Waterproof and thermally insulating tank wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall (11) comprising a thermally insulating barrier (12, 14) and a metallic sealing membrane (13, 15) which rests against the thermally insulating barrier; the thermally insulating barrier comprising at least one supporting element (20), the supporting element comprising: - a hollow pillar (21) made of composite material which rises in the thickness direction (E) of the wall, - a sleeve (25) made of composite material fitted onto the hollow pillar and glued against a longitudinal surface of the pillar; and - an internal plate (22) which is metallic, fixed to the sleeve via a fixing device and against which the sealing membrane is welded, in which the sleeve has an internal end which is flush with an internal end of the pillar and in which the internal plate bears, directly or indirectly, partly against the internal end of the pillar and partly against the internal end of the sleeve. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Waterproof and thermally insulating tank wall Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of walls for sealed and thermally insulating tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of walls for sealed and thermally insulating tanks for the storage and / or transport of a liquefied gas, such as liquid hydrogen which is at approximately -253°C at atmospheric pressure. Technological background

[0002] In the state of the art, sealed and thermally insulating tanks for storing liquefied gas are known.

[0003] Such a tank generally comprises a plurality of walls each comprising a multi-layer structure, comprising at least one thermally insulating barrier retained on a supporting structure and a sealing membrane resting against a thermally insulating barrier and intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0004] One of the main difficulties is that in a tank of the aforementioned type, the sealing membrane of the wall is not stressed uniformly because the membrane deforms in particular under the effect of thermal and mechanical stresses generated by the liquefied gas stored in the tank. Such heterogeneous stresses can quickly damage the tank. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to allow a better distribution of stresses in the waterproofing membrane, the inventors had the idea of ​​a thermally insulating barrier comprising discrete support structures which each support an area of ​​the waterproofing membrane and to which the waterproofing membrane is welded. The discrete support structures comprise, for example, pillars made of composite material which rise in the direction of thickness of the wall in order to support the waterproofing membrane. Each of the pillars is fitted and fixed by gluing to stainless steel sleeves, at the opposite ends of the pillar. The sleeves extend beyond the opening of the pillar, thus forming a metallic extension outside the pillar, an extension on which the pillar is in contact.

[0006] Such an arrangement has several disadvantages. The combination of a composite material pillar and a stainless steel sleeve involves a significant risk of damage to the pillar and the sleeve during significant temperature variations. temperature, for example during loading and unloading of liquefied gas into the tank. Indeed, the coefficients of thermal expansion of the composite material and the stainless steel sleeve are very different, which leads to unwanted displacements of the pillar relative to the sleeve. As a result, thick adhesive joints, i.e. greater than 2 mm, are applied between the pillar and the sleeve to compensate for these differences in thermodynamic behavior.

[0007] However, such a solution is not satisfactory because the thicker the glue joint, the more difficult it is to accurately determine its resistance to compressive and shear forces.

[0008] There is therefore a need to find an alternative in order to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0009] An idea underlying the invention is therefore to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0010] Another idea underlying the invention is to propose a wall for a tank waterproof and thermally insulating in which the mechanical stresses exerted on the sleeve are reduced, particularly at the junction between the pillar and the sleeve.

[0011] Another idea underlying the invention is to propose a wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank allowing the fixing of a metal plate on which the sealing membrane is fixed to a pillar made of composite material.

[0012] Another idea underlying the invention is to eliminate the weak areas at the junction of the pillar with the sleeve.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall comprising, along a thickness direction of the wall, a thermally insulating barrier and a metal sealing membrane which rests against the thermally insulating barrier; the thermally insulating barrier comprising at least one load-bearing element, the load-bearing element comprising: - a hollow pillar made of composite material which rises in the direction of the wall thickness, - a sleeve made of composite material fitted onto the hollow pillar and glued against a longitudinal surface of the pillar; and - an internal tray which is metallic, fixed to the sleeve via a fixing device and against which the waterproofing membrane is welded, in which the sleeve has an internal end which is flush with an internal end of the pillar and in which the internal plate bears, directly or indirectly, partly against the internal end of the pillar and partly against the internal end of the sleeve.

