Sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a non-horizontal tank wall, and method of assembling this tank wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a non-horizontal tank wall (1) and an assembly method for assembling the non-horizontal tank wall. The secondary sealing membrane (4) of the tank wall comprises strakes (8), each strake (8) having two raised edges (8H, 8L). The primary insulating barrier (5) of the tank wall comprises primary insulating elements (11). A primary insulating element (11) has a lower slot (99). The lower slot (99) receives two raised edges (8H, 8L), a portion of a weld support (48), and a stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550). An inner wall (99A) of the lower slot (99) abuts an abutment surface of the stop wedge, and a first bearing surface of the stop wedge opposite the abutment surface abuts a raised edge (8H). Figure for abstract: Fig. 8

Description

Title of the invention: Sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a non-horizontal tank wall, and method of assembling this tank wall Technical field

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

[0002] Known in the prior art is a sealed and thermally insulating tank, the tank comprising a plurality of tank walls delimiting an internal space of the tank, each tank wall successively comprising, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulating barrier retained on a load-bearing wall, a secondary sealing membrane resting against the secondary insulating barrier, and a primary insulating barrier resting against the secondary sealing membrane. The secondary sealing membrane consists of metal strakes welded two by two by raised edges projecting towards the inside of the tank. The primary insulating barrier comprises juxtaposed primary insulating elements, the primary insulating elements having lower slots for receiving the raised edges of the strakes.

[0003] In such a tank, when the load-bearing wall is non-horizontal and the primary insulating elements are only anchored to the secondary insulating barrier and to the load-bearing wall by anchoring devices, it is desirable to prevent the action of gravity, possibly combined with accelerations due to the movements of the ship at sea, from causing displacements of the primary insulating elements by sliding on the strakes of the secondary sealing membrane.

[0004] Indeed, such slippage can cause various disadvantages, for example locally causing undesirable stress concentrations on the strakes or even damaging the weld zones between the strakes. Summary

[0005] An idea underlying the invention is to provide a tank wall structure with membrane that can solve at least some of these drawbacks. Another idea behind the invention is to provide a membrane tank wall structure that is simple and reliable to assemble.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank, the tank comprising a plurality of tank walls delimiting an internal space of the tank, said tank walls including a non-horizontal tank wall retained to a non-horizontal load-bearing wall, the non-horizontal tank wall successively comprising, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulating barrier retained to the non-horizontal load-bearing wall, a secondary sealing membrane resting against the secondary insulating barrier, and a primary insulating barrier resting against the secondary sealing membrane, the secondary sealing membrane comprising metal strakes welded two by two, each said strake having, at two opposite ends thereof, two raised edges extending in a first direction and projecting towards the inside of the tank, the primary insulating barrier comprising juxtaposed primary insulating elements, wherein the secondary insulating barrier comprises an upper surface forming a support surface for the secondary waterproofing membrane and a groove opening onto said upper surface and extending in the first direction, wherein a weld support is inserted into the groove such that an upper portion of the weld support projects from said upper surface, wherein a first strake and a second strake of said strakes are positioned on either side of the welding support so that said upper portion extends between a first raised edge of the first strake and a second raised edge of the second strake, wherein the first direction is oblique or orthogonal to an upward direction of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall, the upward direction being parallel to a direction of greater slope of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall, the first raised edge and the second raised edge being welded to the upper portion of the weld support, wherein a said primary insulating element comprises a lower slot extending in the first direction, the first raised edge, the second raised edge and the upper portion of the solder support being received in the lower slot, the first raised edge being higher than the second raised edge in the upward direction, wherein the lower slot further receives a stop wedge, the stop wedge comprising a stop surface facing the upward direction and a first bearing surface opposite the stop surface, in which an inner wall of the lower slot abuts against the surface of stop of the stop wedge and the first bearing surface of the stop wedge rests on the first raised edge.

[0007] Thanks to these characteristics, the stop wedge tends to prevent, or at least limit, the movement of the primary insulating element by sliding on the first strake, that is to say on the strake carrying the first raised edge.

[0008] According to embodiments, such a sealed and thermally insulating tank may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0009] The secondary insulating barrier may be formed in various ways. According to one embodiment, the secondary insulating barrier comprises juxtaposed secondary insulating elements. A secondary insulating element has an upper surface forming a portion of the support surface for the secondary waterproofing membrane. The groove may be formed in the secondary insulating element and open onto its upper surface.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the non-horizontal load-bearing wall is a cofferdam wall, or another load-bearing wall which is vertical or oblique in the Earth's gravity field, such as a longitudinal load-bearing wall.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the first direction is a direction orthogonal to the upward direction, such as a transverse direction of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the first bearing surface is fixed, preferably by gluing, to the first raised edge. This gluing can be carried out by means of an adhesive element such as a layer of glue or double-sided adhesive tape.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a shoulder, the shoulder facing the first raised edge and the second raised edge. According to one embodiment in this case, a free end of the upper portion of the welding support projects relative to a free end of the first raised edge and to a free end of the second raised edge, the free end of the upper portion of the welding support being opposite said upper surface. According to another embodiment in this case, the upper portion of the welding support is curved towards one of the first raised edge and the second raised edge.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a beveled end portion facing the first strake.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a central portion, a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch extending on either side of the central portion, two opposite surfaces of the first branch form the stop surface and the first bearing surface of the stop wedge, and the second branch comprises a second bearing surface, the second bearing surface bearing on the second raised edge.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the beveled end portion is formed at one end of the first branch which is opposite the central portion.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the second branch comprises a second beveled end facing the second strake, the second beveled end being formed at one end of the second branch which is opposite the central portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first branch and the second branch are symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry passing through the central portion.

[0019] Thus, the first branch and the second branch can be interchangeable, so that the function of the stop wedge is not affected by the direction of insertion of the latter into the lower slot of the primary insulating element. Assembly is thus even simpler for the operator.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the second branch is shorter and / or less thick than the first branch.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the central portion comprises at least one chamfer on the side opposite the first branch and the second branch.

[0022] In some embodiments, said primary insulating element extends over a portion of secondary membrane including a plurality of welding supports. In this case, the primary insulating element may comprise a number of lower slots greater than or equal to two, to receive each of said welding supports, and a said stop wedge is provided for each lower slot or some of them. In particular, according to one embodiment, said primary insulating element further comprises a second lower slot extending in the first direction and spaced from the first lower slot in the upward direction. This spacing is equal to a strake width.

