating foam, for example a polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with glass fibers, having for example a density of the order of, or even greater than, 130 kg.m -3.

[0047] The foam block 13 has a generally parallelepiped shape. The foam block 13 thus has four lateral surfaces 13f extending between the base plate 12 and the lid plate 11, defining a rectangular geometric envelope. The lateral surfaces 13f are perpendicular to each other in pairs.

[0048] The foam block 13 is fixed to the base plate 12 and the lid plate 11 by gluing.

[0049] The foam block 13 has at each of its corners, that is to say between each pair of adjacent lateral surfaces 13f, a recess 15. The recess 15 is intended to receive a retaining element 30 visible on the Figures 1 And 5 . At its end closest to the base plate 12 in the direction of the thickness of the secondary insulating block 6, the recess 15 contains a bearing surface 16 for the retaining device 30.

[0050] The secondary insulating block 6 also features a pair of stiffeners 20, only one of these stiffeners 20 being visible on the figures 1 and 2Each of the stiffeners 20 extends along one side 12b of the base plate 12, and has a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the secondary insulating block 6, along said side 12b. The stiffeners 20 thus extend in a direction perpendicular to that of the grooves 14. Thus, when the secondary insulating block 6 is subjected to a bending stress, for example caused by deformations of the supporting structure and / or by the clamping force of the retaining devices 30, the stiffeners 20 limit the deformation in the direction perpendicular to that of the grooves 14, in particular at the edge of the secondary insulating block 6.This stiffening at the edge, i.e. at the interface between successively adjacent secondary insulating blocks 6, avoids stress concentrations on the weld wings which pass continuously through the grooves 14 from one secondary insulating block 6 to the next, crossing these interfaces.

[0051] The stiffeners 20 protrude from the base plate 12 in the thickness direction of the secondary insulating block 6, towards the cover plate 11. The stiffeners 20 are fixed to the base plate 12. For example, the stiffeners 20 are fixed to the base plate 12 by means of screws or staples, which are not shown in the figures so as not to overload the drawing.

[0052] As depicted in particular on the figures 2 And 4Each of the stiffeners 20 has a surface 20f in free contact with a lateral surface 13f of the foam block 13. "In free contact" means that the surface 20f is in contact with the lateral surface 13f of the foam block 13 without being bonded to the lateral surface 13f. In particular, the surface 20f is not glued to the lateral surface 13f. Thus, when the secondary insulating block 6 is subjected to bending, the surface 20f is able to slide slightly on the lateral surface 13f without exerting tensile or shear stress on the foam block 13.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 5 Each of the bearing surfaces 16 is materialized by a face of a rigid bearing element 40. The bearing elements 40 are particularly visible on the figures 1 to 3 .

[0054] Each support element 40 is received in a recess 15, and is held in this recess 15 by being fixed, for example by gluing, nailing, screwing or stapling, to the base plate 12 and / or to a stiffener 20. The bearing surface 16 is materialized by the upper face of the support element 40 which is turned towards the cover plate 11.

[0055] Faces 41, 42 (referenced on the figure 3 ) of the support element 40 are in free contact with the foam block 13. Thus, when the force of the retaining device 30 on the support element 40 tends to slightly tilt the support element 40 outwards, while the secondary insulating block 6 is subjected to a bending stress, the support element 40 does not exert a horizontal shear stress on the foam block 13. The support elements 40 can have a height along the direction of the secondary insulating block 6 of between 20 mm and 250 mm.

[0056] Each stiffener 20 may include, or preferably be made of, a wooden block. A surface 20f of the wooden block is in free contact with the lateral surface 13f of the foam block 13, as mentioned above. Furthermore, the surface 20f is in free contact or rigidly bonded to the support element 40. Each stiffener 20 can be attached to the support elements 40, which it retains in the recesses 15, and to the base plate 12 by stapling, screwing, tack welding, and / or gluing.

[0057] Each support element 40 may include, or preferably be made of, a wooden pillar with a cross-section sufficient to receive the force of the retaining device 30 without causing punching through the base plate 12. The cross-sectional shape of the pillar may be rectangular or other, depending on the shape of the retaining device 30. As shown in the figure 4 , the support element 40 has an asymmetrical chevron shape.

