Modular block for tank wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular block (30) for constructing a watertight and thermally insulating tank wall, the modular block comprising: a first insulating layer of polymer foam, a second insulating layer covering a first portion of the first insulating layer, a cover plate covering the second insulating layer, a support panel covering a second portion of the first insulating layer, the support panel comprising a non-metallic central block covered with a metal plate, the metal plate being fixed against an internal surface of the central block, the support panel carrying an anchoring device (50) for a pipe (99), wherein the anchoring device comprises a metal base welded to the metal plate and a retaining element for the pipe, the base spacing the retaining element from the metal plate along the thickness direction of the modular block. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Modular block for tank wall technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks for the storage and / or transport of liquefied gas at low temperature, such as tanks for the transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at approximately -163°C at atmospheric pressure. Technological background

[0002] A watertight and thermally insulated tank with a membrane integrated into a load-bearing structure is known, having a substantially polyhedral internal surface. Such a tank comprises a plurality of walls which successively include, in a thickness direction, a secondary insulation barrier, a secondary watertight membrane, a primary insulation barrier, and a primary watertight membrane. The tank walls are designed to support various pipes. In order to support such pipes, the tank walls must have anchoring supports adapted to the pipes to be supported.

[0003] Document WO2017174938A1 discloses, for example, an anchoring device for anchoring pipes to a vertical load-bearing wall. The anchoring device comprises a base that is fixed to the load-bearing wall and extends through the thickness of the vertical waterproof and thermally insulating wall from the load-bearing wall to the primary waterproof membrane, one end of the base opposite the load-bearing wall comprising a metal plate and a guide flange associated with a pipe.

[0004] The technical difficulty in pipe anchoring supports for sealed and thermally insulated tanks lies particularly in the fact that the anchoring supports must be sufficiently strong to support the pipes without damaging the tank wall and must also minimize thermal bridges in order to preserve the thermal insulation properties of the tank. Summary of the invention

[0005] One idea underlying the invention is therefore to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0006] Another idea underlying the invention is to create a modular block comprising a robust anchoring device to preserve the thermal insulation capabilities of the modular block.

[0007] Another idea underlying the invention is to produce a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall comprising a pipe anchoring device allowing the thermal insulation capabilities of the tank wall to be preserved.

[0008] Another idea underlying the invention is to create a tank allowing a pipe extending along a ceiling wall to be anchored between the angle of the tank formed by the ceiling wall and the adjacent transverse wall and an opening made in the ceiling wall which protrudes from the primary waterproof membrane towards the outside of the tank.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a modular block for constructing a watertight and thermally insulating tank wall, the modular block comprising, along a thickness direction of the modular block: a first thermally insulating layer made of polymer foam, a second thermally insulating layer covering a first portion of the first thermally insulating layer, a cover plate covering the second thermally insulating layer, in which a support panel covers a second portion of the first thermally insulating layer, the support panel comprising a non-metallic central block covered with a metallic plate, in which the metallic plate is fixed against an internal surface of the central block, the support panel bearing an anchoring device intended to anchor a pipe to the modular block, in which the anchoring device comprises a metal base welded to the metal plate and a retaining element suitable for retaining the pipe, the base spacing the retaining element from the metal plate along the thickness direction of the modular block. Preferably, the modular block comprises a base plate, the first thermally insulating layer of polymer foam being supported by the base plate.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible to create a watertight and thermally insulating tank wall incorporating such a modular block as described above. This allows for the support of a pipe in a flat area of ​​the wall while minimizing thermal bridging.

[0011] According to embodiments, such a modular block may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0012] According to one embodiment, a secondary waterproof membrane made of composite material is located between the first thermally insulating layer and the second thermally insulating layer, such that the first thermally insulating layer forms a secondary insulating barrier element and the second thermally insulating layer forms a primary insulating barrier element, the secondary waterproof membrane covering the first thermally insulating layer.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the secondary waterproof membrane comprises a laminated waterproof film having a metallic foil sandwiched between two layers of resin-coated glass fibers.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the central block has a thickness similar to the second thermally insulating layer.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the central block has orifices that pass completely through the central block in a thickness direction of the central block, in which the metal plate is fixed against an internal surface of the central block by rods protruding from an external surface of the metal plate through the orifices of the central block and by fastening elements that hold the rods in tension in the orifices of the central block.

