Guide device for cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower

Abstract

Title of the invention: Guiding device for cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower The present invention relates to a guiding device (16) intended to allow the positioning of a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower (6) relative to a base (4) attached to a bottom wall (2) of a cryogenic fluid storage tank (1), the guiding device (16) comprising a support (24) having a rim (46) which at least partially delimits a receiving area (54) of the pad (26), the rim (46) having an opening (56) configured to insert the pad (26) into the receiving area (54), the pad-carrying device (16) comprising a retaining member (58) of the pad (26) delimiting the receiving area (54), the retaining member (58) being intended to extend at least partially into the opening (56). Figure from the summary: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Guiding device for a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cryogenic fluids such as liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, ammonia or hydrogen, and more particularly to the problems related to their loading and unloading resulting from their transport.

[0002] By way of example, liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is an important energy source composed primarily of methane. Liquefied natural gas is generally stored in a liquid state at a temperature close to -160 °C, occupying 1 / 600th of the volume it would occupy in its gaseous state. This facilitates the transport of this liquefied natural gas between an extraction site and a destination site. For and during transport, the liquefied natural gas is stored in sealed and thermally insulated tanks. Such tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure.

[0003] To load and unload the tanks in which liquefied natural gas is stored, loading and / or unloading towers are installed within them. The loading and / or unloading towers may be mobile devices, but in the case of LNG carrier tanks, they are generally fixed directly to the tank. The tank then includes an opening at the top configured to receive the loading and / or unloading tower, the latter having several masts extending the full height of the tank. A base is fixed to the bottom of the tank, onto which the loading and / or unloading tower is positioned to allow the loading and unloading of the liquefied natural gas.

[0004] During the loading and unloading of the tank, significant temperature variations due to the change from the storage temperature of methane in its liquid state to ambient temperature can alter the materials used in the loading and / or unloading tower. Alteration of the materials means that they can expand or contract according to temperature variations. It is therefore necessary for the loading and / or unloading tower to be able to move vertically on its base to accommodate these material changes, such vertical movement being understood to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tank.

[0005] It is known to use buffers or pads that allow vertical translational mobility of the loading and / or unloading tower while restricting its movements in planes parallel to the bottom of the tank. Such The buffers are supported by buffer brackets, which are fixed under the tower and positioned opposite the base so they can slide along it. However, installing the buffer brackets on the loading and / or unloading tower and mounting the buffers onto the buffer brackets are complicated to carry out within the storage tank, particularly because the workspace is limited and the buffer brackets are heavy and bulky components.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a buffer support whose configuration facilitates installation on a loading and / or unloading tower, such installation being able to be carried out prior to a descent of the loading and / or unloading tower into the liquefied natural gas storage tank so that only the step of mounting the buffer on the buffer support is carried out in the storage tank.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is a guidance device intended to allow the positioning of a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower relative to a base attached to a bottom wall of a cryogenic fluid storage tank, the guidance device comprising a support, configured to be attached to the loading and / or unloading tower having a rim and a receiving area for a pad, the rim having an opening configured to insert the pad into the receiving area, the guidance device comprising a pad retaining member delimiting the receiving area with the rim, the retaining member being intended to extend at least partially into the opening.

[0008] The guidance device according to the invention is a buffer-bearing device. It constitutes an interface between a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower, such as liquefied natural gas or LNG, on the one hand, and the base of a storage tank on the other, the base being more specifically intended to be positioned opposite a base of the loading and / or unloading tower. The guidance device contributes to the installation of the loading and / or unloading tower relative to the base.

[0009] The guiding device comprises a support with a receiving area for the pad, within which the pad is intended to be housed. The receiving area for the pad is at least partially surrounded by a rim, which forms a frame for this receiving area. The rim is not continuous around the entire perimeter of the support; it has an opening through which the pad is inserted up to the receiving area. In order to continuously delimit the receiving area around the entire perimeter of the support once the pad is positioned, the guiding device has a retaining member intended to be positioned in the opening of the rim.

