Watertight and thermally insulated tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a watertight and thermally insulating tank, comprising a watertight membrane (10) having a plurality of strakes (11) having at least one longitudinal corrugation (13) projecting inwards towards the interior of the tank, the tank wall having an angle beam (30) having a first and a second lateral flange (31, 32), connected to each other at a watertight connection zone (33), at least one of the first and second lateral flanges of the angle beam (30) having a receiving strip (34) extending from the connection zone, away from it, in which a distal portion (34A) of the receiving strip is welded to an end portion (15) of the strakes and has corrugated portions (35) arranged in line with the longitudinal corrugations to terminate at a distance from the connection zone. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Watertight and thermally insulating tank technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of leak-proof and thermally insulated membrane tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of leak-proof and thermally insulated tanks for the storage and / or transport of low-temperature liquids, such as tanks for transporting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure, Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) at -253°C at atmospheric pressure, Ammonia (NH3) at -30°C at atmospheric pressure, or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (also called LPG) with a temperature, for example, between -50°C and 0°C. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank can be used for transporting liquefied gas or for receiving liquefied gas used as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.In the case of an onshore tank or a port storage structure, it can rest on the ground or the seabed and can be partially or completely buried. Technological background

[0002] For example, a watertight and thermally insulating tank integrated into a load-bearing structure is known from document WO2021074435. The tank comprises a first tank wall fixed to a first load-bearing wall and a second tank wall fixed to a second load-bearing wall joining the first load-bearing wall at an edge of the load-bearing structure. Each of the first and second tank walls comprises at least one watertight membrane and an insulating barrier arranged between the watertight membrane and the load-bearing wall. The watertight membrane comprises a plurality of flanges made of a low-expansion alloy. Each flange has a flat central portion resting on an upper surface of the insulating barrier and two raised edges projecting inward from the central portion of the tank. The flanges are juxtaposed and welded together watertight at the raised edges.

[0003] The tank wall further comprises a metal corner beam arranged parallel to the edge and anchored to the first and second load-bearing walls, the corner beam comprising a first flat flange parallel to the first load-bearing wall and a second flat flange parallel to the second load-bearing wall, the two flat flanges being rigidly connected to each other at a watertight connection zone forming an angle of the watertight membrane, each of the first and second flat flanges having a receiving strip extending at a distance from the edge from the zone of connection. In this tank, a portion of the end of the strakes of the watertight membrane is welded to a distal portion of the receiving strips Summary of the invention

[0004] One idea underlying the invention is to provide a sealed and thermally insulating tank in which the sealed membrane can be manufactured with a high level of reliability and longevity.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a watertight and thermally insulating tank, integrated into a load-bearing structure comprising a first load-bearing wall and a second load-bearing wall joining the first load-bearing wall at an edge of the load-bearing structure, the tank comprising a first tank wall fixed to the first load-bearing wall and a second tank wall fixed to the second load-bearing wall, in which at least one or each of the first and second tank walls comprises at least one watertight membrane and an insulating barrier arranged between the watertight membrane and the corresponding load-bearing wall, in which the watertight membrane comprises a plurality of strakes, a strake comprising a flat portion resting on an internal surface of the insulating barrier and at least one longitudinal corrugation projecting towards the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion of the strake,said or each longitudinal corrugation being spaced from the longitudinal edges of the strake, the strakes being juxtaposed and welded together watertight at said longitudinal edges, the tank wall comprising a metal corner beam disposed parallel to the edge of the load-bearing structure and anchored to the first and second load-bearing walls, the corner beam comprising a first lateral flange parallel to the first load-bearing wall and a second lateral flange parallel to the second load-bearing wall, the two lateral flanges being connected to each other at a watertight connection zone, at least one or each of the first and second lateral flanges of the corner beam comprising a receiving strip extending from the connection zone, away from the connection zone, , in which a portion of the end of the strakes is welded to a distal portion of the receiving strip, the receiving strip of said at least one or each of the lateral wings having corrugated parts arranged in alignment with the longitudinal corrugations of the strakes to terminate the longitudinal corrugations at a distance from the bonding area.

[0006] Thanks to the corrugated parts of the receiving strip which receive the ends of the longitudinal corrugations and seal them by joining with the flat part of the receiving strip, it is possible to maximize the length of the Longitudinal undulations along the strake. The flexibility of the corresponding waterproof membrane introduced by the presence of the longitudinal undulations is thus optimized.

[0007] Thanks to these characteristics, the secondary and / or primary membrane exhibits appropriate flexibility, enabling it to withstand the thermal and mechanical stresses experienced during its use in the tank wall. The resulting tank is particularly robust.

[0008] Furthermore, it is possible to use strakes without longitudinal edges turned up towards the inside of the hull. This avoids producing a concentration of mechanical stresses at the junction between the turned-up edges of the strake and the flat flange of the corner beam.

[0009] According to embodiments, such a tank may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0010] According to one embodiment, at least one or each of the corrugated parts is made in one piece with said receiving strip, for example by stamping.

[0011] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to limit the number of parts required to manufacture the membrane.

[0012] According to one embodiment, at least one or each of the corrugated parts includes a piece attached to a flat part of the receiving strip of the lateral wing.

[0013] Thanks to these characteristics, the manufacture of the receiving strip does not require stamping.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the corrugated part has a shape adapted to cover the longitudinal end of a longitudinal corrugation and to extend it on the lateral wing towards the connection area.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the insulating barrier comprises insulating blocks and each strake comprises a longitudinal hooking element adapted to cooperate in retention with the insulating blocks of the insulating barrier to retain the strake in a thickness direction of the tank wall, while allowing movement of the strake along a longitudinal direction of the strake.

[0016] Thanks to these characteristics, the flexibility of the waterproof membrane is improved while ensuring a watertight assembly of the strakes.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the attachment element extends along a first longitudinal edge of the strake and includes a portion of the first longitudinal edge of the strake folded towards the insulating barrier and extending in projection from the flat portion of the strake.

[0018] Thanks to these characteristics, each strake can be hooked onto the underlying insulating barrier.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the strake has, along its second longitudinal edge, a rim extending outward from the flat portion of the strake, opposite the attachment element of the first longitudinal edge, the rim covering a part of the flat portion of an adjacent strake, the covered part extending along the first longitudinal edge of the adjacent strake.

[0020] Thanks to these characteristics, each strake can be welded to the adjacent strake.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the hooking element is received in a groove formed in the insulating barrier and opening onto the internal surface.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the hooking element cooperates in retention with a surface of a wall of the groove or with a retention element added in the groove.

[0023] According to one embodiment, part of the hooking element is received in a groove formed in a lateral face of the insulating blocks forming the insulating barrier.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the hooking element is received in a space separating two adjacent insulating blocks.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the hooking element cooperates in retention with a complementary hooking element which extends into the space separating the two adjacent insulating blocks.

[0026] According to one embodiment, each strake comprises one or two longitudinal undulations.

