Waterproofing membrane for a liquefied gas storage tank

Abstract

Title: Sealing membrane for a liquefied gas storage tank The present invention relates to a sealing membrane for a liquefied gas tank, comprising a plurality of metal plates participating in defining an internal volume of the tank, the metal plates each comprising at least one raised edge 32 formed along one of the sides of the metal plate, the sealing membrane comprising at least a first weld bead 56 connecting the raised edges 32 of at least two metal plates among the plurality of metal plates and a second weld bead 58 connecting the raised edges 32 of at least two metal plates among the plurality of metal plates, the sealing membrane comprising a weld joint 60 connecting the first weld bead 56 to the second weld bead 58. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Sealing membrane for a liquefied gas storage tank

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of storage and / or transport of a cargo of liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas, liquid ammonia or liquefied petroleum gas. More particularly, the invention relates to a wall structure of a liquefied gas storage tank.

[0002] Liquefied natural gas, commonly known by the acronym "LNG", is an important energy source, composed of approximately 95% methane. More specifically, LNG is stored in the liquid state in a thermally insulated tank at a temperature close to -160°C, the LNG then occupying 1 / 600 of the volume that it would occupy in the gaseous state, thus facilitating its transport from one site to another.

[0003] The walls of a known tank conventionally comprise at least one layer of thermal insulation against which a sealing membrane is placed. The latter delimits the volume of the tank which receives the liquefied gas. Thus, such a membrane must be perfectly sealed. This sealing membrane is implemented by arranging and welding metal plates side by side. These metal plates have a raised edge which, once welded against a raised edge of another plate, ensures the sealing nature of the membrane.

[0004] There are cases where the sealing membrane is crossed by structural elements, such as for example a sump or a support foot of a liquefied gas loading and unloading tower. In this type of situation, the membrane comprises a plate which has a thickness different from the thickness of the other plates constituting the sealing membrane. This aspect represents a first technical difficulty since the difference in thickness limits the capacity of deformation of the membrane when the tank is cooled before it is filled with liquefied gas.

[0005] Furthermore, there are areas of the sealing membrane where the metal plates of different thickness meet, and which must be welded together via their respective raised edge. These areas then form mechanical contraction nodes which go against the desired objective, i.e. giving the membrane the ability to expand or contract depending on the use of the tank.

[0006] The prior art does not offer a solution to manage these technical problems.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context by proposing a specific arrangement of the junction between several metal plates, which makes it possible to maintain the deformation capacity of the sealing membrane while preserving the sealing. required by such a tank wall membrane.

[0008] The main subject of the present invention is thus a sealing membrane for a liquefied gas tank, comprising a plurality of metal plates participating in defining an internal volume of the tank, the metal plates each comprising at least one raised edge formed along one of the sides of the metal plate, the sealing membrane comprising at least a first weld bead connecting the raised edges of at least two metal plates among the plurality of metal plates and a second weld bead connecting the raised edges of at least two metal plates among the plurality of metal plates, the sealing membrane comprising a weld joint connecting the first weld bead to the second weld bead.

[0009] According to an optional feature of the invention, the plurality of metal plates comprises a first metal plate and a second metal plate, the first weld bead connecting the raised edge of the first metal plate with the raised edge of the second metal plate.

[0010] According to another optional feature of the invention, the plurality of metal plates comprises a third metal plate, the second weld bead connecting the raised edge of the first metal plate with the raised edge of the third metal plate. In other words, the third metal plate and the first metal plate are connected to each other by the second weld bead present between their respective raised edges.

[0011] According to another example, the plurality of metal plates comprises a third metal plate and a fourth metal plate, the second weld bead connecting the raised edge of the third metal plate with the raised edge of the fourth metal plate.

[0012] The weld joint thus ensures the sealing of the membrane at the intersection of three or four metal plates.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the invention, the metal plates each comprise a flat surface from which the raised edge projects. According to one example, at least two, and advantageously three, of the plurality of metal plates take the form of a strip which extends over a length of several meters, or even several tens of meters, and with a width of less than one meter. Several metal strips are arranged side by side and in the same plane and form the waterproofing membrane.

[0014] The metal plates whose raised edges are in contact with each other are thus connected by the first weld bead or by the second weld bead which passes through the raised edges.