[0016] Thus, when mechanical forces are subjected to the anchoring device and are therefore transferred to the metal plate of the support panel, the metal plate remains firmly held by the fastening elements.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each of the openings in the central block is located near a corner of the central block. Thus, the tensile forces exerted on the metal plate are better distributed.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the central block has four orifices, each located near a corner of the central block, the metal plate having four metal rods that pass through the orifices of the central block. Thus, the tensile forces exerted on the metal plate are better distributed.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the fastening elements are bolts.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the metal plate covers the entire surface internal of the central block.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the metal plate has a central pin projecting from the external surface of the metal plate, and in which the central block has a central bore receiving the central pin.

[0022] Thus, the central pin makes it possible to hold the shear forces in order to preserve the metal rods which mainly bear the tensile forces.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the length of the central pin is less than the length of the metal rods of the metal plate.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the central pin is greater than the diameter of the metal rods.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the metal plate completely covers the central block.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the metal plate has a thickness of between 5 and 15mm, preferably between 8 and 11mm.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the central block is made of wood.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the central block is a single block.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the central block has a thickness between 75 and 90mm, preferably between 80 and 83mm.

[0030] In one embodiment, the central block has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, preferably a cube. In another embodiment, the central block has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with the four edges extending along the thickness direction beveled.

[0031] In one embodiment, the support panel comprises a rigid plate fixed to an external surface of the central block. Preferably, this rigid plate is non-metallic. In one embodiment, the rigid plate is made of plywood.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the base has a first end which is welded to the metal plate and a second end of the base located at a distance from the first end on which the retaining member is fixed.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the base includes a foot which has a cross-section in the shape of a T or an X.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the second end of the base comprises a metal plate on which the retaining member is fixed.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the retaining member is fixed to the metal plate via a screw-nut fastening system.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the retaining element comprises a clamp for tightening the pipe. According to one embodiment, the clamp is metallic.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the first portion of the first thermally insulating layer has a geometric envelope in the shape of a quadrilateral with a rectangular recess, in which the second portion corresponds to the rectangular recess.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the first portion has the shape of a rectangle.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the recess is square in shape. Thus, the The second portion has the shape of a square. According to a preferred embodiment, the recess is made at a distance from the corners of the geometric envelope.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating wall intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure for constructing a storage and / or transport tank for liquefied gas, the sealed and thermally insulating wall comprising: at least one insulating barrier including at least one of the aforementioned modular blocks, a primary metallic airtight membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the primary airtight membrane being fixed against the insulating barrier and supported by said insulating barrier, the primary waterproof membrane comprising a series of corrugations spaced apart by flat areas, the primary waterproof membrane comprising an opening in a flat area, the opening being traversed by the anchoring device, the primary waterproof membrane being hermetically welded to the metal plate of the support panel all around the opening of the primary waterproof membrane.

[0041] Thus, the watertight and thermally insulating wall can support a pipe extending along a flat section of the wall. Such a wall also provides excellent mechanical properties for supporting a pipe while minimizing thermal bridging.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the wall, the primary waterproof membrane corrugation series is a first corrugation series, the primary waterproof membrane further comprises a second series of corrugations spaced apart and parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugation series.

