Watertight and thermally insulating tank wall

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall (1) comprising: an insulating barrier including an anchoring strip (2), a waterproof membrane (3) located against the insulating barrier, the waterproof membrane comprising parallel corrugations spaced by flat areas, the waterproof membrane comprising a first and a second metal sheet adjacent at the level of a junction area (II), the waterproof membrane being fixed to the anchoring strip at the level of the junction area, the wall comprising a coupler (6) having a plate (61) welded on the junction area, a stud projecting from an inner face of the plate and a support plate mounted on the stud, the wall further comprising a primary insulating barrier positioned against the waterproof membrane, the primary insulating barrier comprising primary insulating panels retained against the waterproof membrane by the support plate, the wall comprising a primary waterproof membrane located against the primary insulating barrier.Figure for the abridged version: 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Wall for a watertight and thermally insulating tank. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated tanks. In particular, the invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulated 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 prior art, sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing a liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), are known.

[0003] However, the fact that the tank is configured to store LNG does not automatically make the tank suitable for storing other colder liquefied gases, such as liquid hydrogen.

[0004] Indeed, liquid hydrogen generates mechanical, chemical and thermodynamic stresses on the tank which are different from those exerted by LNG.

[0005] Thus, filling a tank initially intended to store LNG with LH2 would damage the tank. Summary of the invention

[0006] The inventors have found an advantage in reusing a tank initially intended to store LNG to make it suitable for storing other colder liquefied gases, such as liquid hydrogen.

[0007] One idea underlying the invention is to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0008] One idea underlying the invention is to provide a watertight tank wall and thermally insulating.

[0009] Another idea underlying the invention is to provide a method for modifying a tank wall, preferably terrestrial, initially intended to be in contact with a first liquefied gas to obtain a tank wall intended to be in contact with a second liquefied gas which is colder than the first liquefied gas at atmospheric pressure.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the invention 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 wall comprising, along the thickness direction of the wall: a thermally insulating barrier comprising an internal metallic anchoring strip, a sealed membrane located against the thermally insulating barrier, the sealed membrane comprising parallel corrugations spaced by flat areas, the waterproof membrane comprising a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet, the second metal sheet being adjacent to the first metal sheet at a junction area, the waterproof membrane being fixed to the internal metal anchoring strip at the junction area, the wall further comprising a primary coupler including an external metal plate welded to the junction area, a stud projecting from an internal face of the metal plate in the thickness direction of the wall and a bearing plate mounted on the stud, in which the wall further comprises a primary thermally insulating barrier positioned against the waterproof membrane, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprising primary thermally insulating panels retained against the waterproof membrane by the support plate, the wall comprising a primary waterproof membrane located against the primary thermally insulating barrier.

[0011] Thanks to these features, it is possible to fix primary thermally insulating panels against the waterproof membrane at a junction area. Indeed, the external metal plate provides, on the one hand, a flat surface at the junction area and, on the other hand, a sufficient surface area for welding the stud and installing the support plate to allow the primary thermally insulating panels to be fixed.

[0012] According to embodiments, such a wall may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating panels comprise a layer of polymer foam sandwiched between an external rigid plate and an internal rigid plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the external rigid plate is made of plywood.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the internal rigid plate is made of plywood.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the polymer foam layer is a foam block polyurethane, preferably reinforced with fibers.

[0017] According to one embodiment, at least one said primary thermally insulating panel has, in an area adjacent to the primary coupler, a well formed through the polymer foam layer and the internal rigid plate to expose a bearing portion of the external rigid plate, and in which the bearing plate is in contact with the bearing portion of the external rigid plate.