[0015] The metal plates aligned longitudinally one after the other are as for them connected by a lap weld, that is to say a weld made between one face of a metal plate and a slice of another metal plate whose longitudinal end is superimposed on a longitudinal end of the metal plate.

[0016] According to another optional feature of the invention, the weld joint connects an edge of the raised edge of the two plates of each pair of metal plates. It is therefore a weld which plugs these edges and connects them securely.

[0017] Such a concept provides flexibility in an area where the number of plates is high, the welding being carried out at the end of the raised edges, at the level of their edges, allowing a certain spacing at their feet.

[0018] Advantageously, the weld joint is uninterrupted between the first weld bead and the second weld bead. This ensures that the junction area of ​​the three or four metal plates is sealed. More precisely, the weld joint is uninterrupted between the edges of the raised edges of the first pair of plates, this first pair being formed of the first and second metal plates, and extending over the edges of the raised edges of the second pair of plates, this second pair being formed of the third and first metal plates or the third and fourth metal plates.

[0019] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the second weld bead and the first weld bead extend along respective distinct axes. These axes are for example parallel and not coincident. Alternatively, these axes are parallel and coincident. According to yet another possibility, these axes are intersecting.

[0020] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the second weld bead is arranged at a distance H2 greater than a distance H1 from the first weld bead, these distances being measured along a direction perpendicular to a main plane of the sealing membrane between the weld bead concerned and an intersection between the flat surface and the raised edge of one of the metal plates connected by said weld bead. These distances H1 and H2 are heights respectively of the first weld bead and of the second weld bead. This configuration offers more flexibility in the mechanical connection made between the plates connected by the second weld bead.

[0021] According to another optional feature of the invention, the first weld bead, the weld joint and the second weld bead ensure sealing of the metal plates. These welds thus ensure the mechanical strength of the plates relative to each other, but they also have a sealing function, so that the cargo does not pass through the sealing membrane through a weld.

[0022] According to a particular conformation, the weld joint comprises at least one rectilinear portion and at least two joining portions intersecting with the rectilinear portion, the rectilinear portion extending between the joining portions. The intersecting nature of the joining portion with the rectilinear portion guarantees continuity between the first weld bead or the second weld bead and the weld joint. The height of the first weld bead being different from the height of the second weld bead, the bent portion(s) make it possible to connect these two welds in a sealed, reliable and simple manner.

[0023] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the joining portion(s) are for example a curved portion, a “V”-shaped portion with a rounded bottom or even a succession of straight lines and fillets.

[0024] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the rectilinear portion extends along an axis coincident with an extension axis of the second weld bead. According to a particular feature, at least one joining portion, advantageously the joining portion which joins the rectilinear portion to the second weld bead, is tangent to these axes.

[0025] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the joining portions are a first joining portion and a second joining portion, the first joining portion extending over a length equal to 87mm + / - 20mm and comprising a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 12mm + / - 2mm from a main plane of the waterproofing membrane, this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to this main plane of the waterproofing membrane.

[0026] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the joining portions are a first joining portion and a second joining portion, the first joining portion extending over a length equal to 40mm + / - 10mm and comprising a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 20mm + / - 2mm from a main plane of the waterproofing membrane, this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to this main plane of the waterproofing membrane.

[0027] In both cases above, the second joining portion extends over a length equal to 72mm + / -20mm and comprises a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 12mm + / - 2mm from a main plane of the waterproofing membrane, this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to this main plane of the waterproofing membrane.

[0028] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one of the joining portions extends over an angular sector between 18° and 57°.

[0029] According to a particular feature, at least one of the curved portions, for example the second joining portion, extends over an angular sector of between 47° and 57° while the other of the joining portions, here the first joining portion, extends over a angular sector between 37° and 47°.

[0030] According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the sealing membrane comprises at least one connecting member interposed between the raised edges of two adjacent metal plates, the first weld bead and / or the second weld bead connecting the raised edges and the connecting member. According to one example, this connecting member is a tab whose profile follows an “L” or a “J”, one branch of this profile being integral with a thermally insulating layer against which the sealing membrane bears, while the other branch of the profile is sandwiched between the raised edges of two metal plates.