[0027] Alternatively, it is possible to provide for a number greater than two of undulations.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the corner beam comprises at least two support wings, connected to each of the first and second load-bearing walls, said support wings being arranged substantially in line with the lateral wings of the corner beam.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the strakes are made of an iron-nickel alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion typically less than or equal to 2 x 10⁶ K₁, for example in the alloy known as "Invar". According to another embodiment, the strakes are made of an iron-manganese alloy having a coefficient of thermal expansion less than or equal to 9 x 10⁶ K₁. This alloy generally allows for a reduction in costs.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the width of the strakes of the waterproof membrane is equal to the width of the insulating blocks of the corresponding insulating barrier or equal to half the width of the insulating blocks of the corresponding insulating barrier.

[0031] The structure described above can be used to make a secondary waterproof membrane and / or a primary waterproof membrane of a sealed and thermally insulating tank.

[0032] In one embodiment, the waterproof membrane constitutes a secondary waterproof membrane and is surmounted by a primary insulating barrier and a primary waterproof membrane. The primary waterproof membrane may be similar to this secondary waterproof membrane or have a different structure. In one embodiment, the primary membrane comprises a plurality of primary strakes, each primary strake having a flat portion resting on an internal surface of the primary insulating barrier and two primary longitudinal raised edges projecting inward from the flat portion of the primary strake. In another embodiment, the primary membrane has corrugations in two intersecting directions.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the primary watertight membrane comprises a plurality of primary strakes, a primary strake comprising a flat portion resting on an internal surface of the primary insulating barrier and at least one primary longitudinal corrugation projecting towards the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion of the primary strake, said or each primary longitudinal corrugation being spaced from the longitudinal edges of the primary strake, the primary strakes being juxtaposed and welded together in a watertight manner at said longitudinal edges, the metal corner beam further comprises a first primary lateral flange parallel to the first load-bearing wall and a second primary lateral flange parallel to the second load-bearing wall, the two primary lateral flanges being connected to each other at a primary watertight bonding zone,at least one or both of the first and second primary lateral wings of the corner beam having a receiving strip extending from the primary watertight bonding zone, away from the primary watertight bonding zone, wherein a distal portion of the receiving strip of the primary lateral wings of the corner beam is welded to an end portion of the primary strakes of the primary watertight membrane, the receiving strip of the primary lateral wings having corrugated portions arranged in alignment with the primary longitudinal corrugations of the primary strakes to terminate the primary longitudinal corrugations at a distance from the primary watertight bonding zone.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the corner beam further comprises primary lateral wings and primary support wings connected to each of the first and second load-bearing walls and arranged substantially in line with the primary lateral wings of the corner beam.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the waterproof membrane constitutes a primary waterproof membrane and the insulating barrier constitutes a primary insulating barrier, and the tank wall comprises a secondary insulating barrier and a secondary waterproof membrane disposed between the primary insulating barrier and the supporting structure.

[0036] The secondary waterproof membrane may be similar to this primary waterproof membrane or have a different structure.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the invention further provides a vessel for the transport of a fluid, the vessel comprising a double hull and one such as described above disposed in the double hull.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the invention further provides a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising a vessel as described above, insulated pipes arranged to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump to drive a fluid through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the invention further provides a method for loading or unloading a ship as described above, in which a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipelines from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the ship's tank. Brief description of the figures

[0040] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent from the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Fig. 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a corner area of ​​a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to a first embodiment, showing part of the secondary insulating barrier and the secondary sealing membrane;

[0042] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic perspective view of a connection zone between the strakes and the lateral wing of the corner beam of a watertight and thermally insulating tank wall according to a variant of the first embodiment of [Fig.1] in which a single longitudinal corrugation per strake is provided;

[0043] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a detail of [Fig.1] or [Fig.2];

[0044] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tank wall of Fig. 1. showing a strake of the secondary waterproof membrane during assembly;

[0045] Fig. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of a detail of the tank wall of Fig. 4 after mounting of the strake;

[0046] Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are enlarged schematic cross-sectional views of a tank wall according to variants of the first embodiment;

[0047] Fig. 10 is a partial schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of Fig. 1, showing part of the primary and secondary insulating barriers and the primary and secondary waterproof membranes;

[0048] Fig. 11 is a partial schematic perspective view of a corner area of ​​a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to a second embodiment, showing part of the secondary insulating barrier and the secondary sealing membrane;

[0049] Fig. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of a part of the tank of Fig. 11;

[0050] Fig. 13 is another partial schematic perspective view of the angle area of the sealed and thermally insulating tank according to the second embodiment;

[0051] The [Fig. 14] is a partial perspective view of a corner area of ​​a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to a third embodiment;

[0052] The [Fig. 15] is a schematic cutaway representation of a methane tanker and a loading / unloading terminal for this tanker. Description of the implementation methods

[0053] The accompanying figures show different embodiments of a sealed and thermally insulating tank. Identical or corresponding elements of the tank shown in these figures will be referenced by identical symbols and will not be described each time.

[0054] Figures 1, 10, 11, 13 and 14 show a partial view of a first (Figures 1 and 10), a second ([Fig. 11] and 13) and a third ([Fig. 14]) embodiment of a sealed and thermally insulated tank for the storage and / or transport of a low-temperature liquid, 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 about -162°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0055] The fluid is in particular a cryogenic fluid transported at low temperatures. It may be a liquefied gas, in particular a liquefied natural gas (LNG), that is to say a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane as well as one or more other hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane, n-butane, i-butane, n-pentane, i-pentane, neopentane, and nitrogen in small proportion.

[0056] The liquefied gas can also be ethane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), that is to say a mixture of hydrocarbons from the refining of petroleum consisting essentially of propane and butane.

[0057] Alternatively, the liquefied gas can be liquid hydrogen (LH2) stored at -253°C at atmospheric pressure, or ammonia (NH3) stored at -30°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0058] The sealed and thermally insulating tank is integrated into a supporting structure 4. The supporting structure 4 comprises a plurality of load-bearing walls 1, 2 defining the general shape of the tank, usually a polyhedral shape. It notably includes a first load-bearing wall 1 and a second load-bearing wall 2 joining the first load-bearing wall at an edge 3 of the supporting structure 4, forming a dihedral angle that could have different values. Here, an angle of 90° is shown.

[0059] The load-bearing structure of the tank is here constituted by the inner hull of a double-hulled vessel. The first load-bearing wall 1 is, for example, a bottom wall of the vessel, while the second load-bearing wall 2 is, for example, a transverse bulkhead, which partially defines a compartment in the inner hull of the vessel.

[0060] The tank comprises a first tank wall fixed to the first load-bearing wall 1 and a second tank wall fixed to the second load-bearing wall 2

[0061] Each of the first and second tank walls 1, 2 comprises at least one waterproof membrane 10 and an insulating barrier 20 interposed between the waterproof membrane 10 and the corresponding load-bearing wall 1, 2.

[0062] In Figures 1, 10, and 11, only the first tank wall is shown. Figures 13 and 14 show a portion of the second tank wall. The second tank wall can be identical to the first tank wall shown and described, except that it extends parallel to the second load-bearing wall 2 and not parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1, as is the case for the first tank wall. Only the first tank wall will be described hereafter.

[0063] Alternatively, it is possible to consider that the second tank wall has different characteristics.

[0064] As is the case in the various embodiments represented and described below, the insulating barrier 20 can constitute a secondary insulating barrier 20 and the waterproof membrane 10 can constitute a secondary waterproof membrane 10. The secondary insulating barrier 20 is retained to the load-bearing wall 1, 2 and the secondary waterproof membrane 10 rests against the secondary insulating barrier 20.

