Waterproof and thermally insulating tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe support (22) for a sealed and thermally insulating tank (71), in which the pipe support (22) comprises a first wing (33) intended to be fixed to the first tank wall (3) and a second wing (34) intended to be fixed to the second tank wall (2, 7, 8), the first wing (33) comprising a first anchoring plate (35) comprising a fixing orifice (37) intended to receive a first stud (32) projecting from the first tank wall (3) and capable of cooperating with a first fixing device (40) to ensure pre-fixing, and in which the first wing (33) and the second wing (34) are intended to be welded to the sealed corner structure (28). Figure for abstract: 5

Description

Title of the invention: Sealed and thermally insulating tank Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating membrane tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks for the storage and / or transport of low-temperature liquefied gas, such as tanks for the transport of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called LPG) having, for example, a temperature between -50°C and 0°C, or for the transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank can be intended for the transport of liquefied gas or for receiving liquefied gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure. Technological background

[0002] Sealed and thermally insulating tanks integrated into supporting structures are known from the prior art. The sealed and thermally insulating tank comprises a sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and a thermally insulating barrier located between the sealed membrane and the supporting structure.

[0003] For example, in order to convey liquefied gas to certain areas of the tank, it is necessary to fix pipes to the tank walls. In addition, near a tank edge formed by the intersection of two tank walls, the operation of fixing the supports for the pipes can be complex to implement and costly in terms of assembly time. Summary of the invention

[0004] An idea underlying the invention is to simplify the support of a pipe inside the tank, and in particular near a tank edge.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a pipe support for a sealed and thermally insulating liquefied gas storage tank integrated in a supporting structure, the tank comprising a first tank wall and a second tank wall connected to the first tank wall at a tank edge, the tank edge extending in a first direction, the tank comprising a sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and a thermally insulating barrier located between the sealed membrane and the supporting structure, in which the sealed membrane comprises a sealed corner structure at the intersection between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, the tank comprising a pipe, in which the pipe support is intended to be fixed to the first tank wall and to the second tank wall and intended to hold the pipe, wherein the pipe support comprises a first wing intended to be fixed to the first tank wall and a second wing connected to the first wing and intended to be fixed to the second tank wall, the first wing comprising a first anchoring plate, the first anchoring plate comprising a fixing orifice intended to receive a first stud projecting from the first tank wall and capable of cooperating with a first fixing device to ensure pre-fixing of the pipe support to the first tank wall, and wherein the first wing and the second wing are intended to be welded to the watertight corner structure.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing liquefied gas integrated in a supporting structure, the tank comprising a first tank wall and a second tank wall connected to the first tank wall at a tank edge, the tank edge extending in a first direction, the tank comprising a sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and at least one thermally insulating barrier located between the sealed membrane and the supporting structure, in which the sealed membrane comprises a sealed corner structure at the intersection between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, in which the tank comprises a pipe and at least one pipe support fixed to the first tank wall and to the second tank wall and holding the pipe,in which the pipe support comprises a first wing fixed to the first tank wall and a second wing connected to the first wing and fixed to the second tank wall, the first wing comprising a first anchoring plate, the first anchoring plate comprising a fixing orifice receiving a first stud projecting from the first tank wall and capable of cooperating with a first fixing device to ensure pre-fixing of the pipe support to the first tank wall, , and wherein the first wing and the second wing are welded to the corner watertight structure.