[0058] As depicted on the figures 1 to 5 In addition to the stiffeners 20, the secondary insulating block 6 includes a second pair of stiffeners 21. Only one of these stiffeners 21 is visible on the figures 1 and 2 Each of the stiffeners 21 extends along one side 12a of the base plate 12, and has a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the secondary insulating block 6, along said side 12a. The stiffeners 21 thus extend in a direction parallel to that of the grooves 14. Thus, when the secondary insulating block 6 is subjected to a bending stress, for example caused by deformations of the supporting structure and / or by the clamping force of the retaining devices 30, the stiffeners 22 limit the deformation in the direction parallel to that of the grooves 14, in particular at the edge of the secondary insulating block 6.

[0059] Each stiffener 21 may include, or preferably be made of, a wooden block. A surface 21f of the wooden block is in free contact with a lateral surface 13f of the foam block 13. In particular, the surface 21f is not bonded to the lateral surface 13f. Thus, when the secondary insulating block 6 undergoes bending, the surface 21f is able to slide slightly on the lateral surface 13f without exerting tensile or shear stress on the foam block 13. Furthermore, preferably, the surface 21f is in free contact or rigidly bonded to the support element 40.

[0060] We will now describe, with reference to Figures 1 And 5 , the cooperation of the retaining element 30 with the bearing surfaces 16 materialized by the bearing elements 40.

[0061] The retaining device 30 described here is of the type described in document WO 2014 / 096600 A1. However, alternatively, the retaining device 30 may have a different construction, as long as it is capable of retaining the insulating blocks 6 on the load-bearing structure 1 by bearing on the bearing surfaces 16.

[0062] As depicted on the figure 5The retaining element 30 comprises a sleeve 22 whose base is welded to the supporting structure 1 in a position corresponding to the recesses 15 of four adjacent secondary insulating blocks 6. The sleeve 22 carries a first rod 23 connected to it by a ball joint. The rod 23 passes between the adjacent secondary insulating blocks 6. A fixing piece is mounted on the rod 23 to clamp the modules 6 against the supporting structure 1 at the level of the free surfaces 21 of the intermediate panel 14. The fixing piece comprises a lower metal plate 24, an upper plate 26, and a plywood block 25 mounted on the plate 24 so as to act as a spacer between the plate 24 and the upper plate 26 and to reduce the thermal bridge to the supporting structure 1. The height of this arrangement is determined so that the upper plate 26 is flush with the level of the cover panels 11 to support the secondary membrane.

[0063] The wooden block 25 has a housing 47 in which the upper end of the rod 23 is engaged by passing through a central hole in the lower plate 24. The lower plate 24 is retained on the rod 23 by means of a nut 48 with the interposition of a plurality of Belleville washers 49 to provide elastic play.

[0064] At least one rigid spacer 29, for example made of wood, can be positioned between the lower metal plate 24 so as to bear on the bearing surfaces 16 of the adjacent secondary insulating blocks 6. Thus, the compressive force applied by the retaining device 30 to the secondary insulating blocks 6 is transferred to the bearing elements 40 via the bearing surfaces 16. In an alternative (not shown) variant, the spacer 29 can be omitted, and the bearing elements 40 can be in direct contact with the lower metal plate 24 at the bearing surfaces 16.

[0065] A wedge 28 (visible on the Figures 1 And 5 ) can be positioned between the supporting structure 1 and the base plates 12, the socket 22 then being received in a through hole (not shown) that the wedge 28 presents.

[0066] Up to this point, we have described the secondary insulating barrier on which a secondary airtight membrane (not shown) is retained. The tank wall may also include a primary insulating barrier (not shown) retained on the secondary airtight membrane, and on which is retained a primary airtight membrane (not shown) intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas. The primary insulating barrier may consist of juxtaposed primary insulating blocks superimposed on the secondary insulating blocks 6 in alignment with them. In this case, a primary portion 27 of the retention devices 30 illustrated in Figures 1 And 5retains the primary insulation blocks on the secondary waterproofing membrane. The primary insulation blocks may have a similar or different structure to the secondary insulation blocks. The primary waterproofing membrane may have a similar or different structure to the secondary waterproofing membrane.