[0043] In one embodiment, the liquefied gas is LNG, namely a mixture with a high methane content stored at a temperature of approximately -163°C at atmospheric pressure. Other liquefied gases may also be considered, in particular ethane, propane, butane, or ethylene. Liquefied gases may also be stored under pressure, for example at a relative pressure between 2 and 20 bar, and in particular at a relative pressure close to 2 bar.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the wall comprises a plurality of the aforementioned modular blocks.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the wall, the aforementioned modular blocks are adjacent to each other.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the wall, the modular blocks are not adjacent to each other.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the wall comprises a first modular block as mentioned above and a second modular block as mentioned above, the first anchoring device of the first modular block and the second anchoring device of the second modular block being spaced at a distance of between 500 and 2000 mm, and preferably at a distance of about 1000 mm.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a ship for the transport of a liquefied gas, the ship comprising a double hull and a tank disposed in the double hull, the tank comprising at least one of the aforementioned sealed and thermally insulating walls.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the sealed and thermally insulating wall is a ceiling wall of the tank.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the ceiling wall of the tank is connected to an internal tooling space which projects from the ceiling wall towards the outside of the tank, the internal tooling space being intended to receive pipes, for example loading and unloading pipes for the tank, in which the tank further comprises a sealed and thermally insulating transverse wall which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ship, and in which the modular block is disposed between the transverse wall and the internal tooling space.

[0051] More specifically, the internal tooling space is an opening allowing communication between the internal space of the tank and a space extending to the level of the upper deck of the ship.

[0052] In one embodiment, the ceiling wall supports a first fluid spray pipe, for example, a liquefied gas pipe. In another embodiment, the ceiling wall supports a second fluid spray pipe. For this purpose, in one embodiment, a liquefied gas spray pipe is attached to the retaining device.

[0053] These fluid spray lines can, for example, allow liquid nitrogen to be injected into the tank in order to lower its temperature before injecting LNG.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the first or second pipe which is supported by the support panel has an outside diameter of approximately 60mm.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the first or second pipe which is supported by the support panel has a thickness of approximately 5mm.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising the aforementioned vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the vessel's tank to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump to drive 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.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or unloading such a vessel, in which a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipelines from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

[0058] The tank can be made according to different techniques, in particular in the form of an integrated membrane tank or a self-supporting tank.

[0059] Such a tank may be part of an onshore storage facility, for example for storing LNG, or be installed in a floating structure, coastal or deep water, in particular an LNG carrier, a floating storage unit and regasification units (FSRUs), floating production and storage units (FPSOs), and others. Such a tank can also serve as a fuel tank in any type of vessel. Brief description of the figures

[0060] 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.

[0061] Fig. 1 illustrates a partial, perspective view of a sealed and thermally insulating tank wall according to a first embodiment.

[0062] Figure 2 illustrates a partial view analogous to Figure 1 in which the membrane Primary waterproofing and part of the insulation were omitted.

[0063] Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a modular block suitable for construct the watertight and thermally insulating tank wall according to the first embodiment.

[0064] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a support panel according to a method of implementation.

[0065] Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the external surface of a plate metallic belonging to the support panel, according to the embodiment of [Fig.4],

[0066] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the anchoring device, according to the first method of implementation.

[0067] Figure 7 is a schematic view of a load-bearing structure intended to receive a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to an embodiment.

[0068] Figure 8 illustrates a view along arrow VIII of Figure 7, from inside the tank, showing a ceiling wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to an embodiment.

[0069] Figure 9 illustrates a partial perspective view from inside the tank. of an area located between an internal tooling space and a transverse wall of a sealed and thermally insulating tank, according to an embodiment.

[0070] Fig. 10 is a schematic cutaway representation of a tank of a methane tanker and a terminal for loading and unloading this tank. Description of the implementation methods

[0071] By convention, the terms "external" and "internal" are used to define the relative position of one element with respect to another, by reference to the inside and outside of the tank.

[0072] In relation to figures 1 to 6, a sealed and thermally insulating wall is described, intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure to construct a storage and / or transport tank for liquefied gas.

[0073] The sealed and thermally insulating wall 20 comprises a multilayer structure including a secondary thermally insulating barrier 31 resting against a load-bearing structure (not shown), a secondary sealed membrane 34 resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier 31, a primary thermally insulating barrier 35 resting against the secondary sealed membrane 34 and a primary sealed membrane 21 intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0074] The liquefied gas intended to be stored in the tank may in particular be a liquefied natural gas (LNG), that is to say a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of methane as well as one or more other hydrocarbons.

