Insulating panel suitable for the manufacture of a tank wall and equipped with a force measuring instrument

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulating panel (200) suitable for manufacturing a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall. The insulating panel (200) comprises a primary thermal insulation element (270), comprising a primary thermally insulating block (271) and a primary cover plate (272) arranged on the primary thermally insulating block (271). The primary thermal insulation element (270) has a parallelepipedal recess (500) passing through the primary thermal insulation element (270) in a thickness direction, and a planar support element arranged at the bottom of said recess (500) on a secondary sealing membrane element (260), so as to form a receiving volume for a force measuring instrument (300) between the planar support element and an upper surface of the primary thermal insulation element (270).The invention also relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising at least one such insulating panel (200), a force measuring instrument (300) being received in the receiving volume. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Insulating panel suitable for the manufacture of a tank wall and equipped with a force measuring instrument 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 liquefied gas, such as Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, ammonia, hydrogen or ethane for example. 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] When at sea, the floating structure is subject to various movements linked to climatic conditions. These movements are reflected on the liquefied gas contained in the tank which, consequently, is subject to sloshing in the tank which can produce impacts on the tank walls. When the loads induced by the sloshing exceed the mechanical capacity of the tank walls to absorb or disperse the sloshing, the impacts on the tank walls can cause damage to these walls. However, it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the tank walls to maintain the watertightness and the thermal insulation characteristics of the tanks.

[0003] It is therefore important to estimate a probability of damage due to sloshing when designing the tank walls, in order to check that they are sufficiently robust. These probabilities are currently estimated using tests on scale models of tanks. It is therefore useful to place one or more sensors in the tank walls, to obtain feedback and validate these estimates.

[0004] By way of example, document WO 2006 / 004419 A1 describes a tank in which at least one optical interferometry sensor is arranged under a sealing membrane of the tank, in contact with the membrane, in order to measure forces applied to the membrane. Summary

[0005] An idea underlying the invention is to propose an insulating panel suitable for the manufacture of a waterproof and thermally insulating tank wall in which it is easy to install a force measuring instrument, without requiring any particular modifications to the sealing membrane.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the invention provides an insulating panel suitable for the manufacture of a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall, the insulating panel comprising: - a secondary thermal insulation element, parallelepiped in shape, and comprising a base plate and a secondary thermally insulating block arranged on the base plate; - a secondary waterproofing membrane element arranged on the secondary thermal insulation element; - a primary thermal insulation element, having a parallelepiped shape, and comprising a primary thermally insulating block and a primary cover plate arranged on the primary thermally insulating block, said primary thermal insulation element having at least one parallelepiped recess passing through the primary thermal insulation element in a thickness direction, and a planar support element arranged at the bottom of said recess on the secondary sealing membrane element, so as to form at least one receiving volume for a force measuring instrument between the planar support element and an upper surface of the primary thermal insulation element, the receiving volume opening onto the upper surface of the primary thermal insulation element.

[0007] Such an insulating panel may comprise several recesses, each allowing a force measuring instrument to be received.

[0008] Such an insulating panel can easily be fitted with a force measuring instrument, simply by installing the force measuring instrument in the recess provided for this purpose.

[0009] According to embodiments, such an insulating panel may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the insulating panel further comprises a force measuring instrument received in the receiving volume and resting on the planar support element, and in which the force measuring instrument comprises a force impact plate having a force impact surface projecting from the primary cover plate in operational condition. By "in operational condition" is meant a condition in which the tank wall, and therefore the insulating panel, is in thermal equilibrium with the liquefied gas with which the tank is filled.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the force impact surface protrudes less than 2 mm from the primary cover plate in operational condition.

[0012] Thanks to this slightly protruding positioning of the force impact surface, it can be ensured that the force impact surface is in good contact with the primary sealing membrane, at least when an impact of liquefied gas occurs on the primary sealing membrane, while preventing this contact from deforming the primary sealing membrane too much. the primary waterproofing membrane, which could be detrimental to its mechanical integrity.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the force measuring instrument further comprises: - a counter plate assembled to the force impact plate; - a first holding frame having an upper surface in the extension of the primary cover plate, a lower surface on the side opposite the upper surface, and a hollow central space receiving the force impact plate and the counter plate; and - a second holding frame, the first holding frame having a recess facing the planar support element, the counter plate being fixed to the second holding frame, and the second holding frame being received in the recess of the first holding frame.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first holding frame is made of plywood.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the second holding frame is made of titanium.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the force measuring instrument further comprises a support plate disposed between the first holding frame and the planar support element.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the support plate is made of plywood.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first holding frame and / or the second frame retaining is glued to the support plate.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the counter plate is glued to the support plate.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the force measuring instrument has, between the force impact plate and the first holding frame, a clearance between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the planar support element comprises a fixing plate, the first holding frame being fixed to the fixing plate by means of a plurality of external fixing elements passing through the first holding frame and received in corresponding external fixing blind holes that the fixing plate has. Thus, according to one embodiment, the planar support element consists of a fixing plate.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the support plate is glued to the planar support element. Preferably, the support plate is glued to the fixing plate.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermal insulation element further comprises a secondary cover plate, the secondary thermally insulating block being arranged between the bottom plate and the secondary cover plate, and the secondary sealing membrane element being arranged on the cover plate. secondary. The thickness of the secondary cover plate is then reduced compared to that of the secondary thermally insulating block. In addition, the height of the secondary thermally insulating block is adapted following the presence of the secondary cover plate so that the secondary thermal insulation element maintains its defined thickness.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane element covers the entire secondary cover plate.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the planar support element comprises or consists of a foam block.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the counter plate is removably attached to the second holding frame. In particular, according to one embodiment, the counter plate is attached to the second holding frame by means of a plurality of internal fastening elements passing through the second holding frame and received in corresponding internal fastening blind holes that the counter plate has.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the force measuring instrument comprises at least one piezoelectric sensor, the piezoelectric sensor including a piezoelectric cell arranged in an internal space provided between the force impact plate and the counter plate.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the force measuring instrument has a clearance greater than 0.1 mm between the force impact plate and the counter plate. In particular, this clearance can be between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm in operational condition.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the force measuring instrument further comprises a connection cable configured to connect said at least one piezoelectric sensor to a data acquisition system.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the recess of the first holding frame comprises, all around the hollow central space, a groove, a seal is received in the groove, and the seal is interrupted to allow the passage of the connection cable.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the connection cable passes through the first holding frame and opens onto the upper surface of the first holding frame.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank intended for the storage or transport of a liquefied gas, said tank comprising a tank wall fixed to a load-bearing wall, the tank wall comprising: - a secondary thermal insulation barrier arranged on the load-bearing wall; - a secondary waterproofing membrane placed on the secondary thermal insulation barrier; - a primary thermal insulation barrier having a support surface; and - a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, the primary sealing membrane comprising a first series of parallel corrugations and a second series of parallel corrugations and flat portions located between the corrugations, said first and second series of corrugations extending in intersecting directions, said flat portions resting on the support surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier, in which at least part of the secondary thermal insulation barrier, the secondary sealing membrane and the primary thermal insulation barrier are produced by juxtaposing, on the load-bearing wall, a plurality of thermally insulating elements, wherein at least one thermally insulating element is an insulating panel according to any one of the embodiments described above.