[0023] In this case, the secondary insulating barrier comprises a second groove opening onto said upper surface and extending in the first direction, a second weld support is inserted into the second groove so that an upper portion of the second weld support projects from said upper surface, the first strake and a third strake among said strakes are positioned on either side of the second weld support so that the upper portion of the second weld support extends between a third raised edge of the third strake and a fourth raised edge of the first strake opposite the first raised edge, the third raised edge and the fourth raised edge being welded to the upper portion of the second weld support, said primary insulating element further comprises a second lower slot extending in the first direction, the third raised edge,the fourth raised edge and the upper portion of the second welding support being received in the second, lower slot, the third raised edge being higher than the fourth raised edge in the upward direction, the second lower slot receives a second stop wedge, which may be identical to the stop wedge, and an inner wall of the second lower slot abuts the abutment surface of the second stop wedge and the first bearing surface of the second stop wedge abuts the third raised edge.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides an assembly method for assembling a non-horizontal tank wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank, the non-horizontal tank wall successively comprising, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulating barrier retained on a non-horizontal load-bearing wall, a secondary sealing membrane resting against the secondary insulating barrier, and a primary insulating barrier resting against the secondary sealing membrane, the secondary sealing membrane comprising metal strakes welded two by two, each said strake having, at two opposite ends thereof, two raised edges extending in a first direction and projecting towards the inside of the tank, the primary insulating barrier comprising juxtaposed primary insulating elements, the assembly method comprising the steps of: - arranging a secondary insulating barrier on the non-horizontal load-bearing wall, the secondary insulating barrier comprising an upper surface forming a support surface for the secondary waterproofing membrane and a groove opening onto said upper surface and extending in the first direction, a welding support being inserted into the groove so that an upper portion of the welding support projects from said upper surface; - arranging a first strake and a second strake among said strakes on either side of the welding support so that said upper portion extends between a first raised edge of the first strake and a second raised edge of the second strake, and so that the first direction is oblique or orthogonal to an upward direction of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall, the upward direction being parallel to a direction of greater slope of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall; - welding the first raised edge and the second raised edge to the upper portion of the welding support; and - arranging a stop wedge and a said primary insulating element on the first strake and the second strake such that the stop wedge, the first raised edge, the second raised edge and the upper portion of the weld support are received in a lower slot that said primary insulating element comprises, the lower slot extending into the first direction, and the first raised edge being higher than the second raised edge following the upward direction, the stop wedge comprising a stop surface facing the upward direction and a first bearing surface opposite the stop surface, and the stop wedge being arranged such that an inner wall of the lower slot abuts the stop surface of the stop wedge and such that the first bearing surface of the stop wedge abuts the first raised edge.

[0025] Such an assembly method makes it possible to obtain a sealed and thermally insulating tank as described above. The associated advantages are therefore not described again.

[0026] It is understood that the characteristics described in relation to the assembly method are applicable to the sealed and thermally insulating tank and vice versa.

[0027] According to embodiments, such an assembly method may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the secondary insulating barrier comprises juxtaposed secondary insulating elements, and the method comprises the step of arranging a secondary insulating element on the non-horizontal load-bearing wall and fixing said secondary insulating element on the non-horizontal load-bearing wall by an anchoring device connected to the load-bearing wall.

[0029] According to one embodiment, arranging the stop wedge and said primary insulating element comprises arranging said primary insulating element on the first strake and the second strake and then inserting the stop wedge into the lower slot of said primary insulating element.

[0030] In this case, according to the aforementioned embodiment in which said primary insulating element further comprises a second lower slot extending in the first direction, arranging the stop wedge and said primary insulating element comprises arranging said primary insulating element on the first strake and the second strake then inserting the stop wedge into the lower slot of said primary insulating element and inserting a second stop wedge, which may be identical to the stop wedge, into the second lower slot of said primary insulating element.

[0031] According to one embodiment, arranging the stop wedge and said primary insulating element comprises positioning the stop wedge in the lower slot of said primary insulating element and then installing said primary insulating element on the first strake and the second strake.

[0032] In other words, the primary insulating element is installed on the first strake and the second strake while the stop wedge is already positioned in the lower slot, in other words while the stop wedge is pre-installed in the lower slot. This possibility is particularly advantageous when the stop wedge has a central portion, a first branch and a second branch, as will be described below.

[0033] In this case, according to the aforementioned embodiment in which said primary insulating element further comprises a second lower slot extending in the first direction, arranging the stop wedge and said primary insulating element comprises positioning the stop wedge in the lower slot of said primary insulating element, positioning a second stop wedge, which may be identical to the stop wedge, in the second lower slot, then installing said primary insulating element on the first strake and the second strake.

[0034] According to one embodiment, arranging the stop wedge and said primary insulating element comprises positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge and then installing said primary insulating element on the first strake and the second strake.

[0035] In other words, the primary insulating element is installed on the first strake and the second strake while the stop wedge is already positioned relative to the first raised edge, in other words while the stop wedge is pre-installed on the first raised edge.

[0036] In this case, according to the aforementioned embodiment in which said primary insulating element further comprises a second lower slot extending in the first direction, the secondary insulating barrier comprises a second groove opening onto said upper surface and extending in the first direction, a second solder support being inserted into the second groove so that an upper portion of the second solder support projects from said upper surface, the assembly method further comprises arranging the first strake and a third strake among said strakes are positioned on either side of the second welding support so that the upper portion of the second welding support extends between a third raised edge of the third strake and a fourth raised edge of the first strake opposite the first raised edge, and welding the third raised edge and the fourth raised edge to the upper portion of the second welding support, the third raised edge, the fourth raised edge and the upper portion of the second welding support being intended to be received in the second lower slot, the third raised edge being higher than the fourth raised edge in the upward direction, arranging the stop wedge and said primary insulating element comprises positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge and positioning a second stop wedge, which may be identical to the stop wedge, relative to the third raised edge, then installing said primary insulating element on the first strake, the second strake and the third strake.

[0037] According to one embodiment, positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge comprises fixing the first bearing surface to the first raised edge, preferably by gluing. This gluing can be carried out by means of an adhesive element such as a layer of glue or double-sided adhesive tape.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a shoulder, the shoulder facing the first raised edge and the second raised edge. According to one embodiment in this case, positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge comprises bringing a free end of the end portion of the weld support into abutment against the shoulder, the free end of the end portion of the weld support being opposite said upper surface, and positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge comprises bringing the free end into abutment against the shoulder. According to another embodiment in this case, positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge comprises bringing a free end of one of the first raised edge and the second raised edge into abutment against the shoulder.According to yet another embodiment in this case, positioning the stop wedge relative to the first raised edge comprises bending the upper portion of the weld support towards one of the first raised edge and the second raised edge and then bringing the thus bent upper portion into abutment against the shoulder.

[0039] Thus, the assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall is simplified. Indeed, the operator responsible for the assembly simply has to ensure that this stop is made to be certain that the stop wedge is correctly positioned, and that this stop also leaves an empty space at the curved junction between the first raised edge and the flat portion of the strake.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a chamfer on the side opposite the stop surface relative to the shoulder.

[0041] The chamfer tends to facilitate insertion of the stop wedge into the slot of the primary insulating element when the stop wedge is pre-installed on the first raised edge.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a beveled end portion facing the first strake, and arranging the stop wedge comprises placing an end surface of the beveled end portion in abutment on the first strake.