[0014] Thanks to these characteristics, the thermomechanical constraints exerted on the connection of the sleeve with the pillar are reduced.

[0015] Indeed, since the sleeve and the pillar are both made of composite material, the differential expansion of one relative to the other is lower than if the sleeve were made of stainless steel, which makes it possible to limit the stresses in the layer of glue when the tank is cooled and therefore to reduce the thickness of the layer of glue.

[0016] Furthermore, when compressive forces are exerted along the thickness direction of the wall on the internal plate, part of these forces is taken up by the load-bearing pillar without passing through the sleeve and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer allowing the sleeve to be fixed to the pillar is subjected to little or no shearing force. Thus, the risk of the sleeve detaching is greatly reduced.

[0017] By convention, the terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, with reference to the inside and outside of a tank having such a wall. In particular, the internal end of the sleeve means the end of the sleeve which will be closest to the inside of a tank having such a wall and the external end of the sleeve which means the end of the sleeve which will be furthest from the inside of the tank. Similarly to the sleeve, the internal end of the pillar means the end of the pillar which will be closest to the inside of a tank having such a wall and the external end of the pillar which means the end of the pillar which will be furthest from the inside of the tank.

[0018] According to embodiments, such a wall may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the internal plate bears partly against the internal end of the pillar and partly against the internal end of the sleeve by means of a support plate which is interposed between the internal plate and the internal end of the pillar, the support plate having an internal surface in contact with the internal plate and an external surface in contact with the internal end of the pillar and the internal end of the sleeve.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the sleeve has a coefficient of thermal expansion oq in a radial direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall which is included in the interval [0.75 x a2; 1.25 x a2], with a2 a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pillar in the radial direction. This means that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sleeve, in the radial direction, is in a range which extends from 25% below the coefficient of thermal expansion in the radial direction of the pillar to 25% above the coefficient of thermal expansion in the radial direction of the pillar.

[0021] Thanks to these characteristics, the relative displacement of the sleeve with respect to the pillar in response to temperature variations is reduced. Consequently, the thermomechanical stresses applied to the glue are also reduced.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the thermal expansion coefficient oq in a radial direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall of the sleeve is included in the interval [0.85 x a2; 1.15 x a2].

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sleeve and the pillar are identical, in the radial direction.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the support plate has a coefficient of thermal expansion a3 in the radial direction which is included in the interval [0.75 x ai; 1.25 x aj; and in the interval [0.75 x a2; 1.25 x a2]. In other words, the coefficient of thermal expansion aj of the sleeve, a2 of the pillar or a3 of the support plate, depending on the radial direction, lies in a range of values ​​that extends from 25% below to 25% above the coefficients of thermal expansion of the other elements.

[0025] Thanks to these characteristics, the relative movements of the sleeve, the pillar and the support plate in response to temperature variations are reduced. Consequently, the thermomechanical stresses applied to the adhesive layer are also reduced, which helps to maintain the sleeve in the initial position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the sleeve has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a cylindrical recess. Preferably, the sleeve has a generally cylindrical shape of revolution. The sleeve may have different shapes in order to facilitate the bonding of the sleeve against the longitudinal surface of the pillar and in order to reduce the thickness of the layer of glue necessary for bonding the sleeve to the pillar.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the cylindrical recess of the sleeve has the shape of a cylinder with a circular or elliptical section.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the sleeve is formed by a plurality of distinct sections distributed around a longitudinal axis of the pillar, the plurality of distinct sections being fixed to the longitudinal surface of the pillar.

[0029] Thanks to these characteristics, the sleeve is more adaptable and easier to install against the longitudinal surface of the pillar. In addition, such an arrangement makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the glue layer necessary for fixing the sleeve to the pillar.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the sections of the plurality of sections have a shape identical to each other. According to one embodiment, the sections of the plurality of sections have a shape different from each other.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the sections of the plurality of sections each have an inner end which is flush with the inner end of the pillar.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the plurality of distinct sections comprises a first section and a second section, the first section and the second section being diametrically opposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the pillar. According to one embodiment, the first section and the second section each have the shape of a half-tube or a lunula.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the plurality of distinct sections comprises a first section, a second section and a third section. According to a preferred embodiment, the first, second and third sections each have a general shape of a lunula.