[0007] Thanks to these characteristics, the fixing hole receiving the first stud and the anchoring plate make it easier to mount the fixing support. Indeed, by pre-fixing the first anchoring wing to the first tank wall, the welding operations are facilitated.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for mounting a pipe in a sealed and thermally insulating liquefied gas storage tank integrated in a supporting structure, the tank comprising a first tank wall and a second tank wall connected to the first tank wall at an edge of tank, the tank edge extending in a first direction, the tank comprising a sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and a thermally insulating barrier located between the sealed membrane and the supporting structure, the sealed membrane comprising a sealed corner structure at the intersection between the first tank wall and the second tank wall, the tank comprising a pipe, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - provide a pipe and at least one of the aforementioned pipe supports, - place a first stud protruding from the first tank wall in the fixing hole of the first anchor plate, - fixing the first anchor plate to the first tank wall by means of a first fixing device cooperating with the first stud, - weld the first wing and the second wing to the watertight corner structure, - fix the pipe to the pipe support.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for mounting a pipe in a sealed and thermally insulating liquefied gas storage tank integrated into a supporting structure, the method comprising the following steps: - providing a tank comprising a first tank wall and a second tank wall connected to the first tank wall at a tank edge, the tank edge extending in a first direction, the tank comprising a sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and a thermally insulating barrier located between the sealed membrane and the supporting structure, the sealed membrane comprising a sealed corner structure at the intersection between the first wall and the second wall, - providing a pipe and at least one pipe support, the pipe support comprising a first wing and a second wing connected to the first wing, the first wing comprising a first anchoring plate, the first anchoring plate comprising a fixing hole, - place a first stud protruding from the first wall in the fixing hole of the first anchor plate, - fix the first anchor plate to the wall by means of a first fixing device cooperating with the first stud, - weld the first wing and the second wing to the watertight corner structure, - fix the pipe to the pipe support.

[0010] According to embodiments, such a support, such a tank or such a method may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first anchoring plate is arranged at one end of the first wing.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first wing is welded to the waterproof structure corner by the first anchor plate.

[0013] Thus, the welding surface is larger thanks to the first anchoring plate so as to facilitate the welding operation.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first anchoring plate extends in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0015] Thus, by positioning the first anchor plate parallel to the edge, it is easier to carry out the welding operation.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the second wing comprises a second anchoring plate, the second anchoring plate comprising a fixing orifice receiving a second stud projecting from the second tank wall and capable of cooperating with a second fixing device configured to ensure pre-fixing of the pipe support to the second tank wall.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the second anchoring plate is arranged at one end of the second wing.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the second anchoring plate extends in a direction parallel to the first direction.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the second wing is welded to the watertight corner structure by the second anchoring plate.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first wing extends in a plane orthogonal to the first tank wall and parallel to the first direction, and the second wing extends in a plane orthogonal to the second tank wall and parallel to the first direction.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the pipe support comprises at least one stiffener fixed on the one hand to the first wing and on the other hand to the second wing.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the stiffener extends in a plane perpendicular to the first wing and to the second wing.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the pipe support comprises two stiffeners arranged on either side of the second wing, each stiffener being fixed on the one hand to the first wing and on the other hand to the second wing.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating barrier comprises an insulating corner structure located at the tank edge, the insulating corner structure supporting the sealed corner structure, said first stud fixed to the insulating corner structure and to the sealed corner structure, for example by welding.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said first stud and the second stud are fixed to the corner insulating structure and to the corner sealing structure respectively at the first tank wall and the second tank wall, for example by welding.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first fastening device comprises a nut which is fixed on the first stud and is configured to apply a tightening force on the first anchor plate and towards the first tank wall.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the second fixing device comprises a nut which is fixed on the second stud and is configured to apply a tightening force on the second anchor plate and in the direction of the second wall.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the pipe support comprises a collar, the collar comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being attached to the first wing, the collar and the first wing being configured to encircle the pipe.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the waterproof membrane comprises at least one series of corrugations comprising a plurality of corrugations parallel to each other, the corrugations arranged on the first tank wall and the corrugations arranged on the second tank wall extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the corrugations of the series of corrugations each comprising a corrugation connection at the tank edge such that the corrugations of the series of corrugations are continuous at the intersection between the first tank wall and the second tank wall.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the pipe support is welded to the corner watertight structure between two corrugation connections so that edges of the first anchor plate are located at a distance from the corrugation connections and the tank edge.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the tank comprises a plurality of pipe supports.

[0032] According to one embodiment, each pipe support is spaced from a support of adjacent pipe by at least two corrugation fittings, preferably by at least four corrugation fittings, and for example by four corrugation fittings.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the tank is polyhedral in shape and comprises a ceiling wall, a bottom wall opposite the ceiling wall, a rear wall and a front wall connecting the bottom wall to the ceiling wall, two side walls and preferably two upper chamfer walls connecting the ceiling wall to one of the side walls and optionally lower chamfer walls connecting the bottom wall to one of the side walls, the first tank wall being the ceiling wall, and the second tank wall being chosen from the rear wall, the front wall or one of the upper chamfer walls.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the conduit is arranged all around the ceiling wall.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the conduit is equipped with spray nozzles and is configured to spray liquefied gas into an internal space of the tank.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the sealed corner structure comprises a sealed connecting angle comprising a first portion extending in a plane parallel to the first tank wall, and a second portion connected to the first portion and extending in a plane parallel to the second tank wall, the first wing of the pipe support being welded to the first portion of the watertight connection angle and the second wing of the pipe support being welded to the second portion of the watertight connection angle.