[0043] Thus, the assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall is simplified. Indeed, it is sufficient for the operator responsible for the assembly to ensure that this support is carried out to be certain that the stop wedge is correctly positioned. Furthermore, the fact that the end portion is beveled makes it possible to prevent this support from excessively constraining the first strake at a first curved junction between the first raised edge and a flat portion of the first strake, which would be detrimental to the mechanical strength, deformation capacity, and the lifespan of the first strake and the weld between the strakes.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the stop wedge comprises a central portion, a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch extending on either side of the central portion, two opposite surfaces of the first branch form the stop surface and the first bearing surface of the stop wedge, and the second branch comprises a second bearing surface, and arranging the stop wedge comprises placing the second bearing surface in abutment on the second raised edge.

[0045] Thus, the assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall is simplified. Indeed, the support of the first support surface on the first raised edge and the support of the second support surface on the second raised edge contribute to keeping the stop wedge sufficiently in position to be able to install the primary insulating element.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the beveled end portion is formed at one end of the first branch which is opposite the central portion.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the central portion comprises at least one chamfer on the side opposite the first branch and the second branch.

[0048] The chamfer tends to facilitate insertion of the stop wedge into the lower slot of the primary insulating element when the stop wedge is pre-installed on the first raised edge or when it is desired that the stop wedge be pre-installed in the lower slot.

[0049] 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 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] According to one embodiment, a ship for transporting a liquefied gas comprises a double hull and a aforementioned tank arranged in the double hull.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising the aforementioned ship, insulated pipes arranged so as to connect the tank installed in the hull of the ship to an installation floating or land-based storage facility and a pump to drive a flow of liquefied gas through insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

[0053] 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

[0054] 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.

[0055] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a cutaway perspective view of a tank wall.

[0056] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of the tank wall of [Fig.l], according to a direction orthogonal to the upward direction indicated by arrow U in [Fig.l] and parallel to the transverse direction indicated by arrow T in [Fig.l].

[0057] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlarged view of detail B of [Fig.2].

[0058] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3], showing on the left view the tank wall comprising a stop wedge according to a first embodiment, and in the right view an enlargement of this stop wedge.

[0059] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view similar to [Fig.3], showing on the left view the tank wall comprising a stop wedge according to a second embodiment, and in the right view an enlargement of this stop wedge.

[0060] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view similar to [Fig.3], showing on the left view the tank wall comprising a stop wedge according to a third embodiment, and in the right view an enlargement of this stop wedge.

[0061] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view similar to [Fig.3], showing on the left view the tank wall comprising a stop wedge according to a fourth embodiment, and in the right view an enlargement of this stop wedge.

[0062] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view similar to [Fig.3], showing on the left view the tank wall comprising a stop wedge according to a fifth embodiment, and in the right view an enlargement of this stop wedge.

[0063] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic cutaway representation of a ship's tank LNG tanker and a loading / unloading terminal for this tank. Description of the embodiments

[0064] By convention, the terms "lower" and "upper" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, respectively in the direction of the outside or inside of the tank as in the non-horizontal wall which is shown in [Fig.l].

[0065] In [Fig.l], the multi-layer structure of a tank wall 1 is shown, sealed and thermally insulating for the storage of a liquefied fluid, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). The tank wall 1 comprises successively, in the direction of the thickness, from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 3 retained on a load-bearing wall 2, a secondary sealed membrane 4 resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier 3, a primary thermally insulating barrier 5 resting against the secondary sealed membrane 4 and a primary sealed membrane 6 intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank.

[0066] The load-bearing wall 2 may in particular be formed by the hull or double hull of a ship. The load-bearing wall 2 is typically part of a load-bearing structure comprising a plurality of walls defining the general shape of the tank, usually a polyhedral shape.

[0067] The secondary thermally insulating barrier 3 comprises a plurality of secondary insulating blocks 7 which are anchored to the load-bearing wall 2 by means of anchoring devices 20 which will be described below. The secondary insulating blocks 7 have a generally parallelepiped shape and are arranged in parallel rows.

[0068] The secondary sealing membrane 4 comprises a continuous layer of metal strakes 8 with raised edges. The metal strakes 8 are welded by their raised edges 8H, 8L (see [Fig. 3]) as will be detailed below. The metal strakes 8 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 between 7.106 and 10.106 K1.

[0069] The primary thermally insulating barrier 5 comprises a plurality of primary insulating blocks 11 having a generally parallelepiped shape and length and width dimensions identical to those of the secondary insulating blocks 7. Each of the primary insulating blocks 11 is positioned in line with one of the secondary insulating blocks 7, in alignment with the latter in the direction of thickness of the tank wall 1.

[0070] The primary waterproofing membrane 6 can be produced in different ways as will be detailed below.

[0071] In [Fig.l], a secondary insulating block 7 has been omitted to reveal thickness shims 12 and mastic beads 13 intended to compensate for flatness defects in the load-bearing wall 2. Positioning shims, not shown, may also be provided as described in publication WO-A-2018069585.

[0072] The anchoring devices 20 are preferably positioned at the four corners of the secondary insulating blocks 7 and primary insulating blocks 11. Each stack of a secondary insulating block 7 and a primary insulating block 11 is anchored to the load-bearing wall 2 by means of four anchoring devices 20. Furthermore, each anchoring device 20 cooperates with the corners of four adjacent secondary insulating blocks 7 and with the corners of four adjacent primary insulating blocks 11.

[0073] In [Fig.2], we see in more detail two adjacent secondary insulating blocks 7, two adjacent primary insulating blocks 11, and an anchoring device 20.

[0074] Each secondary insulating block 7 comprises a layer of insulating polymer foam 16 sandwiched between a base plate and a cover plate 15. The base plate and the cover plate 15 are for example made of plywood or fiber composite. The layer of insulating polymer foam 16 is glued to the base plate and the cover plate 15. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally reinforced with fibers.

[0075] In the embodiment shown, the primary insulating blocks 11 have a structure similar to that of the secondary insulating blocks 7 described above. In this case, as is best seen in [Fig. 3], each primary insulating block 11 comprises a layer of insulating polymer foam 18 sandwiched between a base plate 19 and a cover plate 18T. The base plate 19 and the cover plate 15 are for example made of plywood. The layer of insulating polymer foam 16 is glued to the base plate 19 and the cover plate 18T. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally reinforced with fibers.

[0076] The anchoring device 20 is here of the type described in the document WO 2021 / 239712 A1, that is to say that the anchoring device 20 essentially comprises a clamping assembly 30 and an anchor rod 22 (shown in phantom in [Fig.2]).