[0034] According to one embodiment, each section of the plurality of sections is separated by a gap. Thus, the sizing hazards of the sleeve during the manufacture of the sleeve do not prevent the installation of the sleeve in the pillar to the extent that the sizing hazards result in a sizing difference less than the dimension of the gap.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the cylindrical recess has a sufficient dimension to pass a tool making it possible to press the plurality of distinct sections of the sleeve radially outwards against the longitudinal surface of the pillar.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the sleeve is formed from a single piece.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the sleeve and the longitudinal surface of the pillar are bonded by a layer of glue having a thickness in a radial direction perpendicular to the thickness direction which is less than 1 mm. According to a preferred embodiment, the layer of glue has a thickness greater than 0 mm and less than 0.5 mm, preferably a thickness less than 0.2 mm and even more preferably a thickness less than 0.1 mm.

[0038] Thus, a thinner thickness of the adhesive layer reduces the risk of unwanted air inclusion between the surfaces. In addition, a thin thickness of adhesive can cure more quickly, resulting in faster manufacturing of the load-bearing element.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the layer of glue located between the sleeve and the longitudinal surface of the pillar is pressed via a pressing tool.

[0040] Thanks to these characteristics, the pressed adhesive layer has greater resistance to shear stresses. In fact, pressing makes it possible in particular to increase the contact surface between the adhesive layer and the pillar.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the support plate is greater than or equal to the diameter of the pillar.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the support plate is an aluminum washer.

[0043] Aluminum is advantageous in that it has greater compressive strength than a composite material while having a coefficient of thermal expansion closer to that of the pillar composite material than other metals, particularly when the pillar composite material is a unidirectional glass-epoxy composite.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the fixing device comprises an outer plate positioned against an outer end of the sleeve and a tie rod connecting the inner plate to the outer plate so that the sleeve is gripped between the inner plate and the outer plate. In other words, the fixing device fixes the inner plate to the outer plate by clamping the sleeve between the inner plate and the outer plate.

[0045] Thanks to these characteristics, the sleeve is firmly held in position between the external plate and the internal plate.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the external plate is an aluminum washer.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the external plate has an outside diameter less than the inner diameter of the pillar.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the sleeve is fitted inside the pillar.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the sleeve is fitted outside the pillar.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the sleeve extends in a longitudinal direction of the tube, from the internal end of the pillar, over a distance of between 5 and 10 cm.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the supporting element comprises a first sleeve fitted inside the pillar and a second sleeve fitted outside the pillar.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the hollow pillar has an internal diameter of between 4 and 10 cm.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the interior of the hollow pillar comprises an insulating material. According to one embodiment, the insulating material is located between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. According to one embodiment, the insulating material fills the interior space of the pillar located between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. According to one embodiment, the insulating material is an insulating foam. According to one embodiment, the insulating foam has the shape of an elongated cylinder.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the fixing device comprises a threaded rod and an element having a female thread.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the fixing device comprises a screw-nut system.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the fixing device comprises a threaded rod which crosses, in the longitudinal direction of thickness, the internal plate, the sleeve and the external plate, the fixing device further comprising a first nut screwed from a first end of the threaded rod and a second nut fixed on a second end of the threaded rod in order to clamp the sleeve between the external plate and the internal plate.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the threaded rod of the fixing device further passes through the metal backing plate, the sleeve being sandwiched between the outer plate and the metal backing plate.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the fixing device comprises a plurality of threaded rods, each threaded rod being fixed via their internal end to the internal plate and screwed via their external end into a tapped hole provided in the external plate.

[0059] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to control the compression force exerted against the sleeve. Indeed, the more the threaded rod is screwed into the tapped hole, the closer the external plate is to the internal plate, which has the effect of gripping the sleeve.

[0060] According to one embodiment, each threaded rod comprises at least one elastic washer mounted on said threaded rod, the elastic washer preferably being a Belleville washer.

[0061] Thus, it is possible to control the compression force exerted against the sleeve.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the composite material of the pillar comprises fibers and a matrix, which makes it possible to obtain satisfactory compressive strength for a limited conductive section.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the fibers are chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, flax fibers, basalt fibers and mixtures thereof.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the matrix is ​​chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polyetherimide, polyacrylate, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, copolymers thereof, polyester, vinylester, epoxy and polyurethane.