[0067] There figure 6 The diagram represents, in perspective, an insulating block 106 according to another embodiment. The elements of insulating block 106 that are identical to those of insulating block 6 bear the same references plus 100.

[0068] As depicted on the figure 6 The insulating block 106 differs from the insulating block 6 in that the stiffeners 21 are not present. In other words, the insulating block 106 comprises only a pair of stiffeners 120 extending perpendicularly to the grooves 114. Only one of the stiffeners 120 is visible on the figure 6Each of the stiffeners 120 is in free contact with a lateral surface 113f of the foam block 113 and in free or rigidly bonded contact with a support element 140. The insulating block 106 is otherwise identical to the insulating block 6 and is therefore not described in more detail for the sake of brevity.

[0069] THE figures 7 to 9 represent an insulating block 206 according to another embodiment. The elements of the insulating block 206 that are identical to those of the insulating block 6 bear the same references plus 200.

[0070] As shown in these figures, the insulating block 206 has a pair of stiffeners 250 playing a role analogous to that of the stiffeners 20, except that each of the stiffeners 250 materializes two bearing surfaces 216.

[0071] More specifically, each of the 250 stiffeners (only one of which is visible on the figures 7 And 9) extends along one side 212b of the base plate 212, and has a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 206, along said side 212b. The stiffeners 250 thus extend in a direction perpendicular to that of the grooves 214.

[0072] The stiffeners 250 project from the base plate 212 in the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 206, towards the cover plate 212. The stiffeners 250 are fixed to the base plate 212. For example, the stiffeners 250 are fixed to the base plate 212 using screws or staples and / or by bonding, which are not shown in the diagrams. figures 7 to 9 in order not to overload the drawing.

[0073] Each of the stiffeners 250 has a surface 20f in free contact with a lateral surface 213f of the foam block 213. "In free contact" means that the surface is in contact with the lateral surface 213f of the foam block 213 without being bonded to the lateral surface 213f. In particular, the surface is not glued to the lateral surface 213f. Thus, when the insulating block 206 is subjected to bending, the surface is able to slide slightly on the lateral surface 213f without exerting tensile or shear stress on the foam block 213.

[0074] Each stiffener 250 may include, or preferably be made of, a wooden block. One surface of the wooden block is in free contact with a lateral surface 213f of the foam block 213. Furthermore, as can be seen on the figure 7, at each of the two ends of the cleat, an upper surface of the cleat which is turned towards the cover plate 211 materializes a bearing surface 216 for a retaining device 30.

[0075] In addition to the 250 stiffeners, the 206 insulating block may include a second pair of 251 stiffeners. Only one of these 251 stiffeners is visible on the figures 1 and 2 Each of the stiffeners 251 extends along one side 212a of the base plate 212, and has a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 206, along said side 212b. The stiffeners 251 thus extend in a direction parallel to that of the grooves 214.

[0076] Each stiffener 251 may include, or preferably be made of, a wooden block. A surface of the wooden block is in free contact or rigidly bonded with a lateral surface 213f of the foam block 213.

[0077] There figure 8The exploded view shows the insulating block 206, with the cover plate 211 omitted to allow for a better view of the foam block 213. As shown in this figure, the foam block 213 has a pair of indentations 270 and a pair of indentations 271 opposite one upper side of the base plate 212. Only one of the indentations 270 and 271 is visible in the figure 8 The recesses 270 receive the stiffeners 250 and the recesses 271 receive the stiffeners 251.

[0078] There figure 9 is an expansion of region IX of the figure 7In front view along the direction of the coordinate system B. As shown in this figure, the recess 271 and the stiffener 251 are dimensioned such that the lateral surface 213f projects slightly beyond the stiffener 251, providing a clearance of approximately 1 mm. Similarly, the recess 270 and the stiffener 250 are dimensioned such that a lateral surface 213f projects slightly beyond the stiffener 250, providing a clearance of approximately 1 mm. These gaps offer a certain tolerance facilitating the assembly of the insulating block 206 by inserting the foam block 213 into the assembly consisting of the base plate and the stiffeners 250 and 251. Preferably, each of the lateral surfaces 213f is slightly projecting relative to the corresponding stiffener 250, 251 so as to present the same gap relative to the corresponding stiffener 250, 251.