[0077] The clamping assembly 30 comprises a lower plate 31, an upper plate 32 parallel to the lower plate 31, at least one connecting member (not shown) such as a fixing screw connecting the lower plate 31 to the upper plate 32, and a spacing member arranged between the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32. The spacing member comprises a stop piece defining a minimum spacing between the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in a position of abutment of the plates 31, 32 against the stop piece. The stop piece comprises a spacer block 33.

[0078] The anchor rod 22 projects from the clamping assembly 30 perpendicular to the lower plate 31. In a manner not shown, a lower end of the rod anchor rod 22 is attached to the load-bearing wall 2. An upper end, opposite the lower end, of the anchor rod 22 is coupled to the lower plate 31 to be able to exert traction on the lower plate 31 in the direction of the lower end.

[0079] The spacing member further comprises an elastically compressible member, here a compression spring 69, for example helical. Alternatively, the elastically compressible member comprises a stack of elastic washers, for example Belleville washers. As described in document WO 2021 / 239712 A1, the elastically compressible member tends to maintain the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in a spaced apart position, the connecting member defining a maximum spacing between the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32 in the spaced apart position, the maximum spacing being greater than the minimum spacing; and the elastically compressible member is configured to compress elastically to the stop position of the lower 31 and upper 32 plates against the stop piece in response to a force tending to bring the upper plate 32 closer to the lower plate 31.Further details on the construction of such an anchoring device 20 can be found in document WO 2021 / 239712 A1. It should be noted that the anchoring device 20 also comprises a primary support plate 28 which bears in the direction of the load-bearing wall 2 on a support zone provided in each of the four adjacent primary insulating blocks 11 so as to retain them against the secondary waterproofing membrane 4. In the embodiment shown, each support zone is formed by an overhanging part of a bottom plate 19 of the primary insulating block 11.

[0080] A nut 29 cooperates with a thread provided at the upper end of the stud 27 so as to ensure the fixing of the primary support plate 28 on the stud 27. In the embodiment shown, the anchoring device 20 further comprises a Belleville-type elastic washer threaded onto the stud 27 between the nut 29 and the primary support plate 28, which makes it possible to ensure elastic anchoring of the primary insulating blocks 11 on the secondary sealing membrane 4.

[0081] Alternatively, the anchoring device 20 may be produced in other ways as required, for example as described in document FR 3 128 003 A1, document WO 2014 / 096600 A1, or document WO 2019 / 110894 A1.

[0082] As shown in [Fig. 3], the primary insulating blocks 11 comprise lower slots 99. Each lower slot 99 is arranged opposite a groove 9 (see [Fig. 1], [Fig. 2], [Fig. 3]) of a secondary insulating block 7. In the example shown, as can be seen in [Fig. 1], each secondary insulating block 7 comprises two grooves 9 parallel to each other; consequently, each primary insulating block 11 comprises two lower slots 99 parallel to each other, the [Fig. 3] re having only one lower slot 99 per primary insulating block 11. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a single groove 9 per secondary insulating block 7 and a lower slot 99 per primary insulating block 11, or a number of grooves 9 per secondary insulating block 7 which is greater than two, and the same number of lower slots 99 per primary insulating block 11.

[0083] As can be better seen in [Fig. 3], which is an enlarged view of detail B of [Fig. 2], a solder support 48 is provided per groove 9. The solder support 48 has an “L” shaped cross-section, so as to have an upper portion 47, rectilinear, and a lower portion 49, rectilinear and extending in a direction orthogonal to the upper portion 47. The groove 9 has a “T” shaped cross-section and receives the lower portion 49. The cooperation between the lower portion 49 and the walls of the groove 9 retains the solder support 48 on the secondary insulating block 7.

[0084] The upper portion 47 projects from the cover plate 15, and extends between a first raised edge 8H of a first strake 8 and a second raised edge 8L of a second strake 8. For this, these two strakes 8 are positioned on either side of the welding support 48 as shown in [Fig. 3]. The first raised edge 8H and the second raised edge 8L are welded to the upper portion 47 of the welding support 48. In addition, the first raised edge 8H, the second raised edge 8L and the upper portion 47 are received in the lower slot 99.

[0085] In the example shown, the groove 9 extends over a portion of the thickness of the cover plate 15 of the secondary insulating block 7. However, as a variant, the groove 9 may extend as far as the layer of insulating polymer foam 16 without penetrating into the thickness of the insulating polymer foam 16, or even extend partially into the thickness of the insulating polymer foam 16.

[0086] As mentioned previously, the tank wall 1 shown in [Fig.l] is non-horizontal. In other words, the tank wall 1 is a tank wall that is vertical or oblique in the Earth's gravity field. In particular, the load-bearing wall 2 may be a cofferdam wall, or another load-bearing wall that is vertical or oblique in the Earth's gravity field, such as a longitudinal load-bearing wall. In the figures: - the arrow U indicates an upward direction, which is parallel to a direction of greater slope of the load-bearing wall 2, and which is oriented in the upward direction; - the arrow T indicates a transverse direction, which is orthogonal to the upward direction U and orthogonal to the thickness direction of the tank wall 1.

[0087] As shown in the figures, the raised edges 8H, 8L of the strakes 8 and the upper portions 47 of the welding supports 48 extend parallel to the transverse direction T, and therefore orthogonally to the upward direction U. As a variant, the raised edges 8H, 8L of the strakes 8 and the upper portions 47 of the welding supports 48 extend parallel to the transverse direction T, and therefore orthogonally to the upward direction U. welding supports 48 may extend obliquely but not orthogonally to the upward direction U. In both cases, the first raised edge 8H is higher than the second raised edge 8L along the upward direction U.

[0088] With particular reference to [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], since the tank wall 1 is non-horizontal, the action of gravity on the primary insulating blocks 11 is oriented in the downward direction, i.e. in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow U. As mentioned above, the anchoring devices 20 anchor the primary insulating blocks 11 on the load-bearing wall 2 by retaining the primary insulating blocks 11 against the load-bearing wall 2 in an orientation parallel to the thickness direction of the tank wall 1. It is desirable to prevent the action of gravity, possibly combined with accelerations due to the movements of the ship at sea, from causing displacements of the primary insulating blocks 11 in the downward direction by sliding on the strakes 8.Several embodiments of the tank wall 1 are described below which tend to prevent, or at least limit, such movements of the primary insulating blocks 11 by sliding on the strakes 8.

[0089] A first embodiment is shown in [Fig. 4]. In [Fig. 4], and in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 described below, elements similar or identical to those described above with reference to [Fig. 1], [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3] bear the same reference signs and are not described again except when necessary.

[0090] As shown in [Fig. 4], a stop wedge 150 is received in the lower slot 99. The stop wedge 150 has a constant rectangular cross-section. In other words, the stop wedge 150 consists of a cleat, for example a plywood or plastic cleat. Thus, the two opposite larger faces of the stop wedge 150 are planar. These two larger faces are respectively labeled 151 and 152 in the right-hand view of [Fig. 4].