[0065] According to a preferred embodiment, the pillars are made of an epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibers.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the composite material of the sleeve comprises fibers and a matrix.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the fibers are chosen from glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, flax fibers, basalt fibers and mixtures thereof.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the matrix is ​​chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polyetherimide, polyacrylate, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, copolymers thereof, polyester, vinylester, epoxy and polyurethane.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the pillars are made of an epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibers.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the composite material of the sleeve and the pillar are identical.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the internal plate is made of stainless steel.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the internal plate has a thickness of between between 4 and 10 mm.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the glue used to bond the sleeve to the pillar is chosen from: polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polyetherimide, polyacrylate, polyaryl-therketone, polyetheretherketone, copolymers thereof, polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy and polyurethane.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the wall comprises successively, along a thickness direction of the wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier which is intended to rest against a supporting structure, a secondary metallic sealing membrane which rests against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier which rests against the secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane which rests against the primary thermally insulating barrier and is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier comprises at least one aforementioned load-bearing element.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier comprises a plurality of aforementioned load-bearing elements.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises at least one aforementioned load-bearing element.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises a plurality of aforementioned load-bearing elements.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier and the primary thermally insulating barrier each comprise at least one aforementioned load-bearing element. According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier and the secondary thermally insulating barrier comprise a plurality of aforementioned load-bearing elements.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the primary waterproofing membrane comprises a first series of corrugations having first corrugations parallel to each other and a second series of corrugations having second corrugations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations, the primary waterproofing membrane comprises a plurality of flat zones which are each defined between two adjacent first corrugations and between two adjacent second corrugations, the plurality of flat areas of the primary waterproofing membrane comprising a first flat area which is respectively welded against the internal plate of the supporting element.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the carrier element comprises: - an external plate which is metallic, against which the secondary waterproofing membrane is welded, - an external sleeve made of composite material fitted onto the hollow pillar and glued against a longitudinal surface of the pillar, the outer plate being fixed to the outer sleeve via an external fixing device, the outer sleeve having an outer end which is flush with an outer end of the pillar, and the outer plate bearing, directly or indirectly, partly against the outer end of the pillar and partly against the outer end of the outer sleeve, the primary waterproofing membrane being welded against the internal plate.

[0082] The outer sleeve has, according to embodiments, features similar to the sleeve. For example, according to one embodiment, the outer sleeve is formed by a plurality of distinct sections distributed around a longitudinal axis of the pillar, the plurality of distinct sections being fixed on the longitudinal surface of the pillar.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane comprises a first series of corrugations having first corrugations parallel to each other and a second series of corrugations having second corrugations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations, the secondary sealing membrane comprising a plurality of flat zones which are each defined between two adjacent first corrugations and between two adjacent second corrugations, the plurality of flat zones of the secondary sealing membrane comprising a first flat zone which is respectively welded against the internal plate of the carrier element.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier has a gaseous phase under vacuum, preferably at an absolute pressure of less than 1 Pa.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier has a gaseous phase under vacuum, preferably at an absolute pressure of less than 1 Pa.

[0086] In one embodiment, the liquefied gas is liquid hydrogen.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a plurality of aforementioned walls.

[0088] Such a tank may be part of a land-based storage facility or be installed in a floating, coastal or deep-water structure, including a ship. liquid hydrogen transport, i.e. a hydrogenerator, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO) and others. Such a tank can also serve as a fuel tank in any type of vessel.

[0089] According to one embodiment, a ship for transporting a liquefied gas comprises a double hull and a aforementioned tank arranged in the double hull.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising the aforementioned vessel and insulated pipes arranged so as to connect the tank installed in the hull of the vessel to a floating or land-based storage installation.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the transfer system also comprises a pump for driving a flow of liquefied gas through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a ship, in which a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the ship's tank. Brief description of the figures

[0093] The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0094] [Fig. 1] represents a partial perspective view of a wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to one embodiment.

