Wall for a waterproof and thermally insulating tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall (11) comprising an insulating barrier (14) intended to rest against a supporting structure and a sealing membrane (15) which rests against the insulating barrier, the insulating barrier comprising: a support element (30), and a modular structure located between the support element and the sealing membrane, the modular structure being fixed against the support element, the sealing membrane resting against the modular structure and being fixed to said modular structure, the modular structure comprising a first and a second plate, the sealing membrane comprises a first zone fixed to the first plate and a second zone fixed to the second plate, the first plate being linked to the second plate by a connection which has a degree of freedom in translation in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall and a degree of connection in the thickness direction of the wall.Figure for abstract: Fig. 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating membrane tank walls.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tank walls for the storage, transport and / or use as fuel of low-temperature liquefied gas, such as tanks intended to contain liquid hydrogen which is at approximately -253°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 the use of the liquefied gas as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure. Technological background

[0003] Known in the state of the art are sealed and thermally insulating tanks for storing a liquefied gas, in particular tanks in which the walls successively have, in the direction of thickness of the wall, from the outside towards the inside, a supporting structure, a thermally insulating barrier and a sealing membrane which rests against the thermally insulating barrier and which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas.

[0004] In this type of tank, the sealing membrane is subjected to high thermomechanical stresses, for example during loading, unloading and during the transport of the liquefied gas contained in the tank, for example in the event of sloshing during transport at sea, also called the "sloshing" phenomenon which generates waves of liquefied gas which break against the sealing membrane from inside the tank. These stresses are the cause of numerous problems of damage to the tank walls. Summary

[0005] The applicant has found that, in a tank wall of the aforementioned type, the sealing membrane is not stressed uniformly. In particular, to the extent that the thermally insulating barrier is discontinuous, that is to say that it is made up, for example, of heat-insulating elements juxtaposed with each other and each supporting a plurality of flat zones of the sealing membrane, its behavior is not uniform when the sealing membrane deforms under the effect of the thermal and mechanical stresses indicated above. In addition, hydrodynamic pressures due to the "sloshing" phenomenon are exerted. in certain flat areas of the waterproofing membrane and are only taken up by the heat-insulating element(s) which support said flat areas. However, it is important to ensure the most uniform possible distribution of the stresses of the waterproofing membrane and the thermally insulating barrier, in particular with a view to optimizing their service life. This disadvantage is all the more critical when the storage temperature of the liquefied gas is low and consequently the thermal stresses exerted on the waterproofing membrane and the thermally insulating barrier are significant.

[0006] Furthermore, the thermal insulation performance of tanks of the aforementioned type is to date insufficient to allow them to store a liquefied gas at very low temperature, such as liquid hydrogen, unless the thickness of the thermally insulating barriers is very significantly increased, which is not desirable.

[0007] An idea behind the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] An idea at the basis of the invention is to propose a sealed and thermal tank wall mitically insulating comprising a modular structure allowing the forces exerted on the waterproof membrane of the tank wall to be distributed more evenly.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall successively comprising, in a thickness direction of the wall, a thermally insulating barrier intended to be anchored, directly or indirectly, to a supporting structure and a sealing membrane which rests against the thermally insulating barrier, the thermally insulating barrier comprises: - at least one support element and - a modular structure located between the at least one support element and the waterproofing membrane, the modular structure being fixed against the at least one support element, the waterproofing membrane resting against the modular structure and being fixed to said modular structure, the modular structure comprising at least a first plate and a second plate, the waterproofing membrane comprises a first zone fixed to the first plate and a second zone fixed to the second plate, the first plate being linked to the second plate by a connection which has a degree of freedom in translation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the wall in order to allow contraction of the waterproofing membrane and a degree of connection in the direction of thickness of the wall.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, the first plate and the second plate of the modular structure on which the first zone and the second zone of the waterproofing membrane are fixed can perform relative movements in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall.

[0011] This allows in particular the sealing membrane, and particularly when it has undulations, to contract when the tank is cooled and to unfold when the tank is heated, for example when the tank is emptied. More precisely, when the temperature drops in the tank, the material making up the sealing membrane contracts, and to compensate the waves of the sealing membrane unfold. That is to say that the waves are more open at a cold temperature, for example when the tank is cooled than at a warmer temperature. When the tank is heated, for example when the tank is emptied, it is the opposite.

[0012] Furthermore, the deformations of the modular structure in the direction perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the wall will only be slightly transferred to the waterproofing membrane.

[0013] Furthermore, the connection of the first plate to the second plate along the thickness direction of the wall allows the dynamic pressures exerted on one of the first and second plates to also be absorbed by the other plate, which ensures better distribution of the stresses exerted on the wall. This connection also makes it possible to eliminate or at least limit the unevenness or walking phenomena between the support surfaces of the waterproofing membrane, which limits the fatigue stresses on the waterproofing membrane.

[0014] According to embodiments, such a wall may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the connection is formed by direct contact between a lateral portion of the first plate and a lateral portion of the second plate. That is to say, the first plate and the second plate touch without an intermediate piece to connect them.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion of the first plate comprises at least one first rectilinear tab and one external tab respectively located on either side along the thickness direction of the wall of a respective portion of the lateral portion of the second plate.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion of the first plate comprises a second rectilinear tab, the external tab being positioned between the first and second rectilinear tabs and the lateral portion of the second plate comprises a first external tab, a second external tab and a rectilinear tab positioned between the first external tab and the second external tab of the lateral portion of the second plate, the first and second rectilinear tabs of the lateral portion of the first plate extending in a rectilinear manner and the first and second external tabs of the lateral portion of the second plate being offset in the thickness direction of the wall. and positioned respectively outside the straight tab of the lateral portion of the second plate, the straight tab of the lateral portion of the second plate extending in a straight manner and the external tab of the lateral portion of the first plate being offset according to the thickness direction of the wall and positioned outside the straight tab of the lateral portion of the second plate.