[0079] The stiffeners 250 and 251 are attached to the base plate 212, for example by means of screws or staples and / or by adhesive, which are not shown in the figures to avoid cluttering the drawing. Furthermore, the stiffeners 250 and 251 can be joined to each other, for example by means of staples, which are not shown in the figures to avoid cluttering the drawing.

[0080] In an alternative variant not shown, only the stiffeners 251 are provided, i.e., the stiffeners 250 are absent. In this case, an upper surface of the stiffener 251's cleat facing the cover plate 211 forms a bearing surface 216 for a retaining device 30.

[0081] THE Figures 10 And 11 represent an insulating block 306 according to another embodiment. The elements of the insulating block 306 that are identical to those of the insulating block 6 bear the same references plus 300.

[0082] As shown in these figures, the insulating block 306 has a pair of stiffeners 380 playing a role analogous to that of the stiffeners 20 and four support elements 390 playing a role analogous to that of the support elements 40. The support elements 390 can have a height along the direction of the insulating block 306 of between 20 mm and 250 mm.

[0083] More specifically, each of the 380 stiffeners (only one of which is visible on the Figure 10 ) extends along one side 312b of the base plate 312, and has a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 306, along said side 312b. The stiffeners 380 thus extend in a direction perpendicular to that of the grooves 314.

[0084] The stiffeners 380 project from the base plate 212 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 306, towards the cover plate 312. The stiffeners 380 are fixed to the base plate 312. For example, the stiffeners 380 are fixed to the base plate 312 by means of screws or staples and / or by adhesive, which are not shown in the diagrams. Figures 10 to 12 in order not to overload the drawing.

[0085] As shown more particularly in the enlarged image of the figure 11Each of the stiffeners 380 has an L-shaped cross-section such that a surface 380f is in free contact with a lateral surface 313f of the foam block 313, and a surface 380g is held rigidly in contact with the base plate. "In free contact" means that the surface 380f is in contact with the lateral surface 213f of the foam block 313 without being bonded to the lateral surface 313f. In particular, the surface 380f is not glued to the lateral surface 313f. Thus, when the insulating block 306 is subjected to bending, the surface 380f is likely to slide slightly on the lateral surface 313f rather than deforming the foam block 313.By "held rigidly in contact with the base plate", we mean that the surface 380g is in contact with the base plate 312 and that this contact is maintained by the effect of a stress exerted on the stiffener 380, for example by stapling or screwing and / or gluing it to the base plate 312.

[0086] Each stiffener 380 has a support element 390 at each of its ends. Furthermore, as shown on the Figures 10 And 11 , each support element 390 is held by a stiffener 380 in a recess 316 of the foam block 313. Each support element 390 comprises, and is preferably made of, a wooden pillar whose upper face turned towards the cover plate 313 materializes a bearing surface 316 for an anchoring device 30.

[0087] Preferably, the faces of the support element 390 in contact with the foam block 313 are in free contact with the foam block 313.

[0088] As depicted on the Figures 10 And 11The insulating block 306 comprises an intermediate plate 395, for example made of plywood, and a second foam block 396 positioned between the cover plate 311 and the intermediate plate 395. The foam block 313 is positioned between the base plate 312 and the intermediate plate 396, and fixed, for example glued, to the base plate 312 and the intermediate plate 396. The second foam block 396 is fixed, for example glued, to the cover plate 311 and the intermediate plate 395. The second foam block 396 has no recesses at its corners, which simplifies its manufacture and assembly. The second foam block 396 is substantially less thick than the foam block 313, for example about 1 / 3 the thickness of the foam block 313. The lateral surfaces 313f of the foam block 313 are flush with the ends of the intermediate plate 395.The recesses 315 at each corner of the foam block 313 extend over the entire thickness of the foam block 313 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 306 between the base plate 312 and the intermediate plate 395.

[0089] The second foam block 396 is made of a thermally insulating foam, for example, polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with glass fibers, having, for example, a density greater than 130 kg.m⁻³. To simplify the manufacture of the insulating block 306, the thermally insulating foam of the foam block 396 can be identical to that of the foam block 313.