[0095] [Fig.2] represents a partial, schematic sectional view of a supporting element according to a first embodiment.

[0096] [Fig. 3] represents a partial perspective view of a supporting element according to a second embodiment.

[0097] [Fig.4] represents a partial view, in section, of a supporting element according to the second embodiment.

[0098] [Fig.5] represents a partial view, from above, of the sleeve of the supporting element according to the second embodiment, during a step of bonding the sleeve inside the pillar.

[0099] [Fig.6] represents a partial perspective view of a supporting element according to a third embodiment.

[0100] [Fig.7] represents a partial perspective view of a supporting element according to a fourth embodiment.

[0101] [Fig.8] represents a partial sectional view of a supporting element according to a fifth embodiment.

[0102] [Fig.9] is a schematic, cutaway perspective view of a structure carrier intended to support a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing liquefied gas.

[0103] [Fig. 10] is a schematic cutaway representation of a vessel's tank and a terminal for loading and unloading this tank. Description of the embodiments

[0104] In relation to [Fig. 1], a wall 11 intended to be integrated into a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to one embodiment is described below in a general manner.

[0105] The wall 11 has a multi-layer structure comprising, along the thickness direction of the wall 11, from the outside to the inside, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 12, a secondary sealing membrane 13 which is corrugated and fixed against the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12, a primary thermally insulating barrier 14 and a primary sealing membrane 15 which is corrugated and fixed against the primary thermally insulating barrier 14. The primary sealing membrane 15 is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, such as liquid hydrogen contained in the tank.

[0106] The secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 comprises a plurality of insulating panels 16 anchored to a supporting structure 1. The insulating panels 16 each comprise a layer of insulating polymer foam 17 sandwiched between an internal plate 18 and an external plate 19. The internal 18 and external 19 plates are, for example, plywood plates glued onto said layer of insulating polymer foam 17. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam preferably reinforced with fibers.

[0107] The primary thermally insulating barrier 14 comprises a plurality of load-bearing elements 20 extending along the thickness direction E of the wall 11, between the secondary sealing membrane 13 and the primary sealing membrane 15. The load-bearing elements 20 each comprise a hollow pillar 21 of cylindrical shape. Each pillar 21 is fixed at its inner end to an inner plate 22 and is fixed at its outer end to an outer plate 23.

[0108] The primary sealing membrane 15 is welded, at the level of each flat zone located between two pairs of corrugations, against a respective internal plate 22.

[0109] Similarly, the secondary sealing membrane 13 is welded, at the level of each flat zone located between two pairs of undulations, against a respective external plate 23.

[0110] The pillar 21 is made from a composite material comprising fibers and a matrix. The inner plate 22 and the outer plate 23 are metallic, for example made of stainless steel.

[0111] Furthermore, the gas phase of the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 is advantageously placed under vacuum, for example at an absolute pressure of less than 1 Pa and preferably less than 10 2 Pa. To do this, the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 is advantageously connected to a vacuum pump. By virtue of the gas phase being placed under vacuum, the thermal insulation properties of the primary insulating barrier 14 are increased. However, the vacuum conditions of the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 will tend to deform the primary sealing membrane 15 and the secondary sealing membrane 13 towards the inside of the primary thermally insulating barrier 15.

[0112] The arrangement of the plurality of supporting elements 20 makes it possible to support the primary sealing membrane 15 by taking up, on the one hand, the forces due to the hydrostatic and dynamic pressures exerted on the primary sealing membrane 15, by the liquefied gas contained inside the tank, and on the other hand the forces due to the aforementioned vacuum conditions.

[0113] In connection with Figures 2 to 8, a plurality of embodiments of the carrier element are described below.

[0114] Identical or similar elements bear the same reference numbers incremented by 100.

[0115] In relation to [Fig.2], a first embodiment of the carrier element is described below.

[0116] The carrier element 120 comprises a sleeve 125 made from a composite material. The sleeve 125 is disposed inside the pillar 121 and is bonded to an inner longitudinal surface 123 of the pillar 121, at the inner end of the pillar 121 so that the inner end of the sleeve 125 is flush with the inner end of the pillar 121. In other words, the sleeve 125 does not protrude beyond the inner end of the pillar. The thickness of the adhesive layer located between the sleeve 125 and the inner longitudinal surface 123 is less than 0.2 mm.