[0018] Thanks to these characteristics, the first plate is directly connected by contact to the second plate while allowing movement in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall. Said movement in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall is carried out without the connection of the first plate with the second plate breaking.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the direct contact connection is a pinching of the lateral portion of the first plate with the lateral portion of the second plate. That is to say that the first plate clamps the second plate. This pinching makes it possible in particular to maintain direct contact of the first plate with the second plate in the presence of thermodynamic stress while allowing a sliding type movement, in translation in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion of the first plate cooperates by interlocking in shape with the lateral portion of the second plate and forms an interlocking zone.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the nesting zone has a through passage which passes through, in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall, the lateral portion of the first plate and the lateral portion of the second plate, the through passage being formed by at least one opening made in the lateral portion of the first plate corresponding with at least one opening made in the lateral portion of the second plate, a rod being housed in said through passage so that the first plate and the second plate have a degree of connection in the thickness direction of the wall.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the rod is rectilinear.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the section along the width of the rod has a shape circular, square, rectangular or oblong.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the rod is metallic or made of rigid composite material.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the rod has a sufficient length to be housed in the at least one opening provided in the lateral portion of the first plate and in the at least one opening provided in the lateral portion of the second plate.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the rod has a length equal to or greater than the length of the through passage.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the rod has a height chosen so that there is no play in the direction of thickness of the wall between the rod and the through passage.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the rod has at one end a stop in the form of a base in order to hold the rod in the through passage.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the through passage is formed by a plurality of oblong-shaped openings.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the width of the through passage is less than the width of the rod in order to allow freedom in translation in the direction perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the wall.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion of the first plate comprises a tenon projecting towards the second plate, said tenon being received by a mortise arranged in the lateral portion of the second plate.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion of the first plate comprises a second tenon projecting towards the second plate, said second tenon being received by a second mortise arranged in the lateral portion of the second plate.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the lateral portion of the first plate comprises a third tenon projecting towards the second plate, said third tenon being received by a third mortise arranged in the lateral portion of the second plate.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the first, second and third tenons each have identical or different dimensions and correspond respectively to the first, second and third mortises which each have identical or different dimensions in order to receive the corresponding tenon.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the modular structure comprises a third plate, a fourth plate and a fifth plate, the sealing membrane comprising a third zone fixed to the third plate, a fourth zone fixed to the fourth plate and a fifth zone fixed to the fifth plate, the first plate being linked to the third, fourth and fifth plates by links which have a degree of freedom in translation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the wall and a degree of connection in the direction of thickness of the wall.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first plate is connected to the third, fourth and fifth plates via respectively a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, a third lateral portion and a fourth lateral portion of said first plate.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the modular structure comprises a plurality of plates, for example sixteen plates, in which each of the plates of the plurality of plates is at least linked to one other plate, and preferably each of the plates is linked to at least two other plates, for example to three other plates or four other plates.

[0038] Thanks to these characteristics, the modular structure increases the distribution of the different stresses in a homogeneous manner, on the element(s) of the wall support. Thus, local damage to the wall is limited.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the modular structure comprises a third plate, a fourth plate and a fifth plate, the sealing membrane comprising a third zone fixed to the third plate, a fourth zone fixed to the fourth plate and a fifth zone fixed to the fifth plate, the first plate being linked to the second, third, fourth and fifth plates via respectively a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, a third lateral portion and a fourth lateral portion of said first plate.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first plate has a general shape of a polygon, for example a quadrilateral and preferably a square or a rectangle. According to one embodiment, each side of the polygon corresponds respectively to a lateral portion. For example, for a plate having the shape of a quadrilateral, there is the first lateral portion, the second lateral portion, the third lateral portion and the fourth lateral portion of the first plate.

[0041] According to embodiments, the first plate has the following dimensions: - a length between 20 and 300 centimeters (cm); - a width between 20 and 300 cm; - a thickness between 4 and 30 millimeters (mm).

[0042] According to one embodiment, the first plate is a metal plate, preferably comprising an alloy of iron and nickel. According to one embodiment, the first plate is a plate made of composite material. According to one embodiment, the plate made of composite material comprises a metal plate to allow the welding of the sealing membrane onto said metal plate.

[0043] According to embodiments, the characteristics defining the first lateral portion of the first plate may also apply to the other lateral portions of the first plate, such as the second lateral portion, the third lateral portion and the fourth lateral portion.

[0044] According to embodiments, the characteristics defining the lateral portion of the second plate may also apply to the other lateral portions of the second plate.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the first plate has an axis of symmetry. According to one embodiment, the first lateral portion and the fourth lateral portion respectively have an axis of symmetry with the second lateral portion and the third lateral portion. According to one embodiment, the axis of symmetry passes through a diagonal of the first plate.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the first lateral portion, the second lateral portion, the third lateral portion and the fourth lateral portion of the first plate each have identical or different characteristics.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the first plate is fixed against the at least one support element via a first fixing located in the center of the first plate, and the second plate is fixed against the at least one support element via a second fixing located in the center of the second plate. The central fixing makes it possible to ensure better balancing of the fixing.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the first fixing and the second fixing is a screw nut system or riveting.

[0049] According to embodiments, the aforementioned characteristics for the first plate also apply to the other plates of the modular structure, for example to the second plate, the third plate, the fourth plate and / or the fifth plate.

[0050] According to embodiments, the aforementioned characteristics for the second plate also apply to the other plates of the modular structure, for example to the first plate, the third plate, the fourth plate and / or the fifth plate.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the at least one support element is a thermally insulating panel comprising a layer of self-supporting insulating foam sandwiched between an internal rigid plate and an external rigid plate, preferably the layer of insulating foam is a polymer foam.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the modular structure is fixed to the internal rigid plate.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the internal rigid plate is equipped with metal plates intended for anchoring the modular structure.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the at least one support element is an insulating box comprising a bottom plate, a cover plate and supporting webs extending in the thickness direction of the wall between the bottom plate and the cover plate and delimiting at least one compartment filled with a thermally insulating lining. Such an insulating box is for example described in document WO2012127141.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating lining is chosen from: perlite, glass wool and rock wool.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the at least one support element comprises a layer of flexible material in contact with the modular structure.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the flexible material has a Young's modulus in compression along the thickness direction of the tank wall of between 0.25 and 25 MPa, for example felt.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the flexible material has a Young's modulus in compression lower than the Young's modulus of the self-supporting insulating foam layer of the thermally insulating panel. That is to say that the flexible material is more flexible than said self-supporting insulating foam layer of the thermally insulating panel.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the ratio between the Young's modulus in compression of the flexible material and the Young's modulus in compression of said self-supporting insulating foam layer of the thermally insulating panel is less than or equal to 1 / 5, preferably between 1 / 5 and 1 / 20.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the flexible material has a Young's modulus in compression lower than the Young's modulus of the material, such as plywood, in which at least one of the base plate, the cover plate and the supporting sails of the insulating box is made.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the ratio between the Young's modulus in compression of the flexible material and the Young's modulus in compression of said material in which at least one of the base plate, the cover plate and the load-bearing webs is made is less than or equal to 1 / 5, preferably between 1 / 5 and 1 / 20.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the layer of flexible material extends in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating barrier comprises a first support element and a second support element, the first support element being a first pillar and the second support element being a second pillar, the first pillar and the second pillar extending in the thickness direction of the wall, the first pillar being fixed to the first plate and the second pillar being fixed to the second plate.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the modular structure comprises: a first sleeve fixed between an internal end of the first pillar and the first plate, a second sleeve secured between an inner end of the second pillar and the second plate, and a metal beam connecting the first sleeve and the second sleeve by a sliding joint in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the metal beam has a rectilinear shape. According to one embodiment, the metal beam has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the sleeve has a cylindrical or cubic shape.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the sleeve has a through notch, preferably in the shape of a cross.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating barrier comprises a third support element, the third support element being a third pillar extending in the thickness direction of the wall, in which the first pillar, the second pillar and the third pillar are aligned.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the modular structure comprises a third plate and a third sleeve fixed between an internal end of the third pillar and the third plate, the sealing membrane comprising a third zone fixed to the third plate, in which the metal beam connects the third sleeve.