[0031] The pairs of metal plates are a first pair formed by the first metal plate and the second metal plate, as well as a second pair formed by the first metal plate and the third metal plate or formed by the third metal plate and a fourth metal plate.

[0032] According to another option of the invention, the metal plates of the first pair of plates are the first metal plate and the second metal plate while the metal plates of the second pair of plates are the third metal plate and a fourth metal plate.

[0033] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, a thickness E3 of at least the third metal plate is different from a thickness E1 of at least one of the plates among the first and / or the second metal plate.

[0034] According to one aspect, the thickness E1 of at least one of the plates among the first and / or the second metal plate is between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm, advantageously 0.7 mm, while the thickness E3 of at least the third metal plate is between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0035] The metal plates with a thickness E1 of between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm are metal strips, while the metal plate(s) with a thickness E3 of between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm are an intermediate or reinforcing plate, for example arranged around the component which passes through the sealing membrane.

[0036] The thickness of the plates exposed above is measured along a direction perpendicular to a majority extension plane of these plates. In other words, this direction is parallel to the vertical direction within the tank.

[0037] The metal strip(s) mentioned above are strips several meters, or even tens of meters, long and have the edge raised at right angles along the two longitudinal sides of said metal strip. It is the positioning and welding of several metal strips side by side which forms the sealing membrane of the tank wall.

[0038] A reinforcement plate is a plate that is disposed, directly or indirectly, against a component that passes through the waterproofing membrane, such as a sump or a support foot of a loading or unloading tower housed in the tank.

[0039] According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the metal plates described above are formed from Invar®, Cryostal® or Cryoval®.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a tank intended to contain a liquefied gas, comprising at least one ceiling wall, a bottom wall and several side walls extending between the ceiling wall and the bottom wall, at least the bottom wall comprising at least one thermally insulating layer and a sealing membrane as described in the present document.

[0041] Finally, the invention covers a structure comprising a tank as mentioned above, the structure being chosen from a ship, a barge, a reliquefaction unit, a gasification unit, a land-based structure or a gravity platform.

[0042] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0043] [Fig.l] is a section of a schematic representation of a liquefied gas storage tank according to the invention;

[0044] [Fig.2] is a section of a bottom wall of the tank which includes a membrane sealing according to the invention;

[0045] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the waterproofing membrane of the bottom wall, at the junction of three metal plates;

[0046] [Fig.4] is a side view of the junction illustrated in [Fig.3];

[0047] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the waterproofing membrane of the bottom wall, at the junction of four metal plates;

[0048] [Fig.6] is a side view of the junction illustrated in [Fig.5];

[0049] [Fig.7] is a top view of the junction of several metal plates, according to a first arrangement;

[0050] [Fig. 8] is a top view of the junction of several metal plates, according to a second arrangement;

[0051] [Fig.9] is a top view of the junction of several metal plates, according to a third arrangement.

[0052] The features, variants and the different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. of the prior art.

[0053] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0054] In the detailed description which follows, the terms “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a storage tank according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main direction of elongation of the storage tank, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference frame L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction along which a loading and / or unloading tower mainly extends, this vertical direction being parallel to a vertical axis V of the reference frame L, V, T and this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference frame L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the vertical axis V.

[0055] In [Fig.l] is illustrated a tank 1 for storing liquefied gas comprising at least one ceiling wall 2, a bottom wall 4 and several side walls 6 extending along a vertical direction between the ceiling wall 2 and the bottom wall 4. More particularly, the tank 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the bottom wall 4, the ceiling wall 2 and the side walls 6 representing the different faces of this rectangular parallelepiped.

[0056] The tank 1 is configured to store a gas in the liquid state, this gas being able to be liquefied natural gas, liquid ammonia or even liquefied petroleum gas for example. These gases are in the liquid state at temperatures generally below 0°C and being able to go down to -163°C for liquid natural gas, for example.

[0057] Such a tank 1 can be installed for example on a structure intended for the transport of liquefied gas, such as a ship or a barge, for the treatment of liquefied gas, such as a reliquefaction unit and / or a gasification unit, or even for the storage of liquefied gas, such as a land structure or a gravity platform.