[0065] Each tank wall of the first, second, and third embodiments described below further comprises a primary sealing membrane 10' intended to be in contact with the low-temperature liquid and a primary insulating barrier 20' disposed between the primary sealing membrane 10' and the secondary sealing membrane 10. The primary insulating barrier 20' is retained on the secondary sealing membrane 10. A portion of the primary sealing membrane 10' and the barrier The primary insulating layer 20' is shown in Figures 10 and 14 for the tank wall attached to the first load-bearing wall 1. The primary waterproof membrane 10' and the insulating barrier 20' are optional. As will be described later, in the first and second embodiments, the primary layer of each tank wall, comprising the primary insulating barrier 20', the primary waterproof membrane 10', and the structural elements for attaching them to the corresponding corner beam, is identical to the secondary layer of each tank wall, comprising the secondary insulating barrier 20', the secondary waterproof membrane 10', and the structural elements for attaching them to the corresponding corner beam.

[0066] Alternatively, it may be envisaged that only the primary or secondary stage of the tank wall has the characteristics described below, and that the other stage has different characteristics, for example, in accordance with the prior art. In the third embodiment described with reference to [Fig. 14], the primary membrane 10' is different from the secondary membrane 10 and does not have longitudinal undulations. The primary membrane here comprises a plurality of primary struts, each having a flat portion resting on an internal surface 21' of the primary insulating barrier 20' and two primary longitudinal raised edges 418' projecting towards the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion of the primary strut.

[0067] The primary insulating barrier 20' and / or secondary insulating barrier 20 is formed by the juxtaposition of insulating blocks 22, 22'. These insulating blocks 22, 22' generally have a parallelepiped shape with two main faces 21A, 21B parallel to the load-bearing wall 1, 2 to which the corresponding tank wall is fixed. The two main faces 21A, 21B are connected by lateral faces 21C ([Fig. 4]). The insulating blocks 22, 22' of each insulating barrier are aligned regularly and delimit spaces 28 (Figures 4 and 9) between them, which are filled by insulating joints. In the first and third embodiments, retaining devices 50 ([Fig.4]) are arranged at the corners of the insulating blocks 22, 22' and anchor four adjacent insulating blocks 22 in the corresponding load-bearing wall 1.

[0068] Such retaining devices 50 can be made in different ways and are described for example in more detail in document WO2019 / 110894.

[0069] The main faces 21A, 21A' of the insulating blocks facing the interior of the tank form the internal surface 21,21' of the primary or secondary insulating barrier 20', 20.

[0070] The insulating blocks 22, 22' can be made in different ways. Each insulating block 22, 22' comprises, for example, a base plate 23 and a cover plate 24, as well as at least one layer of thermally insulating foam 25 interposed between the base plate 23 and the cover plate 24 ([Fig. 4]). This is the This case refers to the first and second embodiments. Such insulating blocks can be made in different ways and are described in more detail, for example, in WO2021239767.

[0071] The foam layer 25 is arranged between the cover plate 24 and the base plate 23.

[0072] The base plates 23 and lid plates 24 are glued onto the foam layer(s) 25.

[0073] Thermally insulating foam is for example a polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced with glass fibers, having for example a density of the order of, or even greater than, 130 kg.m3.

[0074] The foam layer 25 has at each of its corners a recess intended to receive the retaining member 50 visible in figures 1 and 4.

[0075] The insulating blocks 22, 22' can also be made of boxes filled with insulating material, as in the third embodiment of [Fig. 14].

[0076] At the angle between the two tank walls, the secondary watertight membranes 10 of the two tank walls and the primary watertight membranes 10' of the two tank walls are watertightly connected by a connecting ring in the form of an angle beam 30; 330; 430, which allows the tensile forces resulting from thermal contraction, hull deformation at sea, and cargo movements to be absorbed. Possible structures of the angle beam 30; 330; 430 are described, for example, further in FR2549575 or WO2021074435.

[0077] In the first embodiment of [Fig. 1] and the third embodiment of [Fig. 14], the angle beam 30, 430 comprises, for example, four metal cross profiles connected by metal plates to form a square-section tube 36; 436. This square-section tube 36; 436 is connected by first anchoring flanges 37A, 37B to the first load-bearing wall 1 and by second anchoring flanges 37C, 37D to the second load-bearing wall 2. The first anchoring flanges 37A, 37B extend parallel to the second load-bearing wall 2 and the second anchoring flanges 37C, 37D extend parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1. The first and second anchoring flanges anchor the angle beam 30; 430 to the load-bearing structure 4.

[0078] To make the angle beam 30; 430 all along the edge 3, it is preferable to use several successive segments, the length of which is adapted to the handling conditions, for example 1 to 3 meters per segment, as can be seen in [Fig.1].

[0079] In addition, insulating pieces are preferably provided between the load-bearing walls and the corner beam and / or inside the corner beam when the latter is in the form of a square-section tube.

[0080] The secondary waterproof membrane 10 comprises a plurality of secondary strakes 11; 411 assembled together in a waterproof manner and the primary waterproof membrane 10' comprises a plurality of primary strakes 11'; 411' assembled together in a waterproof manner.

[0081] Each secondary strut 11, 411 and each primary strut 11', 411' is in the form of an elongated metal strip along a longitudinal direction D. It is delimited by two longitudinal edges 14A, 14B, 14A', 14B'; 414A, 414B, 414A', 414B' extending parallel to the longitudinal direction D of the secondary strut 11; 411 or primary strut 11'; 411' and by two end edges 15, 16, 15', 16'; 415, 415' which extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction D.

[0082] The secondary strakes 11; 411 and primary strakes 11', 411' are juxtaposed parallel and welded together in a watertight manner at the level of said longitudinal edges 14A, 14B, 14A', 14B'; 414A, 414B, 414A', 414B' as will be described in more detail later.

[0083] The strakes 11, 11'; 411, 411' are, for example, made of Invar®, i.e., an iron-nickel alloy whose coefficient of thermal expansion is typically less than or equal to 2 x 10⁶ K₁, preferably between 1.2 x 10⁶ and 2 x 10⁶ K₁. In this case, the strakes may, for example, have a thickness of approximately 0.7 millimeters (mm). Alternatively, the strakes may be made of an iron-manganese alloy whose coefficient of thermal expansion is typically less than or equal to 9 x 10⁶ K₁, preferably between 7 x 10⁶ and 9 x 10⁶ K₁. In the case of a ship's tank, the strakes are preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ship.

[0084] In the first and second embodiments described herein, the primary sealing membrane 10' is similar to the secondary sealing membrane 10. The strakes of the two membranes are preferably made of a high manganese iron alloy whose coefficient of expansion is typically less than or equal to 9.106 K 1, preferably between 7.106 and 9.106 K '.

[0085] Each secondary strake 11 and primary strake 11' comprises a flat portion 12, 12' resting on the inner surface 21, 21' of the insulating barrier 20, 20' and at least one longitudinal corrugation 13, 13' projecting towards the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion 12 of the strake 11. In the first and second embodiments, two longitudinal corrugations 13, 13' are provided per secondary strake 11 (Figures 1 and 11) or primary strake 11' ([Fig. 10]). [Fig. 2] shows a variant of the first embodiment, in which a single longitudinal corrugation 13 is provided per secondary strake 11.