[0090] As depicted on the Figure 10The second foam block is shorter than foam block 313. Therefore, both longitudinal ends of the intermediate plate 395 are exposed, providing a free, strip-shaped upper surface 395d. This surface 395d can serve as an additional bearing surface for the retaining elements 30. Thus, the retaining elements 30 hold the insulating block 306 against the load-bearing wall 1 by bearing on the bearing surface 316 and the surface 395d.

[0091] In another variant, as shown in figure 12The intermediate plate 395 and the second foam block 396 can be omitted. The foam block 313 then extends over the entire thickness of the insulating block 306 between the base plate 312 and the cover plate 311, and is fixed, for example glued, to the base plate 312 and the cover plate 311. The recesses 315 at each corner of the foam block 313 extend over the entire thickness of the foam block 313 in the direction of the insulating block 306.

[0092] Like insulating block 6, insulating blocks 106, 206, and 306 are suitable for creating a secondary insulating barrier onto which a secondary airtight membrane is attached. However, insulating blocks 106, 206, and 306 can also be used to create a primary insulating barrier attached to the secondary airtight membrane, onto which a primary airtight member intended for contact with the liquefied gas is attached.

[0093] Up to this point, we have described insulating blocks 6, 106, 206, 306 having a recess 15, 115, 215, 315 at each of their corners, each recess 15, 115, 215, 315 extending between two adjacent lateral surfaces 13f, 113f, 213f, 313f, where each lateral surface is located on one side of the foam block 13, 113, 213, 313. However, one or more recesses in the insulating block may be located elsewhere than at the corner of the insulating block. We will describe below two embodiments illustrating this possibility.

[0094] There figure 13 represents an insulating block 406 according to an embodiment. The elements of the insulating block 406 that are identical to those of the insulating block 6 bear the same reference symbols increased by 400.

[0095] As shown in this figure, the foam block 413 has, at three of its four corners, a recess 415A, and has, on one of its sides in the vicinity of the fourth corner, a recess 415B. The recess 415B thus extends between two adjacent lateral surfaces 413f1, 413f2 located on the same side of the foam block 413, while the recesses 415A extend between two adjacent lateral surfaces 413f or 413f1 located on different sides of the foam block 413.

[0096] On the figure 13 , we can also see that the insulating block 406 includes two stiffeners 420A and 420B.

[0097] The stiffeners 420A and 420B extend along one side 412b of the base plate 412, and have a greater dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 406, along said side 412b. The stiffeners 420A and 420B thus extend in a direction perpendicular to that of the grooves 14. Not shown in the drawings, a stiffener identical to one of the stiffeners 20 extends along the other side of the base plate 412 which is parallel to the side 412b visible on the figure 13 .

[0098] The stiffeners 420A and 420B protrude from the base plate 412 in the thickness direction of the insulating block 406, towards the cover plate 411. The stiffeners 420A and 420B are fixed to the base plate 412. For example, the stiffeners 420A and 420B are fixed to the base plate 412 by means of screws or staples, which are not shown in the figures in order not to clutter the drawing.

[0099] The stiffener 420A has a surface in free contact with the lateral surface 413f2 of the foam block 413, and the stiffener 420B has a surface in free contact with the lateral surface 413f1 of the foam block 413. The expression "in free contact" has the same meaning as that already given above.

[0100] Each of the recesses 415A and 415B is intended to receive a retaining device 30.

[0101] At its end closest to the base plate 412 in the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 406, the recess 415A contains a bearing surface 416A for a retaining device 30. The bearing surface 416A is formed by a face of a rigid bearing element 440A received in the recess 415A by being fixed, for example by gluing, nailing, screwing, or stapling, to the base plate 412 and / or the stiffener 420A. The faces of the bearing element 440A opposite the walls of the recess 415A are in free contact with the foam block 413.

[0102] At its end closest to the base plate 412, in the direction of the thickness of the insulating block 406, the recess 415B contains two bearing surfaces 416B for another retaining element 30. Each bearing surface 416B is formed by a face of a rigid bearing element 440B received in the recess 415B. The bearing elements 415B can be fixed, for example by gluing, nailing, screwing, or stapling, to the base plate 412 and / or to the stiffeners 420A or 420B. The faces of the bearing element 440B opposite the walls of the recess 415B are in free contact with the foam block 413.