[0018] According to one embodiment, at least two primary thermally insulating panels having a general rectangular parallelepiped shape have a respective corner adjacent to the primary coupler, each of said at least two primary thermally insulating panels having said well in a corner area adjacent to the primary coupler and in which the bearing plate is engaged with the bearing portion of the external rigid plate of each of said at least two primary thermally insulating panels.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the wall further comprises a plug filling a space formed between the primary thermally insulating panels at the primary coupler, the plug comprising an internal cover plate intended to form a flat surface with the internal rigid plates of the primary thermally insulating panels.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the plug fills the well made through the polymer foam layer and the internal rigid plate.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cap comprises a main body made of thermally insulating material, for example polyurethane foam, preferably reinforced with fibers.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the main body of the cap has an external end in contact with the support plate and an internal end in contact with the internal cover plate.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the main body of the cap has a similar thickness, along the thickness direction of the wall, to the thickness of the polymer foam layer.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the main body of the cap has a general parallelepiped shape, for example the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, for example a cubic shape, possibly with rounded edges.

[0025] In one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating panels each include a counterbore at an edge of the internal rigid plate adjacent to the primary coupler. In another embodiment, the internal cover plate rests on the counterbores of the primary thermally insulating panels to form a flat surface with the internal rigid plates of the primary thermally insulating panels.

[0026] Thus, the support for the primary sealing membrane is continuous, which gives the wall greater strength and longevity when it is part of a tank intended for storing and / or transporting liquefied gas. Indeed, the walls of a tank are subjected to compressive forces due to the tank's loading, to thermal stresses during cooling, and to forces due to the dynamic shocks of the fluid contained within the tank.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the internal cover plate is fixed against the counterbores, preferably by a screw, a staple or glue.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating panels have a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating panels each include a counterbore at a corner of the internal rigid plate, adjacent to the primary coupler.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the inner cover plate has a thickness less than the thickness of the inner rigid plate.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the internal cover plate has a general rectangular shape, for example the shape of a square, possibly with rounded edges.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the internal cover plate comprises an internal metal sheet, the primary waterproof membrane being welded to the internal metal sheet.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the internal metal sheet has a general rectangular shape, for example the shape of a square, possibly with rounded edges.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the support plate has an opening through which the stud passes.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the support plate is metallic.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the support plate has a smaller surface area than the surface of the internal cover plate of the cap.

[0037] In one embodiment, a fastener secures the support plate by exerting a compressive force in the direction of the external metal plate. In one embodiment, the fastener is a nut mounted on the stud, above the support plate.

[0038] Thus, the support plate supports and holds the primary thermally insulating panels securely against the waterproof membrane.

[0039] According to one embodiment, at least one of the primary thermally insulating panels is located on two adjacent flat areas separated by a corrugation and passes over the corrugation, said primary thermally insulating panel having an external groove providing a space for the corrugation.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the external groove has a cross-section that matches a cross-section of the corrugation.

[0041] Thus, the wall has better thermal insulation by limiting the phenomena of thermal convection between the corrugation and the external groove following the shape of the corrugation.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the external groove extends through the external rigid plate and through a portion of the thickness of the polymer foam layer.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating panels adjacent to the primary coupler are each located on two adjacent flat areas separated by a corrugation and pass over the corrugation, said primary thermally insulating panels each having an external groove conforming to the shape of the corrugation.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises parallel corrugations separated by flat areas. According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises a first primary metal sheet and a second primary metal sheet, the second primary metal sheet being adjacent to the first primary metal sheet at a primary junction zone, the junction zone and the primary junction zone being located opposite each other, the primary waterproof membrane being welded to the inner metal sheet at the primary junction zone.