[0086] Preferably, one, two, or more longitudinal corrugations are provided, excluding other corrugations extending in a different direction. In other words, the strake comprises one or more corrugations only in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] Said or each longitudinal corrugation 13, 13' is spaced from the longitudinal edges 14A, 14B, 14A', 14B' of the strake 11, 11'. In practice, each longitudinal corrugation 13, 13' is spaced for example from the longitudinal edge 14A, 14B, 14A', 14B' of the strake 11, 11' by at least 50 mm, for example 125 mm or 170 mm or 250 mm depending on the number of corrugations per strake and the width of the strakes, namely about 500 mm or 1000 mm.

[0088] In the third embodiment, the secondary strakes 411 of the secondary sealing membrane 10 have the characteristics described above: they comprise a flat portion 412 resting on the internal surface 21 of the insulating barrier 20 and at least one longitudinal corrugation 413 projecting towards the inside of the tank relative to the flat portion 412 of the strake 11. Two longitudinal corrugations 413 are provided per strake 411. In addition, the longitudinal edges 414A, 414B of each strake 411 are raised, i.e. folded towards the inside of the tank.

[0089] The primary strakes 411' of the primary waterproof membrane 10' of the third embodiment do not exhibit any longitudinal undulation and have raised longitudinal edges 414A', 414B'.

[0090] The corner beam 30; 330; 430 further comprises a first lateral flange 31; 331; 431 parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1 and a second lateral flange 32 parallel to the second load-bearing wall 2. The two lateral flanges allow the attachment of the secondary waterproof membranes 10.

[0091] The two lateral wings 31, 32; 331; 431 are linked to each other at a watertight connection zone 33; 333; 433 of the corner beam 30; 330; 430.

[0092] The arrangement of the secondary waterproof membranes of the first and third embodiments is described herein.

[0093] In the case of the first embodiment of Figures 1 and 10 and the third embodiment of [Fig. 14], in which an angle beam forming a square section tube is provided, the sealed connection zone 33; 433 has a step-like shape, comprising the metal plates of the angle beam 30; 430 forming the internal angle of the angle beam oriented towards the center of the tank.

[0094] Each lateral wing 31, 32; 431 of the angle beam 30; 430 extends in line with one of the anchor wings 37B, 37C of the angle beam 30; 430.

[0095] Each of the first and second lateral wings 31, 32; 431 of the corner beam 30; 430 here comprises a connecting portion 31A, 32A; 431A formed with the square-section tube 36; 436 and a receiving strip 34; 434 welded to the connecting portion 31A, 32A, ; 431A which extends from the connecting zone 33; 433, away from the connecting zone 33; 433 in the continuation of the corresponding connecting portion 31A, 32A; 431A. In [Fig. 1], only a portion of the receiving strip 34 of the lateral wing 31 parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1 is shown.

[0096] The receiving strip 34; 434 of the lateral wing 31, 32; 431 of the angle beam 30; 430 is made by a series of furring strips having an end edge 34B; 434B welded continuously to the connecting part 31 A, 32A; 431A of the angle beam 30; 430 to take up the tensile forces.

[0097] The receiving strip 34; 434 comprises a flat portion 34C; 434C which extends in the continuation of the corresponding connecting portion 31A, 32A; 431 and a distal portion 34A; 434A welded continuously and tightly to an end portion of the strakes 11; 411. This distal portion 34A; 434A corresponds to the edge of the receiving strip 34; 434 opposite the end edge 34B; 434B welded to the connecting portion 31A, 32A; 431A of the lateral wing 31, 32; 431 of the corner beam.

[0098] The distal portion 34A, 434A of the receiving strip 34; 434 covers the end edge 15; 415 of each strake 11; 411. It forms for this purpose a sidewalk whose height is substantially equal to the thickness of the strake 11, 411, so that the flat part 34C; 434C of the receiving strip 34; 434 extends in the same plane as the flat part of the strakes 11; 411.

[0099] The end edge 15; 415 of each strake 11; 411 has a complex profile because each longitudinal wave 13; 413 of the strake 11; 411 extends to this end edge 15; 415. The longitudinal wave 13; 413 has a constant height over its entire length.

[0100] Thus, the receiving band 34; 434 of the lateral wings 31, 32; 431 has wavy parts 35; 435 arranged in alignment with the longitudinal undulations 13; 413 of the strakes 11; 411 to terminate the longitudinal undulations 13; 413 at a distance from the bonding zone 33; 433.

[0101] Each corrugated portion 35; 435 extends from the distal portion 34A, 434A of the receiving strip, towards the connecting portion of the angle beam 30; 430, over a distance preferably greater than 70 mm and less than 800 mm. This distance is preferably less than half the width of the receiving strip measured between the free edge of the distal portion 34A; 434A and the end edge 34B; 434B).

[0102] The distance over which the corrugated portion 35; 435 extends is greater the larger the width of the receiving strip. This makes it possible to reduce the stresses in the direction parallel to the edge.

[0103] Each corrugated part 35; 435 has a shape adapted to cover the longitudinal end of a longitudinal corrugation 13; 413 and to extend it on the lateral wing 31, 32; 431 towards the connection zone 33; 433.

[0104] More specifically, as is particularly visible in [Fig.3] in the case of the first embodiment, the corrugated part 35 of the receiving strip 34 can be formed with the receiving strip 34. It is for example produced by stamping the metal plate forming the receiving strip 34. The receiving strip is for example made of one of the iron and nickel or iron and manganese alloys described above.

[0105] The corrugated part 35 of the receiving strip includes, along the distal portion 34A of the receiving strip, a first part 35A whose surface oriented towards the strake has a shape adapted to follow the contour of the longitudinal corrugation 13. The corrugated part 35 also includes a second part 35B which continuously connects the first part 35A of the corrugated part 35 to the flat part 34C of the receiving strip 34.

[0106] The receiving band 435 of the third embodiment can be made in a similar way.

[0107] As mentioned previously, the tank wall may comprise only a single insulating barrier and a single waterproof membrane such as that described above.

[0108] When the tank wall further comprises a primary insulating barrier 20' and a primary waterproof membrane 10', these can be made in a manner entirely similar to the secondary insulating barrier 20 and the secondary waterproof membrane 10 described above, as is the case in the first embodiment ([Fig. 10]). As shown in [Fig. 10], the primary insulating blocks 22' can be arranged in line with the insulating blocks of the secondary insulating barrier 20. They are fixed to the secondary waterproof membrane 10.

[0109] The angle beam 30 then includes two other lateral wings parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1 and second load-bearing wall 2 for the attachment of the primary strakes 11' of the primary membrane 10'.

[0110] The two lateral wings are linked to each other at the level of the watertight connection zone 33 of the corner beam 30 and extend in the continuation of one of the anchoring wings 37B, 37C of the corner beam 30.

[0111] Each of the other lateral wings comprises a primary connecting portion 31A', 32A' formed with the square-section tube 36 and a primary receiving strip 34' welded onto the primary connecting portion 31A', 32A', which extends from the connection zone 33, away from the connection zone 33 in line with the corresponding primary connecting portion 31A', 32A'. On the [Fig.1 1], only a part of the primary receiving strip 34' of the other lateral wing parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1 is shown.