[0037] Such a tank may be part of a land-based storage facility, for example for storing LNG, or may be installed in a floating, coastal, or deep-water structure, including an LNG carrier, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO), and others. Such a tank may also serve as a fuel tank in any type of vessel.

[0038] According to one embodiment, a ship for transporting a cold liquid product comprises a double hull and a aforementioned tank arranged in the double hull.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising the aforementioned ship, insulated pipes arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the tank of the ship.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading a ship, in which a cold liquid product is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the tank of the aforementioned ship. Brief description of the figures

[0041] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0042] [Fig.l] represents a schematic perspective view of a sealed and thermally insulating tank integrated into a supporting structure.

[0043] [Fig.2] represents a schematic sectional view of the multilayer structure of the sealed and thermally insulating tank.

[0044] [Fig. 3] represents a schematic sectional view of the sealed and thermal tank mitically insulating at the level of the dome structure.

[0045] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of a 90° tank edge at the intersection between a first tank wall and a second tank wall.

[0046] [Fig.5] is a partial perspective view of the 90° tank edge on which is fixed a pipe support according to a first embodiment.

[0047] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the pipe support according to the first embodiment.

[0048] [Fig.7] is a partial perspective view of a 135° tank edge on which a pipe support is fixed according to a second embodiment.

[0049] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the pipe support according to the second embodiment.

[0050] [Fig.9] is a partial perspective view of the 90° tank edge on which a pipe support according to the first embodiment is fixed, with a pipe held by the pipe support.

[0051] [Fig. 10] is a schematic cutaway representation of a LNG carrier ship comprising a sealed and thermally insulating tank and a terminal for loading / unloading this tank. Description of the embodiments

[0052] In connection with [Fig.l], a sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 for storing liquefied gas is described, integrated into a supporting structure 1. The supporting structure 1 is, for example, formed by the double hull of a ship 70. The supporting structure 1 and the sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 have a generally polyhedral shape. The supporting structure 1 has two front and rear load-bearing walls, in the example shown of octagonal shape, of which only the rear load-bearing wall is shown in [Fig.l]. The front and rear load-bearing walls are, for example, cofferdam walls of the ship which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ship.

[0053] The supporting structure 1 also comprises a ceiling supporting wall, a bottom supporting wall, and side supporting walls.

[0054] The sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing liquefied gas comprises a plurality of tank walls which are each anchored against one of the load-bearing walls of the load-bearing structure 1, namely: - a front wall anchored to the front load-bearing wall, - a rear wall 2 anchored to the rear load-bearing wall, - a ceiling wall 3 anchored to the ceiling load-bearing wall, - a bottom wall 4 anchored to the bottom load-bearing wall, - two side walls 5, 6, two upper chamfer walls 7, 8 and two lower chamfer walls 9, 10 anchored to the side load-bearing walls.

[0055] As shown in [Fig.2], the tank 71 has a multi-layer structure which is composed successively, from the outside to the inside, along a wall thickness direction, of a secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 comprising insulating elements 13 fixed to the supporting structure 1, a secondary waterproof membrane 14 anchored to the insulating elements 13 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12, a primary thermally insulating barrier 15 comprising insulating elements 16 fixed to the insulating elements 13 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 or to the supporting structure 1 and resting against the secondary waterproof membrane 14 and a primary waterproof membrane 17 anchored to the insulating elements 16 of the primary thermally insulating barrier 15 and intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0056] As shown in [Fig. 3], the ceiling load-bearing wall as well as the ceiling wall 3 are interrupted locally so as to delimit an opening 11. The load-bearing structure 1 comprises a dome structure 18 which projects upwards from the ceiling load-bearing wall around the opening 11 and which defines a passage intended to be crossed by one or more pipes intended for example for loading or unloading liquefied gas into the tank or for spraying liquefied gas for cooling the tank.