[0045] Thanks to these characteristics, it is possible both to fix primary thermally insulating panels against the waterproof membrane at a junction zone and to fix the primary waterproof membrane at a primary junction zone located opposite the junction zone.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the second primary metal sheet is welded to the first primary metal sheet by overlapping an edge of the first primary metal sheet with an edge of the second primary metal sheet.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises a third primary metal sheet adjacent to the first primary metal sheet and the second primary metal sheet at the primary junction zone.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the primary waterproof membrane comprises a fourth primary metal sheet adjacent to the first primary metal sheet, the second primary metal sheet and the third primary metal sheet at the primary junction zone.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the primary junction zone is formed by the junction of a first corner zone of the first primary metal sheet, a second corner zone of the second primary metal sheet, a third corner zone of the third primary metal sheet and a fourth corner zone of the fourth primary metal sheet.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the parallel undulations of the primary waterproof membrane are first parallel undulations, the primary waterproof membrane further comprising second undulations spaced apart and parallel to each other, the second undulations being perpendicular to the first parallel undulations, the flat areas being located between two adjacent first undulations and two adjacent second undulations.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the first corrugations of the primary sealing membrane are intended to be directed towards the interior of the tank. According to another embodiment, the second corrugations of the primary sealing membrane are intended to be directed towards the interior of the tank.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the second metal sheet is welded to the first metal sheet by overlapping an edge of the first metal sheet with an edge of the second metal sheet.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the waterproof membrane comprises a third metal sheet adjacent to the first metal sheet and the second metal sheet at the junction area.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the waterproof membrane comprises a fourth metal sheet adjacent to the first metal sheet, the second metal sheet and the third metal sheet at the junction area.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the junction zone is formed by the junction of a first corner zone of the first metal sheet, a second corner zone of the second metal sheet and the third metal sheet.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the junction zone is formed by the junction of a first corner zone of the first metal sheet, a second corner zone of the second metal sheet, a third corner zone of the third metal sheet and a fourth corner zone of the fourth metal sheet.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the parallel undulations of the waterproof membrane are first parallel undulations, the waterproof membrane further comprising second undulations spaced apart and parallel to each other, the second undulations being perpendicular to the first parallel undulations, the flat areas being located between two adjacent first undulations and two adjacent second undulations.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the first corrugations of the sealing membrane are intended to be directed towards the interior of the tank. According to another embodiment, the second corrugations of the sealing membrane are intended to be directed towards the interior of the tank.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the first metal sheet is located opposite the first primary metal sheet.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the second metal sheet is located opposite the second primary metal sheet.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the third metal sheet is located opposite the third primary metal sheet.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the fourth metal sheet is located opposite the fourth primary metal sheet.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first metal sheet has dimensions similar to the first primary metal sheet.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the second metal sheet has dimensions similar to the second primary metal sheet.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the third metal sheet has dimensions similar to the primary third metal sheet.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the fourth metal sheet has dimensions similar to the fourth primary metal sheet.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the first, second, third and / or fourth metal sheets have similar dimensions.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the first, second, third and / or fourth metal sheets have similar dimensions to the first, second, third and / or fourth primary metal sheets.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the external metal plate covers a portion of the first corner zone of the first metal sheet, a portion of the second corner zone of the second metal sheet, a portion of the third corner zone of the third metal sheet and a portion of the fourth corner zone of the fourth metal sheet.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the external metal plate has a general rectangular shape, for example the shape of a square, possibly with rounded edges.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the external metal plate has a thickness that is less, in the thickness direction of the wall, than the thickness of the external rigid plate.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the external metal plate is located at a distance from the undulations of the waterproof membrane.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the junction zone is located at a distance from the undulations of the waterproof membrane.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the stud has a thread.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the stud is metallic.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating panels The panels are separated from each other by inter-panel gaps. In one embodiment, the inter-panel gaps are filled with thermally insulating joints, for example, made from glass wool. In one embodiment, the thermally insulating joints are in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped with dimensions adapted to fill the inter-panel gaps.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises internal thermal protection strips located between the thermally insulated panels primary insulation and primary waterproof membrane to protect the primary thermally insulating panels from a significant temperature increase during the installation of the primary waterproof membrane, by welding primary metal sheet.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises four primary thermally insulating panels.