[0070] According to one embodiment, each sleeve is fixed by fitting inside the inner end of the pillar. According to an alternative embodiment, each sleeve is fixed by fitting outside the inner end of the pillar. The inner end of the pillar is the end of the pillar being closest to the sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the first sleeve and the second sleeve comprise a through opening in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall in order to receive the metal beam.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the third sleeve comprises a through opening in the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall in order to receive the metal beam.

[0073] According to one embodiment, each pillar is made from a composite material comprising fibers and a matrix, which makes it possible to obtain satisfactory compressive strength for a limited conductive section.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the fibers are chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, flax fibers, basalt fibers and mixtures thereof.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the matrix is ​​chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polyetherimide, polyacrylate, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, copolymers thereof, polyester, vinylester, epoxy and polyurethane.

[0076] According to a preferred embodiment, the pillars are made of an epoxy resin. reinforced with glass fibers.

[0077] According to one embodiment, each pillar has a tubular section.

[0078] According to one embodiment, each pillar has one or more orifices tra slopes and opening into an internal space of said pillar.

[0079] According to one embodiment, each pillar has an internal space which is lined with an insulating lining made of open-cell porous material, for example chosen from an open-cell insulating polymer foam, such as open-cell polyurethane foam, glass wool, rock wool, melamine foam, polyester wadding, polymer aerogels, such as polyurethane-based aerogel, notably marketed under the brand name Slentite ®, and silica aerogels.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the waterproofing membrane is a corrugated waterproofing membrane comprising a first series of corrugations having first corrugations parallel to each other and a second series of corrugations having second corrugations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations, the waterproofing membrane comprising a plurality of flat zones which are each defined between two adjacent first corrugations and between two adjacent second corrugations, in which the first zone and the second zone correspond to two adjacent flat zones.

[0081] Thanks to these characteristics, the stresses undergone by the corrugated waterproofing membrane are uniformly distributed between the corrugations thereof.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises at least a first row of pillars successively comprising, in a direction parallel to the first corrugations, at least the first, second and third pillars which are fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier and which rise in the thickness direction of the wall, the first, second and third pillars being respectively fixed to the first, second and third plates, in which the first, second and third pillars are respectively located at a flat area.

[0083] These characteristics allow good distribution of stresses between the corrugations of the waterproofing membrane.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises at least a second row of pillars comprising a fourth, a fifth and a sixth pillars which are fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier and which rise in the direction of thickness of the wall, the fourth, the fifth and the sixth pillars being aligned in a direction parallel to the second corrugations and being respectively fixed to a fourth, a fifth and a sixth plates, in which the fourth, fifth and sixth pillars are respectively located at a flat area.

[0085] Thus, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises both support elements which are aligned parallel to the first corrugations of the primary waterproofing membrane and support elements which are aligned parallel to the second corrugations of the primary waterproofing membrane.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the sealing membrane is fixed to the modular structure by welding.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating barrier is a primary thermally insulating barrier and the sealing membrane is a primary sealing membrane which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, the wall comprising a secondary thermally insulating barrier intended to rest against the supporting structure, a secondary sealing membrane which rests against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, the primary thermally insulating barrier resting against the secondary sealing membrane and the primary sealing membrane resting against the primary thermally insulating barrier.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier rests against the supporting structure.

[0089] According to another embodiment, the first series of corrugations and the second series of corrugations of the secondary waterproofing membrane project inwards, in the direction opposite the supporting structure.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier has a gas phase placed under depression relative to atmospheric pressure.

[0091] Thanks to these characteristics, the thermal insulation properties of the primary thermally insulating barrier are increased.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the gas phase is placed at an absolute pressure of less than 1 Pa, advantageously less than 10 1 Pa, preferably less than 10 2 Pa and for example of the order of 102 Pa. This makes it possible to increase the thermal insulation performance of the primary thermally insulating barrier.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the primary waterproofing membrane comprises a plurality of corrugated metal sheets, each corrugated metal sheet having edges which are each lap welded to an edge of an adjacent corrugated metal sheet.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier comprises insulating panels anchored to the supporting structure. According to one embodiment, the insulating panels are made from: glass wool, rock wool, polyester wadding, open-cell polymer foams, such as poly- open-cell urethane or melamine foams.

[0095] According to one embodiment, each insulating panel comprises a layer of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between an internal plate and an external plate, for example made of plywood or made in a polymer matrix reinforced by fibers, such as glass fibers.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the internal plate of the insulating panels is equipped with metal plates intended for anchoring the modular structure on the insulating panels and / or for anchoring the waterproof membrane on the insulating panels.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the internal plate of the insulating panels is equipped with metal plates intended for anchoring the edges of the corrugated metal sheets of the secondary waterproofing membrane on the insulating panels.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the liquefied gas is hydrogen.

[0099] The invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a plurality of the aforementioned walls.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the sealed and thermally insulating tank contains liquefied hydrogen.

[0101] The tank can be produced using different techniques, in particular in the form of an integrated membrane tank. For example, the tank is a polyhedral tank.

[0102] Such a tank may be part of a land-based storage facility or installed in a floating, coastal or deep-water structure, including a liquid hydrogen transport vessel, i.e., a hydrogenerator, 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.

[0103] According to one embodiment, a ship for transporting a liquefied gas comprises a double hull and a aforementioned tank arranged in the double hull.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising the aforementioned ship, insulated pipes arranged to connect the sealed and thermally insulating tank installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a flow of liquefied gas through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the sealed and thermally insulating tank of the ship.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a ship, in which a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the sealed and thermally insulating tank of the ship. Brief description of the figures

[0106] 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.