[0057] The tank 71 also comprises a loading / unloading tower 19 located at the right of the opening 11 and inside the tank 71 forming a support structure for the loading / unloading pipes 20 over the entire height of the tank 71 as well as for the pumps (not shown).

[0058] Certain pipes, such as the spray pipe 21 partially shown in [Fig.9], need to be routed to specific areas inside the tank 71 and at a distance from the loading / unloading tower 19. Indeed, the spray pipe 21 is advantageously arranged all around the ceiling wall 3 in order to be able to spray liquefied gas throughout the tank 71. This makes it possible in particular to cool the internal space of the tank before loading with liquefied gas.

[0059] This is why pipe supports 22 are provided in the tank 71 for holding the spray pipe 21. The pipe supports 22 will be described in more detail.

[0060] In order for the spray pipe 21 to go around the ceiling wall 3, the latter is maintained in particular along the tank edges 23 formed at the intersection between two tank walls and in particular the tank edges 23 formed between the ceiling wall 3 and one of the rear wall 2, the front wall, and the upper chamfer walls 7, 8.

[0061] [Fig. 4] here partially represents one of these tank edges 23 along which the spray pipe 21 is arranged. In the example illustrated, this is a 90° tank edge 23, i.e. if we take the example embodiment of the tank in [Fig. 1] the tank edge 23 is formed between the ceiling wall 3 and the rear wall 2. It could also be the tank edge 23 formed between the wall ceiling 3 and the front wall.

[0062] As can be seen in [Fig.4], the primary waterproof membrane 17 comprises a plurality of corrugated metal sheets 24 which are juxtaposed in a repeated pattern and welded together in a sealed manner. The primary waterproof membrane 17 comprises a first series of corrugations comprising a plurality of first corrugations 25 parallel to each other and a second series of corrugations perpendicular to the first series of corrugations and comprising a plurality of second corrugations 26 parallel to each other. The metal sheets 24 are, for example, made of stainless steel or aluminum, shaped by folding or stamping.

[0063] The first corrugations 25 located on the ceiling wall 3 and the first corrugations 25 located on the rear wall 2 extend in a direction perpendicular to the tank edge 23 and are aligned between the ceiling wall 3 and the rear wall 2. Between two first corrugations 25 or between two second corrugations 26, each corrugated metal sheet 24 has a flat portion 27

[0064] To ensure the sealing of the primary waterproof membrane 17 at the level of the tank edge 23, a corner waterproof structure is provided to make the junction of the primary waterproof membrane 17 between the ceiling wall 3 and the rear wall 2.

[0065] The watertight corner structure 28 of the primary watertight membrane 17 comprises connecting angles 29 making it possible to connect in a watertight manner a flat portion 27 of the ceiling wall 3 with a flat portion 27 of the rear wall 2, and corrugation connectors 30 making it possible to connect in a watertight manner a first corrugation 25 of the ceiling wall 3 with a first corrugation 25 of the rear wall 2.

[0066] Each connecting angle 29 thus comprises a first portion located in a plane parallel to the ceiling wall 3 and welded to a flat portion 27 of the ceiling wall 3, and a second portion located in a plane parallel to the rear wall 2 and welded to a flat portion 27 of the rear wall 2. Each corrugation connection 30 is formed of a corrugated plate comprising a connecting corrugation 31 welded on the one hand to a first corrugation 25 of the ceiling wall 3 and on the other hand to a first corrugation 25 of the rear wall 2.

[0067] The connecting angles 29 and the corrugation fittings 30 are thus arranged over the entire intersection between the ceiling wall 3 and the rear wall 2 in an alternating manner, the corrugation fittings 30 each being welded overlapping onto two adjacent connecting angles 29.

[0068] In [Fig.4], it is also possible to distinguish studs 32 welded to the watertight corner structure 28 at the level of the connecting angles 29. These studs 32 have the function of anchoring assembly aid elements (not shown) allowing the assembly and installation of the primary thermally insulating barrier 15 and the primary waterproof membrane 17. These assembly aids are then removed from the tank leaving the studs 32 protruding from the primary waterproof membrane 17.