[0079] According to one embodiment, a first primary thermally insulating panel is held against the first metal sheet of the waterproof membrane by the support plate, a second primary thermally insulating panel is held against the second metal sheet of the waterproof membrane by the support plate, a third primary thermally insulating panel is held against the third metal sheet of the waterproof membrane by the support plate, and a fourth primary thermally insulating panel is held against the third metal sheet of the waterproof membrane by the support plate.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the four primary thermally insulating panels are each held at a corner by the support plate.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the wall comprises a plurality of the aforementioned primary couplers.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the plurality of the aforementioned primary couplers are located at the corners of the primary thermally insulating panels.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the thermally insulating barrier is an intermediate thermally insulating barrier, the waterproof membrane is an intermediate waterproof membrane, the wall further comprising a secondary waterproof membrane intended to be disposed between the intermediate waterproof membrane and the load-bearing structure and a secondary thermally insulating barrier intended to be disposed between the secondary waterproof membrane and the load-bearing structure.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the liquefied gas is liquid hydrogen.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a manufacturing method of the aforementioned airtight and thermally insulating wall, the process comprising: - providing an airtight and thermally insulating wall comprising, depending on the thickness direction of the wall: a thermally insulating barrier comprising an internal metal anchoring strip, a waterproof membrane situated against the thermally insulating barrier, the waterproof membrane comprising parallel corrugations spaced by flat areas, the waterproof membrane comprising a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet, the second metal sheet being adjacent to the first metal sheeting at a joint area, the waterproof membrane being fixed to the internal metal anchoring strip at the joint area, - fix a primary coupler comprising an external metal plate, a stud and a support plate by welding the external metal plate to the junction area and welding the stud so that the stud protrudes from an internal face of the metal plate in the direction of the wall thickness, - add a primary thermally insulating barrier against the waterproof membrane, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprising primary thermally insulating panels, - Mount and secure the support plate onto the stud to hold the primary thermally insulating panels against the waterproof membrane, - add and fix a primary waterproof membrane against the primary thermally insulating barrier.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the method comprises, before the step of adding and fixing the primary waterproof membrane against the primary thermally insulating barrier: -insert thermally insulating joints in the spaces between adjacent primary thermally insulating panels.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the method comprises, before the step of adding and fixing the primary waterproof membrane against the primary thermally insulating barrier: - insert a plug to fill a gap formed between the primary thermally insulating panels at the primary coupler.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the method comprises, after the step of inserting the plug and before the step of adding and fixing the primary waterproof membrane against the primary thermally insulating barrier: - Add and fix internal thermal protection strips on adjacent primary thermally insulating panels.

[0090] According to one embodiment of the process, the primary sealing membrane is welded onto the cap.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure, the tank comprising at least one wall as mentioned above.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the tank comprises a plurality of walls including a bottom wall, a side wall and a ceiling wall, in which the bottom wall and the side wall are a wall according to the wall as described above

[0093] According to one embodiment, such a tank may be part of a land-based storage facility or be installed in a floating structure, whether coastal or deep-water, in particular a liquid hydrogen transport vessel, i.e., a hydrogenerator, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), a floating production and remote storage unit (FPSO), and others. Such a tank may also serve as a fuel tank in any type of vessel.

[0094] According to one embodiment, a ship for the transport of a liquefied gas comprises a double hull and the aforementioned tank disposed in the double hull.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising the aforementioned vessel and insulated pipelines arranged to connect the vessel's tank to a floating or land-based storage facility.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the transfer system also includes a pump for driving a flow of liquefied gas through insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the ship's tank.

[0097] 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. Brief description of the figures

[0098] 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.

[0099] Fig. 1 represents a partial, perspective view of a wall according to a first embodiment.

[0100] Fig. 2 represents a partial top view of a waterproof membrane according to the first embodiment.

[0101] Fig. 3 represents a partial top view of a waterproof membrane according to a second embodiment.

[0102] Fig. 4 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the external metal plate is highlighted.

[0103] Fig. 5 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the dowel is highlighted.

[0104] Fig. 6 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the primary thermally insulating panels are highlighted.

[0105] Fig. 7 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, of which the support plate is highlighted.

[0106] Fig. 8 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the fixing element is highlighted.

[0107] Fig. 9 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the thermally insulating joints are highlighted.

[0108] Fig. 10 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the plug is highlighted.

[0109] Fig. 11 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the internal thermal protection strips are highlighted.

[0110] Fig. 12 represents a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a wall according to the first embodiment, in which the primary metal sheets of the primary waterproof membrane are highlighted.

[0111] Fig. 13 represents a perspective view of a primary thermally insulating panel, according to the first embodiment.