[0107] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a cutaway and schematic perspective view of a structure carrier intended to support a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing liquefied gas.

[0108] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of a wall of a watertight tank and thermally insulating according to a first embodiment.

[0109] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlarged sectional view of zone III of [Fig.2].

[0110] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a plate of a modular structure according to one embodiment.

[0111] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a modular structure formed by four plates linked together according to the embodiment of [Fig.4].

[0112] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a wall according to another method of rea lization, including a modular structure.

[0113] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a modular structure according to another embodiment.

[0114] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of a plate of the modular structure of [Fig.7].

[0115] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a perspective view of a connection of a first plate with a second plate, of the modular structure of [Fig.7].

[0116] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a schematic, partial and perspective view of a wall comprising a modular structure according to another embodiment.

[0117] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a schematic, partial and perspective view of a wall comprising a modular structure according to another embodiment.

[0118] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a schematic cutaway representation of a ship's tank for the transport of liquefied gas and a terminal for loading / unloading this tank.

[0119] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a partially exploded perspective view of a modular structure according to another embodiment.

[0120] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is an enlarged, perspective view of the modular structure of [Fig. 13] Description of the embodiments

[0121] By convention, the terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, by reference to the interior and the outside of the tank.

[0122] The liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank may in particular be liquid hydrogen which has the particularity of being stored at approximately -253°C at atmospheric pressure. Nevertheless, it may be noted that the invention applies to any other liquefied gas, for example liquefied natural gas.

[0123] In relation to [Fig.l], a tank 1 is shown for receiving a liquefied gas.

[0124] The tank 1 comprises a supporting structure formed by the internal hull (not shown) of a double-hulled ship (not shown). The tank 1 has a generally polyhedral or prismatic shape. The tank 1 has a first transverse wall 2 and a second transverse wall 3, here octagonal in shape. In [Fig.l], the first transverse wall 2 is only partially shown in order to allow the internal space of the tank 1 to be visualized. The tank 1 also comprises a ceiling wall 4, a bottom wall 5, lower chamfer walls 6, side walls 7 and upper chamfer walls 8.The ceiling wall 4, the bottom wall 5, the lower chine walls 6, the side walls 7, and the upper chine walls 8 extend in the longitudinal direction of the ship, connect the first and second transverse walls 2, 3 at the transverse edges 9, and meet at the longitudinal edges 10.

[0125] Each wall of the hull successively has, in the direction of the wall thickness, a thermally insulating barrier intended to rest against a load-bearing structure and a waterproof membrane that rests against the thermally insulating barrier.

[0126] Generally, each wall of the tank has a multi-layer structure comprising, from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier comprising a plurality of secondary insulating panels, intended to be anchored, directly or indirectly, to a supporting structure, a secondary waterproof membrane resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier comprising a plurality of primary insulating panels or a plurality of primary pillars, resting against the secondary waterproof membrane and a primary waterproof membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank. The primary waterproof membrane defines an internal space intended to receive the liquefied gas, such as hydrogen.

[0127] In relation to figures 2 to 11, walls for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas according to embodiments will be described below in more particular.

[0128] The wall 11 for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas has a multi-layer structure comprising, along the thickness direction of the wall 11, from the outside to the inside, a thermally insulating barrier. secondary 12 intended to rest against a supporting structure 23, a secondary sealing membrane 13, a primary thermally insulating barrier 14 and a primary sealing membrane 15 intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0129] The secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 comprises a plurality of insulating panels 16 anchored to the supporting structure 23. The insulating panels 16 each comprise a layer of insulating polymer foam 17 sandwiched between an inner plate 18 and an outer plate 19. The inner 18 and outer 19 plates are, for example, plywood plates glued to said layer of insulating polymer foam 17. According to a variant, the inner 18 and outer 19 plates are made from a polymer matrix reinforced by fibers, such as glass fibers. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam. The polymer foam is, advantageously, reinforced by fibers, such as glass fibers, contributing to reducing its thermal contraction.

[0130] The insulating panels 16 are anchored to the supporting structure 23 by means of secondary anchoring devices, not shown. Each insulating panel 16 is, for example, fixed at at least each of its four corners. Each secondary anchoring device comprises a stud welded to the supporting structure 23 as well as a support member which is fixed on the stud and which bears against a support zone of the insulating panels 16. According to one embodiment, the external plate 19 of the insulating panels 16 projects beyond the layer of insulating polymer foam 17, at least at the corners of the insulating panel 16, so as to form the support zones of the insulating panels 16 cooperating with the support members of the secondary anchoring devices.Elastic members, such as Belleville washers, are advantageously threaded onto the stud, between a nut mounted on the stud and the support member, which makes it possible to ensure elastic anchoring of the insulating panels 16 on the supporting structure 23.

[0131] Advantageously, portions of mastic 20 are interposed between the external plate 19 of the insulating panels 16 and the supporting structure 23. The portions of mastic 20 thus contribute to compensating for the surface irregularities of the supporting structure 23. According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the portions of mastic 20 adhere to the external plate 19 of the insulating panels 16 and to the supporting structure 23. The portions of mastic 20 thus participate in anchoring the insulating panels 16 on the supporting structure 23. In such an alternative embodiment, the secondary anchoring devices are optional.

[0132] The insulating panels 16 have substantially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and are juxtaposed in parallel rows and separated from each other by gaps 21 guaranteeing functional assembly clearance. The gaps 21 are filled with a heat-insulating filling, not shown, such as glass wool, rock wool or flexible open-cell polymer foam, for example. The gaps can also be filled with insulating plugs, as described in applications WO2019155157 or WO2021028624, for example.

[0133] In the embodiment shown, the internal face of the insulating panels 16 has two series of grooves 22 perpendicular to each other and intended to receive corrugations, projecting towards the outside of the tank, formed on the corrugated metal sheets of the secondary sealing membrane 13. Each of the series of grooves 22 is parallel to two opposite sides of the insulating panels 16. In the embodiment shown, the grooves 22 pass entirely through the thickness of the internal plate 18 as well as an internal portion of the insulating polymer foam layer 17.Advantageously, the grooves 22 have a shape complementary to those of the undulations of the secondary sealing membrane 13.