[0058] Furthermore, and as visible in [Fig.l], the tank 1 comprises a loading and / or unloading tower 8 extending vertically from the ceiling wall 2 and into an internal volume of the tank 1. The tower 8 is configured to load and / or unload the liquefied gas into and / or from the tank 1. This tower 8 is supported in the vicinity of the bottom wall 4 by a support foot 3 which passes through the bottom wall 4. The tower 8 comprises at least one pumping member 10 capable of sucking the liquefied gas contained in the tank 1 so that said liquefied gas is then distributed via a distribution system outside the tank 1.

[0059] The tank 1 further comprises at least one sump 12 in which the pumping member 10 is housed at least partially and which makes it possible to avoid the presence of a heel of liquefied gas at the bottom of the tank 1, thus limiting the amount of unpumpable liquefied gas during unloading. The sump 12 or the support foot 3 are arranged through the bottom wall 4 of the tank 1. The support foot 3 is mechanically connected to the structure of the structure. On the other hand, the sump 12 is not connected to the structure of the structure. More generally, the support foot 3 or sump 12 are components which interrupt a sealing membrane 20, 24 of the tank 1.

[0060] At least the bottom wall 4 comprises at least one thermally insulating layer 18, 22 and a sealing membrane 20, 24 according to the invention, the latter being carried by the thermally insulating layer 18, 22. Advantageously, each of the walls of the tank 1 comprises at least one thermally insulating layer 18, 22 and a sealing membrane 20, 24 according to the invention.

[0061] As visible in [Fig.l], the walls of the tank 1 comprise at least one primary space 14 participating in delimiting an internal volume of the tank 1 and a secondary space 16 surrounding the primary space 14, each of the spaces comprising the thermally insulating layer 18, 22 and the sealing membrane 20, 24. It is understood that the walls of the tank 1 are thus composed of layers and membranes superimposed on one another, the primary space being sealed relative to the secondary space and the primary space being sealed relative to the internal volume of the tank 1.

[0062] More precisely, the walls of the tank 1 comprise, from the outside of the tank 1 towards the internal volume of said tank 1, a secondary thermally insulating layer 18, a secondary sealing membrane 20 carried by the secondary thermally insulating layer 18, a primary thermally insulating layer 22 arranged against the secondary sealing membrane 20 and a primary sealing membrane 24 carried by the primary thermally insulating layer 22, the primary sealing membrane 24 participating in delimiting the internal volume of the tank 1. The thermally insulating layers are formed of boxes, generally composed of wooden plywood panels between which thermally insulating material extends.

[0063] The sump 12 is formed of a volume which opens onto the internal volume of the tank 1, this volume of the sump passing through the primary sealing membrane 24, the primary thermally insulating layer 22, the secondary sealing membrane 20 and ends in the thickness of the secondary thermally insulating layer 18.

[0064] In the remainder of the description, the characteristics described in relation to the term “waterproofing membrane 20, 24” may relate to the primary waterproofing membrane 24 and / or to the secondary waterproofing membrane 20, unless otherwise stated.

[0065] Referring to [Fig.2], the sealing membrane 20, 24 comprises several metal plates each having an external face 30 in contact with the layer thermally insulating 18, 22 and an internal face 50 facing the internal volume of the tank 1.

[0066] One or more of the metal plates of the invention are a first metal plate 27 and a second metal plate 29 which extend over a length of several meters, or even several tens of meters, and a width of less than one meter. Several metal plates are arranged side by side and in the same plane, and form the primary or secondary waterproofing membrane, as the case may be.

[0067] The invention provides a third metal plate 31, arranged between the first metal plate 27, the second metal plate 29 and a closing plate 34 connected to the component which passes through the sealing membrane 24, in this case the sump 12.

[0068] In a variant of the invention, a fourth metal plate is also provided which will be described in relation to [Fig.5].

[0069] The metal plates are formed from Invar®, Cryostal® or Cryoval®. In a complementary manner, the closure plate 34 may also be formed from one of these materials. However, a sealing membrane 20, 24 comprising one or more metal plates formed from another material would not depart from the scope of the invention.