[0075] The primary sealing membrane is for example made of stainless steel.

[0076] The primary waterproof membrane 21 comprises a first series of corrugations featuring first undulations 24 parallel to each other and a second series of undulations 25 featuring second undulations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first undulations, the primary waterproof membrane comprising a plurality of flat zones 22 which are each defined between two adjacent first undulations 24 and between two adjacent second undulations 25.

[0077] The wall 20 comprises a plurality of modular blocks of general parallelepiped shape fixed to the load-bearing structure.

[0078] The different elements of the wall 20 will be described in more detail below.

[0079] A common modular block 91 of the wall 20 comprises, in a manner known per se as partially visible on [Fig.9], from the outside to the inside: a first thermally insulating layer 32 having for example the form of a secondary insulating panel of parallelepiped shape and forming part of the secondary thermally insulating barrier 31, a portion of secondary waterproof membrane 34 covering the secondary insulating panel 32, a second thermally insulating layer 37 having for example the form of a primary insulating panel of parallelepiped shape and forming part of the primary thermally insulating barrier 35, which rests on the portion of secondary waterproof membrane 34.

[0080] The primary insulating panel 37 further comprises metal plates 97 onto which the primary waterproof membrane 21 is welded, as well as relaxation slots 96. This primary insulating panel 37 has dimensions smaller than the dimensions of the secondary insulating panel 32 so as to leave a peripheral edge of the portion of secondary waterproof membrane 34 exposed.

[0081] To form the tank wall 20, prefabricated modular blocks are placed side by side in a regular pattern on the supporting structure. The continuity of the secondary waterproof membrane 34 is ensured by waterproof connecting strips (not shown) joining the peripheral edges of the portions of the secondary waterproof membrane 34 of the adjacent prefabricated modular blocks. In addition, intermediate insulating panels (not shown) are arranged between the primary insulating panels 37 of the modular blocks to complete the primary thermally insulating barrier 35 and form a flat support surface for the primary waterproof membrane 21.

[0082] The secondary insulating panel 32 is, for example, made of a block of polymer foam 33, for example polyurethane. Such a secondary insulating panel 32 made of a block of polymer foam 33 may further comprise a rigid base plate 36, for example made of plywood.

[0083] The primary insulating panel 37 is, for example, made of polyurethane foam blocks 38. Such a primary insulating panel 37 made of polyurethane foam blocks 38 may further comprise a rigid cover plate 39, for example made of plywood.

[0084] Furthermore, the secondary waterproof membrane portion 34 of the prefabricated blocks is preferably formed by a rigid laminated waterproof film comprising a metal foil sandwiched between two layers of resin-coated glass fibers. The waterproof bonding strip, mainly located under the insulating interlayer panels of the primary thermally insulating barrier 35, connecting the peripheral edges of the secondary waterproof membrane portions 34 of the adjacent standard modular blocks 91, is, for example, formed by a flexible laminated waterproof film comprising a metal foil sandwiched between two layers of unresin-coated glass fibers, for example, a flexible waterproof film known as Triplex®.

[0085] By way of example, such tanks formed from common modular blocks are described in patent applications WO2015197638 or FR2691520.

[0086] The modular blocks 30 are special modular blocks that allow, in particular, the anchoring of a pipeline 99, such as a liquefied gas spray pipeline as seen in [Fig. 1]. The pipeline 99 allows liquid nitrogen to be injected into the tank in order to lower its temperature before injecting LNG.

[0087] The modular blocks 30, as seen in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 3, differ from the conventional modular blocks 91 in that the primary insulating panel 37 has a rectangular recess 98 so as to leave a portion of the secondary waterproof membrane 34 exposed. The particular modular block 30 further comprises a support panel 40 which is housed in the recess 98 and which covers the portion of the secondary waterproof membrane 34.

[0088] The support panel 40 has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with beveled lateral edges.