[0117] The internal plate 122 has an external surface 126 in contact with the internal end of the pillar and with the internal end of the sleeve. Thus, a portion of the compressive forces exerted on the sealing membrane along the thickness direction E of the wall, for example due to the phenomenon of sloshing of the liquefied gas in the tank, pass through the pillar on which the internal plate 122 rests without passing through the layer of glue and the sleeve. The arrangement of the sleeve 125 flush with the pillar 121 therefore allows the layer of glue not to be subjected to or to greatly limit the shear forces.

[0118] Advantageously, the sleeve 125 and the pillar 121 are made from the same composite material. Consequently, they have the same coefficient of thermal expansion, in a radial direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall. Thus, the relative movement of the sleeve 125 with respect to the pillar 121 in response to temperature variations is zero or almost zero. Thus, the layer of glue located between the sleeve 125 and the pillar 121 does not undergo or undergoes less stress and therefore has excellent adhesive properties. Consequently, the attachment of the sleeve 125 to the pillar 121 is durable and stable.

[0119] In relation to Figures 3 to 5, a second embodiment of the carrier element is described below.

[0120] The supporting element 220 comprises a sleeve 225 flush with the internal end of the pillar 221 in a manner similar to the first embodiment illustrated with [Fig.2].

[0121] The carrier element 220 further comprises a metal support plate 230 having the shape of a washer which has, in the embodiment shown, an outside diameter identical to the outside diameter of the pillar 221. The metal support plate 230 is preferably made of aluminum in order to have a coefficient of thermal expansion close to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the pillar 221 made of composite material. The metal support plate 230 has an internal surface 231 which is welded against the internal plate 222 and an external surface 232 which is in contact with the internal end of the pillar 221 and the internal end of the sleeve 225.

[0122] The sleeve 225 has a first section 227 and a second section 228. The first section 225 and the second section 227 are made from a composite material.

[0123] The first section 227 is glued against the inner longitudinal surface 223 of the pillar 221.

[0124] The second section 228 is bonded against the inner longitudinal surface 223, diametrically opposite the first section 227. A gap 285 is provided between the first section 227 and the second section 228.

[0125] The first section 227 and the second section 228 each have a shape approaching a lunula.

[0126] The sleeve 225 thus positioned in the pillar 221 has a general shape of a cylinder of revolution cut in two and with a cylindrical recess of elliptical section 286 in its center. The cylindrical recess of elliptical section 286 allows for example the passage of a pressing tool 82 intended to press the first section 227 and the second section 228 against the internal longitudinal surface 223 of the pillar 221 in order to stick them firmly against said internal longitudinal surface 223.

[0127] The outer plate 233 is preferably made of aluminum. The outer plate 233 of the carrier element 220 is located against the outer end of the first section 227 and the second section 228 of the sleeve 225. The external plate 233 has a smaller diameter than the metal support plate 230 in order to be positioned inside the pillar 221.

[0128] The outer plate 233 is fixed to the inner plate 222 via a tie rod 240 which passes through the sleeve 225 so that said sleeve 225 is sandwiched between the outer plate 233 and the inner plate 222. Thus, the outer plate 233 is fixed to the sleeve 225.

[0129] In the embodiment shown, the tie rod 240 comprises a threaded rod 241 which passes through the internal plate 222, the metal support plate 230, the cylindrical recess with elliptical section 286 and the external plate 233. The tie rod 240 further comprises a first nut 242 crossed by the threaded rod and located against the internal surface of the internal metal plate 222 and a second nut 243 crossed by the threaded rod and located against the external surface 234 of the external plate 233. Tightening the first nut 242 and / or the second nut 243 makes it possible to fix the external plate 233 to the sleeve 225.

[0130] A sleeve 225 being installed is notably shown with [Fig.5] in which the pressing tool 82 comprises a pressing element 83 of the sleeve 225 and a holding element 84 of the pillar 221. The pressing element 83 has an elliptical shape.