[0033] It is understood that in such a tank, it is easy to install force measuring instruments at the desired locations, simply by arranging insulating panels as defined above at a corresponding location in the tank wall. In addition, the positioning of the force measuring instrument in the recess can prevent the presence of the force measuring instrument from disturbing the thermal insulation properties of the primary thermal insulation barrier too much.

[0034] According to embodiments, such a tank may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0035] According to one embodiment, wave reinforcements are arranged under the corrugations of the first series of corrugations, two successive wave reinforcements in a corrugation each comprising a sole including a lower wall intended to rest on the support surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier and a hollow reinforcement portion arranged above the sole in a thickness direction of the tank wall, the two wave reinforcements developing longitudinally in the corrugation on either side of a node.

[0036] According to an embodiment in which the insulating panel comprises the aforementioned connection cable, the connection cable is connected to a transmission cable extending through at least one hollow reinforcement portion.

[0037] In this way, it is possible to route a transmission cable connected to the connection cable under the primary waterproofing membrane, without piercing the primary waterproofing membrane or the secondary waterproofing membrane, except possibly in a special area provided for this purpose. This special area may for example be at the level of the combined dome usually provided in the tank.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides an assembly method for assembling a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of the embodiments described above, the assembly method comprising: - provide the insulating panel described above, an inert block, for example plywood, being received in the receiving volume such that a surface of the inert block flush with the primary cover plate of said insulating panel; - juxtaposing, on the load-bearing wall, a plurality of thermally insulating elements, in which at least one of the thermally insulating elements is said insulating panel; and - remove the inert block from said insulating panel, and place a force measuring instrument in the receiving volume.

[0039] In one embodiment, the liquefied gas is LNG, namely a mixture with a high methane content stored at a temperature of approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure. Other liquefied gases may also be considered, in particular hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, propane, butane or ethylene. Liquefied gases may also be stored under pressure, for example at a relative pressure of between 2 and 20 bar, and in particular at a relative pressure of around 2 bar. The tank may be produced using different techniques, in particular in the form of an integrated membrane tank or a self-supporting tank.

[0040] 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.

[0041] According to one embodiment, a ship comprises a hull and a aforementioned tank arranged in the hull.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the ship is a ship for transporting a liquefied gas, the hull is a double hull, and the aforementioned tank is arranged in the double hull.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the ship is a ship comprising a propulsion system using liquefied gas as fuel, and the aforementioned tank is connected to the propulsion system in order to supply the propulsion system with liquefied gas.

[0044] 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 tank installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a flow of fluid / liquefied gas through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the tank of the ship.

[0045] 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 tank of the ship. Brief description of the figures

[0046] 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.

[0047] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a supporting structure intended for receive a waterproof and thermally insulating tank.

[0048] [Fig.2A] [Fig.2A] is a partial perspective view of two walls of a sealed and thermally insulating tank integrated into the supporting structure of [Fig.l].

[0049] [Fig.2B] [Fig.2B] is a sectional view of the walls visible in [Fig.2A].

[0050] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of an insulating panel equipped with a force measuring instrument and capable of being integrated into one of the tank walls shown in [Fig.2A].

[0051] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a sectional and perspective view of part of the panel insulator of [Fig.3].

[0052] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an exploded and perspective view of part of the instrument force measurement integrated into the insulating panel of [Fig.3], seen from one side.

[0053] [Fig.6A] [Fig.6A] is a perspective view of the force measuring instrument integrated into the insulating panel of [Fig.3], seen from a second side opposite the first side.

[0054] [Fig.ôB] [Fig.ôB] is a top view of the force measuring instrument integrated into the insulating panel shown in [Fig.3].

[0055] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a sectional view along XX in [Fig.6B].

[0056] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is an enlargement of detail H of [Fig.7].

[0057] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a partial unfolded view of the supporting structure of [Fig.l], illustrating a possible positioning of insulating panels conforming to [Fig.3] near the edges of the supporting structure.

[0058] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a sectional view along XX in [Fig. 6B], illustrating an inert block that can be installed in place of the force measuring instrument in the insulating panel of [Fig. 3].

[0059] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a partial perspective view of the insulating panel of [Fig.3], in the mounted position in a tank wall shown in [Fig.2A], together with wave reinforcements that may be arranged under a primary waterproofing membrane of the tank wall.

[0060] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a partial perspective view of wave reinforcements similar to those seen in [Fig. 11] together with a cable connector.

[0061] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a sectional view of the cable connector visible on the [Fig.12].

[0062] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is a partial perspective view showing the passage of a transmission cable visible in [Fig. 11] between two wave reinforcements.

[0063] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] is a partial perspective view showing elements used to guide transmission cables in the absence of wave reinforcements.

[0064] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] is a schematic representation of a ship equipped with a sealed and insulating tank for liquefied natural gas and energy production equipment powered by liquefied natural gas for the propulsion of the ship as well as a terminal for loading this tank. Description of the embodiments

[0065] In relation to [Fig.l], a supporting structure 1 is observed for receiving the walls of a sealed and thermally insulating tank. The supporting structure 1 is formed by the internal hull of a ship. The supporting structure 1 has a generally polyhedral shape. The supporting structure 1 has transverse walls 2, typically front and rear, here octagonal in shape. In [Fig.l], the front transverse wall 2 is only partially shown in order to allow visualization of an internal space 9 of the supporting structure 1. The transverse walls 2 are cofferdam walls of the ship and extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ship. The supporting structure 1 also comprises an upper wall 3, a lower wall 4 and side walls 5. The upper wall 3, the lower wall 4 and the side walls 5 extend in the longitudinal direction of the ship and connect the front and rear transverse walls 2..

[0066] The upper wall 3 comprises, near the rear transverse wall 2, a space, of rectangular parallelepiped shape, projecting upwards, called a combined dome 6. The combined dome 6 delimits an opening 7 of the upper wall 3 allowing the passage of liquid transfer pipes and gas transfer pipes from or to the tank when the latter is mounted in the supporting structure 1.