[0069] The primary corner insulating structures 47 and the secondary corner insulating structures are for example described in more detail in application FR3101390.

[0070] Figures 5 and 6 represent a first embodiment of the pipe support 22 produced for a tank edge 23 at 90° like that of [Fig.4] representing the intersection of the rear wall 2 with the ceiling wall 3.

[0071] In this embodiment, the pipe support 22 comprises a first wing 33 and a second wing 34 connected to the first wing 33. The first wing 33 extends after fixing to the tank 71 in a plane parallel to the rear wall 2 and perpendicular to the ceiling wall 3 while the second wing 34 extends after fixing to the tank 71 in a plane parallel to the ceiling wall 3 and perpendicular to the rear wall 2. Thus, the first wing 33 extends in a substantially vertical plane when the ceiling wall 3 is formed in a substantially horizontal plane.

[0072] The pipe support 22 also comprises two stiffeners 42 located on either side of the second wing 34. Each stiffener 42 connects the first wing 33 to the second 34 and is formed in a plane perpendicular to the first wing 33 and to the second 34. The stiffeners 42 thus make it possible to stiffen the pipe support 22 and in particular to maintain the angle formed between the first wing 33 and the second 34.

[0073] The first wing 33 has a first end equipped with a first anchoring plate 35 intended to be welded to a portion of the watertight corner structure 28 formed at the level of the ceiling wall 3 while a second end opposite the first end remains free.

[0074] The second wing 34 has a first end equipped with a second anchoring plate 36 intended to be welded to a portion of the sealed corner structure 28 formed at the rear wall 2 while a second end opposite the first end is linked to a part of the first wing 33 distant from the first end and from the second end of the first wing 33.

[0075] The first anchoring plate 35 and the second anchoring plate 36 comprise a fixing orifice 37 for receiving a stud 32 projecting from the connecting angle portion 29 of the ceiling wall 3 or the connecting angle portion 29 of the rear wall 2. In addition, the first anchoring plate 35 and the second anchoring plate 36 also have an insertion opening 38 extending from one edge of the anchoring plate 35, 36 to the fixing orifice 37 and for inserting the stud 32 by translation in the plane of the anchoring plate 35, 36 into the fixing orifice 37. In other words, the fixing orifices 37 open onto one of the edges of the anchoring plate 35, 36 in which they are spared.

[0076] The first wing 33 has a housing 39, visible in [Fig. 8], located to the right of the fixing orifice 37 of the first anchoring plate 35 and making it possible to house the stud 32 after the latter has been placed in the fixing orifice 37, the housing 39 also making it possible to place a fixing device 40 such as a nut on the stud 32 so as to fix the first anchoring plate 35 to the ceiling wall 3. In an equivalent manner, the second wing 34 also has a housing 39, visible in [Fig. 6], located to the right of the fixing orifice 37 of the second anchoring plate 36.

[0077] Thus, to facilitate the operation of welding the pipe support 22 to the tank 71, the pipe support 22 is first positioned so that a stud 32 of the ceiling wall 3 and a stud 32 of the rear wall are housed respectively in the fixing orifice 37 of the first anchoring plate 35 and in the fixing orifice 37 of the second anchoring plate 36.

[0078] Then the first anchoring plate 35 is pre-fixed to the ceiling wall 3 using a nut 40 cooperating with the stud 32 by applying a tightening force on the first anchoring plate 35 and in the direction of the ceiling wall 3. In the same way, the second anchoring plate 36 is pre-fixed to the rear wall 2 using a nut 40 cooperating with the stud 32 by applying a tightening force on the second anchoring plate 36 and in the direction of the rear wall 2.

[0079] It is only after having been pre-fixed that the pipe support 22 is welded to the watertight corner structure 28. Indeed, as can be seen in [Fig.6] where the weld lines 41 have been shown schematically, the first anchoring plate 35 and the second anchoring plate 36 are welded over part of their periphery to the watertight corner structure 28.

[0080] The use of anchoring plates 35, 36 also makes it possible to increase the contact surface with the various walls, which facilitates the welding operation. Indeed, it is no longer necessary to make a weld around the entire perimeter of the portion which is in contact with the wall in order to ensure sufficient fixing to the wall. Thus, an area which is difficult to access in order to make a weld line around the perimeter of the anchoring plate 35, 36 is not welded, for example the central part of the edge of the first anchoring plate 35 which is located closest to the tank edge 23 and which extends parallel to the tank edge 23.