[0091] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop wedge 150 is now described.

[0092] The non-horizontal load-bearing wall 2 having been constructed, a secondary insulating block 7, or several adjacent secondary insulating blocks 7, are placed on the load-bearing wall 2. For example, four adjacent secondary insulating blocks 7 are placed, held at their corners by an anchoring device 20 as described above.

[0093] For a given secondary insulating block 7, a welding support 48 is inserted into a groove 9 of this secondary insulating block 7. The upper portion 47 of the welding support 48 projects from the cover plate 15 as mentioned above. The upper surface of the cover plate 15 forms part of a support surface for the secondary sealing membrane 4, more precisely for the flat portions of the strakes 8 constituting the secondary sealing membrane 4. On the cover plate 15, two strakes 8 are arranged on either side of the upper portion 47, such that the upper portion 47 extends between the first raised edge 8H of a first strake 8 and the second raised edge 8L of a second strake 8. As mentioned above, the first raised edge 8H, the second raised edge 8L, and the upper portion 47 extend obliquely or orthogonally to the upward direction U, and the first raised edge 8H is higher than the second raised edge 8L in the upward direction U.

[0094] Then, the first raised edge 8H and the second raised edge 8L are welded to the upper portion 47 of the welding support 48 according to known techniques.

[0095] Next, a stop wedge 150 and a primary insulating block 11 are placed on the strakes 8 so that the stop wedge 150, the first raised edge 8H, the second raised edge 8L and the upper portion 47 are received in the lower slot 99 of the primary insulating block 11.

[0096] The stop wedge 150 can be provided in different ways. In one variant, the stop wedge 150 is inserted into the lower slot 99 after the primary insulating block 11 has been arranged on the strakes 8. In another variant, the stop wedge 150 is pre-installed on the first raised edge 8H, in other words the stop wedge 150 is positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before arranging the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8. For this, for example, the stop wedge 150 is fixed by its face 152 to the first raised edge 8H, for example by means of an adhesive element 152C, such as a layer of glue or double-sided adhesive tape.

[0097] In any event, after the stop wedge 150 and the primary insulating block 11 have been arranged, the stop wedge 150 is received in the lower slot 99 in the orientation shown in [Fig. 4]. The face 151 of the stop wedge 150 materializes a stop surface facing the upward direction U, and the face 152 opposite the face 151 materializes a bearing surface opposite this stop surface. As indicated by the arrows D in the left view of [Fig.4], the action of gravity on the primary insulating block 11 tends to bring the internal wall 99A of the lower slot 99 which is opposite the first raised edge 8H into abutment against the abutment surface materialized by the face 151. Consequently, the bearing surface materialized by the face 152 tends to be in abutment on the first raised edge 8H.In this way, the stop wedge 150 tends to prevent, or at least limit, the movement of the primary insulating block 11 by sliding on the strake 8 carrying the first raised edge 8H.

[0098] The above steps can be repeated for each groove 9 of a secondary insulating block 7 and for each secondary insulating block 7. It will therefore be noted that in the example shown in [Fig.l], the two lower slots 99 of each primary insulating block 11 are each provided with a stop wedge 150. Then, the assembly of the tank wall 1 can be completed, and in particular the membrane can be installed primary sealing 6 on the primary insulating barrier 5 constituted by the primary insulating blocks 11.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane 6 is similar to the secondary sealing membrane 4. In other words, the primary sealing membrane 6 also comprises metal strakes 8 welded by their raised edges 8H, 8L on parallel welding supports 48. The welding supports 48 are fixed in grooves 9T provided on the cover plates 18T of the primary insulating blocks 11. Alternatively, the primary sealing membrane 6 can be made in other ways, for example from corrugated metal sheets which are welded by overlapping by their edges.

[0100] Example of sizing: - internal dimensions of the lower slot 99: 10 mm along the upward direction U; 40 mm orthogonal to the upward direction U and to the transverse direction T; - dimensions of the stop wedge 150: between 2 mm inclusive and 5 mm inclusive, for example 3 mm, in the upward direction U; 20 mm orthogonal to the upward direction U and to the transverse direction T; between 40 mm and 500 mm in the transverse direction T, preferably between 200 mm and 500 mm in the transverse direction T so that it can be slid between two adjacent insulating blocks.

[0101] A second embodiment is shown in [Fig. 5]. In [Fig. 5], the stop wedge is referenced 250. The elements of the stop wedge 250 which are similar to those of the stop wedge 150 are referenced with the same numbers increased by 100, and are not described again except where necessary.

[0102] The stop wedge 250 comprises, between the face 251 and the face 252, a beveled end portion 253. In other words, the end portion 253 has a cross-section which is trapezoidal, and which decreases continuously to an end surface 253P. The end surface 253P is planar and is here orthogonal to the faces 251 and 252.

[0103] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop wedge 250 is identical to what was described above in relation to the first embodiment, except that the stop wedge 250 is provided so that the end portion 253 is turned towards the strake 8 carrying the first raised edge 8H, and so that the end surface 253P is supported on the curved junction 8H1 between the first raised edge 8H and the flat portion of the strake 8.

[0104] When assembling the non-horizontal tank wall 1, the operator responsible for the assembly simply needs to ensure that this support of the end surface 253P on the curved junction 8H1 is carried out to be certain that the stop wedge 250 is correctly positioned. Thus, the assembly is simplified for the operator.

[0105] On the other hand, the fact that the end portion 253 is beveled makes it possible to prevent this support does not excessively constrain Curved injunction 8H1, which would be detrimental to the mechanical strength and the lifespan of the strake 8. More precisely, if the end portion 253 were not beveled, but of rectangular section like the end portion 153 (see [Fig.4]) of the stop wedge 150 of the first embodiment, then the curved junction 8H1 would be in contact with the end portion 253 over a larger surface, and therefore would be more constrained, in particular more prevented from working in bending. This is why, in the first embodiment, the end surface 153P of the stop wedge 150 facing the strake 8 carrying the first raised edge 8H is not intended to be in support on the curved junction 8H1.

[0106] The faces 251 and 252 cooperate with the lower slot 99 and the first raised edge 8H in the same way as faces 151 and 152. This cooperation is therefore not described again.

[0107] As in the first embodiment, the stop wedge 250 of the second embodiment can be provided in different ways. In one variant, the stop wedge 250 is inserted into the lower slot 99 after the primary insulating block 11 has been arranged on the strakes 8. In another variant, the stop wedge 250 is pre-installed on the first raised edge 8H, in other words the stop wedge 250 is positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before arranging the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8. For this, for example, the stop wedge 250 is fixed by its face 252 to the first raised edge 8H, for example by means of an adhesive element 252C similar to the adhesive element 152C.

[0108] A third embodiment is shown in [Fig. 6]. In [Fig. 6], the stop wedge is referenced 350. Elements of the stop wedge 350 that are similar or identical to those of the stop wedge 150 are referenced with the same numbers plus 200, and are not described again except where necessary.