[0010] The retaining element is positioned in the opening once the pad has been placed in the receiving area. It is thus possible to separate the operation of assembling the pad support device to the loading and / or unloading tower on the one hand, and the operation of mounting the pad within this pad support device on the other; in other words, the operation of assembling the pad support device to the loading and / or unloading tower and the operation of mounting the pad within the pad support device are carried out in two stages and in different locations.Therefore, it is possible to limit assembly operations within the storage tank, particularly by securing the guidance system to the loading and / or unloading tower before it is installed in the storage tank. This resolves the space constraints resulting from assembly operations within the storage tank. Limiting operations performed within the storage tank also reduces the risk of damage to the tank during material handling.

[0011] In addition, the two-stage assembly of the buffer device and the buffer itself allows other components, including pump supports and pumps, to be assembled at the loading and / or unloading tower before it is lowered into the storage tank.

[0012] According to an optional feature of the invention, the support comprises a base, and the rim comprises a first edge, a second edge and a third edge delimiting the receiving area, the second edge being arranged between the first edge and the third edge forming a "U", the retaining member being intended to be secured to the base of the support opposite the second edge.

[0013] The support comprises a base that forms the bottom of the support and helps to define the receiving area of ​​the pad. This base is bordered by the rim, which projects beyond the base. The rim is divided into three portions: a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge. These three edges are each arranged along a different end of the support, so as to form a "U". The receiving area is defined by the legs of the "U" and by the retaining member, which is positioned between these legs of the "U". Once secured to the base of the support, the retaining member joins the first and third edges, thus forming a fourth edge of the guiding device.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first edge and the third edge are respectively disposed at longitudinal ends of the support, the second edge and the retaining member being respectively disposed at vertical ends of the support.

[0015] The longitudinal ends of the support here correspond to its ends that extend parallel to the longitudinal direction, which is the main direction of extension of the support, the vertical ends being those that connect the longitudinal ends in pairs. The support is generally quadrilateral in shape, preferably rectangular, so as to be more easily adapted to receive the pad, which is also generally rectangular in shape. Once the guiding device is positioned in the storage tank, the longitudinal ends are those that are substantially parallel to the bottom wall of this storage tank, the vertical ends being substantially perpendicular to it. The arrangement of the second edge and the retaining element at the vertical ends corresponds to a first embodiment of the guiding device according to the invention.In this first embodiment, the buffer is inserted into the receiving area of ​​the guidance device by means of the sides of the guidance device.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guiding device includes a fastening system, preferably removable, securing the retaining member to the support.

[0017] The removable fastening system is, for example, a screw fastening system. It allows the retaining member to be secured to the support, more particularly to the base of the support, with screws passing through the base until they engage with the retaining member.

[0018] According to an optional feature of the invention, the retaining member and the support are joined by welding.

[0019] The welding is a TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. The welding makes it possible to form a single unit between the retaining element and the support.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, one of the edges of the support has a chamfer, said edge being intended to be the edge closest to the bottom wall and extending parallel to said bottom wall.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the support comprises a first face having the receiving area and a second face opposite the first face, the guiding device comprising a first plate and a second plate extending from the second face, the first plate and the second plate being configured to be secured on either side of a portion of the loading and / or unloading tower.

[0022] The second face is intended to be positioned opposite the loading and / or unloading tower. This second face has two plates extending substantially perpendicularly to it. When the guiding device is positioned on the loading and / or unloading tower, the first plate and the second plate surround a portion of this loading and / or unloading tower. or unloading; in other words, said portion is arranged between the first plate and the second plate.

[0023] The invention further relates to a loading and / or unloading tower configured for loading and / or unloading cryogenic fluid into a storage tank, comprising at least one guidance device as previously mentioned, a plurality of masts, and a base connecting the masts together, the guidance device being integral with the base and configured to come into contact with the base integral with the bottom wall of the storage tank.

[0024] Within the loading and / or unloading tower, the base corresponds to a framework that connects the masts to one another. The base is integral with the guiding device; more precisely, it is welded to it. The loading and / or unloading tower includes at least one guiding device. Preferably, the loading and / or unloading tower includes a plurality of guiding devices distributed around the base.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide device includes a buffer configured to come into contact with the base and allowing movement of the loading and / or unloading tower along its extension axis, the guide device blocking at least partially the loading and / or unloading tower in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall.