[0081] Following the welding operation and in order to avoid possible losses of nut 40 in the tank 71, the nuts 40 can be removed from the stud 32 or even welded to the stud 32 to make them irremovable.

[0082] Figures 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of a pipe support 22 which is this time adapted to a tank edge 23 at 135°. In the example re shown in [Fig.7], this is the intersection between the ceiling wall 3 and one of the upper chamfer walls 7, 8. This second embodiment is distinguished from the previous embodiment by the fact that the pipe support 32 and in particular the angle made by the second wing 34 with the first wing 33 has been adapted to the tank edge 23 at 135°.

[0083] Indeed, compared to the first embodiment, the angle formed between the second wing 34 and the first wing 33 has been reduced so that the fixing orifices 37 of the anchoring plates 35, 36 are each opposite a stud 32 projecting from the ceiling wall 3 and the upper chamfer wall 7, 8. Thus, in this embodiment, the second wing 34 is no longer orthogonal to the first wing 33. The first wing 33, however, remains perpendicular to the ceiling wall 3. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the first anchoring plate 35 this time has two insertion openings 38 allowing the stud 32 to be inserted into the fixing orifice 37 in two opposite directions.

[0084] Similar to [Fig.6], the weld lines 41 on the anchor plates 35, 36 have been shown schematically in [Fig.8].

[0085] [Fig.9] shows a pipe support 22 fixed to the tank 71 and which holds the spray pipe 21. Indeed, after the operation of welding the pipe support 22 to the sealed corner structure 28, the spray pipe 21 is fixed to the pipe support 22.

[0086] For this, the pipe support 22 comprises a collar 43 which is fixed to the first wing 33 so as to encircle the spray pipe 21. The first wing 32 comprises fixing holes 44 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. The collar 43 comprises at each of its ends a fixing portion 45 which is fixed to the first wing 33 via the fixing holes 44 using fixing systems 46, for example of the screw / nut type.

[0087] With reference to [Fig. 10], a cutaway view of an LNG carrier ship 70 shows a sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship 70. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealed membrane arranged between the primary sealed membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship 70, and two thermally insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealed membrane and the secondary sealed membrane and between the secondary sealed membrane and the double hull 72.

[0088] In a manner known per se, loading / unloading pipes 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a maritime or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the tank 71.

[0089] [Fig. 10] shows an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the mobile arm 74. The mobile arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipelines 73. The orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all sizes of LNG carriers. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG carrier 70 from or to the onshore installation 77. The latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the underwater pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75.The subsea pipeline 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG carrier 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0090] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the onshore installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0091] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0092] The use of the verb “comprise”, “comprise” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0093] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Claims

1. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) for storing liquefied gas intended to be integrated into a supporting structure (1), the tank comprising a first tank wall (3) and a second tank wall (2, 7, 8) connected to the first tank wall (3) at a tank edge (23), the tank edge (23) extending in a first direction, the tank comprising a sealed membrane (17) intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and a thermally insulating barrier (15) located between the sealed membrane (17) and the supporting structure (1), in which the sealed membrane (17) comprises a sealed corner structure (28) at the intersection between the first tank wall (3) and the second tank wall (2, 7, 8), the tank comprising a pipe (21) and at least one pipe support (22), in which the pipe support (22) is fixed to the first tank wall (3) and to the second tank wall (2, 7, 8) and holds the pipe (21),wherein the pipe support (22) comprises a first wing (33) fixed to the first tank wall (3) and a second wing (34) connected to the first wing (33) and fixed to the second tank wall (2, 7, 8), the first wing (33) comprising a first anchoring plate (35), the first anchoring plate (35) comprising a fixing orifice (37) receiving a first stud (32) projecting from the first tank wall (3) and capable of cooperating with a first fixing device (40) to ensure pre-fixing of the pipe support (22) to the first tank wall (3), and wherein the first wing (33) and the second wing (34) are welded to the corner watertight structure (28).,

2. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to claim 1, wherein the first wing (33) is welded to the sealed corner structure (28) by the first anchoring plate (35).

3. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first anchor plate (35) extends in a direction parallel to the first direction.

4. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the second wing (34) comprises a second anchoring plate (36), the second anchoring plate (36) comprising a fixing orifice (37) receiving a second stud (32) projecting from the second tank wall (2, 7, 8) and capable of cooperating with a second fixing device (40) configured to ensure pre-fixing of the pipe support (22) to the second tank wall (2, 7, 8).

5. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to claim 4, wherein the first wing (33) extends in a plane orthogonal to the first tank wall (3) and parallel to the first direction, and the second wing (34) extends in a plane orthogonal to the second tank wall (2, 7, 8) and parallel to the first direction.

6. Sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which 1 the pipe support (22) comprises at least one stiffener (42) fixed on the one hand to the first wing (33) and on the other hand to the second wing (34).

7. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pipe support (22) comprises a collar (43), the collar (43) comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being fixed to the first wing (33), the collar (43) and the first wing (33) encircling the pipe (21).

8. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thermally insulating barrier (15) comprises a corner insulating structure located (47) at the tank edge (23), the corner insulating structure (47) supporting the sealed corner structure (28), said first stud (32) being fixed to the corner insulating structure (47) and to the sealed corner structure (28).

9. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sealed membrane (17) comprises at least one series of corrugations comprising a plurality of corrugations (25) parallel to each other, the corrugations (25) arranged on the first tank wall (3) and the corrugations (25) arranged on the second tank wall (2, 7, 8) extending in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the corrugations (25) of the series of corrugations each comprising a corrugation connection (30) at the tank edge (23) so that the corrugations (25) of the series of corrugations are continuous at the intersection between the first tank wall (3) and the second tank wall (2, 7, 8), and wherein the pipe support (22) is welded to the structure corner seal (28) between two corrugation fittings (30) such that edges of the first anchor plate (35) are located at a distance from the corrugation fittings (30) and the tank edge (23).

10. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to claim 9, wherein the tank comprises a plurality of pipe supports (22), each pipe support (22) being spaced from an adjacent pipe support (22) by at least two corrugation fittings.

11. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tank is polyhedral in shape and comprises a ceiling wall (3), a bottom wall (4) opposite the ceiling wall (3), a rear wall (2) and a front wall connecting the bottom wall (4) to the ceiling wall (3), two side walls (5, 6) and two upper chamfer walls (7, 8) connecting the ceiling wall (3) to one of the side walls (5, 6), the first tank wall (3) being the ceiling wall (3), and the second tank wall being chosen from the rear wall (2), the front wall or one of the upper chamfer walls (7, 8), and wherein the pipe (21) is arranged all around the ceiling wall (3).

12. A vessel (70) for transporting a cold liquid product, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to one of claims 1 to 11 arranged in the double hull.

13. A transfer system for a cold liquid product, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 12, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) and a pump for driving 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 tank.

14. Method for mounting a pipe (21) in a sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) for storing liquefied gas integrated in a supporting structure (1), the tank comprising a first tank wall (3) and a second tank wall (2, 7, 8) connected to the first tank wall (3) at a tank edge (23), the tank edge (23) extending in a first direction, the tank comprising a sealed membrane (17) intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas and a thermally insulating barrier (15) located between the sealed membrane (17) and the supporting structure (1), the sealed membrane (17) comprising a sealed corner structure (28) at the intersection between the first tank wall (3) and the second tank wall (2, 7, 8), the tank comprising a pipe (21), wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing a pipe (21) and at least one pipe support (22), the pipe support (22) comprising a first wing (33) and a second wing (34) connected to the first wing (33), the first wing (33) comprising a first anchoring plate (35), the first anchoring plate (35) comprising a fixing orifice (37), - placing a first stud (32) projecting from the first tank wall in the fixing hole (37) of the first anchor plate (35), - fixing the first anchor plate (35) to the first tank wall by means of a first fixing device (40) cooperating with the first stud (32), - welding the first wing (33) and the second wing (34) to the watertight corner structure (28), - fix the pipe (21) to the pipe support (22).

15. A method of loading or unloading a ship (70), in which a cold liquid product is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the tank (71) of the ship (70) according to claim 12.

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