[0109] The stop wedge 350 comprises, between the face 351 and the face 352 and opposite the end surface 353P facing the strake 8 carrying the first raised edge 8H, a shoulder 354. The shoulder 354 comprises a stop surface 354B, which is here flat and orthogonal to the faces 351 and 352.

[0110] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop wedge 350 is identical to what was described above in relation to the first embodiment, except that the stop wedge 350 is provided so that the free end 47A of the upper portion 47 of the welding support 48 abuts against the shoulder 354 at a point 354B1 of the abutment surface 354B.

[0111] When assembling the non-horizontal tank wall 1, the assembly operator simply needs to ensure that this stop of the free end 47A at 354B1 is made to be certain that the stop wedge 350 is correctly positioned. Thus, assembly is simplified for the operator. In addition, this stop also leaves a space void at the level of the curved junction 8H1 between the first raised edge 8H and the flat portion of the strake 8.

[0112] The stop wedge 350 is dimensioned so that when the free end 47A is in abutment against the shoulder 354 at 354B1, the end surface 353P is not in abutment on the curved junction 8H1. This is why the end portion 353 of the stop wedge 350 may be of rectangular section, like the end portion 153 (see [Fig.4]) of the stop wedge 150 of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the stop wedge 350 may comprise a beveled end portion similar to the end portion 253 of the second embodiment. Such a beveled end portion is not intended to bear on the curved junction 8H1, but also makes it possible to prevent the curved junction 8H1 from being excessively stressed when the stop of the free end 47A at 354B1 is produced.

[0113] The faces 351 and 352 cooperate with the lower slot 99 and the first raised edge 8H in the same way as the faces 151 and 152. This cooperation is therefore not described again.

[0114] Preferably, the stop wedge 350 is provided so as to make the stop of the free end 47A against the shoulder 354 at 354B1 before arranging the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8. To facilitate the insertion of the stop wedge 350 into the lower slot 99 when installing the primary insulating block 11, the stop wedge 350 preferably comprises a chamfer 359 on the side opposite the stop surface 354B relative to the shoulder 354, the chamfer 359 being turned towards the internal wall 99A of the lower slot 99.

[0115] A fourth embodiment is shown in [Fig. 7]. In [Fig. 7], the stop wedge is referenced 450. Elements of the stop wedge 450 that are similar or identical to those of the stop wedge 150 are referenced with the same numbers plus 300, and are not described again except where necessary.

[0116] The stop wedge 450 comprises a central portion 480, a first branch 470 and a second branch 490. The first branch 470 and the second branch 490 extend on either side of the central portion 480.

[0117] The first branch 470 has faces 451 and 452 similar to faces 151 and 152.

[0118] The second branch 490 comprises a face 496 and a face 497. The face 496 is flat and opposite the face 452 of the first branch 470. The face 497 is flat and opposite the face 496.

[0119] The face 451 materializes a first stop surface facing the upward direction U. The face 452 materializes a first support surface intended to bear on the first raised edge 8H. The face 496 materializes a second support surface intended to bear on the second raised edge 8L.

[0120] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop wedge 450 is identical to what was described above in relation to the first embodiment, except that the stop wedge 450 is preferably pre-installed on the first raised edge 8H, in other words the stop wedge 450 is preferably positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before arranging the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8. Indeed, the support of the face 452 on the first raised edge 8H and the support of the face 496 on the second raised edge 8L contribute to keeping the stop wedge 450 sufficiently in position to be able to install the primary insulating block 11 while the stop wedge 450 is already positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H. Thus, the assembly is simplified for the operator.Alternatively, the stop wedge 450 is advantageously pre-installed in the lower slot 99, in other words the stop wedge 450 is advantageously positioned in the lower slot 99 before placing the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8.

[0121] The faces 451 and 452 cooperate with the lower slot 99 and the first raised edge 8H in the same way as the faces 151 and 152. This cooperation is therefore not described again. The above-mentioned support of the face 496 on the second raised edge 8L can be obtained in various ways, for example by giving the stop wedge 450 a degree of elasticity which tends to keep the face 452 in contact with the first raised edge 8H and simultaneously to keep the face 496 in contact with the second raised edge 8L.

[0122] In the example shown, the first branch 470 and the second branch 490 are symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry S4 passing through the central portion 480. In this case, the first branch 470 and the second branch 490 are interchangeable, so that the function of the stop wedge 450 is not affected by the direction of insertion thereof into the lower slot 99. Assembly is thus even simpler for the operator.

[0123] In the example shown, the face 497 materializes a second abutment surface facing in a direction opposite to the upward direction U, and which abuts against an internal wall 99X of the lower slot 99 opposite the internal wall 99A. However, there is no disadvantage in this abutment of the face 497 against the internal wall 99X not being obtained in practice, for example due to the tolerances on the dimensions of the lower slot 99 during the manufacture of the primary insulating block 11.

[0124] The first branch 470 comprises, between the face 451 and the face 452, a beveled end portion 453. Similarly, the second branch 490 comprises a beveled end portion 493. The beveled end portions 453, 493 are similar to the beveled end portion 253, and thus comprise end surfaces 453P, 493P similar to the end surface 253P. Like the beveled end portion 253 of the shim 250 of the second embodiment, the end portion beveled 453 (respectively 493) prevents the curved junction 8H1 (respectively 8L1) from being excessively stressed. When assembling the non-horizontal tank wall 1, in a manner not shown in [Fig.7], the end surfaces 453P, 493P may be supported on the curved junctions 8H1, 8L1. Alternatively, the end surfaces 453P, 493P may not be supported on the curved junctions 8H1, 8L1 as shown in [Fig.7]. In this case, in a manner not shown in [Fig. 7], the central portion 480 forming a shoulder 454 between the first branch 470 and the second branch 490, the free end 47A of the upper portion 47 of the welding support 48 can be placed in abutment against the shoulder 454 at a point 454B1 of the abutment surface 454B.

[0125] A fifth embodiment is shown in [Fig. 8]. In [Fig. 8], the stop wedge is referenced 550. Elements of the stop wedge 550 that are similar or identical to those of the stop wedge 450 are referenced with the same numbers plus 100, and are not described again except where necessary.

[0126] The stop wedge 550 differs from the stop wedge 450 in that the first branch 570 and the second branch 590 are not symmetrical with respect to the central portion 580. More precisely, the second branch 590 is shorter than the first branch 570. Nevertheless, the second branch 590 is sufficiently long so that the face 596 of the second branch 590 opposite the face 552 bears on the second raised edge 8L. As for the stop wedge 450, the bearing of the face 596 on the second raised edge 8L can be obtained in various ways, for example by giving the stop wedge 550 a degree of elasticity which tends to keep the face 552 bearing on the first raised edge 8H and simultaneously to keep the face 596 bearing on the second raised edge 8L.