[0112] The primary receiving strip 34' of the primary stage is made in a similar manner to the receiving strip 34 of the secondary stage.

[0113] The primary waterproof membrane 10' is made in a similar manner to the secondary waterproof membrane 10, by a series of primary strakes 11' identical to the secondary strakes 11 of the secondary waterproof membrane 10, as described above. The strakes 11' include, in particular, one or two longitudinal corrugations 13'.

[0114] Thus, the primary receiving strip 34' comprises a flat portion 34C' which extends in line with the corresponding primary connecting portion 31A', 32A' and a distal portion 34A' welded continuously and tightly to an end portion of the primary strakes 11'. This distal portion 34A' corresponds to the edge of the primary receiving strip 34' opposite the end edge 34A' welded to the primary connecting portion 31A', 32A'.

[0115] The primary receiving band 34' has corrugated parts 35' arranged in alignment with the longitudinal undulations 13' of the primary striations 11' of the primary membrane 10' to terminate the longitudinal undulations 13' away from the bonding zone 33.

[0116] The fixing of the primary strakes 11' of the primary waterproof membrane 10' on the insulating blocks of the primary insulating barrier can be done in a similar manner to the fixing of the secondary strakes 11, which will be described later with reference to figures 4 to 9.

[0117] Alternatively, the insulating blocks 22' of the primary insulating barrier 20' can be arranged in a staggered pattern, straddling four adjacent secondary insulating blocks. In this case, the fixing elements protruding from the secondary insulating barrier are provided. This is the case, for example, in the second embodiment of Figures 11 and 13.

[0118] According to this second embodiment, the corner beam 330 comprises a single metal cross profile connected by anchoring wings 337A, 337B to the first and second load-bearing wall 1, 2.

[0119] The corner beam 330 has the first lateral wing 331 parallel to the first load-bearing wall 1 and the second lateral wing 332 parallel to the second load-bearing wall 2.

[0120] The two lateral wings 331, 332 are linked to each other at the level of the sealed connection zone 333 of the corner beam 330.

[0121] In the case of the second embodiment of [Fig.1 1], the connection zone 333 corresponds to the angle of the cross profile connecting the lateral wings 331, 332.

[0122] Each lateral wing 331, 332 of the angle beam 30 extends in line with one of the anchor wings 337B, 337C of the angle beam 330.

[0123] Each of the first and second lateral wings 331, 332 of the angle beam 330 includes a connecting part 331 A, 332A formed with the cross profile and a receiving strip 334 welded onto the connecting part 331 A, 332A, which extends from the connection zone 333, away from the connection zone 333 in the extension of the corresponding connecting part 331 A, 332A.

[0124] The receiving strip 334 comprises a flat portion 334C which extends in the continuation of the corresponding connecting portion 331 A, 332A and a distal portion 334A welded continuously and tightly to an end portion of the strakes 11. This distal portion 334A corresponds to the edge of the receiving strip 334 opposite the end edge 334B welded to the connecting portion 331 A, 332A of the lateral wing 331, 332 of the corner beam 330.

[0125] The secondary waterproof membrane 10 comprises a plurality of secondary strakes 11 as described above, assembled together in a waterproof manner.

[0126] Each secondary strake 11 comprises, as described above, a flat portion 12 resting on the internal surface 21 of the insulating barrier 20 and at least one longitudinal undulation 13 projecting towards the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion 12 of the strake 11. Here, two longitudinal undulations 13 are provided per secondary strake 11.

[0127] In the second embodiment, the distal portion 334A of the receiving strip 334 extends here in line with the flat portion 334C. This distal portion 334A is covered by an end edge 15 of each secondary strake 11. The end edge 15 of each secondary strake 11 forms for this purpose a ledge between two longitudinal undulations 13. The height of this ledge is substantially equal to the thickness of the flat portion of the receiving strip 334, so that the flat portion 334C of the receiving strip 334 extends in the same plane as the flat portion 12 of the secondary strakes 11.

[0128] In addition, the receiving band 334 of the lateral wings 331, 332 has wavy parts 335 arranged in alignment with the longitudinal undulations 13 of the secondary strakes 11 to terminate the longitudinal undulations 13 at a distance from the bonding zone 333.

[0129] Each corrugated part 335 has a shape adapted to cover the longitudinal end of a longitudinal corrugation 13 and to extend it on the lateral wing 331, 332 towards the connection area 333.

[0130] More specifically, the corrugated part 335 here includes an added piece on the flat part 334C of the receiving strip 334 of the lateral wing 331, 332. This added piece is shown more particularly in [Fig. 12].

[0131] It comprises a horseshoe-shaped base 336, having a first flat portion 336A applied against the flat portion 334C of the receiving strip 334 and a free edge 337 connected to the first flat portion 336A by a notch 337A so as to form a walkway. The free edge 337 covers the end edge 15 forming the walkway of the secondary strake 11 located outside the longitudinal corrugation(s) 13.

[0132] The height of the step 337A is substantially equal to the thickness of the secondary strake 11, so that the flat part 336A of the base 336 extends in the same plane as the end edge of the secondary strake 11.

[0133] The base 336 is continuously connected to a curved part 338 adapted to follow the shape of the longitudinal undulation 13 of the strake.

[0134] The free edge 337 and the curved part 338 of the corrugated part 335 are welded to the end edge 15 of the secondary strake in a watertight manner, while the first flat part 336A of the base 336 of the corrugated part 335 is welded to the receiving strip 334.

[0135] This arrangement offers the same advantages as those provided by the corrugated portion stamped into the receiving belt. Furthermore, it can be implemented without stamping the receiving belt, simply by adding extra parts to form the corrugated sections.

[0136] In this second embodiment the tank wall may further comprise a primary stage.

[0137] In this case, the corner beam 330 further comprises primary corner pieces, as described, for example, in WO2021074435. Each primary corner piece has an angle-shaped insulating piece with two perpendicular flanges whose thickness is substantially equal to the thickness of the primary insulating barrier. A metal angle bracket is fixed to the upper surface of the insulating piece, along the corner. The insulating piece can be made in various ways, for example, of solid plywood; of one or more blocks of a sandwich structure made of one or more layers of polymer foam and one or more rigid plates, for example, of plywood; or in the form of one or more boxes filled with insulating material. The metal angle bracket forms the first and second lateral flanges of the corner beam, which includes the strake-receiving strip.

[0138] For fixing the primary insulating barrier 20' and the primary waterproof membrane 10' (not shown), threaded studs 371 are carried by the receiving strip 334 to fix the primary corner pieces (not shown).

[0139] The fixing of the primary corner pieces by the threaded studs can be carried out in different ways, for example as described in WO2018087466.

[0140] Threaded studs 372 are also fixed to the secondary insulating blocks to form retaining elements for primary insulating blocks 22'.

[0141] In the third embodiment of the sealed and thermally insulating tank shown in [Fig. 14], the secondary strakes 411 and primary strakes 411' have raised edges 418, 418'.