[0067] The load-bearing walls 2, 3, 4, 5 of the load-bearing structure have an internal surface 10 delimiting the internal space 9 in which the tank is housed. The tank comprises a plurality of tank walls, each tank wall being anchored to a respective load-bearing wall 2, 3, 4, 5 of the load-bearing structure 1.

[0068] In [Fig.2A], a first tank wall 20 anchored to one of the transverse walls 2 and a second tank wall 140 anchored to the lower wall 4 are shown partially and in perspective. The edge of the supporting structure 1 at which the transverse wall 2 and the lower wall 4 meet is designated by 99. Due to the geometry of the supporting structure 1 shown in [Fig.1], the transverse wall 2 and the lower wall 4 form an angle of 90 degrees as shown in [Fig.2A]. However, the assembly principles that will be described below are applicable to any pair of load-bearing walls of the load-bearing structure 1 shown in [Fig.l], as long as these load-bearing walls meet at an edge. Furthermore, the geometry of the load-bearing structure 1 shown in [Fig.l] is only an example. The angle shown in [Fig.2A] could therefore have a different value, in particular a value close to 135 degrees.

[0069] As shown in [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B], the tank wall 20 comprises, in a thickness direction of the tank wall 20 from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 30, a secondary sealing membrane 50, a primary thermally insulating barrier 60, and a primary sealing membrane 80.

[0070] The secondary thermally insulating barrier 30 comprises a row of corner insulating panels 31 arranged along the edge 99, and several parallel rows of flat insulating panels 35, one of these rows being arranged along the row of corner panels 31. In [Fig.2A], in order not to overload the drawing, only one corner panel 31 and only two flat panels 35 of the two rows closest to this corner panel 31 have been shown. It is understood that the number of rows of flat panels 35 and the number of panels 31 or 35 per row is adjusted according to the dimensions of the load-bearing wall 2.

[0071] [Fig.2B] is a sectional view of [Fig.2A] orthogonally to edge 99 and allows a better visualization of the structure of the corner panel 31 and of the flat panel 35 arranged along the corner panel 31. It is specified that although only one flat panel 35 is partially represented in [Fig.2B], all the flat panels can have the same structure as this one.

[0072] The corner panel 31 comprises two plates 32 and 33, for example made of plywood, which are parallel and spaced apart. The plates 32 and 33 sandwich a block 34 of thermally insulating foam, for example polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with glass fibers. The block 34 can for example be glued to the plates 32 and 33. The block 34 has a beveled face 34A allowing its connection with a similar beveled face of the corner panel 131 of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 130 of the tank wall 140, this corner panel 131 being similar to the corner panel 31. One or more shims 95 are arranged between the corner panel 31 and the transverse wall 2. In a manner known per se, the thicknesses of the shims 95 can be chosen to compensate for any dimensional differences between the ideal shape of the transverse wall 2 and its actual shape.Beads of mastic (not shown) may further be arranged between the corner panel 31 and the transverse wall 2. Similarly, one or more shims 195 similar to the shims 95 may be arranged between the corner panel 131. and the bottom wall 4; and beads of sealant (not shown) may further be arranged between the corner panel 131 and the bottom wall 4.

[0073] The flat panel 35 comprises a bottom plate 36, for example made of plywood, on which is arranged a block 37 of thermally insulating foam, for example polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with glass fibers. The block 37 can for example be glued to the bottom plate 36. A waterproof composite sheet 51 (visible in [Fig.2A]) is glued to the upper surface of the block 37 to form an element of the secondary waterproofing membrane 50. One or more shims 93 are arranged between the flat panel 35 and the transverse wall 2. In a manner known per se, the thicknesses of the shims 93 can be chosen to compensate for any dimensional differences between the ideal shape of the transverse wall 2 and its actual shape. Beads of mastic (not shown in [Fig.2B]) can further be arranged between the flat panel 35 and the transverse wall 2.

[0074] The secondary waterproofing membrane 50 may be manufactured entirely from a three-layer composite comprising aluminum foil and glass fibers bonded to the aluminum foil by a polyamide resin, which is known as triplex.

[0075] The primary thermally insulating barrier 60 comprises, above the corner panel 31, a primary corner block 61 carrying a face 971 of a metal angle iron 979. In the example shown, the primary corner block 61 consists of a wooden plate 62 on which the face 971 is fixed, for example by screwing, and a thermally insulating element 63, for example made of polyurethane foam or glass wool.

[0076] Above the flat panel 35, the primary thermally insulating barrier 60 comprises a flat primary block 65. The flat primary block 65 comprises a block 66 of thermally insulating foam, for example made of polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with glass fibers, arranged on a waterproof composite sheet 51 constituting a part of the secondary waterproofing membrane 50, and a cover plate 67, for example made of plywood, arranged on the block 66. The block 66 can for example be glued to the cover plate 67.

[0077] A bridging element 68 is disposed between the corner primary block 61 and the planar primary block 65, straddling the corner panel 31 and the planar panel 35. Similarly, a bridging element 68 is disposed between two adjacent planar panels 35, straddling these two adjacent planar panels 35. The bridging element 68 comprises a block 68A of thermally insulating foam, for example made of polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with glass fibers, and a cover plate 68B, for example made of plywood, disposed on the block 68A. It should be noted that the bridging element 68 may optionally be subdivided into several sub-elements 68D as shown in [Fig.2A].

[0078] Between two flat panels 35, the secondary waterproofing membrane 50 is completed by joining strips 52, arranged under the bridging elements 68 between the flat primary blocks 65, and which are for example glued to the waterproof composite sheets 51.

[0079] In order to simplify the assembly of the thermally insulating barriers 30 and 60 and the secondary waterproof membrane 50, each flat panel 35 can be supplied in a single piece with a flat primary block 65 in the form of a prefabricated insulating element outside the internal space of the tank and having standardized dimensions, according to the principles known for example from document FR 2 691 520 A1. The waterproof composite sheets 51 can be glued to the upper surface of the block 37 of the flat panel 35, in particular outside the internal space of the tank.

[0080] Furthermore, in order to simplify the production of the corner panel 31, the latter can be supplied in one piece with the primary corner block 61 in the form of a prefabricated insulating element, in a manner known per se.

[0081] The panels 31 and 35 are fixed to the load-bearing wall 2 by anchoring means which are well known as such and which pass through the panels 31 and 35. The reference 98 designates thermal insulation plugs which cover these anchoring means.