[0070] The metal plates according to the invention have a raised edge 32 directed towards the internal volume of the tank. These metal plates each comprise a flat surface 41 from which the raised edge 32 projects, along a plane orthogonal to the flat surface 4L

[0071] The metal plates are connected to each other via their raised edges 32. In other words, the raised edges 32 of two neighboring metal plates are made integral with each other, by welding, thereby making the metal plates integral with each other and sealed against each other.

[0072] The first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 29 have a thickness El measured between their internal face 50 and their external face 30, along a direction parallel to the vertical direction V. This thickness El of these metal plates is advantageously between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm. Advantageously, the thickness El is equal to 0.7 mm, to within the manufacturing tolerance.

[0073] The third metal plate 31 has a thickness E3 greater than the thickness E1 of the first and / or second metal plate 27, 29. More precisely, the third metal plate 31 has a thickness of between 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm when the thickness E1 of the first and / or second metal plate 27, 29 is for example equal to 0.7 mm.

[0074] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the third metal plate 31 has a thickness E3 of 1.0 mm. According to another exemplary embodiment, the third metal plate 31 has a thickness E3 equal to 1.5 mm.

[0075] The sealing membrane 20, 24 is crossed by one or more components. In the case illustrated in [Fig.2], the component is the sump 12. To manage this interference, the sealing membrane 20, 24 comprises at least one closing plate 34 arranged at least partly around the sump 12, welded to a wall thereof and which has a thickness greater than the thickness E1 of the first and / or second metal plate 27, 29.

[0076] The thickness of the closing plate 34 is measured between the internal face and the external face of the closing plate 34, along a direction parallel to the vertical direction V. This thickness of the closing plate 34 is advantageously equal to 1.5 mm, to within + / - 10%.

[0077] [Fig. 2] shows a junction zone 52 surrounded by a circle. This junction zone 52 is located at the raised edges of three contiguous metal plates 27, 29, 31. More precisely, the junction zone 52 is located at the edge and at a longitudinal end of the second metal plate 29, at the edge and at a longitudinal end of the third metal plate 31 and along the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27.

[0078] Of course, a junction zone can be located at the raised edges of four contiguous metal plates, at the intersection of their longitudinal ends, as shown in [Fig.5].

[0079] [Fig.2] shows the invention at the level of the primary sealing membrane 24, but it is understood that the invention also applies to the secondary sealing membrane 20, or to a tank which combines these two sealing membranes.

[0080] Figures 3 to 9 show examples of embodiments of the junction zone 52 between metal plates 27, 29, 31, 33 of the waterproofing membrane 20, 24 according to the invention. This junction corresponds to zones of the waterproofing membrane 20, 24 where at least three metal plates 27, 29, 31 are adjacent at their respective raised edges. This zone may be that at the intersection of plates at any location on the waterproofing membrane, or in the vicinity of the sump or the support foot.

[0081] In Figures 3 and 5, it can be seen that the sealing membrane 20, 24 comprises the second metal plate 29 and the third metal plate 31 aligned longitudinally and the first metal plate 27 arranged next to these aligned metal plates. The first metal plate 27 is connected to the second metal plate 29 by means of a weld made through their respective raised edges 32. This is also the case between the first metal plate 27 and the third metal plate 31. The second metal plate 29 and the third metal plate 31 are joined to each other by their longitudinal ends, in particular by means of a lap weld 35.

[0082] Between these two raised edges 32, a connecting member 54 of the sealing membrane with its thermally insulating layer is provided. According to one example, this connecting member 54 is a tab whose profile follows an “L” or “J” shape, one branch of this profile being integral with the thermally insulating layer while the other branch of the profile is sandwiched between the raised edges of two metal plates.

[0083] In Figures 3 and 5, it can be seen that the connecting member 54 is present longitudinally on either side of the junction zone 52.

[0084] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the raised edges 32 of adjoining metal plates, here the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 29, are secured to each other by means of a first weld bead 56, the latter extending in a rectilinear manner while being arranged at a distance H1 from a main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24, such a plane being parallel and / or coincident with a plane in which the flat surfaces of the metal plates are inscribed. This distance H1 is for example between 10mm and 14mm, advantageously 12mm.