[0103] The stiffeners 420A and 420B may each include, or preferably be made of, a wooden block. Each of the stiffeners 420A and 420B may be attached to the support elements 440A or 440B which they retain in the recesses 415A or 415B and to the base plate 412 by stapling, screwing, tack fastening and / or gluing.

[0104] The support elements 440A and 440B may include, or preferably be made of, a wooden pillar, having a section sufficient to receive the force of the retaining device 30 without causing punching of the base plate 412. The cross-sectional shape of the pillar may be rectangular or other, depending on the shape of the retaining device 30.

[0105] According to a variant not shown in the drawings, the insulating block 406 has a pair of stiffeners identical to the stiffeners 21 and extending along the sides 412a of the base plate 412.

[0106] There figure 14 represents an insulating block 506 according to an embodiment. The elements of the insulating block 506 that are identical to those of the insulating block 406 bear the same reference symbols increased by 100.

[0107] The insulating block 506 is identical to the insulating block 406 except that the foam block 513 has, on its two opposite sides parallel to the sides 512b of the base plate 512: on a first side visible on the figure 14 , two recesses 515B identical to recess 415B. As shown on the figure 14 The recesses 515B thus extend between adjacent lateral surfaces 513f1, 513f2 located on the same side of the foam block 513. A stiffener 520A similar to stiffener 420A holds a bearing element 516B in the recesses 515B, while two stiffeners 520B, each identical to stiffener 420B, hold another bearing element 516B in the recesses 515B; on the second side not visible on the figure 14, a 515A recess identical to a 415A recess at one of the corners of the foam block 513, a 515B recess identical to the 415B recess, and two stiffeners (not shown) identical to stiffeners 420A and 420B.

[0108] According to a variant not shown in the drawings, the insulating block 506 has a pair of stiffeners identical to the stiffeners 21 and extending along the sides 512a of the base plate 512.

[0109] Like insulating blocks 6, 106, 206, and 306, insulating blocks 406 and 506 are suitable for creating a secondary insulating barrier onto which a secondary airtight membrane is attached. However, insulating blocks 406 and 506 can also be used to create a primary insulating barrier attached to the secondary airtight membrane, onto which a primary airtight member intended for contact with the liquefied gas is attached.

[0110] The techniques described above for creating a watertight and insulated wall can be used in different types of tanks, for example to form the wall of an LNG tank in an onshore installation or in a floating structure such as a methane tanker or other.

[0111] With reference to the figure 15 A cutaway view of a LNG carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary watertight barrier intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary watertight barrier arranged between the primary watertight barrier and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary watertight barrier and the secondary watertight barrier and between the secondary watertight barrier and the double hull 72.

[0112] As is known per se, loading / unloading pipelines 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of suitable connectors, to a marine or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG to or from the tank 71.

[0113] There figure 15Figure 75 represents an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading berth, a subsea pipeline, and an onshore facility. The loading and unloading berth is a fixed offshore installation comprising a movable arm, a boom, and a tower, a tower, and a support, a boom. The movable arm carries a bundle of insulated flexible hoses, a hose, and a hose ...The subsea pipeline 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore facility 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which allows the LNG carrier 70 to be kept a long distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0114] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the land installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0115] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0116] The use of the verb "comporter", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0117] In claims, any reference sign in parentheses should not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. An insulating block (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506) suitable for making a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank, the insulating block having a parallelepipedic shape and comprising: - a base plate (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) having first and second pairs of parallel sides (12a, 12b, 112a, 112b; 212a, 212b; 312a, 312b; 412a, 412b; 512a, 512b), - a cover plate (11; 111; 211; 311; 411; 511) parallel to the base plate, spaced apart from the base plate in a thickness direction of the insulating block and having two slots (14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514), the slots being parallel to one another and extending in a direction parallel to the first pair of sides (12a; 112a; 212a; 312a; 412a; 512a) of the base plate, each of the slots being intended to receive a welding support for welding a sealing membrane, - a thermally insulating foam block (13; 113; 213; 313; 413; 513) arranged between the cover plate and the base plate and fastened to the base plate, the foam block having a plurality of lateral surfaces (13f; 113f; 213f; 313f; 413f, 413f1, 413f2; 513f, 513f1, 513f2) extending between the base plate and the cover plate and defining a rectangular geometric envelope and a plurality of recesses (15; 115; 215; 315; 415A, 415B; 515A, 515B), each recess extending between two adjacent lateral surfaces and being intended to receive a retaining member (30), and the insulating block having a bearing surface (16; 116; 216; 316; 416a, 416b; 516b) for the retaining member in the recess (15; 115; 215; 315; 415A, 415B; 515A, 515B), the insulating block being characterized in that: - a pair of stiffening members (20, 21; 120; 250, 251; 380; 420a; 520a) rigidly connected to the base plate and extending along the sides of one of the pairs of sides of the first or second pairs of sides (12b, 12a; 112b, 112a; 212b, 212a; 312b, 312a; 412a, 412b; 512a, 512b) of the base plate, the stiffening members having their larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block, along the sides of said one pair of the pairs of sides, and each stiffening member projecting from the base plate in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface in free contact with one such lateral surface (13f; 113f; 213f; 313f; 413f2; 513f2) of the foam block.