[0112] Fig. 14 represents a perspective view of a primary metal sheet of primary waterproof membrane, according to the first embodiment.

[0113] Fig. 15 represents a partial, perspective view of a wall according to the first embodiment.

[0114] The [Fig. 16] is a schematic cutaway representation of a ship's tank and a terminal for loading and unloading this tank. Description of the implementation methods

[0115] 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.

[0116] In relation to Figures 1 to 15, a wall 1 is illustrated which is sealed and thermally insulating. The wall 1 is intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure to construct a storage and / or transport tank for liquefied gas, such as liquid hydrogen.

[0117] The wall 1 is a multilayer structure comprising, along a thickness direction of the wall 1, a thermally insulating barrier comprising a metallic anchoring strip 2 on which is welded a waterproof membrane 3, a primary thermally insulating barrier 4 and a primary waterproof membrane 5.

[0118] The primary thermally insulating barrier 4 comprises primary thermally insulating panels 41 held against the waterproof membrane 3 by a primary coupler 6 and further includes thermally insulating joints 49 located in the spaces between two adjacent primary thermally insulating panels 41.

[0119] The primary thermally insulating panels 41 comprise a layer of polymer foam 42 sandwiched between an external rigid plate 43 and an internal rigid plate 44. The external rigid plate 43 and the internal rigid plate 42 are, for example, made of plywood.

[0120] The different elements of wall 1 will be described in more detail below.

[0121] The metallic waterproof membrane 3 has first corrugations 38 parallel to each other and second corrugations 39 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations 38. The first corrugations 38 are higher than the second corrugations 39. Flat areas 37 are located between two adjacent first corrugations 38 and two adjacent second corrugations 39. The primary thermally insulating panels 41 have grooves 46 machined on their outer face to receive and conform to the shape of the first and second corrugations 38, 39.

[0122] The metallic waterproof membrane 3 is formed by an assembly of a plurality of metal sheets 31, 32, 33, 34 welded together in a watertight manner by overlapping. For example, the second and third adjacent metal sheets 32, 33 are welded by overlapping one edge of the first adjacent metal sheet 31. The fourth metal sheet 34 is welded to the second and third adjacent metal sheets 32, 33 by overlapping one edge of the second and third metal sheets 32, 33.

[0123] Depending on variants, different overlap configurations can be envisaged.

[0124] The metallic waterproof membrane 3 is further welded onto anchor strips 2 positioned on an internal face of thermally insulating panels of the thermally insulating barrier.

[0125] As illustrated in particular in Figures 2 and 4, a junction zone II is formed by the junction of a first corner zone of the first metal sheet 31, a second corner zone of the second metal sheet 32, a third corner zone of the third metal sheet 33 and a fourth corner zone of the fourth metal sheet 34. The corner zones are machined and arranged overlapping one another, so as to leave a portion of the anchoring strip 2 accessible for the attachment of the primary coupler 6. The junction zone II is positioned at a distance from the first and second corrugations 38, 39, at the level of a flat area 37 of the intermediate metal sealing membrane 3.

[0126] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], a junction zone III can be formed by joining a first corner zone of the first sheet metal 131, a second corner area of ​​the second metal sheet 132 and a machined edge of the third metal sheet 133 so as to leave a portion of the anchor strip 2 accessible for the attachment of the primary coupler 6.

[0127] As illustrated in particular in figures 1 and 6 to 12, the primary coupler 6 is located between four primary thermally insulating panels 41 and allows the anchoring of the four primary thermally insulating panels 41.

[0128] The primary coupler 6 comprises an external metal plate 61 of rectangular shape with rounded edges which is welded against the junction area II, on the portion of the anchoring strip 2.

[0129] As illustrated in Figures 5 to 10, the primary coupler 6 comprises a threaded stud 62 having an external end which is welded against an internal face of the external metal plate 61 so that the threaded stud 62 protrudes towards the primary sealing membrane 5. The threaded stud 62 is preferably centered on the external metal plate 61 and located opposite the portion of the anchoring strip 2.

[0130] As illustrated in figures 7 to 10, the primary coupler 6 comprises a support plate 63 preferably metallic having a through orifice 64 mounted on the threaded stud 62.