[0026] This buffer, or pad, is a protective element that absorbs potential shocks during the movement of the second section towards the base. The buffer is configured to allow movement of the loading and / or unloading tower in the vertical direction but to prevent at least one movement of this loading and / or unloading tower in the horizontal direction. Thus, movement of the loading and / or unloading tower is blocked in at least one direction perpendicular to the buffer.

[0027] The support and retaining element are made of stainless steel. The pad is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE.

[0028] Inserting the pad through the opening provided within the rim makes it easier to replace the pad if necessary.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the masts extend mainly in a vertical direction, the base extends mainly in a longitudinal-transverse plane and the support extends mainly in a longitudinal direction, the second edge and the retaining member being respectively disposed at longitudinal ends of the support, the first edge and the third edge being respectively disposed at vertical ends of the support.

[0030] The arrangement of the second edge and the retaining member at the longitudinal ends corresponds to a second embodiment of the guiding device. In this second embodiment, it is for example possible to insert the buffer into the receiving area of ​​the guidance device from below the guidance device, which is accessible within the storage tank.

[0031] The chamfer mentioned above is more specifically formed on the edge located at a longitudinal end that is closest to the bottom wall of the tank once the loading and / or unloading tower is attached to the base, which is integral with this bottom wall. The chamfer's function is to facilitate the installation of the loading and / or unloading tower in contact with the base.

[0032] The invention also relates to a cryogenic fluid storage tank, comprising a loading and / or unloading tower according to the preceding claim, the base and the bottom wall to which the base is attached, the guiding device being configured to guide a positioning of the loading and / or unloading tower on the base.

[0033] More specifically, the guidance device is configured to lock the loading and / or unloading tower in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall while allowing translation of the loading and / or unloading tower in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. In other words, within the storage tank, movement of the loading and / or unloading tower in the vertical direction is permitted, but movement in the horizontal direction is blocked by the guidance device. The storage tank is, for example, the tank of a floating structure, this storage tank being watertight and thermally insulated.

[0034] Furthermore, the invention intends to cover a method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower as mentioned above, comprising a step of inserting the buffer into the receiving area of ​​the support, then a step of positioning the retaining member in the opening, and at least one step of securing the retaining member to the support.

[0035] During the installation process of the loading and / or unloading tower, the retaining device is placed against the base of the support and then secured to it. The pad is inserted into the receiving area through the opening in the rim, before this opening is blocked by the retaining device.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower includes a calibration step prior to the insertion step, during which a calibrated part is inserted into the receiving area of ​​the support in order to perform measurements of the gap between the support and the base, then the calibrated part is removed from the receiving area, and a machining step of the pad according to the gap measurements collected during the calibration step.

[0037] The calibrated part is, for example, a calibrated metal pad, which allows, using thickness gauges, the measurement of gaps at the four corners of this calibrated metal pad. The calibration step aims to determine the gap measurements that will be used to machine the final pad so that it is at a predetermined distance from the base. This ensures that the pad is as close as possible to the base, as it is custom-fitted.

[0038] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one step of securing the retaining member to the support comprises a first step of securing by the removable fastening system and a second step of securing by welding.

[0039] Welding is used in conjunction with the removable fastening system; for example, it is used to cover the screws in order to secure their positioning. Welding is also used directly between the retaining element and the base of the support.

[0040] The invention further relates to a method of assembling a storage tank intended to receive a loading and / or unloading tower as previously mentioned, comprising a step of associating the support of the guidance device with the loading and / or unloading tower, a step of lowering the loading and / or unloading tower until it comes into contact with the base, and a step of installing the loading and / or unloading tower according to the installation method previously mentioned.

[0041] The assembly method according to the invention allows the loading and / or unloading tower to be installed within the storage tank for the purpose of loading or unloading cryogenic fluid. Initially, the guiding device is attached to the loading and / or unloading tower, which is then lowered into the storage tank. The pad is then inserted into the receiving area, and the opening is closed by the retaining element. Once the pad is in contact with the base, the guiding device prevents horizontal movement of the loading and / or unloading tower while allowing vertical movement.