[0127] Furthermore, the second branch 590 is here less thick than the first branch 570, so that the face 597 may not be in abutment against the internal wall 99X. Indeed, as mentioned above with reference to the stop wedge 450, there is no disadvantage in the abutment of the face 597 against the internal wall 99X not being obtained in practice.

[0128] With reference to [Fig.8] and [Fig.7], it is understood that the stop wedge 550 makes it possible to obtain the same cooperation with the lower slot 99 and the raised edges 8H, 8L as the stop wedge 450, with a lower cost because the manufacture of the stop wedge 550 requires less material than the manufacture of the stop wedge 450.

[0129] The first branch 570 comprises, between the face 551 and the face 552, a beveled end portion 553. The beveled end portion 553 is similar to the beveled end portion 453. The beveled end portion 553 thus comprises an end surface 553P similar to the end surface 253P.

[0130] The assembly of the non-horizontal tank wall 1 using the stop wedge 550 is identical to what was described above in relation to the fourth embodiment, except that the stop wedge 550 is provided so that the end portion 553 is turned towards the strake 8 carrying the first raised edge 8H, and so that the end surface 553P is supported on the curved junction 8H1, as shown in [Fig.8].

[0131] When assembling the non-horizontal tank wall 1, the operator responsible for the assembly simply needs to ensure that this support of the end surface 553P on the curved junction 8H1 is carried out to be certain that the stop wedge 550 is correctly positioned. Thus, the assembly is simplified for the operator.

[0132] Alternatively, the end surface 553P may not be placed in abutment on the curved junction 8H1. In this case, the central portion 580 forming a shoulder 554 between the first branch 570 and the second branch 590, the free end 47A of the upper portion 47 of the welding support 48 may be placed in abutment against the shoulder 554 at a point 554B1 of the abutment surface 554B.

[0133] On the other hand, as for the end portion 253 of the stop wedge 250 of the second embodiment, the fact that the end portion 553 is beveled makes it possible to prevent the curved junction 8H1 from being excessively stressed. Conversely, the end surface 593P of the second branch 590 is not intended to bear on the curved junction 8L1. This is why the end portion 593 of the second branch 590 carrying the end surface 593P can be of rectangular section, like the end portion 153 (see [Fig.4]) of the stop wedge 150 of the first embodiment.

[0134] Preferably, the stop wedge 550 is pre-installed on the first raised edge 8H, in other words the stop wedge 550 is preferably positioned relative to the first raised edge 8H before arranging the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8. As a variant, the stop wedge 550 is advantageously pre-installed in the lower slot 99, in other words the stop wedge 550 is advantageously positioned in the lower slot 99 before arranging the primary insulating block 11 on the strakes 8. To facilitate the insertion of the stop wedge 550 into the lower slot 99, the central portion 590 preferably comprises: - a chamfer 559 opposite the end surface 553P and facing the inner wall 99A of the lower slot 99; and / or - a chamfer 559X opposite the end surface 593P and facing the inner wall 99X of the lower slot 99. It is specified that the central portion 490 of the stop wedge 450 of the fourth embodiment may also comprise a chamfer similar to the chamfer 559 and / or a chamfer similar to the chamfer 559X.

[0135] In some embodiments, the upper portion 47 of the solder support 48 can be shortened, for example by cutting the upper portion 47, before providing the stop wedge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550. According to one example, the shortened upper portion 47 may be less projecting relative to the free ends of the raised edges 8H, 8L than shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. Thus, for example, the stop of the free end 47A against the shoulder 354, 454, 554 can be produced with a stop wedge 350, 450, 550 of smaller dimensions. According to another example, the shortened upper portion 47 may not be projecting relative to the free ends of the raised edges 8H, 8L. Thus, for example, one or other of said free ends can be brought into abutment against the shoulder 354, 454, 554.

[0136] Additionally or alternatively, the upper portion 47 of the welding support 48 may be curved towards one of the first raised edge 8H and the raised edge 8L. Thus, for example, the upper portion 47 thus curved may be brought into abutment against the shoulder 354, 454, 554.

[0137] In each of the embodiments described above, a stop wedge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 is provided for each lower slot 99 of a single primary insulating block 11. Alternatively, all or some of the stop wedges 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 may be common to several adjacent primary insulating blocks 11, i.e., a given stop wedge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 may have a length, along the transverse direction T, which is sufficient to be received in the aligned lower slots 99 of several adjacent primary insulating blocks 11.

[0138] The stop wedge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550 preferably has a constant cross-section along the transverse direction T, which simplifies the manufacture of the stop wedge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550. Various materials can be envisaged for producing the stop wedge 150, 250, 350, 450, 550, in particular plywood, or a polymer material such as polyethylene and its derivatives, polypropylene and its derivatives, polybutadiene and its derivatives.

[0139] The structure of the secondary insulating block 7 is described above by way of example. Also, in another embodiment, the secondary insulating blocks 7 are likely to have another general structure, for example that described in document WO-A-2012127141. The secondary insulating blocks 7 are then produced in the form of a box comprising a bottom plate, a cover plate and load-bearing webs extending, in the thickness direction of the tank wall 1, between the bottom plate and the cover plate and delimiting a plurality of compartments filled with an insulating lining, such as perlite, glass wool or rock wool.

[0140] The structure of the primary insulating block 11 is described above by way of example. Also, in another embodiment, the primary insulating blocks 11 are likely to have another general structure, for example that described in document WO-A-2012127141.

[0141] 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 ethane or a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), that is to say a mixture of hydrocarbons resulting from the refining of oil comprising essentially propane and butane.

[0142] With reference to [Fig.9], a cutaway view of an LNG carrier ship 70 shows a sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] [Fig.9] 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 a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipelines 73. The orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all sizes of LNG carriers. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG carrier 70 from or to the onshore installation 77. The latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the underwater pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75.The subsea pipeline 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG carrier 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Claims A sealed and thermally insulating tank, the tank comprising a plurality of tank walls delimiting an internal space of the tank, said tank walls including a non-horizontal tank wall (1) retained to a non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2), the non-horizontal tank wall (1) successively comprising, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulating barrier (3) retained to the non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2), a secondary sealing membrane (4) resting against the secondary insulating barrier, and a primary insulating barrier (5) resting against the secondary sealing membrane (4), the secondary sealing membrane (4) comprising metal strakes (8) welded two by two, each said strake (8) having, at two opposite ends thereof, two raised edges (8H, 8L) extending in a first direction and projecting towards the inside of the tank,the primary insulating barrier (5) comprising juxtaposed primary insulating elements (11), wherein the secondary insulating barrier (3) comprises an upper surface forming a support surface for the secondary waterproofing membrane (4) and a groove (9) opening onto said upper surface and extending in the first direction, wherein a welding support (48) is inserted into the groove (9) so that an upper portion (47) of the welding support (48) projects from said upper surface, wherein a first strake and a second strake among said strakes (8) are positioned on either side of the welding support (48) so that said upper portion (47) extends between a first raised edge (8H) of the first strake and a second raised edge (8L) of the second strake, wherein the first direction is oblique or orthogonal to an upward direction (U) of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2),the upward direction (U) being parallel to a direction of greater slope of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2), the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L) being welded to the upper portion (47) of the weld support (48), wherein a said primary insulating element (11) comprises a lower slot (99) extending in the first direction, the first raised edge (8H), the second raised edge (8L) and the upper portion (47), of the welding support (48) being received in the lower slot (99), the first raised edge (8H) being higher than the second raised edge (8L) in the upward direction (U), in which the lower slot (99) further receives a stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550), the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) having a stop surface facing the upward direction (U) and a first bearing surface opposite the stop surface, in which an inner wall (99A) of the lower slot (99) abuts against the stop surface of the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and the first bearing surface of the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) is supported on the first raised edge (8H).

2. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claim 1, in which the first bearing surface is fixed, preferably by gluing, to the first raised edge (8H).

3. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the stop wedge (350; 450; 550) comprises a shoulder (354; 454; 554), the shoulder (354; 454; 554) being turned towards the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L).

4. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the stop wedge (250; 450; 550) comprises a beveled end portion (253; 453; 553) facing the first strake.

5. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stop wedge (450; 550) comprises a central portion (480; 580), a first branch (470; 570) and a second branch (490; 590), the first branch (470; 570) and the second branch (490; 590) extending on either side of the central portion (480; 580), two opposite surfaces of the first branch (470; 570) form the stop surface and the first bearing surface of the stop wedge (450; 550), and the second branch (490; 590) comprises a second bearing surface, the second bearing surface bearing on the second raised edge (8L).

6. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claim 4 and claim 5 taken in combination, wherein the beveled end portion (453; 553) is formed at one end of the first branch (470; 570) which is opposite the central portion (480; 580).

7. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 5 to 6, in which the first branch (470) and the second branch (490) are symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry (S4) passing through the central portion (480).

8. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 5 to 6, in which the second branch (590) is shorter and / or less thick than the first branch (570).

9. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the central portion (580) comprises at least one chamfer (559, 559X) on the side opposite the first branch (570) and the second branch (590).

10. An assembly method for assembling a non-horizontal tank wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank, the non-horizontal tank wall (1) successively comprising, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulating barrier (3) retained on a non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2), a secondary sealing membrane (4) resting against the secondary insulating barrier (3), and a primary insulating barrier (5) resting against the secondary sealing membrane (4), the secondary insulating barrier (3), the secondary sealing membrane (4) comprising metal strakes (8) welded two by two, each said strake (8) having, at two opposite ends thereof, two raised edges (8H, 8L) extending in a first direction and projecting towards the inside of the tank, the primary insulating barrier (5) comprising juxtaposed primary insulating elements (11),the assembly method comprising the steps of: - arranging the secondary insulating barrier (3) on the non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2), the secondary insulating barrier (3) having an upper surface forming a support surface for the secondary waterproofing membrane (4) and a groove (9) opening onto said upper surface and extending in the first direction, a welding support (48) being inserted into the groove (9) so that an upper portion (47) of the welding support (48) projects from said upper surface; - arranging a first strake and a second strake among said strakes (8) on either side of the welding support (48) so that said upper portion (47) extends between a first raised edge (8H), of the first strake and a second raised edge (8L) of the second strake, and such that the first direction is oblique or orthogonal to an upward direction (U) of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2), the upward direction (U) being parallel to a direction of greater slope of the non-horizontal load-bearing wall (2); - welding the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L) to the upper portion (47) of the welding support (48); and - arranging a stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and a said primary insulating element (11) on the first strake and the second strake such that the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450;550), the first raised edge (8H), the second raised edge (8L) and the upper portion (47) of the solder support (48) are received in a lower slot (99) that said primary insulating element (11) comprises, the lower slot (99) extending in the first direction, and the first raised edge (8H) being higher than the second raised edge (8L) in the upward direction (U), the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) comprising a stop surface facing the upward direction (U) and a first bearing surface opposite the stop surface, and the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) being arranged such that an inner wall (99A) of the lower slot (99) abuts against the stop surface of the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and so that the first bearing surface of the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) rests on the first raised edge (8H).;

11. An assembly method according to claim 10, wherein arranging the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and said primary insulating element (11) comprises arranging said primary insulating element (11) on the first strake and the second strake and then inserting the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) into the lower slot (99) of said primary insulating element (11).

12. An assembly method according to claim 10, wherein arranging the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and said primary insulating element (11) comprises positioning the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) in the lower slot (99) of said primary insulating element (11) and then installing said primary insulating element (11) on the first strake and the second strake.

13. An assembly method according to claim 10, wherein arranging the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) and said primary insulating element (11) comprises positioning the stop wedge (150; 250; 350; 450; 550) relative to the first raised edge (8H) and then installing said primary insulating element (11) on the first strake and the second strake.

14. An assembly method according to claim 13, wherein positioning the stop wedge (150; 250) relative to the first raised edge (8H) comprises fixing the first bearing surface to the first raised edge (8H), preferably by gluing.

15. An assembly method according to claim 13, wherein the stop wedge (350; 450; 550) comprises a shoulder (354; 454; 554) facing the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L), and wherein positioning the stop wedge (350; 450; 550) relative to the first raised edge (8H) comprises bringing a free end (47A) of the end portion (47) of the weld support (48) into abutment against the shoulder (354; 454; 554), the free end (47A) of the end portion (47) of the weld support (48) being opposite said upper surface, or comprises bringing a free end of one of the first raised edge (8H) and the second raised edge (8L) into abutment against the shoulder (354; 454; 554).

16. An assembly method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the stop wedge (250; 450; 550) comprises a beveled end portion (253; 453; 553) facing the first strake, and wherein arranging the stop wedge (250; 450; 550) comprises placing an end surface (253P; 453P; 553P) of the beveled end portion (253; 453; 553) in abutment on the first strake.

17. An assembly method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the stop wedge (450; 550) comprises a central portion (480; 580), a first branch (470; 570) and a second branch (490; 590), the first branch (470; 570) and the second branch (490; 590) extending on either side of the central portion (480; 580), two opposite surfaces of the first branch (470; 570) form the stop surface and the first bearing surface of the stop wedge (450; 550), and the second branch (490; 590) comprises a second bearing surface, and wherein arranging the stop wedge (450; 550) comprises placing the second bearing surface in abutment on the second raised edge (8L).

18. A vessel (70) for transporting a liquefied gas, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 arranged in the double hull.

19. A transfer system for liquefied gas, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 18, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) and a pump for driving a flow of liquefied gas through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel tank.

20. A method of loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 18, 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 tank (71) of the vessel (70).