[0142] The secondary 10 and primary 10' waterproof membranes are each made up of a series of secondary 411 and primary 411' invar struts parallel to raised edges 418, 418', which are arranged alternately with elongated weld supports 419, 419', also invar. The weld supports 419, 419' are each time retained to the underlying insulating block 22, 22', for example by being housed in grooves 417, 417' formed in the cover plates 24 of the insulating blocks 22, 22'.

[0143] The insulating blocks 22, 22' are here for example made up of boxes filled with insulating material, for example perlite, glass wool or rock wool.

[0144] This alternating structure is carried out over the entire surface of the tank walls, which can involve very long lengths. Over these long lengths, the watertight welds between the raised edges 418, 418' of the secondary 411 and primary 411' strakes and the weld supports 419, 419' interposed between them can be made in the form of straight weld beads parallel to the tank wall.

[0145] The corner beam 430 is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0146] The secondary strakes 411 and primary strakes 411' with raised edges 418, 418' are not directly connected to the corner beam 430. As in previous embodiments, a receiving strip 434 is interposed between them. The receiving strip 434, 434' has a flat portion and an end edge 434B, 434B' continuously welded to a connecting flange 431A of the corner beam 430 to resist tensile forces. The receiving strip 434, 434' comprises a plurality of raised-edge furring strips 439, 439'. The raised edges 439, 439' of the furring strips have a complex profile with an inclined portion that rises gradually from the end edge 434B towards the strakes 11, 11', followed by a horizontal portion whose height is equal to the height of the raised edges of the strakes. The furring strips are continuously and watertightly welded edge to edge at the upper edge of the raised edges 439, 439'.

[0147] The structure of this wall is described in more detail in document FR2968284.

[0148] Each secondary girdle 411 of the secondary membrane 10 here has two undulations 413 and the receiving band 434 of the secondary membrane 10 has undulating parts 435 which terminate the longitudinal undulations 413.

[0149] The secondary membrane 10 of the tank then combines the secondary strakes 411 with raised edges 418 and the longitudinal undulations 413, which provides a particular flexibility to this secondary membrane.

[0150] In all embodiments of the sealed and thermally insulating tank, the use of secondary 11 and / or primary 11' strakes having longitudinal undulations along their entire length, made possible by the presence of corrugated parts terminating these longitudinal undulations at the level of the receiving strip, gives flexibility to the secondary and / or primary membrane allowing it to withstand the thermal and mechanical stresses suffered during its use in the tank wall.

[0151] Thanks to the corrugated parts 35; 335; 435 of the receiving strip 34; 334; 434 which receive the ends of the longitudinal corrugations 13; 413 and terminate them continuously by connecting with the flat part 34C; 334C; 434C of the receiving strip 34; 334; 434, it is possible to maximize the length of the longitudinal corrugation 13; 413 along the welt 11; 411. The flexibility of the corresponding waterproof membrane introduced by the presence of the longitudinal corrugations is thus optimized.

[0152] In the first and second embodiments, thanks to the presence of the longitudinal corrugations 13; 313 along the strakes 11; 311 of the secondary watertight membrane 10, it is also possible to use strakes without longitudinal edges raised towards the inside of the tank. This limits the stress concentration observed at the junction between the secondary strakes and the receiving strip when the secondary strakes have raised longitudinal edges.

[0153] For the assembly and watertight connection of the secondary strakes 11 and / or primary strakes 11' which do not have raised edges between them, various solutions can be considered. Several solutions are shown for example in Figures 4 to 9 and are described below with reference to the secondary strakes 11 of the first embodiment of [Fig. 1].

[0154] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, according to a first variant of the first embodiment, each secondary strut 11 has a width equivalent to the width of an insulating block 22 of the secondary insulating barrier 20. Each secondary strut 11 is arranged straddling two insulating blocks 22 and covers half of each insulating block 22.

[0155] For attaching the secondary strakes 11 to the insulating blocks 22, the cover plate 24 of each insulating block 22 has a groove 26 formed in the internal surface 21 of the secondary insulating barrier 20. More precisely, the groove 26 is formed in the cover plate 24 of each insulating block 22. It extends parallel to the longitudinal direction D of the secondary strakes 11 and has an inverted T-shaped profile. The groove 26 thus has the advantage of being symmetrical.

[0156] Each secondary strut 11 has a longitudinal attachment element 40 adapted to cooperate with the insulating blocks 22 of the secondary insulating barrier 20 for retain the secondary strake 11 in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall, while allowing movement of the secondary strake 11 along the longitudinal direction D of the secondary strake 11.

[0157] The attachment element 40 extends along a first longitudinal edge 14A of the secondary strake 11 and includes a portion of the first longitudinal edge 14A of the secondary strake 11 folded towards the insulating barrier 20 and extending outward from the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11.

[0158] This variant is shown in more detail in [Fig. 5]. The first longitudinal edge 14A forming the hooking element 40 includes a longitudinal drop wall 41 which extends into part of the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11 and is folded at a right angle to the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11, in the direction of the insulating barrier 20. This drop wall 41 is extended by a hooking wall 42 which extends parallel to the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11. The drop wall 41 extends into the part of the groove 26 which opens onto the inner surface 21 of the insulating barrier 20, while the hooking wall 42 of the hooking element 40 extends into the part of the groove 26 formed by the bar of the inverted T.Thus, the gripping wall 42 has a gripping surface 42A oriented towards the inside of the tank, which bears against an internal face 26A of the groove 26 to lock the secondary strake 11 in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall.

[0159] The secondary strake 11 nevertheless remains free to slide in the groove 26, along the longitudinal direction D.

[0160] To insert the first longitudinal edge 14A into the groove 26, a pivoting movement of the secondary strake 11 is carried out, as shown in [Fig.4] by the arrow F.

[0161] In this first variant, the hooking element 40 cooperates in retention with the inner face 26A of a wall of the groove 26. According to a second variant shown in [Fig.6], the hooking element 40 cooperates in retention with a retaining element 60 brought into the groove 26.

[0162] According to this second variant, the groove 126 formed longitudinally in the cover plates 24 of the insulating blocks 22 has a bottom in which one longitudinal portion is deeper than another longitudinal portion. The longitudinal lateral walls of the groove 126 are straight.

[0163] The groove 126 receives a retaining element inserted into the groove, for example a block 60 with a parallelepiped cross-section. This block 60 is housed in the groove 126. It has dimensions that create an L-shaped space 126A between the block 60 and the inner faces of the groove 126. More precisely, the space 126A is delimited between one of the longitudinal side walls of groove 126 and cleat 60 and between the longitudinal part of the bottom with the greatest depth and cleat 60.

[0164] The retaining element is fixed in the groove 126, for example by screws 63 screwed through the retaining element 60 and the cover plate 24 and / or by gluing.

[0165] The first longitudinal edge 14A forming the attachment element 40 of the secondary strake is identical to that of the first variant described above.

[0166] The falling wall 41 and the hooking wall 42 of the hooking element 40 extend into the space 126A provided by the cleat 60 in the groove 126. Thus, the hooking wall 42 has a hooking surface 42A oriented towards the inside of the tank, which bears against a face 61 of the cleat 60 oriented towards the load-bearing wall 1, 2 to lock the strake 11 in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall.