[0042] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0043] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a cryogenic fluid storage tank, including a cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower, the loading and / or unloading tower having a base which rests on a base of the tank;

[0044] [Fig.2] illustrates, schematically, a plurality of guidance devices arranged between the base and the base of the [Fig.l] according to a front view, one direction of insertion of buffers within the guiding devices being represented by arrows;

[0045] [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, the plurality of guiding devices arranged between the base and the base of the [Fig.2] according to a top view, a direction of insertion of buffers within the guiding devices being represented by arrows;

[0046] [Fig.4] illustrates, schematically, one of the guiding devices of figures 2 and 3 according to a perspective view.

[0047] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0048] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0049] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a guiding device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a principal extension direction of a support for the guiding device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame of reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom of a storage tank in which the guiding device is located, this vertical direction being parallel to a vertical axis V of the frame of reference L, V, T, and this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the frame of reference L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0050] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cryogenic fluid storage tank 1, for example, liquefied natural gas. It may be considered, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the cryogenic fluid is alternatively liquefied petroleum gas, methane, ethane, ammonia, nitrogen (dinitrogen), carbon dioxide, or hydrogen (dihydrogen). The storage tank 1 is the tank of a floating structure, for example, a ship intended for the processing of liquefied gas, such as an LNG carrier, or of a land-based installation or gravity platform. The storage tank 1 comprises a bottom wall 2, which corresponds to its floor. Storage tank 1 also includes side walls, which together with the bottom wall 2 help to define a storage volume for the liquefied natural gas. The walls of storage tank 1 are provided with at least one layer of thermal insulation covered by a sealing membrane, which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas.

[0051] A conical base 4 is arranged on the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1. This base 4 projects from the bottom wall 2 in a vertical direction V substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2. The base 4 forms a plinth intended to receive other elements of the storage tank 1.

[0052] As part of the elements supported by the base 4, the storage tank 1 includes at least one loading and / or unloading tower 6 configured for loading and / or unloading liquefied natural gas into the storage tank 1. In other words, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 allows the conveyance and / or discharge of liquefied natural gas to or from the storage tank 1. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends between a ceiling wall of the storage tank and its bottom wall 2, more precisely the base 4. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 is, for example, installed within the volume of the storage tank 1 through a cover of this storage tank 1 fitted to its ceiling wall.

[0053] The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends along a main extension direction which is substantially parallel to the vertical direction V, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends between a first end 8 located opposite the ceiling wall of the storage tank 1 and a second end 10 located opposite the bottom wall 2. More specifically, the first end 8 is opposite the lid while the second end 10 is in contact with the base 4.

[0054] The loading and / or unloading tower 6 comprises a plurality of masts 12 extending mainly in the vertical direction V. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 here comprises three masts 12 which form a tripod, only two of these three masts 12 being visible in [Fig. 1]. These three masts 12 are joined at the second end 10 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 by a base 14, which is a plate substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2 connecting the masts 12 to each other and which therefore extends mainly in a longitudinal-transverse plane.

[0055] The base 14 corresponds to the part of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 that is positioned opposite the base 4. Due to this arrangement of the base 14 relative to the base 4, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is maintained in a vertical position within the storage tank 1, particularly when this loading and / or unloading tower 6 is at least partially immersed in liquefied natural gas.

[0056] During the installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 within the volume of the storage tank 1, the base 14 is positioned relative to the base 4 by means of at least one guide device 16, this guide device 16 having more particularly the function of allowing a vertical translation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 relative to the base 4 while preventing a movement in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2.

[0057] The guide device 16 will now be described in relation to Figures 2 to 4. The storage tank 1 here comprises several guide devices 16, which are arranged around the base 4. More precisely, the storage tank 1 comprises six guide devices 16, with two guide devices 16 arranged along end edges 18 of the base 14 and four guide devices 16 arranged along side edges 20 of this base 14. Thus, there are two guide devices 16 along a first side edge 20 of the base 14 and two guide devices 16 along a second side edge 20 of it, the first side edge 20 and the second side edge 20 corresponding to the larger sides of the base 14 and joining the two end edges 18.Unless otherwise stated, the characteristics described in relation to one of these guidance devices 16 are intended to apply, mutatis mutandis, to all guidance devices 16.