[0089] The support panel 40 is further detailed in [Fig.4]. The support panel comprises a central block 42, preferably made of wood, which has an external surface that is fixed against a rigid plywood plate 41 and an internal surface entirely covered with a metal plate 43.

[0090] The central block 42 has four openings 49 located near the corners of the central block 42. The openings 49 pass completely through the central block 42 along the thickness direction Y of the central block 42. The metal plate 43 has four rods 44 that project from an external surface of the metal plate 43 and pass through the four openings 49 of the central block 42. The metal plate 43 is fixed to the central block 42 by means of washers 45 and bolts 46 that are mounted on each of the rods 44.

[0091] The central block 42 further includes a central bore 47 located in the center of the central block 42 receiving a central pin 48, shown in [Fig.5], which protrudes from the center of the external surface of the metal plate 43.

[0092] The bore 47 does not pass through the entire central block 42, and the central pin 48 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the rods 44. The central pin 48 allows the shear forces to be absorbed, thus limiting the shear forces experienced by the rods. Therefore, the rods 44 do not experience shear forces and instead absorb tensile forces.

[0093] The support panel 40 further carries an anchoring device 50 which allows the pipeline 99 to be anchored. The anchoring device 50 passes through the primary waterproof membrane 21 at a cutout 23 made in a flat area 22 of the primary waterproof membrane 21, as illustrated at two flat areas 22 in [Fig. 1]. The primary waterproof membrane 21 is welded tightly around this cutout 23 to the metal plate 43 in order to maintain the watertightness of the primary waterproof membrane 21.

[0094] The anchoring device 50 comprises a T- or X-shaped metal base 51, which is particularly visible in Figures 1, 2, and 6. The metal base 51 has a first end 52 welded to the metal plate 43 and a second end comprising a metal plate 53 to which a clamp 54 surrounding the pipe 99 is attached. The clamp 54 is preferably metallic and is fixed to the metal plate 53 of the metal base 51 by means of fasteners, for example, a screw-nut type.

[0095] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two support panels 40 which are included in two adjacent modular blocks 30. The two panels of Support 40 and therefore the two anchoring devices 50 are spaced approximately 1000 mm apart. This spacing allows the pipe 99, which extends through the wall over a considerable distance, to be supported. This prevents damage to the pipe, which, under the effects of gravity, the passage of fluid through it, or thermal contraction, can bend and thus be damaged.

[0096] Such a wall is intended to be contained within a sealed and thermally insulating tank.

[0097] Generally speaking, a sealed and thermally insulated tank for the storage and transport of a cryogenic fluid, for example Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), comprises a plurality of tank walls, each having a multilayer structure. Each tank wall comprises, from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier resting against a load-bearing structure, a secondary sealed membrane resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier resting against the secondary sealed membrane, and a primary sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank.

[0098] An example of a load-bearing structure suitable for receiving such a tank is shown in [Fig. 7]. A load-bearing structure 1 is shown, designed to receive the walls of a watertight and thermally insulating tank. The load-bearing structure 1 is formed by the internal hull of a ship. The load-bearing structure 1 has a generally polyhedral shape. The load-bearing structure 1 has transverse walls 2, typically forward and aft, here octagonal in shape. In [Fig. 7], the forward transverse wall 2 is only partially shown to allow visualization of an internal space 9 of the load-bearing structure 1. The transverse walls 2 are cofferdam walls of the ship and extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ship. The load-bearing structure 1 also includes an upper wall 3, a lower wall 4, and side walls 5.The upper wall 3, the lower wall 4 and the side walls 5 extend along the longitudinal direction of the ship and connect the transverse walls 2 forward and aft.

[0099] The upper wall 3 has, near the rear transverse wall 2, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space projecting upwards, called a dome 6. The dome 6 delimits an opening 7 in the upper wall 3 allowing the passage of liquid transfer lines and gas transfer lines to or from the tank when the latter is mounted in the supporting structure 1.