[0131] The corners of the primary thermally insulating panels 41 each have a machined portion 45 so as to form a well allowing the insertion of the support plate 63 against a corner portion of the external rigid plates 43.

[0132] In practice, the support plate 63 is positioned over the outer metal plate 61 and sandwiches a corner portion of each of the outer rigid plates 43 of the four primary thermally insulating panels 41 located around the primary coupler 6. The support plate 63 is fixed against the corner portions of the outer rigid plates 43 by a fastener 65, for example via a nut mounted on the thread of the threaded stud 62 and tightened against the support plate 63. Optionally, a Belleville washer 66 is located between the fastener 65 and the support plate 63.

[0133] A plug 7 is positioned over the primary coupler 6. The plug 7 comprises a main body 91 having the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped filling the space formed between the primary thermally insulating panels 41 at the level of the primary coupler 6. The main body has a thickness of approximately the thickness of the polymer foam layer 42.

[0134] The cap 7 further comprises an internal cover plate 92 located at an internal end of the main body 91. The internal cover plate 92 is made of rigid material such as plywood and comprises a rectangular metal sheet 93 onto which the primary sealing membrane 5 is welded.

[0135] The internal cover plate 92 has a portion positioned in counterbores 47 formed at the corners in the internal rigid plates 44. The internal cover plate 92 forms a flat surface with the four internal rigid plates 44 of the adjacent primary thermally insulating panels 41 in order to provide support for the primary waterproof membrane 5.

[0136] Internal thermal protection strips are located between the primary thermally insulating barrier 4 and the primary waterproof membrane 5 in order to protect the primary thermally insulating barrier 4 from significant temperature increases when the primary waterproof membrane 5 is installed by welding onto the primary thermally insulating barrier 4.

[0137] Indeed, the primary waterproof membrane 5 is formed by an assembly of primary metal sheets 51, 52, 53, 54 welded together in a watertight manner by overlapping. For example, the second and third adjacent primary metal sheets 52, 53 are welded by overlapping an edge of the first adjacent primary metal sheet 51. The fourth primary metal sheet 54 is welded to the second and third adjacent primary metal sheets 52, 53 by overlapping an edge of the second and third primary metal sheets 52, 53.

[0138] Depending on variants, different overlap configurations can be envisaged.

[0139] Similar to the metallic waterproof membrane 3, the primary metallic waterproof membrane 5 has first corrugations 58 parallel to each other and second corrugations 59 parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations 58. The first corrugations 58 are higher than the second corrugations 59. Plane areas 57 are located between two adjacent first corrugations 58 and two adjacent second corrugations 59.

[0140] The primary metal sheets 51, 52, 53, 54 of the primary waterproof membrane 5 are welded to the rectangular metal sheet 93 at a primary junction zone IV, in particular illustrated in [Fig. 12].

[0141] The primary junction zone IV is formed by welding a first corner zone of the first primary metal sheet 51, a second corner zone of the second primary metal sheet 52, a third corner zone of the third primary metal sheet 53 and a fourth corner zone of the fourth primary metal sheet 54, onto the rectangular metal sheet 93.

[0142] The primary metal sheets 51, 52, 53, 54 are located opposite the metal sheets 31, 32, 33, 34 of the waterproof membrane 3. In other words, the first corrugations 58 are located opposite the first corrugations 38, the second corrugations 59 are located opposite the second corrugations 39 and the flat areas 57 are located opposite the flat areas 37.

[0143] Figures 1 to 12 illustrate portions of corners of the primary thermally insulating panels 4, metal sheets 31, 32, 33, 34 and primary metal sheets 51, 52, 53, 54.

[0144] In relation to [Fig. 13], the overall structure of a primary thermally insulating panel 4 is illustrated. In particular, it is illustrated that the corner portion described previously is repeated at the four corners of the primary thermally insulating panel 4 in order to allow the primary thermally insulating panel 4 to be fixed by a primary coupler 6 and the plug 7 to be installed as described previously, at each corner of the primary thermally insulating panel 4.