[0058] As can be seen particularly in [Fig.4], the guiding device 16 has a main body 22 which is integral with the base 14. The main body 22 is for example welded to the base 14, against one of its faces which is opposite the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1 when the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is installed within this storage tank 1.

[0059] The main body 22 of the guide device 16 includes a support 24, which is intended to be positioned opposite the base 4. This support 24 forms a base for a buffer 26 of the guide device 16, this buffer 26 being a protective device intended to come into contact with the base 4. This buffer 26 is configured to allow movement of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 in the vertical direction V but to prevent movement of this loading and / or unloading tower 6 in directions parallel to the bottom wall 2, i.e., movement in a longitudinal-transverse plane. The buffer 26 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, while the main body 22 of the guide device 16, and in particular its support 24, are made of stainless steel.

[0060] The support 24 has a substantially rectangular shape. It extends mainly along a longitudinal direction L substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2. The support 24 extends between a first longitudinal end 28 and a second longitudinal end 30, which are both parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The second longitudinal end 30 is closer to the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1 than the first longitudinal end 28. The first longitudinal end 28 and the second longitudinal end 30 are connected in pairs by vertical ends 32, 34 of the support 24, among which a first vertical end 32 and a second vertical end 34.Due to the substantially rectangular shape of the support 24, the first longitudinal end 28 and the first vertical end 32 meet to form a first corner 36 of the support 24, this first longitudinal end 28 and the second vertical end 34 meet to form a second corner 38, this second vertical end 34 and the second longitudinal end 30 meet to form a third corner 40, and this second longitudinal end 30 and the first vertical end 32 meet to form a fourth corner 42. .

[0061] The support 24 comprises a substantially flat base 44 on which is disposed a rim 46 of the support 24. This support 24 thus constitutes a projection from a plane in which the base 44 extends mainly. The rim 46 comprises a first edge 48, a second edge 50 and a third edge 52 which correspond to straight portions of the rim 46. The edges 48, 50, 52 are arranged relative to each other so as to form a "U", the second edge 50 being for this purpose disposed between the first edge 48 and the second edge 52 in a substantially perpendicular manner to them.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.4], which corresponds to a first embodiment, the first edge 48 and the third edge 52 are respectively arranged along the first longitudinal end 28 and the second longitudinal end 30, the second edge 50 being arranged along the first vertical end 32. Conversely, in a second embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the first edge 48 and the third edge 52 are respectively arranged along the first vertical end 32 and the second vertical end 34, while the second edge 50 is arranged along the first longitudinal end 28.As will be explained later, the first embodiment corresponds to a guide device 16 disposed along a side edge 20 of the base 14, the second embodiment corresponds to a guide device 16 disposed along an end edge 18 of this base 14. Regardless of the embodiment, it is understood that the rim 46 extends along three of the four ends 28, 30, 32, 34 of the support 24.

[0063] As can be seen in [Fig. 4], that is, for the guide device 16 positioned along a side edge 20 of the base 14, the edge disposed along the second longitudinal end 30 which is closest to the bottom wall 2, to The third edge 52 has a chamfer 53. This chamfer 53 is configured to facilitate the descent of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 into the storage tank 1, and more particularly its descent into contact with the base 4 attached to the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1. Although not illustrated here, the guide device 16 according to the second embodiment, in other words the guide device 16 positioned along an end edge 18 of the base 14, also has a chamfer 53 on its second longitudinal end 30, which is its end without a rim 46.

[0064] The rim 46, together with the base 44, helps to define a receiving area 54 for the pad 26. In other words, the pad 26 is intended to be housed within this receiving area 54 when it is attached to the support 24. To this end, the rim 46 has an opening 56 between the first edge 48 and the second edge 52, opposite the second edge 50 along the longitudinal direction L. This opening 56 thus corresponds to a portion of the support 24 without a rim 46. The opening 56 is located along the second vertical end 34 in the first embodiment, and along the second longitudinal end 30 in the second embodiment. When the pad 26 is attached to the support 24, the pad 26 is more specifically slid into the receiving area 54 through the opening 56.The buffer 26 is then abutted against both the first edge 48, the second edge 50 and the third edge 52 which surround the receiving zone 54.