[0134] Furthermore, the inner plate 18 of the insulating panels 16 is equipped with metal plates intended for anchoring the edges of the corrugated metal sheets of the secondary waterproofing membrane 13 on the insulating panels 16. The metal plates extend in two perpendicular directions which are each parallel to two opposite sides of the insulating panels 16. The metal plates are fixed to the inner plate 18 of the insulating panels 16, by screws, rivets or staples, for example. The metal plates are placed in recesses provided in the inner plate 18 so that the inner surface of the metal plates is flush with the inner surface of the inner plate 18.

[0135] Furthermore, the insulating panels 16 have relaxation slots 27 which make it possible to reduce their stiffness so that the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 deforms in the most homogeneous manner possible. This makes it possible to obtain the most uniform deformations possible of the corrugations of the secondary sealing membrane 13. Advantageously, the insulating panels 16 have relaxation slots 27 at least opposite each of the corrugations 24 of the secondary sealing membrane 13. Thus, a relaxation slot 27 extends from the bottom of each of the grooves 22 in the direction of the external plate 19 of the insulating panels 16. According to an optional variant, the insulating blocks 16 also comprise relaxation slots which open onto the external face of the insulating panels 16.Such relaxation slots are then not arranged opposite a corrugation of the secondary sealing membrane 13 but halfway between two parallel corrugations of the secondary sealing membrane 13.

[0136] The secondary waterproofing membrane 13 comprises a plurality of corrugated metal sheets each having a substantially rectangular shape. The corrugated metal sheets are, for example, made of Invar®: that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose coefficient of expansion is typically between 1.2.106 and 2.106 KA or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose coefficient of expansion is typically of the order of 7.106 K1. Alternatively, corrugated metal sheets can also be made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0137] The corrugated metal sheets are overlap-welded along their edges in order to ensure the sealing of the secondary sealing membrane 13. Furthermore, the corrugated metal sheets are arranged in an offset manner relative to the insulating panels 16 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 so that each of said corrugated metal sheets extends jointly over several adjacent insulating panels 16. In order to ensure the anchoring of the secondary sealing membrane 13 on the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12, the edges of the corrugated metal sheets are welded to the metal plates, for example by spot welding.

[0138] The secondary sealing membrane 13 has corrugations and more particularly a first series of corrugations extending parallel to a first direction and a second series of corrugations extending parallel to a second direction. The directions of the series of corrugations are perpendicular to each other. Each of the series of corrugations is parallel to two opposite edges of the corrugated metal sheet. The corrugations here protrude towards the outside of the tank, i.e. towards the supporting structure 23. The secondary sealing membrane 13 comprises, between the corrugations, a plurality of flat areas.

[0139] The corrugations of the secondary sealing membrane 13 are housed in the grooves 22 formed in the internal face of the insulating panels 16 and in the interstices 21 formed between the adjacent insulating panels 16.

[0140] Furthermore, the flat areas of the secondary sealing membrane 13 are each crossed by a primary anchoring device intended to ensure the anchoring of the support elements of the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 on the insulating panels 16 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12. Each primary anchoring device comprises a stud, not shown, which passes through the secondary sealing membrane in a sealed manner.

[0141] The primary thermally insulating barrier 14 comprises a plurality of pillars 30 which extend in the thickness direction of the wall 11. The pillars 30 make it possible to support the primary sealing membrane 15 and, consequently, to take up the forces due to the hydrostatic and dynamic pressures exerted on the primary sealing membrane 15 by the liquefied gas contained inside the tank. The pillars 30 are aligned in rows which are parallel to the direction of the undulations of the first series of undulations 45a and in rows parallel to the direction of the undulations dulations of the second series of undulations 45b.

[0142] The pillars 30 each comprise an external base, an internal base and a rod extending between the external base and the internal base. The external base and the internal base may be made of metal, such as stainless steel, or of a composite material, such as an epoxy resin filled with glass fibers, for example. The external base and the internal base may be fixed to the rod by any means and in particular by gluing. According to another alternative embodiment, the rod as well as the external base and the internal base forming the pillar 30 are formed in a single piece, by molding for example. The pillars have a tubular shape, preferably with a circular section.

[0143] The primary waterproof membrane 15 is obtained in a similar manner to the secondary waterproof membrane by assembling a plurality of corrugated metal sheets 44. The corrugated metal sheets 44 each have a substantially rectangular shape. The corrugated metal sheets 44 are, for example, made of Invar®: that is to say an alloy of iron and nickel whose coefficient of expansion is typically between 1.2.106 and 2.106 K ', or in an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose coefficient of expansion is typically of the order of 7.106 K1. Alternatively, the corrugated metal sheets 44 can also be made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0144] The corrugated metal sheets 44 are overlap welded along their edges in order to ensure the sealing of the primary sealing membrane 15. The primary sealing membrane 15 comprises corrugations 45. More particularly, it comprises a first series of corrugations 45a extending parallel to a first direction and a second series of corrugations 45b extending parallel to a second direction. The directions of the series of corrugations 45a, 45b are perpendicular and are parallel or perpendicular to the rows of pillars 30. Each of the series of corrugations 45a, 45b is parallel to two opposite edges of the corrugated metal sheets 44. The corrugations 45 project towards the inside of the tank, that is to say in the opposite direction to the supporting structure 23. Each corrugated metal sheet 44 comprises between the corrugations 45, a plurality of flat zones 46.

[0145] Each flat zone 46 of the primary sealing membrane 15 is located opposite, in the thickness direction of the wall 11, a flat zone of the secondary sealing membrane 13.

[0146] As illustrated in [Fig.3] showing zone III of [Fig.2], the wall 11 comprises a modular structure 50 located between a plurality of pillars 30 and the primary waterproofing membrane 15.

[0147] The primary waterproofing membrane 15 is fixed to the modular structure 50 by welding at the level of the flat zones 46. According to one embodiment, each of the flat areas 46 of the primary waterproofing membrane 15 is fixed on a respective plate of the modular structure 50. According to another embodiment, the primary waterproofing membrane 15 is welded to the modular structure only along the edges of the corrugated metal sheets 44.

[0148] The modular structure 50 comprises a first plate 51, a second plate 52 and a third plate 53. The second plate 52 is connected to the first plate 51 via a first connection 54 located at a lateral portion of the first plate 51 and a lateral portion of the second plate 52. The second plate is also connected via a second connection 55 to the third plate 53 via another lateral portion of the second plate and a lateral portion of the third plate. The first connection 54 and the second connection 55 are such that they allow a degree of freedom in translation in a direction X which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall and is parallel to the direction of one of the series of corrugations 45a, 45b of the primary sealing membrane 15.