2. The insulating block (206) as claimed in claim 1, in which each stiffening member (250) comprises a wooden batten, a top surface of the batten that is oriented towards the cover plate (211) forming one such bearing surface (216).

3. The insulating block (206) as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, also comprising a second pair of stiffening members (251) rigidly connected to the base plate and extending along the sides of the other pair of sides (12a; 112a; 212a; 312a) of the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate (212).

4. The insulating block (206) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which each stiffening member (250, 251) is received in a corresponding recess (270, 271) in the foam block (213) level with a top side of the base plate (212).

5. An insulating block (6; 106; 306; 406; 506) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of bearing elements (40; 140; 390; 440A, 440B; 540B), preferably made of wood, each bearing element being received in a recess (15; 115; 315; 415A, 415B; 515B) and held in said recess by one such stiffening member (20, 21; 250, 251; 380; 420A; 520A), a top face of the bearing element (40;140; 390; 440A, 440B; 540B) that is oriented towards the cover plate (11; 111; 311; 411; 511) forming one such bearing surface (16; 116; 316; 416A, 416B; 516B).

6. The insulating block (6; 106; 306; 406; 506) as claimed in claim 5, in which each of the bearing elements (40;140; 390; 440A, 440B; 540B) has at least one face in free contact with the foam block (13; 113; 313; 413; 513).

7. The insulating block (6; 106; 306) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the height of the bearing elements (40; 140; 390) in the thickness direction of the insulating block (6; 106; 306) is between 20 mm and 250 mm.

8. The insulating block (6; 106; 406; 506) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which each stiffening member (20, 21; 120; 420A; 520A) comprises a wooden batten, the batten having a surface that is in free contact with the foam block (13; 113; 413; 513).

9. The insulating block (6; 106; 406; 506) as claimed in claim 8, in which each stiffening member (20, 21; 120; 420A; 520A) is fastened to the bearing element (40; 140; 390; 440A, 440B; 540B) and to the base plate (12; 112; 212; 312; 412; 512) by stapling, screwing, spot welding, and / or gluing.

10. The insulating block (6) as claimed in claim 8 or 9, also comprising a second pair of stiffening members (21) rigidly connected to the base plate (12) and extending along the sides of the other of the pair of sides (12a) of the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate (12), each stiffening member of the second pair of stiffening members (21) comprising a wooden batten, the batten having a surface that is in free contact with a lateral surface (13f) of the foam block (13).

11. The insulating block (306) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which each stiffening member (380) has an L-shaped cross-section such as to present a surface (380f) in free contact with a lateral surface (313f) of the foam block (313) and a surface (380g) held rigidly in contact with the base plate (312).

12. The insulating block (6; 106; 206; 306) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the foam block (13; 113; 213; 313) has four lateral surfaces (13f; 113f; 213f; 313f), each of the four lateral surfaces defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, and each recess extending between two adjacent lateral surfaces (13f; 113f; 213f; 313f) such as to be positioned at a corner of the foam block (13; 113; 213; 313).