[0100] The load-bearing walls 2, 3, 4, 5 of the load-bearing structure have an internal surface 10 delimiting the internal space 9 in which the tank is housed. The tank comprises a plurality of tank walls, each tank wall being anchored to a respective load-bearing wall 2, 3, 4, 5 of the load-bearing structure 1.

[0101] The wall illustrated with figures 8 and 9 is a ceiling wall 120 of a sealed and thermally insulating tank installed in the load-bearing structure of [Fig.7].

[0102] The ceiling wall 120 is fixed to the upper wall 3 of the load-bearing structure illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0103] Fig. 8 illustrates a view from below, from inside the tank, of the ceiling wall 120 at the level of zone I of Fig. 7, i.e. at the level of the angle formed by the transverse wall of cofferdam 2 and the upper wall 3.

[0104] The ceiling wall 120 is connected to an internal tooling space 107 which projects from the primary sealing membrane 121 towards the outside of the tank, into the dome 6. The perimeter of the internal tooling space 107 is delimited by metal angle pieces 92.

[0105] The internal tooling space 107 is spaced from the cofferdam angle of the tank. The cofferdam angle here refers to the injunction between a sealed and thermally insulating transverse wall of the tank, which is fixed to the transverse wall 2, and the ceiling wall 120, which is fixed to the upper wall 3. The spacing between the cofferdam angle and the internal tooling space 107 is at least two modular blocks.

[0106] The ceiling wall 120 comprises two special modular blocks 30 with two support panels 40 spaced apart and each located between the cofferdam corner and the internal tooling space 107. The special modular blocks 30 each support a spray pipe 99. The two spray pipes 99 extend around the perimeter of the ceiling wall, up to the internal tooling space 107. More specifically, each of the spray pipes 99 comprises: a lengthwise portion that runs along the ceiling wall 120 near the corner formed by the upper wall 3 and a side wall 5, a widthwise portion that runs along the cofferdam corner and a depthwise portion that extends to the internal tooling space 107.Such an arrangement is advantageous when the construction of the load-bearing structure 1 and the sealed and thermally insulating tank is such that the dome 6 is offset from the transverse wall 2 and the internal tooling space 107 is therefore away from the cofferdam angle.

[0107] Fig.9 illustrates in more detail a zone IX of Fig.8, at the cofferdam angle formed by the sealed and thermally insulating transverse wall 95 which is fixed to the cofferdam transverse wall 2 and the ceiling wall 120.

[0108] It is illustrated more precisely with [Fig.9] only one of the two particular modular blocks 30 of [Fig.8] and therefore only one support panel 40.

[0109] Figure 9 illustrates one of the two pipes 99. The width portion is fixed to metal angle pieces 93 via anchoring devices 94. The portion of The depth is fixed via an anchoring device 50 carried by a support panel 40 which is located between the cofferdam corner and the internal tooling space 107 in order to support the pipeline 99. The portion of depth also runs along the contour of the internal tooling space 107 and is fixed at said contour on metal corner pieces 92, via anchoring devices 94. The distance between the anchoring device 50 of the support panel 40 and the anchoring device 94, adjacent to the anchoring device 50 and carried by the metal corner piece 92, is approximately 1.7 m.

[0110] The metal corner pieces 93 and 92 are solid metal structures which are directly connected to the load-bearing wall.

[0111] According to another embodiment, the tank wall comprises a secondary metallic membrane, as illustrated for example in patent document WO2019234360A2. In this case, the anchoring device can be supported in the same way by a primary insulating panel.

[0112] Fig. 10 illustrates a vessel comprising a tank for the construction of which at least one particular modular block or wall mentioned above can be used, for example the watertight and thermally insulating wall 20 or 120. The watertight and thermally insulating wall 20 or 120 comprises at least one modular block 30 equipped with at least one support panel 40 intended to locally support a portion of piping.

[0113] With reference to [Fig. 10], a cutaway view of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier 70 shows a sealed and thermally 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 sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealed membrane arranged between the primary sealed membrane and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two thermally insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealed membrane and the secondary sealed membrane and between the secondary sealed membrane and the double hull 72.