[0149] The modular structure 50 is fixed to the pillars 30 by bolts. That is to say that each plate is respectively fixed to a pillar 30 for example via a screw nut system 82.

[0150] A plate according to the embodiment of [Fig.3] is illustrated in more detail in [Fig.4]. For the purpose of understanding, the plate of [Fig.4] is referred to as the first plate 51. However, the second plate 52 and the third plate 53 of [Fig.3] have identical characteristics.

[0151] The first plate 51 has a general shape of a square having a first lateral portion 101, a second lateral portion 102, a third lateral portion 103 which is opposite the first lateral portion 101 and a fourth lateral portion 104.

[0152] The first lateral portion 101 and the second lateral portion 102 each have a first rectilinear tab 105, a second rectilinear tab 105 and an external tab 107 located between the first rectilinear tab 105 and the second rectilinear tab 105.

[0153] The third lateral portion 103 and the fourth lateral portion 104 each have a rectilinear tab 105 located between a first external tab 107 and a second external tab 107.

[0154] The external tabs 107 are each offset along a thickness direction Y of the wall, towards the outside of the tank, relative to the rectilinear tabs 105.

[0155] The first lateral portion 101 and the second lateral portion 102 are complementary to the third lateral portion 103 and the fourth lateral portion 104.

[0156] Thus, the first lateral portion 101 and the second lateral portion 102 can each bonding with any of the third lateral portions 103 and fourth lateral portions 104 of a neighboring plate.

[0157] Such a first plate 51 is manufactured for example by stamping or folding a metal sheet.

[0158] Thanks to these characteristics, the modular structure 50 allows the uniform distribution of the forces exerted on the pillars 30 but also allows, in the event of damage to a pillar 30, to maintain the support of the primary waterproofing membrane 15.

[0159] Such a modular structure 50 comprising a plurality of plates identical to the first plate 51 is notably illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0160] In [Fig.5] we observe a modular structure 50 comprising four plates. The modular structure 50 comprises: - a first plate 51 linked to a second plate 52 by contact of the fourth lateral portion 104 of the first plate 51 with the second lateral portion 102 of the second plate 52. The first plate 51 being further linked to a third plate 56 by contact of the first lateral portion 101 of the first plate 51 with the third lateral portion 103 of the third plate 56. - a fourth plate 57 connected to the second plate 52 by contact of the third lateral portion 103 of the fourth plate 57 with the first lateral portion 101 of the second plate 52. The fourth plate 57 is further connected to a third plate 56 by contact of the second lateral portion 102 of the fourth plate 57 with the fourth lateral portion 104 of the third plate 56.

[0161] A hole 60 is observed in the center of the first, second, third and fourth plates of [Fig.5]. This hole 60 aims to avoid a superposition of material leading to difficulties in assembling the modular structure.

[0162] The characteristics of this modular structure and in particular of the lateral portions of the plates indicated above make it possible to assemble a large number of plates and therefore to form a modular structure having the dimensions adapted to the desired dimensions. The plates collaborate with each other via the connections.

[0163] According to an alternative embodiment presented in [Fig.6], the wall 111 for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas comprises a support element 130 which can be: - a thermally insulating panel comprising a layer of self-supporting insulating polymer foam sandwiched between an internal plywood board and an external plywood board; or - an insulating box filled with thermally insulating lining.

[0164] The support element further comprises a layer of flexible material 31 positioned against the insulating panel or box 130, the modular structure 50 being positioned and fixed against the layer of flexible material 31.

[0165] In this embodiment, each plate has in its center a circular recess 83 having a through orifice 84 intended to receive a fixing. The fixing to fix each plate in the thickness direction Y of the wall 111 is carried out at a single point, for example at the center of the plate, for example by bolts.

[0166] In a similar manner to the aforementioned embodiments, the plates of the modular structure 50 collaborate with each other via the connections at the level of the lateral portions which allow movement in the direction perpendicular X to the thickness direction of the wall 111. That is to say that when the waterproof membrane (not shown in [Fig.6]) contracts or expands in response to thermal stresses, the plates of the modular structure 50 are each free to slide in translation in the direction X.

[0167] Furthermore, when local loads are applied in the thickness direction Y of the wall, for example the pressures exerted by the liquid contained in the tank, said loads are transmitted to the modular structure 50 and, in particular, to the plurality of plates which make up the modular structure 50. Furthermore, the layer of flexible material 31 makes it possible to increase the load distribution effect.

[0168] Thanks to these characteristics, in the case of a thermally insulating panel, the loads of a local impact are distributed over a larger surface area. This therefore results in a reduction in the maximum value of the stress exerted on the thermally insulating panel. It is therefore possible to replace, for example, a 250kg / m3 foam with a lower density foam, for example 170kg / m3, leading to a saving in material and therefore significant cost and to an improvement in the thermal behavior of the insulating panel.

[0169] Another alternative embodiment of a modular structure 150 is now presented in relation to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0170] Unlike the embodiment described previously, the modular structure 150 comprises a plurality of plates linked together via a tenon-mortise system illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0171] The plate 58 of [Fig.8] has, in a similar manner to the plate 51 of [Fig.4], a general shape of a square having a first lateral portion 201, a second lateral portion 202, a third lateral portion 203 which is opposite the first lateral portion 201 and a fourth lateral portion 204. The plate 58 has a symmetry along the axis S passing through a diagonal of said plate 58.

[0172] The first lateral portion 201 and the second lateral portion 202 each have a first and a second rectangular tenon 205 and a cylindrical tenon 206 projecting respectively from the first lateral portion 201 of the plate. 58 and from the second lateral portion 202 of the plate 58.

[0173] The third lateral portion 203 and the fourth lateral portion 204 each have a first and a second rectangular mortise 207 and a cylindrical mortise 208 hollowed out respectively in the third lateral portion 203 of the plate 58 and in the fourth lateral portion 204 of the plate 58. The dimensions of the mortises are adapted to allow the reception of the corresponding tenons.

[0174] According to the embodiment presented in [Fig.7], each plate of the modular structure 150 has the characteristics of the plate 58.

[0175] Thus, the first lateral portion 201 and the second lateral portion 202 can each connect with any of the third lateral portions 203 and fourth lateral portions 204 of a neighboring plate.

[0176] In [Fig.7], for each plate, the first and second rectangular tenons 205 and the cylindrical tenon 206 of the first lateral portion 201 are respectively linked to the first and second rectangular mortises 207 and to the cylindrical mortise 208 of the third lateral portion 203 of the adjacent plate.