[0131] In order to correctly position and fix the sleeve 225, the pressing element 83 is inserted into the cylindrical recess with elliptical section 286 and then a rotation as represented by the arrow on the pressing element 83 is then exerted so that said pressing element 83 presses the first section 227 and the second section 228 against the inner longitudinal surface 223. During this pressing step, the holding element 84 surrounds the pillar 221 in order to take up the forces exerted radially by the pressing element 83.

[0132] By means of such a pressing tool 82, the sleeve 225 is correctly installed without damaging the structure of the pillar 221 and the glue layer located between the pillar 221 and the sleeve 225 is pressed, which gives the glue layer better shear resistance.

[0133] In relation to [Fig.6], a third embodiment of the carrier element is described below.

[0134] The carrier element 320 differs from the carrier element 220 shown with Figures 3 to 5 in that the sleeve 325 has three sections, i.e., a first section 327, a second section 328 and a third section 329. In this embodiment, the three sections have an identical shape and dimensions.

[0135] The first, second and third sections are bonded to the inside of the pillar 321 against the inner longitudinal surface 323 of the pillar 321 and each have a shape approaching a lunula. The first, second and third sections are spaced from each other by gaps 385. The sleeve 325 forms in the center of the pillar a cylindrical recess 386 which has a generally circular section.

[0136] According to alternative embodiments, the different sections of the sleeve may have differences, for example different shapes or dimensions.

[0137] In relation to [Fig.7], a fourth embodiment of the carrier element is described below.

[0138] The carrier element 420 differs from the carrier element 220 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in that the sleeve 425 is formed in one piece and has the general shape of a cylinder with a circular section which is concentric with the circular pillar 421. A space of less than 1 millimeter is located between the sleeve 425 and the pillar 421. The space forms an injection zone 441 which is intended to receive glue in order to form the layer of glue for securing, via the layer of glue, the sleeve 425 with the pillar 421. The thickness of the layer of glue located in the injection zone 441 is less than 1 mm.

[0139] The sleeve further has a cylindrical recess 486 which has a general shape of a cylinder with a circular section. Alternatively, several shapes of cylindrical recess are possible.

[0140] In relation to [Fig.8], a fourth embodiment of the carrier element is described below.

[0141] The carrier element 520 differs from the carrier element 220 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 in that the sleeve 525 is fitted outside the pillar 521. Thus, the sleeve 525 is fixed by gluing against an external longitudinal surface 550 of the pillar 521 and surrounds the pillar 521.

[0142] The outer plate 533 surrounds the pillar 521 and is attached to the inner metal plate 522 via tie rods 540 located outside the pillar 521, so that the inner metal plate 522 rests against the inner end of the pillar 521 and the inner end of the sleeve 525. The outer plate 533 has threaded holes 543 intended to receive the tie rods 540.

[0143] The tie rod 540 comprises for example a screw 542. The screws each comprise a rod 541 which is threaded at its external end and which is fixed in one of the tapped holes of the external plate 533. This method of fixing makes it possible, via the rotation of the first screw and the second screw in the tapped holes 543, to tighten the external plate 533 against the internal end of the sleeve 525 in order to clamp the sleeve between the internal metal plate 522 and the external plate 533.

[0144] According to alternative embodiments not shown, the supporting element comprises a first sleeve fixed against an external longitudinal surface of the pillar such as indicated previously in combination with a second sleeve fixed against an internal longitudinal surface of the pillar as indicated previously.

[0145] The aforementioned wall 11, comprising one or more aforementioned supporting elements, is intended to be integrated into a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas. The liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank may in particular be liquid hydrogen which has the particularity of being stored at approximately -253°C at atmospheric pressure.

[0146] Such a tank is fixed against a supporting structure 1 as illustrated in [Fig.9],

[0147] The supporting structure 1 may in particular be formed from self-supporting metal sheets or, more generally, from any type of rigid partition having appropriate mechanical properties. The supporting structure 1 is, for example, formed by the double hull of a ship. In [Fig.9], the supporting structure 1 has a generally polyhedral shape. It has two front and rear load-bearing walls 2, here octagonal in shape, of which only the rear load-bearing wall 2 is shown. The front and rear walls 2 are, for example, cofferdam walls of a ship which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ship. The supporting structure 1 also comprises an upper load-bearing wall 3, a lower load-bearing wall 4 and side load-bearing walls 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

[0148] With reference to [Fig. 10], a cutaway view of a ship 70 shows a sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, preferably liquid hydrogen, contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two thermally insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72.