[0082] The primary sealing membrane 80 comprises corrugated metal sheets 81, only one of which is shown in [Fig.2A] so as not to overload the drawing. The corrugated metal sheets 81 are made of a metal alloy, for example stainless steel. The corrugated metal sheets 81 are welded to each other by overlapping according to the known technique. The corrugated metal sheets 81 have a series of corrugations 82 parallel to the edge 99, and a series of corrugations 83 orthogonal to the edge 99, these corrugations allowing the corrugated metal sheets 81 to resist thermal contraction phenomena due to contact with the liquefied gas. Reference 84 designates nodes arranged at the intersections between the corrugations 82 and 83. Reference 87 designates flat portions of the corrugated metal sheets 81 between the corrugations 82 and 83.

[0083] In order to anchor the primary sealing membrane 80 to the primary thermally insulating barrier 60, the respective cover plates 67 and 68B of the flat primary blocks 65 and the bridging elements 68 respectively carry metal plates 65P and 68P, in a manner known per se. In a manner known per se, the flat primary blocks 65 may comprise a relaxation slot 66R intended to be positioned under a corresponding corrugation 82.

[0084] The liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank may in particular be a liquefied natural gas (LNG), that is to say a gas mixture comprising mainly methane and one or more other hydrocarbons. The liquefied gas may also be a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), that is, a mixture of hydrocarbons from oil refining, mainly comprising propane and butane. Liquefied gas can also be ammonia, hydrogen or ethane, for example.

[0085] When at sea, the ship is subject to various movements related to climatic conditions. These movements of the ship are reflected on the liquefied gas contained in the tank which, as a result, is subject to sloshing in the tank which can produce impacts on the tank walls. When the sloshing exceeds the capacity of the tank walls to absorb or disperse the sloshing, the impacts on the tank walls can cause damage to these walls. However, it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the tank walls to maintain the sealing and insulation characteristics of the tanks.

[0086] It is therefore important to estimate a probability of damage due to sloshing when designing the tank walls, in order to verify that they are sufficiently robust. For this purpose it is useful to have one or more force measuring instruments in the tank walls. The force measuring instrument(s) measure the forces generated by the impacts of liquefied gas on the tank walls. The measurements obtained using the force measuring instruments can be used to estimate the probability of damage and / or to validate estimates of this probability made using tests on scale models of tanks.

[0087] We will now describe, with reference to Figures 3 to 8, an insulating panel 200 provided with a force measuring instrument 300 which can be integrated into the tank walls described above.

[0088] [Fig. 3] is an overall perspective view of the insulating panel 200. The insulating panel 200 comprises a secondary thermal insulation element 220, a secondary sealing membrane element 260, and a primary thermal insulation element 270.

[0089] The secondary thermal insulation element 220 comprises a base plate 230, for example made of plywood, on which is arranged a block 240 of thermally insulating foam (see [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4]), for example polyurethane foam optionally reinforced with glass fibers. The block 240 can for example be glued to the base plate 230. A secondary cover plate 250, for example made of plywood, is arranged on the block 240. The block 240 can for example be glued to the secondary cover plate 250.

[0090] The secondary sealing membrane element 260 is disposed on the secondary cover plate 250 and covers the entire secondary cover plate 250.

[0091] The primary thermal insulation element 270 comprises a block 271 of thermally insulating foam, for example optionally polyurethane foam reinforced with fiberglass. A primary cover plate 272, for example made of plywood, is disposed on the block 271. The block 271 may for example be glued to the cover plate 272. Threaded sockets 275 are installed on the cover plate 272 and may be used to hold various tools used in mounting the tank wall.

[0092] The block 271 is arranged on a central portion of the secondary sealing element 260 at a distance from the edges of the secondary thermal insulation element 220. It comprises in its thickness a relaxation slot 272R similar to the relaxation slot 66R, and also carries metal plates 272P similar to the metal plates 65P and 68P for anchoring the primary sealing membrane 80. The block 271 is fixed to the secondary sealing membrane element 260, for example by gluing, and is thus indirectly fixed to the cover plate 250.

[0093] The insulating panel 200 is intended to be provided in the form of a prefabricated element outside the internal space of the tank and having standardized dimensions. More specifically, the insulating panel 200 preferably has external dimensions, and in particular a width b (see [Fig.2A], [Fig.2B] and [Fig.3]), which are identical to those of a prefabricated insulating element consisting of a flat panel 35 and a flat primary block 65 as described above. Thus, if it is desired to provide a tank wall with measuring instruments 300 described below, it is sufficient to arrange an insulating panel 200 at each desired location in the tank wall, in place of a prefabricated insulating element, without any modification of the tank wall being necessary.

[0094] [Fig.4] also shows cords of mastic 989 which can be arranged between the insulating panel 200 and the transverse wall 2, in a manner known per se.

[0095] As can be better seen in [Fig.4], a recess 500 is made in the primary thermal insulation element 270. The recess 500 is parallelepipedal and passes through the primary thermal insulation element 270 in a thickness direction of the insulating panel 200. The recess 500 opens onto the upper surface of the insulating panel 200. A fixing plate 550 is arranged at the bottom of the recess 500 on the secondary sealing membrane element 260.

[0096] The fixing plate 550 is for example made of plywood.

[0097] The recess 500 forms a receiving volume for receiving a force measuring instrument 300. An embodiment of the force measuring instrument 300 (hereinafter referred to as “the instrument 300” for convenience) will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0098] [Fig.5] is an exploded and perspective view of a portion of the instrument 300, and thus shows components of the instrument 300. The instrument 300 includes a force impact plate 310, a counter plate 315, a first holding frame 320, a second holding frame 330 and a support plate 340 (not shown in [Fig.5] for clarity but visible in [Fig.6A]). [Fig.6A] is a perspective view of the instrument 300 in the assembled state and from a side opposite the view of [Fig.5].

[0099] The force impact plate 310 has a parallelepiped shape. The force impact plate 310 has a force impact surface 319 (see [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 6A]) intended to be positioned under a flat portion 87 of one of the corrugated metal sheets 81 constituting the primary sealing membrane 80. One or more force sensors 318 (see [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 8]) measure a force applied to the force impact surface 319 through the flat portion 87 as will be detailed later.

[0100] The first holding frame 320 has a parallelepiped external shape, and has in its center a first hollow central space 329 for receiving the force impact plate 310, the counter plate 315, and the second holding frame 330 mounted on the counter plate 315.