[0177] Similarly, the second lateral portion 202 is connected to the fourth lateral portion 204 of the adjacent plate via the first and second rectangular tenons 205 and the cylindrical tenon 206 of the second lateral portion 201 which fit into the first and second rectangular mortises 207 and the cylindrical mortise 208 of the fourth lateral portion 203 of the adjacent plate.

[0178] An enlarged view of [Fig.7] of a connection of the first rectangular tenon 205 with the first mortise 207 is illustrated in [Fig.9]. The width dimensions of the first tenon 205 are smaller than the width dimensions of the first mortise 207 in order to allow movement of the first tenon 205 in the first mortise 207, in the directions XI and X2 perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall. This difference in dimensions makes it possible in particular to allow sliding movement in response to thermal contraction or expansion without completely breaking the connection. That is to say that the dimensions are also chosen with regard to the estimated thermal contraction and expansion so that the tenon does not completely come out of the mortise.

[0179] In a manner different from the embodiment described previously, the modular structure 450 comprises a plurality of plates 451 linked together via a nesting system as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0180] This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that the modular structure 450 comprises a plurality of plates 451, four of which are illustrated in [Fig. 13] which are fitted together by complementary shape between a lateral portion of a plate 451 and a lateral portion of another adjacent plate 451. The complementary shapes of the two fitted plates 451 each have openings 452 which extend in a direction perpendicular X to the direction of thickness of the wall, the openings 452 form a through passage intended to receive a rectilinear rod 453. The openings 452 have for example an oblong shape.

[0181] A straight rod 453 is housed in the consecutive through openings 452 and passes through said consecutive through openings 452 in order to maintain a degree of connection along the thickness direction Y of the wall of the nested plates. The transverse dimension of the straight rod 453, measured perpendicular to the thickness direction, is less than the corresponding transverse dimension of said through openings 452. In other words, the straight rod 453 is mounted with a clearance along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the straight rod 453 and to the thickness direction Y of the wall, which makes it possible to allow relative movements of the plates with respect to each other in the plane orthogonal to the thickness direction of the wall.

[0182] The rectilinear rod 453 has, at one end, a stop in the form of a base 454 in order to keep the rectilinear rod 453 housed in the through passage.

[0183] [Fig. 10] illustrates another embodiment of a modular structure 250. The pillars 30 of [Fig. 10] are organized in rows, similarly to the pillars 30 shown in [Fig. 2].

[0184] This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that the modular structure 250 comprises a plurality of plates 251 linked together by means of metal beams capable of sliding in one of the directions XI, X2 perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall parallel to one of the series of undulations of the series of undulations 45a, 45b of the primary waterproofing membrane 15.

[0185] To do this, the modular structure 250 further comprises a plurality of sleeves 252 which are each positioned on an internal end of a pillar 30. Each sleeve 252 comprises two through openings forming a cross-shaped notch.

[0186] A plurality of continuous metal beams 253 each pass through a series of sleeves 252 aligned via their respective notch, in a first direction XI, perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall. In [Fig. 10], we observe in particular three continuous metal beams 253 parallel to each other and each passing through at least four aligned sleeves. The continuous metal beams 253 are capable of performing a sliding movement in the first direction XL

[0187] A plurality of discontinuous metal beams 254 each connect, in a second direction X2 which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall and which is perpendicular to the first direction XI, a first sleeve 252 of a first pillar 30 with a second sleeve 252 of a second pillar 30 adjacent to the first pillar 30 via their respective notch. The discontinuous metal beams 254 are capable of performing a sliding movement along the second direction X2.

[0188] Each plate 251 is fixed, for example by means of rivets 85, to a pillar 30 by means of a sleeve 252.

[0189] In a similar manner to [Fig.2], the modular structure 250 also allows a uniform distribution of the forces exerted on the pillars 30 but also allows, in the event of damage to a pillar 30, to maintain the support of the primary waterproof membrane.

[0190] According to a variant (not shown) of embodiment of [Fig. 10], the load-bearing element is an insulating panel instead of the pillars 30 and the sleeves 252 are distributed over an internal surface of the insulating panel and the continuous and discontinuous metal beams are distributed in a similar manner to [Fig. 10].

[0191] [Fig. 11] shows another alternative embodiment of a wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas. The modular structure 350 differs from the modular structure 250 of [Fig. 10] in that it comprises cubic-shaped sleeves 352 and in that it comprises a plurality of discontinuous metal beams 254, in a first direction XI and in the second direction X2, connecting two adjacent sleeves 352.

[0192] According to a variant (not shown) of embodiment of [Fig.l 1], the load-bearing element is an insulating panel instead of the pillars 30 and the sleeves 352 are distributed over an internal surface of the insulating panel and the discontinuous metal beams are distributed in a similar manner to [Fig.l 1].

[0193] With reference to [Fig. 12], a cutaway view of a ship 70 for transporting a liquefied gas shows a sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, for example LNG, contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two thermally insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72.

[0194] In a manner known per se, loading / unloading pipelines 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.

[0195] The [Fig. 12] represents an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, a subsea pipeline 76 and a shore 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 pipes 73. The orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all sizes of ships 70. A connecting pipeline (not shown) extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the ship 70 from or to the shore installation 77. The latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipelines 81 connected by the subsea pipeline 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 vessel 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0196] 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.

[0197] 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.

[0198] 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.

[0199] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Claims

1. Wall (11, 111) for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall (11, 111) successively comprising, along a thickness direction of the wall (11, 111), a thermally insulating barrier (14) intended to be anchored to a supporting structure and a sealing membrane (15) which rests against the thermally insulating barrier, the sealing membrane (15) being a corrugated sealing membrane comprising a first series of corrugations (45) having first corrugations (45a) parallel to each other and a second series of corrugations (45b) having second corrugations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations (45a), the sealing membrane (15) comprising a plurality of flat zones (46) which are each defined between two adjacent first corrugations and between two adjacent first corrugations. second adjacent ripples,the thermally insulating barrier comprises: - at least one support element (30, 130) and - a modular structure (50, 150, 250, 350, 450) located between the at least one support element (30, 130) and the sealing membrane (15), the modular structure being fixed against the at least one support element (30, 130), the sealing membrane (15) resting against the modular structure and being fixed to said modular structure, the modular structure comprising at least a first plate (51, 58) and a second plate (52), the sealing membrane (15) comprises a first zone (46) fixed to the first plate (51, 58) and a second zone fixed to the second plate (52), the first zone and the second zone correspond to two adjacent flat zones, the first plate (51, 58) being linked to the second plate (52) by a connection (54) which has a degree of freedom in translation in a direction perpendicular (X) to the direction of thickness of the wall (11,111) and a degree of connection according to the thickness direction (Y) of the wall (11,111).,

2. Wall according to claim 1, wherein the connection (54) is formed by direct contact between a lateral portion (101, 102, 201, 202) of the first plate (51) and a lateral portion (103, 104, 203, 204) of the second plate (52).