[0114] In a manner known per se, loading / unloading pipelines 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of suitable connectors, to a marine or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG from or to the tank 71.

[0115] Figure 10 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 that supports the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to the loading / unloading pipelines 73. The movable arm 74 is steerable. It adapts to all LNG carrier sizes. A connecting pipeline (not shown) extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading berth 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG carrier 70 to and from 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 berth 75. The subsea pipeline 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading berth 75 and the onshore facility 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG carrier 70 a considerable distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Demands

1. Modular block for constructing a watertight and thermally insulating tank wall, the modular block (30) comprising, along a thickness direction of the modular block: a first thermally insulating layer (33) of polymer foam, a second thermally insulating layer (38) covering a first portion of the first thermally insulating layer, a cover plate (39) covering the second thermally insulating layer, in which a support panel (40) covers a second portion (98) of the first thermally insulating layer, the support panel comprising a non-metallic central block (42) covered with a metal plate (43), in which the metal plate is fixed against an internal surface of the central block, the support panel carrying an anchoring device (50) for anchoring a pipe (99) to the modular block,in which the anchoring device comprises a metal base (51) welded to the metal plate and a retaining element (54) capable of retaining the pipeline, the base spacing the retaining element from the metal plate along the thickness direction of the modular block.

2. Modular block according to claim 1, wherein a secondary waterproof membrane (34) of composite material is located between the first thermally insulating layer and the second thermally insulating layer, such that the first thermally insulating layer forms a secondary insulating barrier element (31) and the second thermally insulating layer forms a primary insulating barrier element (35), the secondary waterproof membrane covering the first thermally insulating layer.

3. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the central block has orifices (49) passing completely through the central block in a thickness direction (Y) of the central block, wherein the metal plate is fixed against an internal surface of the central block by rods (44) projecting from an external surface of the metal plate and passing through the orifices of the central block and by fastening elements (45, 46) which hold the rods in tension in the orifices of the central block.

4. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal plate covers the entire internal surface of the central block.

5. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the metal plate has a central pin (48) projecting from the external surface of the metal plate, and wherein the central block has a central bore (47) receiving the central pin.

6. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the central block is made of wood.

7. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base comprises a foot which has a cross-section having the shape of a T or an X.

8. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retaining member comprises a clamping collar for tightening the pipe.

9. Modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first portion of the first thermally insulating layer has a geometric envelope in the shape of a quadrilateral having a rectangular recess, wherein the second portion corresponds to the rectangular recess.

10. A sealed and thermally insulating wall intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure for constructing a liquefied gas storage and / or transport tank, the sealed and thermally insulating wall (20, 120) comprising: at least one insulating barrier (31, 35) including at least one modular block according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a primary metallic sealed membrane (21) intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the primary sealed membrane being fixed against the insulating barrier and supported by said insulating barrier, the primary sealed membrane comprising a series of corrugations spaced from each other by flat areas (22), the primary sealed membrane comprising an opening (23) at the level of a flat area, the opening being traversed by the anchoring device, the primary sealed membrane being hermetically welded to the metal plate of the support panel all around the opening of the primary sealed membrane.

11. Vessel (70) for the transport of a liquefied gas, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) disposed in the double hull, the tank comprising at least one watertight and thermally insulating wall according to claim 10.

12. Vessel according to claim 11, wherein the watertight and thermally insulating wall is a ceiling wall of the tank.

13. Vessel according to claim 12, wherein the ceiling wall of the tank is connected to an internal tooling space projecting from the ceiling wall outwards from the tank, the internal tooling space being intended to receive pipes, wherein the tank further comprises a watertight and thermally insulating transverse wall which is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, and wherein the modular block is disposed between the transverse wall and the internal tooling space.

14. Vessel according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a liquefied gas spray pipeline attached to the retaining device.

15. Transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, 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 driving a flow of liquefied gas through the insulated pipelines from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

16. A method of loading or unloading a ship (70) according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein a liquefied gas is conveyed through insulated pipelines (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the tank (71) of the ship (70).

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