[0101] The second holding frame 330 has a parallelepiped external shape, and has in its center a second hollow central space 339 to surround a part of the counter-plate 315. For example, the second holding frame 330 is made up of four holding elements 331 joined end to end to delimit the second hollow central space 339. The second holding frame 330 comprises a plurality of through holes 332 to receive fixing elements 333, here screws, fixing each holding element 331 of the second holding frame 330 to the counter-plate 315. Blind holes corresponding to the through holes 332 are made in the counter-plate 315 to receive the fixing elements 333.

[0102] As can be seen in [Fig.8], in order to facilitate the mounting of the counter-plate 315 to the second holding frame 330, each of the holding elements 331 may comprise a protuberance 336 intended to be received in a corresponding groove 316 of the counter-plate 315.

[0103] Still with reference to [Fig.5], and also with reference to [Fig.8], the first holding frame 320 has a recess 325 on which the second holding frame 330 comes to rest when the counter-plate 315 mounted on the second holding frame 330 is received in the first hollow central space 329.

[0104] The recess 325 faces a support plate 340. With reference to [Fig.4], the support plate 340 is intended to be disposed between the first holding frame 320 and the fixing plate 550 when the instrument 300 is received in the recess 500.

[0105] Referring now to [Fig.6A] and [Fig.7], the first holding frame 320 comprises, in the vicinity of its four corners, four through holes 321 for receive fasteners 323 securing the first holding frame 320 to the fixing plate 550 (not shown in [Fig.6A] and [Fig.7]). Through holes 342 are made in the support plate 340 (see [Fig.7]) and blind holes 552 are made in the fixing plate 550 (see [Fig. 10]) to receive the fasteners 323.

[0106] In the example shown, the fastening elements 323 are screws. With reference to [Fig. 7], a screw 323 has a rod 323A threaded at one of its ends, and a screw head 323B at the other end of the rod 323A. When the screw 323 is tightened, the first holding frame 320 is held in abutment on the support plate 340 and the fixing plate 550, and as a result, the first holding frame 320 holds the counter plate 315 in position against the support plate 340 and the fixing plate 550 by means of the second holding frame 330.

[0107] In order to lock the screw 323 in rotation, a weld point (not shown) can be made on the screw head 323B, and / or the screw head 323B can be tightened on a washer 324C comprising a tab 324C1 (see [Fig.6B]), the tab 324C1 being received in a corresponding notch 321S (see [Fig.6A] and [Fig.6B]) that the through hole 321 has.

[0108] With reference to [Fig.4] and [Fig.8], the counter plate 315 has a cross-section such that, when the force impact plate 310 and the counter plate 315 are assembled together, an internal space 314 (see [Fig.8]) is provided between the force impact plate 310 and the counter plate 315, at a central region of the counter plate 315. Each force sensor 318 comprises a screw 318C and a piezoelectric cell 318Q, for example a piezoelectric washer. The piezoelectric washer 318Q may for example be made of quartz. The screw 318C passes through a through hole 317 made in the counter plate 315, and is screwed into a tapped blind hole 311 made in the force impact plate 310. The piezoelectric washer 318Q is fitted around the screw 318C.The piezoelectric washer 318Q is received in the internal space 314 such that the impact plate 310 and the counter plate 315 compress the piezoelectric washer 318Q.

[0109] The dot-and-dash arrow in Figures 6A and 8 indicates the sense and direction of a force F applied to the force impact surface 319 disposed under the planar portion 87 of the sealing membrane 80. When the force F is applied to the force impact surface 319, the force impact plate 310 further compresses the piezoelectric washer 318Q against the counterplate 315. The increased compression of the piezoelectric washer 318Q generates an electrical signal representative of the force F. Thus, the instrument 300 makes it possible to obtain a measurement of the force F. The force F can be generated by an impact of liquefied gas on the tank wall as mentioned above.

[0110] The force impact plate 310 and the counter plate 315 are dimensioned such that so that there exists, at a peripheral region of the counter plate 315 (i.e. around the internal space 314), a certain clearance 850 between the force impact plate 310 and the counter plate 315 in operational condition. By "in operational condition" is meant a condition in which the tank is filled with liquefied gas and the tank wall is in thermal equilibrium with the liquefied gas. The clearance 850 can be between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm for example. It should be noted that the clearance 850 has been exaggerated in [Fig.8] for the readability of the drawing.

[0111] Furthermore, the force impact plate 310 and the first holding frame 320 are dimensioned such that there is a certain clearance 800 between the first holding frame 320 and the force impact plate 310 when the latter is received in the first hollow central space 329. The clearance 800 allows the force impact plate 310 to deform perpendicular to the thickness direction of the insulating panel 200 in response to the force F without risking damage to the first holding frame 320. The clearance 800 may be between 1 mm and 3 mm for example.

[0112] Returning to [Fig. 5], it will further be noted that the first holding frame 320 extends over the entire height of the assembly constituted by the force impact plate 310 and the counter-plate 315, while the second holding frame 330 only extends over a portion of the height of the counter-plate 315.

[0113] The force sensors 318 are here four in number. Alternatively, any other number of force sensors 318 and / or any other arrangement of the force sensors 318 can be envisaged. Furthermore, as a variant, the force sensors 318 can be produced in a large number of other ways, as long as they make it possible to measure a force applied to the force impact surface 319 arranged under the flat portion 87.

[0114] The instrument 300 further comprises a connection cable 380 used to transmit signals from the force sensors 318, here from the piezoelectric washers 318Q.

[0115] With reference to [Fig.5], [Fig.6A] and [Fig.6B], the first holding frame 320 comprises a through hole 379 allowing the connection cable 380 to pass through the first holding frame 320 and to emerge on the upper surface of the first holding frame 320, under the primary sealing membrane 80.

[0116] With reference to [Fig.5] and [Fig.6B], the first holding frame 320 includes a groove 377 in communication with the through hole 379 for receiving the connecting cable 380 and thus facilitating the installation and holding in place of the connecting cable 380. With reference to [Fig.5], the groove 377 may include a notch 378 for receiving a wound portion 388 of the connecting cable 380 and thus further facilitating the installation and holding in place of the connecting cable 380.

[0117] With reference to [Fig.5] and [Fig.8], the recess 325 comprises, all around the first hollow central space 329, a groove 325R. The groove 325R receives a seal 390, the seal 390 contributing in particular to maintaining in position the second holding frame 330, and therefore the counter plate 315 and the force impact plate 310, relative to the first holding frame 320 when the instrument 300 is assembled. The seal 390 is interrupted, preferably in a single location, to allow the connection cable 380 to pass.

[0118] The force impact plate 310 and / or the counter plate 315 are preferably metallic, for example titanium, in order to ensure satisfactory mechanical strength of the instrument 300 while limiting its mass.

[0119] The first holding frame 320 is preferably made of plywood.