3. Wall according to claim 2, in which the lateral portion (101, 102, 201, 202) of the first plate (51) comprises at least one first rectilinear tab (105) and one external tab (107) respectively located on either side in the direction of thickness of the wall (11, 111) of a respective portion of the lateral portion (103, 104, 203, 204) of the second plate (52).

4. A wall according to claim 3, wherein the lateral portion (101, 102) of the first plate (51) comprises a second rectilinear tab (105), the external tab (107) being positioned between the first and second rectilinear tabs (105) and the lateral portion (103, 104) of the second plate (52) comprises a first external tab (107), a second external tab (107) and a rectilinear tab (105) positioned between the first external tab (107) and the second external tab (107) of the lateral portion (103, 104) of the second plate (52), the first and second rectilinear tabs (105) of the lateral portion (101, 102) of the first plate (51) extending in a rectilinear manner and the first and second external tabs (107) of the lateral portion (103, 104) of the second plate being offset according to the thickness direction (Y) of the wall (11,111) and positioned respectively outside the rectilinear tab (105) of the lateral portion (103, 104) of the second plate (52), the rectilinear tab (105) of the lateral portion (103, 104) of the second plate (52) extending in a rectilinear manner and the external tab (107) of the lateral portion (101, 102) of the first plate being offset in the thickness direction (Y) of the wall (11, 111) and positioned outside the rectilinear tab (105) of the lateral portion (103, 104) of the second plate.,

5. Wall according to claim 2, in which the lateral portion (201, 202) of the first plate (58) cooperates by form fitting with the lateral portion (203, 204) of the second plate and forms a fitting zone.

6. Wall according to claim 5, in which the lateral portion (201, 202) of the first plate (58) comprises a tenon (205, 206) projecting towards the second plate, said tenon being received by a mortise (207, 208) arranged in the lateral portion (203, 204) of the second plate.

7. Wall according to claim 5, in which the nesting zone has a through passage which passes through in the direction perpendicular (X) to the thickness direction of the wall (11, 111), the portion lateral portion of the first plate and the lateral portion of the second plate, the through passage being formed by at least one opening (452) provided in the lateral portion of the first plate corresponding with at least one opening (452) provided in the lateral portion of the second plate, a rod (453) being housed in said through passage so that the first plate and the second plate have a degree of connection according to the thickness direction of the wall.

8. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the modular structure (50, 150, 250, 350) comprises a third plate (56), a fourth plate (57) and a fifth plate, the sealing membrane (15) comprising a third zone fixed (46) to the third plate, a fourth zone fixed to the fourth plate (57) and a fifth zone (46) fixed to the fifth plate, the first plate (51, 58) being linked to the third, fourth and fifth plates by links which have a degree of freedom in translation in a direction perpendicular (X) to the direction of thickness of the wall (11, 111) and a degree of connection in the direction of thickness (Y) of the wall (11, 111).

9. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first plate (51, 58) is fixed against the at least one support element (30, 130) via a first fixing located in the center of the first plate (51, 58), and the second plate (52) is fixed against the at least one support element (30, 130) via a second fixing located in the center of the second plate (52).

10. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the at least one support element (130) is a thermally insulating panel comprising a layer of self-supporting insulating foam sandwiched between an internal rigid plate and an external rigid plate.

11. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the at least one support element (130) is an insulating box comprising a base plate, a cover plate and supporting webs extending in the thickness direction of the wall between the base plate and the cover plate and delimiting at least one compartment filled with a thermally insulating lining.

12. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the at least one support element (130) comprises a layer of flexible material (31) in contact with the modular structure.

13. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the thermally insulating barrier comprises a first support element and a second support element, the first support element being a first pillar (30) and the second support element being a second pillar (30), the first pillar and the second pillar (30) extending in the thickness direction (Y) of the wall (11, 111), the first pillar (30) being fixed to the first plate (51, 58) and the second pillar (30) being fixed to the second plate (52, 58).

14. Wall according to claim 13, wherein the modular structure (250, 350) comprises: a first sleeve (252, 352) fixed between an inner end of the first pillar (30) and the first plate, a second sleeve (252, 352) fixed between an inner end of the second pillar (30) and the second plate, and a metal beam (253, 254) connecting the first sleeve (252, 352) and the second sleeve (252, 352) by a sliding junction in the direction perpendicular (X) to the thickness direction of the wall (H).

15. A wall according to claim 14, wherein the thermally insulating barrier (14) comprises a third support element, the third support element being a third pillar (30) extending along the thickness direction (Y) of the wall (11), wherein the first pillar (30), the second pillar (30) and the third pillar (30) are aligned.

16. A wall according to claim 15, wherein the modular structure (250, 350) comprises a third plate and a third sleeve (252, 352) fixed between an inner end of the third pillar (30) and the third plate, the sealing membrane (15) comprising a third zone fixed to the third plate, in which the metal beam (253) connects the third sleeve.

17. Wall according to one of claims 14 to 16, in which the first sleeve (252, 352) and the second sleeve (252, 352) comprise a through opening in the direction perpendicular (X) to the thickness direction of the wall (11) in order to receive the metal beam (253, 254).

18. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 17, in which the thermally insulating barrier (14) is a thermally insulating barrier primary (14) and the sealing membrane (15) is a primary sealing membrane (15) which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, the wall (11, 111) comprising a secondary thermally insulating barrier (12) intended to rest against the supporting structure, a secondary sealing membrane (13) which rests against the secondary thermally insulating barrier (12), the primary thermally insulating barrier (14) resting against the secondary sealing membrane (13) and the primary sealing membrane (15) resting against the primary thermally insulating barrier (14).

19. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 18, in which the liquefied gas is hydrogen.

20. A sealed and thermally insulating tank (1) comprising a plurality of walls (11, 111) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A vessel (70) for transporting a liquefied gas, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) according to claim 20 arranged in the double hull.

22. A transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising a vessel (70), insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the sealed and thermally insulating 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 liquefied gas through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the sealed and thermally insulating tank of the vessel (70) according to claim 21.

23. A method of loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 21, wherein a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the sealed and thermally insulating tank (71) of the ship (70).

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