[0149] In a manner known per se, loading / unloading pipes 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a maritime or port terminal to transfer a cargo of liquefied gas from or to the tank 71.

[0150] [Fig. 10] also shows an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a 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 movable arm 74 orientable adapts to all sizes of hydrogen carriers. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the hydrogen carrier 70 from or to the onshore installation 77. The latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the underwater pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75. The underwater pipe 76 allows the transfer of the liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the hydrogen carrier 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0151] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, it is possible either to use pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the onshore installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 or to allow a rise in pressure in the interior space of the tank under the effect of the evaporation of the liquefied gas stored in the tank.

[0152] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0153] The use of the verb “comporter”, “comprendre” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0154] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Claims

1. Wall for a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, the wall (11) comprising, in a thickness direction of the wall, a thermally insulating barrier (12, 14) and a metal sealing membrane (13, 15) which rests against the thermally insulating barrier; the thermally insulating barrier comprising at least one supporting element (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520), the supporting element comprising: - a hollow pillar (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521) made of composite material which rises in the thickness direction (E) of the wall, - a sleeve (25, 125, 225, 325, 425, 525) made of composite material fitted onto the hollow pillar (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521) and glued against a longitudinal surface of the pillar;and - an internal plate (22, 122, 222, 522) which is metallic, fixed to the sleeve (25, 125, 225, 325, 425, 525) via a fixing device (240, 540) and against which the waterproofing membrane is welded, in which the sleeve has an internal end which is flush with an internal end of the pillar and in which the internal plate (22, 122, 222, 522) bears, directly or indirectly, partly against the internal end of the pillar and partly against the internal end of the sleeve.;

2. Wall according to claim 1, in which the internal plate (22, 122, 222, 522) bears partly against the internal end of the pillar and partly against the internal end of the sleeve by means of a support plate (230) which is interposed between the internal plate and the internal end of the pillar, the support plate having an internal surface (231) in contact with the internal plate and an external surface (232) in contact with the internal end of the pillar and the internal end of the sleeve.

3. Wall according to claim 1 or 2, in which the sleeve has a coefficient of thermal expansion oq in a radial direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the wall which is included in the interval [0.75 x a2; 1.25 x a2], with a2 a coefficient of thermal expansion of the pillar in the radial direction.

4. Wall according to claims 2 and 3 taken in combination, in which the support plate has a coefficient of expansion thermal a3 in the radial direction which is included in the interval [0.75 x oq; 1.25 x aj; and in the interval [0.75 x a2; 1.25 x a2].

5. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the sleeve has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a cylindrical recess (286, 386, 486).

6. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the sleeve is formed by a plurality of distinct sections distributed around a longitudinal axis of the pillar, the plurality of distinct sections being fixed on the longitudinal surface of the pillar.

7. A wall according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of distinct sections comprises a first section (227) and a second section (228), the first section and the second section being diametrically opposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the pillar.

8. A wall according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of distinct sections comprises a first section (327), a second section (328) and a third section (329).

9. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the sleeve is formed in one piece.

10. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the sleeve and the longitudinal surface of the pillar are bonded by a layer of glue having a thickness in a radial direction perpendicular to the thickness direction which is less than 1 mm.

11. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the fixing device comprises an external plate positioned against an external end of the sleeve and a tie rod connecting the internal plate to the external plate so that the sleeve is gripped between the internal plate and the external plate.

12. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the sleeve is fitted inside the pillar.

13. Wall according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the sleeve is fitted outside the pillar.

14. A sealed and thermally insulating tank comprising a plurality of walls according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A vessel (70) for transporting a liquefied gas, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to claim 14 disposed in the double hull.

16. A transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising a ship (70) according to claim 15 and insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the hull of the ship to a floating or land-based storage installation (77).

17. A method of loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 15, wherein a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the tank (71) of the vessel (70).

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