[0120] The second holding frame 330 is preferably metallic, for example titanium.

[0121] The support plate 340 is preferably made of plywood.

[0122] In addition to the fixings described above by means of the fixing elements 333 and 323, the support plate 340 can be glued to the fixing plate 550 and / or the first holding frame 320 can be glued to the support plate 340. The second holding frame 330 and / or the counter plate 315 can also be glued at 350 (see [Fig.8]) to the support plate 340. In all cases, the glue used for this can be an epoxy or polyurethane glue for example.

[0123] The connecting cable 380 may also be glued to the recess 325 in the vicinity of the location where the connecting cable 380 crosses the seal 390. Here too, the glue used for this may be an epoxy or polyurethane glue for example.

[0124] In certain variants not shown, the support plate 340 can be omitted and the first holding frame 320 then rests directly on the fixing plate 550.

[0125] In another variant not shown, the support plate 340 is also omitted and the fixing plate 550 is replaced by an element, preferably in one piece, such as a foam block. In this case, the secondary cover plate 250 can be omitted, in other words the secondary sealing membrane element 260 is disposed on the block 240 and covers the entire block 240.

[0126] Thus, whatever the variant chosen, a planar support element is arranged in the recess 500. The planar support element is then composed of the fixing plate 550 or a block of foam.

[0127] As mentioned above, the instrument 300 is intended to be received in the recess 500 of an insulating panel 200, the insulating panel 200 being in turn intended to be integrated into the tank walls. By way of illustration, [Fig. 10] shows a partial unfolded view of the supporting structure 1, and possible positions of several insulating panels 200. Each insulating panel 200 provided, in the example of [Fig. 3], with a single instrument 300 is integrated into a tank wall and preferably arranged in the vicinity of an edge 99 of the supporting structure 1. From this In a manner, the measurements acquired by each instrument 300 may be representative of forces due to impacts of liquefied gas on the tank walls, in the vicinity of the edges 99. The measurements acquired by each instrument 300 are transmitted, via the connection cables 380 described above and bundles 910 of transmission cables (shown schematically in dotted lines in [Fig.9]), to a data acquisition system 900 external to the tank. The data acquisition system 900 may store the data for subsequent data processing and / or transmit them to an external data processing system. Alternatively, the measurements acquired by each instrument 300 may be transmitted to the data acquisition system 900 via a suitable wireless connection.

[0128] As mentioned above, the insulating panel 200 is intended to be provided in the form of a prefabricated element outside the internal space of the tank and having standardized dimensions, which can be arranged at each desired location in place of a prefabricated insulating element consisting of a flat panel 35 and a flat primary block 65. However, to avoid any risk of damage to the instrument 300 when installing the insulating panel 200 in the tank, it may be preferable to provide the insulating panel 200 where, instead of the instrument 300, an inert block 400 is arranged in the recess 500.

[0129] The inert block 400 does not include any measuring instrument and more generally has no function other than mechanical. For example, the inert block 400 may be a block, preferably solid, of plywood.

[0130] In any event, the inert block 400 has the same external dimensions as the instrument 300, so that it can be easily installed in and removed from the recess 500. Thus, during a first step, the insulating panel 200 is brought into the internal space of the tank with the inert block 400 fixed to the fixing plate 550. For this, for example, with reference to [Fig. 10], the inert block 400 comprises through holes 402A arranged opposite the blind holes 552 of the fixing plate 550, and the inert block 400 is fixed to the fixing plate 550 by means of fixing screws 404A received in the through holes 402A and the blind holes 552. In addition, the inert block 400 may comprise tapped holes 402B, through or blind, to receive threaded sockets 275 identical to those of the insulating panel 200.These threaded sockets, like those described previously, can be used to hold various tools used in the assembly of the tank wall.

[0131] Then, during a second step, the insulating panel 200 is placed in its desired location, and the other prefabricated insulating elements are juxtaposed in their desired locations, so as to constitute the remainder of the primary thermally insulating barrier 60, according to the known technique.

[0132] Then, in a third step, the inert block 400 is removed from the recess 500, and the instrument 300 is installed in the recess 500, fixing it to the fixing plate 550 as previously described. Thus, the instrument 300 is preferably glued to the above-mentioned planar support element.

[0133] It is clearly understood that since the instrument 300 is intended to be positioned under a flat portion 87 of one of the corrugated metal sheets 81 constituting the primary sealing membrane 80, the removal of the inert block 400 followed by the installation of the instrument 300 in the recess 500 is preferably carried out before installing the primary sealing membrane 80.

[0134] [Fig. 11] partially shows the insulating panel 200 with the instrument 300 installed in the recess 500. Also seen in [Fig. 11] are corrugation reinforcements 600 and 650. Each corrugation reinforcement 600 (respectively 650) is intended to be installed under a corrugation 82 (respectively 83) of a corrugated metal sheet 81, in order to reinforce the primary waterproofing membrane 80, according to the principles described for example in documents WO 2017 / 017337 A1 or WO 2019 / 150054 A1.

[0135] With reference to Figures 11 to 13, a wave reinforcement 600 comprises a sole 620 and a reinforcement portion 610.

[0136] The sole 620 comprises a lower wall 627 intended to rest on the primary thermally insulating barrier 60, and side walls 628 and an upper wall 629. The walls 627, 628, 629 delimit a hollow internal space of the sole 620.

[0137] The reinforcing portion 610 comprises an external wall 619. This external wall 619 is preferably of a shape complementary to the shape of the corrugation 82.

[0138] The reinforcing portion 610 is hollow and advantageously comprises internal webs 612 in order to reinforce said reinforcing portion 610. As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the internal webs 612 intersect substantially at the center of the reinforcing portion 610.

[0139] A wave reinforcement 650 comprises a sole 670 and a reinforcement portion 660.

[0140] Similarly to the sole 620, the sole 670 comprises a lower wall (not shown) intended to rest on the primary thermally insulating barrier 60, side walls and an upper wall (not shown), these walls delimiting a hollow internal space of the sole 670.

[0141] The reinforcing portion 660 comprises an external wall 669. This external wall 669 is preferably of a shape complementary to the shape of the corrugation 83.

[0142] The reinforcing portion 660 is hollow and advantageously comprises internal webs 662 in order to reinforce said reinforcing portion 660. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the internal webs 662 intersect substantially at the center of the reinforcing portion 660.