[0167] According to a third variant shown in [Fig. 7], the groove 226 has an L-shaped cross-section. Preferably, the opening of the groove 226 on the internal surface 21 of the insulating barrier 20 is sufficiently wide to allow the passage of the retaining wall 42 without pivoting. The first longitudinal edge 14A of the strake 11 is then inserted into the groove 226 by a translational movement in the thickness direction of the tank wall, and then by a sliding movement in a plane parallel to the internal surface 21 of the insulating barrier 20, which engages the retaining wall 42 of the first longitudinal edge 14A of the secondary strake under a return of the cover plate 24 formed by the groove. The retaining surface 42A bears against a complementary face of this return. In the example of [Fig.7], the strake is further blocked along the longitudinal direction D by the use of additional fixing elements such as screws 64 passing through the return of the cover plate and the hook wall 42. .

[0168] According to a fourth variant shown in [Fig.8], part of the hooking element 40 is received in a groove 326 formed in a lateral face of the insulating blocks 22 forming the insulating barrier 20.

[0169] More specifically, here, the cover plate 24 has a groove 326 formed in a longitudinal lateral face of the cover plate 24. This groove 326 therefore opens onto the space 28 delimited by two adjacent insulating blocks.

[0170] The first longitudinal edge 14A of the strake 11 has a C-shaped hook, the free end of which is inserted into the groove 326. For this purpose, the cover plate 24 is placed on the insulating block 20 so that the free end of the first longitudinal edge 14A of the strake is opposite the groove 326, then the strake is slid onto the insulating block to insert the free end of the first longitudinal edge 14A of the strake into the groove 326, as shown in the successive steps of [Fig.8].

[0171] According to a fifth variant shown in [Fig.9], the hooking element 40 is received in the space 28 separating two adjacent insulating blocks 20.

[0172] In this fifth variant, the shape of the hooking element 40 is slightly different. As before, the first longitudinal edge 14A forming the hooking element 40 includes a longitudinal drop wall 141 which extends from the flat portion 12 of the strake 11 and is folded at a right angle to the flat portion 12 of the strake 11, in the direction of the insulating barrier 20. This drop wall 141 is extended by a hooking wall 142 which extends obliquely from the drop wall 141, in the direction of the interior of the tank.

[0173] A further additional attachment element 90 is provided which extends into the space 28 separating the two adjacent insulating blocks 20. This additional fastening element 90 is in the form of a profiled metal clip whose base 91 is housed in a slot 28A which extends from the space 28 separating the two insulating blocks, along a lower face 24A of the cover plate 24 oriented towards the load-bearing wall 1, 2. From this base 91, the clip includes a part whose cross-section has a hook shape 92 comprising a band rising at a right angle with the base 91, against the longitudinal lateral face of the cover plate 24, towards the inside of the tank and a complementary fastening band which extends obliquely towards the outside of the tank, parallel to the fastening wall 142 of the fastening element 40.The hooking element cooperates with the hook 92 to lock the strake in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall.

[0174] Whatever variant is considered, along its second longitudinal edge 14B, the secondary strake 11 has a rim 43 (figures 5, 6, 7 and 9) extending outward from the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11, towards the interior of the tank, that is to say opposite the falling wall 41 of the attachment element 40 of the first longitudinal edge 14A.

[0175] The rim 43 comes over a part 12A of the flat portion 12 of an adjacent secondary strake 11.

[0176] Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9 show the rim 43 of the second longitudinal edge 14B of the adjacent secondary strake 11 partially covering the part 12A of the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11 whose first longitudinal edge 14A is described above and shown.

[0177] The portion 12A of the secondary strake 11 covered by the rim 43 formed by the second longitudinal edge 14B of the adjacent secondary strake 11 extends along the first longitudinal edge 14A of the secondary strake 11, immediately adjacent to the drop wall 4L

[0178] The rim 43 is arranged so that the flat portion 12 of the adjacent secondary strake 11 extends in the same plane as the flat portion 12 of the secondary strake 11.

[0179] The flange 43 is continuously and tightly welded to the part 12A of the covered flat portion 12. The flange 43 is, for example, lap welded.

[0180] The various assembly and joining solutions for secondary strakes 11 without raised edges are described above in the case of forming a secondary watertight membrane. Of course, the same solutions can be used to assemble primary strakes 11' without raised edges to form a primary watertight membrane 10'.

[0181] In the embodiments described herein, the width of the strakes 11, 11'; 411 of the waterproof membrane 10, 10' is equal to the width of the insulating blocks 22, 22' of the corresponding insulating barrier 20, 20'. Alternatively, the width of the strakes of the waterproof membrane may be different, for example, equal to half the width of the insulating blocks of the corresponding insulating barrier.

[0182] In particular, a tank can be envisaged comprising a secondary watertight membrane similar to that of the first embodiment described above and a primary membrane similar to the primary membrane described in the third embodiment, having raised edges and without longitudinal corrugations. In this case, the secondary membrane is preferably made of an iron and manganese alloy having a coefficient of expansion less than or equal to 9 x 10⁶ K⁻¹ and the primary membrane is preferably made of an iron and nickel alloy having a coefficient of expansion typically less than or equal to 2 x 10⁶ K⁻¹, for example in the alloy known as "Invar".

[0183] The tank wall may comprise only one sealed membrane and one insulating barrier.

[0184] With reference to [Fig. 15], a cutaway view of an LNG carrier 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary watertight barrier intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary watertight barrier arranged between the primary watertight barrier and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary watertight barrier and the secondary watertight barrier and between the secondary watertight barrier and the double hull 72.

[0185] 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 marine or port terminal or to an LNG bunkering vessel to transfer an LNG cargo to or from tank 71.

[0186] Figure 15 shows an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading berth 75, a subsea pipeline 76 and an onshore facility 77. The loading and unloading berth 75 is a fixed offshore facility comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipelines 73. The steerable movable arm 74 is suitable for all LNG carrier sizes. An unshown connecting pipeline extends inside tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG carrier 70 from or to the onshore facility 77. This facility includes liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipelines 81 linked by the subsea pipeline 76 to the loading or unloading station 75.The subsea pipeline 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore facility 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which allows the LNG carrier 70 to be kept a long distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0187] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the land installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0188] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0189] The invention applies to ship tanks 71 and also to land-based reservoirs and port structures.

[0190] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those stated in a claim.