[0085] The raised edge 32 of the third metal plate 31 and the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27, or of a fourth plate 33, are made integral by a second weld bead 58 which extends parallel to the main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24. This second weld bead 58 is arranged in a rectilinear manner while being arranged at a distance H2 from the main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24. This distance H2 is for example between 18 mm and 22 mm, advantageously 20 mm.

[0086] According to the example of figures 4 and 6, the second weld bead 58 and the first weld bead 56 are parallel and not coincident.

[0087] Between this second weld bead 58 and the first weld bead 56, the sealing of the membrane is achieved by means of a weld joint 60 which is uninterrupted and which extends longitudinally between the first weld bead 56 and the second weld bead 58, in a plane of the raised edges. While the first weld bead and / or the second weld bead are welds which pass through the raised edges 32 and the connecting member 54, the weld joint 60 is present between an edge of the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27, an edge of the connecting member 54 and an edge of the raised edge 32 of the second metal plate 29 or of the third metal plate 31 or of the fourth metal plate 33.

[0088] The weld joint 60 follows a particular profile, seen in a plane perpendicular to the main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24. This weld joint 60 thus comprises at least two joining portions 62, 64 and a rectilinear portion 66 which extends between the two joining portions 62, 64. The joining portions 62, 64 are those which make it possible to join the rectilinear portion 66 respectively to the first bead of weld 56 and to the second weld bead 58.

[0089] As visible in the figures, the junction portions 62, 64 are curved portions.

[0090] As seen in [Fig.4], a first joining portion 62 of the joining portions generally follows a curve over an angular sector 68 of between 47° and 57°. In [Fig.4], the first joining portion 62 extends over the angular sector 68 equal to 52° at + / -5°, while the second joining portion 64 extends over an angular sector 70 of between 37° and 47°, for example equal to 42°.

[0091] In [Fig.4], the first junction portion 62 extends over a length equal to 87mm + / - 20mm. This dimension is measured along a straight line passing through a first point of intersection 63 between the first joining portion 62 and the straight portion 66 and a second point of intersection 65 between the first joining portion 62 and the second weld bead 58.

[0092] Whatever its shape, the first joining portion 62 comprises a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 12 mm + / - 2 mm from the main plane of the sealing membrane, this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to this main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24.

[0093] In [Fig.6], the first joining portion 62 extends over a length equal to 40mm + / - 10mm. This dimension is measured along a straight line passing through the first point of intersection 63 between the first joining portion 62 and the rectilinear portion 66 and the second point of intersection 65 between the first joining portion 62 and the second weld bead 58.

[0094] Whatever its shape, the first joining portion 62 comprises a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 20 mm + / - 2 mm from the main plane of the sealing membrane, this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to this main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24.

[0095] In the case of [Fig.4] and in the case of [Fig.6], the second joining portion 64 extends over a length equal to 72mm + / -20mm measured between a third point of intersection 67 between the second joining portion 64 and the rectilinear portion 66 and a fourth point of intersection 69 between the second joining portion 64 and the first weld bead 56. This second joining portion 64 comprises a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 12mm + / - 2mm from a main plane of the sealing membrane, this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to this main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24.

[0096] [Fig.6] shows an example where the first junction portion 62 extends over an angular sector 68 equal to 23° at + / -5°, the second junction portion 64 extending over the angular sector 70 greater than the angular sector 68 of the first junction portion 62. According to one example, the angular sector 70 of the second junction portion 64 extends over the angular sector 70 greater than the angular sector 68 of the first junction portion 62. junction 64 is thus between 37° and 47°.

[0097] In the embodiment of Figures 3 to 6, the rectilinear portion 66 is parallel to the second weld bead 58 and / or to the first weld bead 56. Advantageously, an axis of this rectilinear portion 66 coincides with an axis of the second weld bead 58. In Figures 4 and 6, the rectilinear portion 66 is located at a distance H3 from the main plane of the sealing membrane 20, 24, this distance H3 being equal to the distance H2 which reflects the height of the second weld bead 58.

[0098] In [Fig.4], it can be seen that the first junction portion 62 and the second junction portion 64 each comprise a curve bottom arranged at a distance H4 equal to the distance H1 from the first weld bead 56 but less than the distance H2 from the second weld bead 58.