[0143] To connect two wave reinforcements 600 and two wave reinforcements 650 at a node 84 (not shown in Figures 11 and 12 for readability), a connecting member 700 is provided under the node 84, which is better visible in [Fig. 12]. In [Fig.12], we see that the connecting member 700 has a cross shape. Thus, the connecting member 700 comprises a sleeve 701 forming two first opposite legs 702. As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first legs 702 pass through added spacers 710 and are housed in the hollow internal spaces of the soles 620 of the wave reinforcements 600 joining at the node 84. Two second legs 703 (only one of which is visible in [Fig. 12]) allow the two wave reinforcements 650 to be held in place (one of which has been omitted in [Fig. 12] to allow the corresponding second leg 703 to be seen).These second legs 703 are integrated into the sleeve 701 and project laterally from said sleeve 701 so as to be housed in the hollow internal spaces of the soles 670 of the two wave reinforcements 650 at the level of the node 84.

[0144] Still with reference to [Fig.11] and [Fig.12], on the sleeve 701, there is arranged a support plate 720 intended to ensure the retention of at least one transmission cable 911 above the sleeve 701. The support plate 720 has two opposite tabs 721. Each tab 721 is intended to be received in a hollow space which the reinforcing portion 660 of the wave reinforcement 650 comprises opposite. In the example shown, the tab 721 is received in a hollow space delimited by an upper wall of the sole 670 and by the two internal sails 662 closest to the sole 670. Such positioning makes it possible to ensure that the support plate 720 is held on the sleeve 701. The support plate 720 tends to ensure the correct positioning of the transmission cables 911 as well as their correct orientation relative to the surrounding parts.

[0145] In [Fig. 11], it can be seen that a support plate 720 is fitted onto two threaded studs 730. On each threaded stud 730, a nut 731 can be screwed against a washer 732. These threaded studs 730 can in particular be used for fixing a connector support plate 740 or a cable guide portion 733 of one or more transmission cables 911 which will be described later.

[0146] In [Fig. 12], a support plate 720 is seen for supporting several transmission cables 911. Two transmission cables 911 extend through the already described hollow spaces of the wave reinforcement 600 located on the left in [Fig. 12]. A connector support plate 740, of rectangular shape for example, is sleeved on a threaded stud 730. The connector support plate 740 has two recesses for receiving two connectors 742 (see [Fig. 12] and [Fig. 13], [Fig. 13] being a sectional view of [Fig. 12] at the connector support plate 740). Each connector 742 provides an electrical connection between two transmission cables 911 (see [Fig. 12]) opposite each other. To hold the connectors 742 in place, a counter plate 748 (see [Fig. 13]) is fitted onto the threaded stud 730. The counter plate 748 has two recesses opposite the recesses of the connector support plate 740. The counter plate 748 is held in abutment against the connector support plate 740 by the nut 731 screwed onto the threaded stud 730. The counter plate 748 thus holds the connectors 742 in position, and thereby holds the respective ends of the transmission cables 911 in position.

[0147] Preferably, the nut 731 is split. A plate 750 (see [Fig. 11] and [Fig. 13]) may be arranged between the washer 732 and the counter plate 748 so as to cover the counter plate 748.

[0148] Alternatively, a connector 742 may provide a connection between a connection cable 380 from an instrument 300 adjacent to the connector support plate 740 and a transmission cable 911. For this, as can be seen in [Fig. 11], the insulating panel 200 and the instrument 300 may be arranged such that the through hole 379 opens near the connector support plate 740.

[0149] The configuration described above can also be used to guide transmission cables 911 through successive wave reinforcements 600 and / or 650. For this, as shown in [Fig. 14], a washer 732 has a cable guide portion 733. The cable guide portion 733 is hollow, so that a transmission cable 911 can be threaded through the cable guide portion 733. The cable guide portion 733 thus helps to hold the transmission cable 911. Furthermore, the transmission cable 911 extends through a hollow space 615 delimited by two internal sails 612 and by the external wall 619 of a wave reinforcement 600. The cable guide portion 733 thus helps to orient the transmission cable 911 towards the hollow space 615. The washer 732 bears against a cable support plate 770 fitted onto the threaded studs 730 in a manner similar to the support plate 720.

[0150] A large number of arrangements are possible for the transmission cables 911. In particular, as shown in [Fig. 14], if it is desired to route a single transmission cable 911, only one of the two threaded studs 730 can be provided with a washer 732 carrying a cable guide portion 733.

[0151] It is further specified that the instruments 300 are installed on the insulating panels 200 so that the force impact surface 319 projects slightly from the primary cover plate 272 in operational condition. Preferably, in operational condition, the force impact surface 319 projects less than 2 mm from the primary cover plate 272, this in order to limit the risk of the flat portion 87 being deformed by the force impact plate 310. Conversely, when the tank wall is at thermal equilibrium at ambient temperature (for example at +20°C), the force impact surface 319 is recessed relative to the primary cover plate 272. This is achieved due to the differences in thermal contraction coefficient between the primary cover plate 272, the first holding frame 320 and the force impact plate 310. In particular, when the primary cover plate 272 and the first holding frame 320 are made of plywood and the force impact plate 310 is metallic, for example titanium, the greater thermal contraction of the plywood causes the force impact surface 319 to be protruding in operational condition but not at room temperature.

[0152] The combined dome 6 being fixed to the top of the supporting structure 1 (see [Fig.l]), the primary sealing membrane 80 may not be reinforced by wave reinforcements 600, 650 in the vicinity of the combined dome 6. With reference to [Fig. 15], to nevertheless guide the transmission cables 911 to the combined dome 6, guide tubes 870 are placed under the corrugations 82, 83, and the transmission cables 911 (not shown in [Fig. 15]) are passed through the guide tubes 870. The guide tubes 870 are fixed to the primary thermally insulating barrier 60 by means of staples 874.

[0153] The guide tubes 870 meet at a cruciform fastener 880. The fastener 880 carries, among other things, threaded studs 730 and washers 732 provided with cable guide portions 733 similar to those previously described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. The fastener 880 is held in place by the guide tubes 870; in one example, the fastener 880 is spot welded to the guide tubes 870. The guide tubes 870 are also welded to the clips 874 to prevent the guide tubes 870 from contracting and no longer holding the fastener 880 in place.

[0154] With reference to [Fig. 16], a cargo ship 1070 comprises a hull 1094 and can support on its deck 1093 a cargo 1092. This ship is propelled using a propulsion system 1095 which uses liquefied natural gas as fuel. In order to store a sufficient quantity of liquefied natural gas for its propulsion, the ship 1070 comprises a sealed and insulating tank T capable of transporting a certain quantity of liquefied natural gas.

[0155] The wall of the tank T comprises a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank T, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the hull of the ship 1070, 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 hull.

[0156] In a manner known per se, loading / unloading pipelines can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a maritime terminal or port to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the T tank.