[0065] To secure the position of the pad 26 within the receiving area 54, the guiding device 16 includes a retaining member 58. This retaining member 58 is positioned within the opening 56, that is, between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, substantially parallel to the second edge 50 and opposite it in the longitudinal direction L. According to the first embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 4], the retaining member 58 is thus arranged along the second vertical end 34 of the support 24. Conversely, in the second embodiment, this retaining member 56 is arranged along the second longitudinal end 30 of the support 24. It is understood that the retaining member 58 is positioned in the opening 56 once the pad 26 has been inserted into the receiving area 54, so as to close this receiving area 54.

[0066] The retaining member 58 is secured to the support 24; more specifically, the retaining member 58 is secured to the base 44 of the support 24. This securing is achieved by means of a removable fastening system 60. As illustrated in [Fig. 4], this removable fastening system 60 comprises screws that pass through holes provided for this purpose in the base 44 opposite the opening 56 and the retaining member 58. When the removable fastening system 60 is installed, the screws are inserted into the holes from a face of the base 44 opposite the body main 22 of the guide device 16 to a face intended to be opposite the base 4, until these screws engage in the retaining member 58 which is positioned against the base 44 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52.

[0067] To ensure the long-term durability of the removable fastening system, the retaining member 58 is further secured to the support 24 by means of a permanent fastening system, in particular by welding. This welding occurs over the screws on one side, and possibly between the retaining member 58 and the support 24 on the other. The welding is, for example, an arc weld with a tungsten electrode.

[0068] A method for assembling the storage tank 1, which itself includes a method for installing the loading and / or unloading tower 6, will now be described. During the assembly method of the storage tank 1, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is positioned within the volume of the storage tank 1, for the purpose of loading and / or unloading liquefied natural gas into the storage tank 1.

[0069] The assembly process of the storage tank 1 begins with a step of associating the main body 22 of the guiding device 16 with the loading and / or unloading tower 6. More particularly, the main body 22 of the guiding device 16, which carries the support 24, is welded to the base 14 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6. At this stage of the assembly process, the guiding device 16 is without the buffer 26 and the retaining member 58.

[0070] Once the main body 22 is associated with the loading and / or unloading tower 6, the assembly process includes a step of lowering the masts 12 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6, which are associated with each other via the base 14, from the cover of the storage tank 1 to the base 4 attached to the bottom wall 2. The step of lowering the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is facilitated by the presence of the chamfer on the second longitudinal end 30 of the support 24.

[0071] Once the base 14 is opposite the base 4, the assembly process of the storage tank 1 continues with a step of installing the loading and / or unloading tower 6.

[0072] The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 first includes a calibration step. During this calibration step, a calibrated part of substantially rectangular shape is inserted into the receiving area 54 of the support 24 via the opening 56. Gap measurements are then taken at the four corners 36, 38, 40, 42 of the support 24 using feeler gauges, and then the calibrated part is removed from the receiving area 54. The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 then includes a step of machining the pad 26, this pad 26 being machined according to the spacing measurements collected during the calibration step; more specifically, the pad 26 is machined so that, once inserted into the support 24, it is positioned at a distance from the base 4 that is less than half a millimeter.

[0073] The machining step of the pad 26 is, for example, carried out outside the storage tank 1, the machined pad 26 then being lowered into the storage tank 1 for insertion into the support 24. During this insertion step, the pad 24 is slid into the receiving area 54 through the opening 56. For the guide device 16 according to the first embodiment, the pad 26 is inserted by the second vertical end 34 of the support 24, while for the guide device 16 according to the second embodiment, this pad 16 is inserted by the second longitudinal end 30. The directions of insertion of the pads 26 are illustrated in the figures by arrows SI, the first embodiment being illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 and the second embodiment being shown in [Fig.2].