13. The insulating block (406) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, in which the lateral surfaces of the foam block (413) comprise three first lateral surfaces (413f), each of the three first lateral surfaces defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, and two second lateral surfaces (413f1, 413f2), the two second lateral surfaces together defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, the two second lateral surfaces being parallel to one side (412b) of said one of the pairs of sides of the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate (412).

14. The insulating block (406) as claimed in claim 13, also comprising a supplementary stiffening member (420B), the supplementary stiffening member (420B) having a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block (406), along said one side (412b) of the base plate (412), the supplementary stiffening member projecting from the base plate (412) in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface in free contact with one such second lateral surface (413f1) of the foam block (413).

15. The insulating block (406) as claimed in claim 14, in which the recess (415B) extends between the two second lateral surfaces (413f1, 413f2) and receives two such bearing elements (440B), one held in said recess (415B) by a stiffening member (420A) and the other held in said recess by the supplementary stiffening member (420B).

16. The insulating block (506) as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, in which the lateral surfaces of the foam block (513) comprise two first lateral surfaces (513f) parallel to the sides of the other of the pairs of sides (512a) of the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate (512), each of the two first lateral surfaces defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, and three second lateral surfaces (513f1, 513f2), the three second lateral surfaces together defining one side of said rectangular geometric envelope, the three second lateral surfaces (513f1, 513f2) being parallel to one side (512b) of said one of the pairs of sides of the first and second pairs of sides of the base plate (512).

17. The insulating block (506) as claimed in claim 16, also comprising two supplementary stiffening members (520B), said supplementary stiffening members (520B) having a larger dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating block (506), along said one side (512b) of the base plate (512), said supplementary stiffening members (520B) projecting from the base plate (512) in the thickness direction of the insulating block and having a surface in free contact with one such second lateral surface (513f1) of the foam block (513).

18. The insulating block (506) as claimed in claim 17, in which the two recesses (515B), each extending between two of the three second lateral surfaces (513f1, 513f2), receive two such bearing elements (540B), one held in said recess (515B) by a stiffening member (520A) and the other held in said recess by a supplementary stiffening member (520B).

19. A sealed and thermally insulating tank including a tank wall held on a load-bearing structure (1), in which the tank wall includes, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier held on the load-bearing structure (1), a secondary sealed membrane held on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier held on the secondary sealed membrane and a primary sealed membrane held on the primary insulating barrier, in which the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 and a plurality of anchoring members (30), each anchoring member (30) being received in the recesses (15; 115; 215; 315; 415A, 415B; 515A, 515B) of adjacent insulating blocks and bearing against the bearing surfaces (16; 116; 216; 316; 416A, 416B; 516B) of said adjacent insulating blocks such as to hold said adjacent insulating blocks on the load-bearing structure (1), and the secondary sealed membrane being held on said insulating blocks by welding supports received in the slots (14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514) of said insulating blocks.

20. A sealed and thermally insulating tank including a tank wall held on a load-bearing structure (1), in which the tank wall includes, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier held on the load-bearing structure (1), a secondary sealed membrane held on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier held on the secondary sealed membrane and a primary sealed membrane held on the primary insulating barrier, in which the primary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of juxtaposed insulating blocks (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 and a plurality of anchoring members (30), each anchoring member being received in the recesses (15; 115; 215; 315; 415A, 415B; 515A, 515B) of adjacent insulating blocks and bearing against the bearing surfaces (16; 116; 216; 316; 416A, 416B; 516B) of said adjacent insulating blocks such as to hold said adjacent insulating blocks on the secondary sealed membrane, and the primary sealed membrane being held on said insulating blocks by welding supports received in the slots (14; 114; 214; 314; 414; 514) of said insulating blocks.

21. A ship (70) used to transport a cold liquid product, the ship having a double hull (72) and a tank (71) as claimed in claim 19 or 20 placed inside the double hull.

22. A transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system including a ship (70) as claimed in claim 21, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the ship to an onshore or floating storage facility (77) and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipes to or from the onshore or floating storage facility to or from the tank on the ship.

23. The use of a ship (70) as claimed in claim 21 for loading or unloading a cold liquid product, in which a cold liquid product is channeled through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) to or from an onshore or floating storage facility (77) to or from the tank (71) on the ship.