[0099] In [Fig.6], the bottom of the curve of the first junction portion 62 is at the same distance H4 as the distance H2 from the second weld bead 58, while the bottom of the curve of the second junction portion 64 is at a distance identical to the distance H1 from the first weld bead 56.

[0100] [Fig.5] shows an alternative embodiment where the sealing membrane 20, 24 according to the invention comprises four metal plates with raised edges around the junction zone 52.

[0101] The first weld bead 56 is thus formed between the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 29. The second weld bead 58 is produced between the third metal plate 31 and a fourth metal plate 33. The first metal plate 27 and the fourth metal plate 33 are aligned longitudinally and joined to each other by their longitudinal ends, in particular by means of a lap weld 35.

[0102] Figures 7 to 9 show arrangements of raised edges 32 and connecting member(s) 54 of the sealing membrane of [Fig.5], i.e. with four metal plates. These figures show spaces between these raised edges and the connecting member(s) so as to facilitate understanding of these arrangements, but these spaces do not exist when the raised edges are welded by the weld joint.

[0103] Although these figures show a fourth metal plate 33, these arrangements are also transposable to the sealing membrane of [Fig.3], the first and fourth plates forming only one and the same metal plate.

[0104] These figures illustrate the difference in thickness between the thickness E3 of the third metal plate 31 and the thickness El of the other metal plates 27, 29, 33. In this case, the thickness E3 of the third metal plate 31 is greater than the thickness El of the other metal plates 27, 29, 33.

[0105] It can be seen in Figures 7 and 8 that a terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the fourth metal plate 33 covers one terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27. On the other side, one terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the third metal plate 31 covers one terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the second metal plate 29. In other words, the terminal ends of the raised edges 32 of the first metal plate 27 and the second metal plate 29 are interposed between the terminal ends of the raised edges 32 of the third metal plate 31 and the fourth metal plate 33.

[0106] The sealing membrane illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 comprises two connecting members 54 that are coplanar but distinct from each other. A first connecting member 54a is sandwiched between the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27 and the raised edge 32 of the second metal plate 29. A second connecting member 54b is sandwiched between the raised edge 32 of the third metal plate 31 and the raised edge 32 of the fourth metal plate 33 or first metal plate 27, as the case may be ([Fig.3] or [Fig.5]).

[0107] [Fig.8] shows a single connecting member 54 which extends longitudinally, being interposed on one side between the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27 and the raised edge 32 of the second metal plate 29 and on the other between the raised edge 32 of the third metal plate 31 and the raised edge 32 of the fourth metal plate 33 or first metal plate 27, as the case may be ([Fig.3] or [Fig.5]).

[0108] [Fig.9] illustrates an arrangement where the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27 is coplanar with the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the fourth metal plate 33, and where the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the second metal plate 29 is coplanar with the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the third metal plate 31. There is thus a space which longitudinally separates the coplanar raised edges.

[0109] The sealing is then achieved by the installation of two cheeks 37, 39, a first cheek 37 overlapping the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the first metal plate 27 and the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the fourth metal plate 33 while a second cheek 39 overlaps the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the second metal plate 29 and the terminal end of the raised edge 32 of the third metal plate 31. These cheeks 37, 39 are connected to the raised edges that they cover by welds, for example lap welds. These cheeks 37, 39 can also extend over the flat surface of the metal plates concerned and be welded to it.

[0110] What has been described previously concerning the composition of the sealing membrane 20, 24 can be applied to one or other of the sealing membranes of the bottom wall 4, and, advantageously, applies both to the primary sealing membrane 24 and to the secondary sealing membrane 20. It is understood that the primary sealing membrane 24 comprises several metal plates 27, 29, 31, 33 as described above and that the secondary sealing membrane 20 also comprises several metal plates 27, 29, 31, 33 as described previously. Such an arrangement of the primary sealing membrane 24 and the secondary sealing membrane 20 optimizes the elasticity of the bottom wall 4 of the tank 1 while ensuring a seal of said bottom wall 4 to the liquefied gas contained in the tank 1.