[0074] The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 continues with a step of positioning the retaining member 58 within the opening 56, between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52. During a fastening step, this retaining member 58 is fastened to the base 44 of the support 24 first by means of the removable fastening system 60, and then by means of welding which is carried out in addition to the removable fastening system 60. The guiding device 16, in which the buffer 26 is held in position by the retaining member 58, is then able to block a horizontal translation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 while allowing its vertical translation.

[0075] The present invention thus proposes a guidance device in which a retaining member is attached to a support of the guidance device so as to hold in position a buffer allowing adjustment of a positioning of a liquefied natural gas loading and / or unloading tower.

[0076] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) configured for loading and / or unloading (6) cryogenic fluid into a storage tank (1), comprising at least one guide device (16) for positioning the cryogenic fluid loading and / or unloading tower (6) relative to a base (4) integral with a bottom wall (2) of a cryogenic fluid storage tank (1), the guide device (16) comprising a support (24) configured to be integral with the loading and / or unloading tower (6), having a rim (46) and a receiving area (54) for a pad (26), the rim (46) having an opening (56) configured for inserting the pad (26) into the receiving area (54), the guide device (16) comprising a retaining element (58) for the pad (26) delimiting, together with the rim (46), the area of reception (54),the retaining member (58) being intended to extend at least partially into the opening (56), the loading and / or unloading tower (6) comprising a plurality of masts (12), and a base (14) connecting the masts (12) to each other, the guiding device (16) being integral with the base (14) and configured to come into contact with the base (4) integral with the bottom wall (2) of the storage tank (1).

2. Loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 1, wherein the support (24) comprises a base (44), and the rim (46) comprises a first edge (48), a second edge (50) and a third edge (52) delimiting the receiving area (54), the second edge (50) being arranged between the first edge (48) and the third edge (52) forming a "U", the retaining member (58) being intended to be secured to the base (44) of the support (24) opposite the second edge (50).

3. Loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 2, wherein one of the edges (48, 50, 52) of the support (24) has a chamfer (53), said edge (48, 50, 52) being intended to be the edge (48, 50, 52) closest to the bottom wall (2) of the tank and extending parallel to said bottom wall (2).

4. Loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first edge (48) and the third edge (52) are respectively disposed at longitudinal ends (28, 30) of the support (24), the second edge (50) and the retaining member (58) being respectively arranged at vertical ends (32, 34) of the support (24)

5. Loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guiding device includes a fastening system (60), preferably removable, securing the retaining member (58) to the support (24).

6. Loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support (24) comprises a first face having the receiving area (54) and a second face opposite the first face, the guiding device (16) comprising a first plate and a second plate extending from the second face, the first plate and the second plate being configured to be secured on either side of a portion of the loading and / or unloading tower (6).

7. Loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guiding device comprises a buffer (26) configured to come into contact with the base (4) and permitting movement of the loading and / or unloading tower (6) along its extension axis, the guiding device (16) blocking at least in part the loading and / or unloading tower (6) in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall (2).

8. Cryogenic fluid storage tank (1), comprising a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the base (4) and the bottom wall (2) to which the base (4) is attached, the guiding device (16) being configured to guide positioning of the loading and / or unloading tower (6) on the base (4).

9. Method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 7, comprising a step of inserting the buffer (26) into the receiving area (54) of the support (24), then a step of positioning the retaining member (58) in the opening (56), and at least one step of securing the retaining member (58) to the support (24).

10. A method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 9, comprising a step of calibration prior to the insertion step, during which a calibrated part is inserted into the receiving area (54) of the support (24) in order to perform measurements of the gap between the support (24) and the base (4), then the calibrated part is removed from the receiving area (54), and a machining step of the pad (26) according to the gap measurements collected during the calibration step.

11. Method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 9 or 10 in combination with claim 5, wherein at least one step of securing the retaining member (58) to the support (24) comprises a first step of securing by the fastening system (60) preferably removable and a second step of securing by welding.

12. Method of assembling a storage tank (1) intended to receive a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a step of associating the support (24) of the guiding device (16) with the loading and / or unloading tower (6), a step of lowering the loading and / or unloading tower (6) until it comes into contact with the base (4), and a step of installing the loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to the installation method of claims 9 to 11.

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