[0191] In claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Demands A watertight and thermally insulating tank integrated into a load-bearing structure (4) comprising a first load-bearing wall (1) and a second load-bearing wall (2) joining the first load-bearing wall (1) at an edge (3) of the load-bearing structure (4), the tank comprising a first tank wall fixed to the first load-bearing wall (1) and a second tank wall fixed to the second load-bearing wall (2), wherein at least one of the first and second tank walls comprises at least one watertight membrane (10, 10') and an insulating barrier (20, 20') arranged between the watertight membrane (10, 10') and the corresponding load-bearing wall (1, 2), the insulating barrier (20, 20') comprising insulating blocks (22, 22'), wherein the watertight membrane (10, 10') comprises a plurality of parallel strakes (11, 11'), a strake being in the form of a metal strip elongated along a direction longitudinal (D),and having a uniform profile along the longitudinal direction (D), each strake comprising a flat portion (12, 12') resting on an internal surface (21, 21') of the insulating barrier (20, 20') and at least one longitudinal corrugation (13, 13') projecting inward from the flat portion (12) of the strake (11, 11'), excluding any other corrugations extending in a different direction, said or each longitudinal corrugation (13, 13') being spaced from the longitudinal edges (14A, 14B, 14A', 14B') of the strake (11, 11'), each longitudinal corrugation extending only in the longitudinal direction of the strake, the strakes (11, 11') being juxtaposed and welded together watertight at the level of said longitudinal edges (14A, 14B, 14A', 14B'), and each strake (11, 11') comprising a longitudinal attachment element (40) adapted to cooperate in retention with the insulating blocks (22, 22') of the insulating barrier (20,20') to retain the strake (11, 11') in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall, while allowing movement of the strake along a longitudinal direction (D) of the strake, the tank wall comprising a metal corner beam (30; 330) arranged parallel to the edge (3) of the supporting structure and anchored, to the first and second load-bearing walls, the corner beam (30; 330) having a first lateral flange (31,31'; 331) parallel to the first load-bearing wall (1) and a second lateral flange (32; 332) parallel to the second load-bearing wall (2), the two lateral flanges (31, 32; 331, 332) being connected to each other at the level of a watertight connection zone (33; 333), at least one of the first and second lateral flanges (31, 32, 31'; 331; 332) of the corner beam (30; 330) having a receiving strip (34, 34'; 334) welded to a connecting part (31 A, 32 A) of the lateral flange of the corner beam; the receiving band extending from the link zone, away from the link zone (33; 333), in the continuation of the corresponding connecting part (31 A, 32A), in which a distal portion (34A, 34A';334A) of the receiving strip is welded to an end portion (15, 15') of the strakes (11, 11'), the receiving strip (34, 34' ; 334 ) of said at least one of the lateral wings (31, 32, 31' ; 331 ; 332) having corrugated parts (35, 35' ; 335) arranged in alignment with the longitudinal corrugations (13, 13') of the strakes (11, 11') to terminate the longitudinal corrugations (13, 13') at a distance from the bonding zone (33 ; 333).;

2. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the corrugated parts (35, 35'; 435) is made in one piece with said receiving strip (34, 34'; 334).

3. Watertight and thermally insulating tank according to claim 2, in which at least one of the corrugated parts (35, 35') is made by stamping.

4. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the corrugated parts (335) comprises a piece attached to a flat part (334C) of the receiving strip (334) of the side wing (331, 332).

5. A watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the corrugated portion (35, 35'; 335; 435) has a shape adapted to cover the longitudinal end of a longitudinal corrugation (13, 13'; 313) and to extend it over the lateral wing (31,31' ; 331) towards the connection zone (33 ; 333).

6. Watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hooking element (40) extends along a first longitudinal edge (14A, 14A') of the strake (11, 11') and comprises a portion of the first longitudinal edge (14A, 14A') of the strake (11, 11') folded towards the insulating barrier (20, 20') and extending in projection from the flat portion (12, 12') of the strake (11, H').

7. Watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the strake (11, 11') has, along its second longitudinal edge (14B, 14B'), a rim (43) extending outward from the flat portion (12, 12') of the strake, opposite the hooking element (40) of the first longitudinal edge 1(4A, 14A'), the rim (43) covering a part (12A) of the flat portion (12, 12') of an adjacent strake (11, 11'), the covered part (12A) extending along the first longitudinal edge (14A, 14A') of the adjacent strake.

8. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the hooking element (40) is received in a groove (26; 126; 226) formed in the insulating barrier (20, 20') and opening onto said internal surface (21, 21').

9. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claim 8, wherein the hooking element (40) cooperates in retention with a surface of a wall of the groove (226) or with a retaining element (60) brought into the groove (126).

10. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which a part of the hooking element (40) is received in a groove (326) formed in a lateral face of the insulating blocks (22, 22') forming the insulating barrier (20, 20').

11. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the hooking element (40) is received in a space (28) separating two adjacent insulating blocks.

12. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claim 11, in which the hooking element (40) cooperates in retention with a complementary hooking element (90) which extends into the space (28) separating the two adjacent insulating blocks (22, 22').

13. Watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each strake (11, 11'; 411) comprises one or two longitudinal corrugations (13, 13').

14. Watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the watertight membrane (10) constitutes a secondary watertight membrane and is surmounted by a primary insulating barrier (20') and a primary watertight membrane (10').

15. A watertight and thermally insulating tank according to claim 14, wherein the primary watertight membrane (10') comprises a plurality of primary strakes (11'), each primary strake (11') comprising a flat portion (12') resting on an internal surface (21') of the primary insulating barrier (20') and at least one primary longitudinal corrugation (13') projecting into the tank from the flat portion (12') of the primary strake (11'), said or each primary longitudinal corrugation (13') being spaced from the longitudinal edges (14A', 14B') of the primary strake (11'), the primary strakes being juxtaposed and welded together watertight at said longitudinal edges, the metal corner beam (30) further comprising a first primary lateral flange (31') parallel to the first load-bearing wall (1) and a second primary lateral wing (32') parallel to the second load-bearing wall (2),the two primary lateral wings being joined to each other at a primary watertight bonding zone (33), at least one of the first and second primary lateral wings of the corner beam (30) having a receiving strip (34, 34') extending from the primary watertight bonding zone (33), away from the primary watertight bonding zone, wherein a distal portion (34A') of the receiving strip (34') of the primary lateral wings (31', 32') of the corner beam (30) is welded to an end portion (15') of the primary strakes (11') of the primary watertight membrane (10'), the receiving strip (34') of the primary lateral wings having corrugated portions (35') arranged in alignment with the primary longitudinal corrugations (13') of the primary strakes to terminate the primary longitudinal corrugations at a distance from the bonding zone (33) primary seal.

16. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner beam (30; 330; 430) comprises at least two support wings (37A, 37B, 37C, 37D; 337A, 337B), connected to each of the first and second load-bearing walls, said support wings being arranged substantially in line with the lateral wings of the corner beam.

17. A sealed and thermally insulating tank according to claims 15 and 16 taken in combination, wherein the corner beam (30) further comprises primary side wings (31') and primary support wings (37A, 37D) connected to each of the first and second load-bearing walls and arranged substantially in line with the primary side wings (31') of the corner beam.

18. A watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the watertight membrane (10') constitutes a primary watertight membrane and the insulating barrier (20') constitutes a primary insulating barrier, and the tank wall comprises a secondary insulating barrier (20) and a secondary watertight membrane (10) disposed between the primary insulating barrier and the supporting structure.

19. A watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the strakes (11, 11') are made of an iron and manganese alloy having a coefficient of expansion less than or equal to 9.10-6 Kl.

20. Watertight and thermally insulating tank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the strakes (11, 11') of the watertight membrane (10, 10') is equal to the width of the insulating blocks (22, 22') of the corresponding insulating barrier or equal to half the width of the insulating blocks of the corresponding insulating barrier.

21. Vessel (70) for the transport of a fluid, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 disposed in the double hull (72).

22. A fluid transfer system, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 21, insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the vessel's tank (71) to a floating or land-based storage facility (77), and a pump for conveying a fluid through the insulated pipelines from or to

23. the floating or land-based storage installation to or from the ship's tank. Method of loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 21, in which a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the ship's tank (71).

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