[0111] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means. More particularly, a tank 1 of which only one of the sealing membranes would be as described previously in the description would not depart from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A sealing membrane (20, 24) adapted to a tank (1) for storing and / or transporting a liquefied gas, comprising a plurality of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) participating in defining an internal volume of the tank (1), the metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) each comprising at least one raised edge (32) formed along one of the sides of the metal plate (27, 29, 31, 33), the sealing membrane (20, 24) comprising at least a first weld bead (56) connecting the raised edges (32) of at least two metal plates (27, 29) among the plurality of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) and a second weld bead (58) connecting the raised edges (32) of at least two metal plates (31, 27, 33) among the plurality of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33), the sealing membrane (20, 24) comprising a weld joint (60) connecting the first weld bead (56) to the second weld bead (58), the metal plates (27, 29, 31,33) whose raised edges (32) are in contact with each other being connected by the first weld bead (56) or by the second weld bead (58) which passes through the raised edges (20), the weld joint (60) connecting an edge of the raised edge (32) of the two plates of each pair of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33).,

2. A waterproofing membrane according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) comprises a first metal plate (27) and a second metal plate (29), the first weld bead (56) connecting the raised edge (32) of the first metal plate (27) with the raised edge (32) of the second metal plate (29).

3. A waterproofing membrane according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) comprises a third metal plate (31), the second weld bead (58) connecting the raised edge (32) of the first metal plate (27) with the raised edge (32) of the third metal plate (31).

4. A waterproofing membrane according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) comprises a third metal plate (31) and a fourth metal plate (33), the second weld bead (58) connecting the raised edge (32) of the third metal plate (31) with the raised edge (32) of the fourth metal plate (33).

5. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the weld seam (60) is uninterrupted between the first weld bead (56) and the second weld bead (58).

6. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second weld bead (58) and the first weld bead (56) extend along respective distinct axes.

7. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the metal plates (27, 29, 31) each comprise a flat surface (41) from which the raised edge (32) projects.

8. A waterproofing membrane according to claim 7, wherein the second weld bead (58) is arranged at a distance H2 greater than a distance H1 from the first weld bead (56), these distances being measured along a direction perpendicular to a main plane of the waterproofing membrane (20, 24) between the weld bead concerned and an intersection between the flat surface (41) and the raised edge of one of the metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33) connected by said weld bead (56, 58).

9. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first weld bead (56), the weld joint (60) and the second weld bead (58) provide sealing of the metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33).

10. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the weld joint (60) comprises at least one rectilinear portion (66) and at least two joining portions (62, 64) intersecting with the rectilinear portion, the rectilinear portion (66) extending between the joining portions (62, 64).

11. Waterproofing membrane according to claim 10, in which the rectilinear portion (66) extends along an axis coincident with an extension axis of the second weld bead (58).

12. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the joining portions (62, 64) are a first joining portion (62) and a second joining portion (64), the first joining portion (62) extending over a length equal to 87mm + / - 20mm and comprising a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 12mm + / - 2mm from a main plane of the waterproofing membrane (20, 24), this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the waterproofing membrane (20, 24).

13. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 10 to 11. 11, wherein the joining portions (62, 64) are a first joining portion (62) and a second joining portion (64), the first joining portion (62) extending over a length equal to 40mm + / - 10mm and comprising a bottom arranged at a distance equal to 20mm + / - 2mm from a main plane of the waterproofing membrane (20, 24), this distance being measured along a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the waterproofing membrane (20, 24).

14. Waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one connecting member (54) interposed between the raised edges (32) of two adjacent metal plates (27, 29, 31, 33), the first weld bead (56) and / or the second weld bead (58) connecting the raised edges (32) and the connecting member (54).

15. A waterproofing membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 14 in combination with one of claims 3 or 4, wherein a thickness E3 of at least the third metal plate (31) is different from a thickness E1 of at least one of the first and / or second metal plates (27, 29).

16. Tank (1) intended to contain a liquefied gas, comprising at least one ceiling wall (2), a bottom wall (4) and several side walls (6) extending between the ceiling wall (2) and the bottom wall (4), at least the bottom wall (4) comprising at least one thermally insulating layer (18, 22) and a sealing membrane (20, 24) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A structure comprising a tank (1) according to claim 16, the structure being chosen from a ship, a barge, a reliquefaction unit, a gasification unit, a land-based structure or a gravity platform.

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