[0157] [Fig. 16] represents 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 at least one insulated flexible pipe 79 intended to supply the tank T. The orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all vessel sizes. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the ship 1070 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 vessel 1070 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0158] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 1070 and / or pumps equipping the onshore installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0159] 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Claims

1. An insulating panel (200) suitable for manufacturing a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall, the insulating panel (200) comprising: - a secondary thermal insulation element (220), of parallelepiped shape, and comprising a bottom plate (230) and a secondary thermally insulating block (240) arranged on the bottom plate (230); - a secondary sealing membrane element (260) arranged on the secondary thermal insulation element (220);- a primary thermal insulation element (270), having a parallelepiped shape, and comprising a primary thermally insulating block (271) and a primary cover plate (272) arranged on the primary thermally insulating block (271), said primary thermal insulation element (270) having at least one parallelepiped recess (500) passing through the primary thermal insulation element (270) in a thickness direction, and a planar support element arranged at the bottom of said recess (500) on the secondary sealing membrane element (260), so as to form at least one receiving volume for a force measuring instrument (300) between the planar support element and an upper surface of the primary thermal insulation element (270), the receiving volume opening onto the upper surface of the primary thermal insulation element (270).;

2. The insulating panel (200) of claim 1, further comprising a force measuring instrument (300) received in the receiving volume and resting on the planar support member, and wherein the force measuring instrument (300) comprises a force impact plate (310) having a force impact surface (319) projecting from the primary cover plate (272) in operational condition.

3. The insulating panel (200) of claim 2, wherein the force impact surface (319) protrudes less than 2 mm from the primary cover plate (272) in operational condition.

4. Insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the force measuring instrument (300) further comprises: - a counter plate (315) assembled to the force impact plate (310); - a first holding frame (320) having an upper surface in the extension of the primary cover plate (272), a lower surface on the side opposite the upper surface, and a hollow central space (329) receiving the force impact plate (310) and the counter plate (315); and - a second holding frame (330), the first holding frame (320) having a recess (325) facing the planar support element, the counter plate (315) being fixed to the second holding frame (330), and the second holding frame (330) being received in the recess (325) of the first holding frame (320).

5. An insulating panel (200) according to claim 4, wherein the first holding frame (320) is made of plywood and / or the second holding frame (330) is made of titanium.

6. An insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the force measuring instrument (300) further comprises a support plate (340) disposed between the first holding frame (320) and the planar support element.

7. An insulating panel (200) according to claim 6, wherein the backing plate (340) is made of plywood.

8. Insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the force measuring instrument (300) has, between the force impact plate (310) and the first holding frame (320), a clearance (800) of between 1 mm and 3 mm.

9. An insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the planar support member comprises a fixing plate (550), the first holding frame (320) being fixed to the fixing plate (550) by means of a plurality of external fixing elements (323) passing through the first holding frame (320) and received in corresponding external fixing blind holes (552) provided in the fixing plate (550).

10. An insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the secondary thermal insulation element (220) further comprises a secondary cover plate (250), the secondary thermally insulating block (240) being disposed between the bottom plate (230) and the secondary cover plate (250), and the secondary sealing membrane element (260) being disposed on the secondary cover plate (250).

11. An insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the counter plate (315) is fixed to the second holding frame (330) by means of a plurality of internal fixing elements (333) passing through the second holding frame (330) and received in corresponding internal fixing blind holes presented by the counter plate (315).

12. An insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein the force measuring instrument (300) comprises at least one piezoelectric sensor (318), the piezoelectric sensor (318) including a piezoelectric cell (318Q) disposed in an internal space (314) provided between the force impact plate (310) and the counter plate (315).

13. Insulating panel (200) according to claim 12, wherein the force measuring instrument (300) further comprises a connection cable (380) configured to connect said at least one piezoelectric sensor (318) to a data acquisition system (900).

14. An insulating panel (200) according to claim 13 taken in combination with claim 4, wherein the connecting cable (380) passes through the first holding frame (320) and opens onto the upper surface of the first holding frame (320).

15. A sealed and thermally insulating tank intended for the storage or transport of a liquefied gas, said tank comprising a tank wall fixed to a load-bearing wall (2), the tank wall comprising: - a secondary thermal insulation barrier (30) arranged on the load-bearing wall (2); - a secondary sealing membrane (50) arranged on the secondary thermal insulation barrier (30); - a primary thermal insulation barrier (60) having a support surface;and - a primary sealing membrane (80) intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, the primary sealing membrane (80) comprising a first series of parallel corrugations (82) and a second series of parallel corrugations (83) and flat portions (87) located between the corrugations (82, 83), said first and second series of corrugations extending in intersecting directions, said flat portions (87) resting on the support surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier (60), wherein at least a portion of the secondary thermal insulation barrier (30), of the secondary sealing membrane (50) and of the; primary thermal insulation barrier (60) are produced by juxtaposing, on the load-bearing wall (2), a plurality of thermally insulating elements, in which at least one thermally insulating element is an insulating panel (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claim 15, wherein wave reinforcements (600) are arranged under the corrugations of the first series of corrugations (82), two successive wave reinforcements (600) in a corrugation (82) each comprising a sole (620) including a lower wall (627) intended to rest on the support surface of the primary thermal insulation barrier (60) and a hollow reinforcement portion (610) arranged above the sole (620) in a thickness direction of the tank wall, the two wave reinforcements (600) developing longitudinally in the corrugation (82) on either side of a node (84), wherein the insulating panel (200) is according to any one of claims 13 to 14, and wherein the connection cable (380) is connected to a transmission cable (911) extending through at least one hollow reinforcement portion (610).

17. An assembly method for assembling a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 15 to 16, the assembly method comprising: - providing the insulating panel (200) according to claim 1, an inert block (400), for example made of plywood, being received in the receiving volume such that a surface of the inert block (400) is flush with the primary cover plate (272) of said insulating panel (200); - juxtaposing, on the load-bearing wall (2), a plurality of thermally insulating elements, wherein at least one of the thermally insulating elements is said insulating panel (200); and - removing the inert block (400) from said insulating panel (200), and arranging a force measuring instrument (300) in the receiving volume.

18. A vessel (1070) comprising a hull (1094) and a tank (T) according to any one of claims 15 to 16 disposed in the hull.

19. A transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising a vessel (1070) according to claim 18, insulated pipes (79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (T) 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 pipes isolated from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the ship's tank.

20. A method of loading or unloading a ship (1070) according to claim 18, wherein a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipes (79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the tank (T) of the ship (1094).

Images