[0145] This configuration allows the primary thermally insulating panels 4 to be juxtaposed in a regular pattern to assemble the wall 1, as illustrated in particular in [Fig. 15]. The primary thermally insulating panels 4 further include anchoring plates 48 onto which the primary waterproof membrane 5 can be welded via spot welds 55.

[0146] In relation to [Fig. 14], the overall structure of the primary metal sheet 51 is illustrated. The primary metal sheets 52, 53, 54 and possibly the metal sheets 31, 32, 33, 34 may have the same characteristics.

[0147] In relation to [Fig. 15], the wall 1 is illustrated in which the primary thermally insulating panels 4 have dimensions adapted to individually cover a metal sheet 31, 32, 33, 34. Primary couplers 6 and plugs 7 as described previously are positioned at each of the corners of the primary thermally insulating panels 4 and at each junction area of ​​four metal sheets, several of which metal sheets have been intentionally omitted on [Fig. 15].

[0148] In addition and by way of example, the thermally insulating barrier (not shown) can be a watertight and thermally insulating barrier comprising a plurality of modular blocks (not shown) of generally parallelepiped shape.

[0149] A modular wall block comprises, from the outside to the inside of the installation: a first thermally insulating layer having for example the form of a secondary insulating panel of parallelepiped shape and forming part of a secondary thermally insulating barrier, a portion of secondary waterproof membrane covering the secondary insulating panel, a second intermediate thermally insulating layer having for example the form of a parallelepiped-shaped insulating panel which rests on the portion of secondary waterproof membrane.

[0150] The intermediate insulating panel further comprises metal anchoring strips 2 onto which the metal waterproof membrane 3 is welded, as well as relaxation slots (not shown). This intermediate insulation panel has smaller dimensions than the secondary insulation panel so as to leave a peripheral edge of the intermediate waterproof membrane portion exposed.

[0151] To form the wall, the modular blocks are placed side by side in a regular pattern. The continuity of the secondary waterproof membrane is ensured by waterproof connecting strips (not shown) linking the peripheral edges of the secondary waterproof membrane sections of adjacent modular blocks. In addition, intermediate insulating panels (not shown) are arranged between the intermediate insulating panels of the modular blocks to complete the intermediate thermal insulation barrier and form a flat support surface for the metallic waterproof membrane 3.

[0152] The secondary insulating panel is, for example, made from a single block of polymer foam, for example polyurethane. The intermediate insulating panel is, for example, made from a single block of polymer foam, for example polyurethane.

[0153] By way of example, modular blocks adapted for the present invention are described for example in patent application WO2015197638 under the name "prefabricated panels" or in patent application FR2691520 under the name "prefabricated structure".

[0154] As an alternative, such a wall 1 can in particular be made from a pre-existing wall initially intended for storing LNG. Such a wall initially comprises a thermally insulating barrier as mentioned above, with an anchoring strip 2 and a waterproof membrane such as the waterproof membrane 3, but does not include the elements located above this waterproof membrane, i.e., it does not include the aforementioned primary coupler 6, the plug 7, the primary thermally insulating panels 4 and the primary waterproof membrane 5.

[0155] In this case, the manufacturing process for wall 1 can follow the steps illustrated in Figures 4 to 12, that is: - add the external metal plate 61 of the primary coupler 6 at the junction area II, as illustrated in [Fig.4], - weld stud 62, as illustrated in [Fig.5], - add the primary thermally insulating panels 4, as illustrated in [Fig.6], - fix the primary thermally insulating panels 4 by adding the support plate 63, as illustrated in [Fig.7], - tighten and fix the support plate 63 against the external rigid plates 43 of the primary thermally insulating panels 4 via a fixing element 65, as illustrated in [Fig.8], - optionally, add the thermally insulating joints 49, as illustrated in [Fig.9], - insert the plug 7 to fill a space formed between the primary thermally insulating panels 4 at the primary coupler 6, as illustrated in [Fig. 10], - optionally, add the internal thermal protection strips 8, as illustrated in [Fig. 1 1], - add and fix the primary waterproof membrane 5 against the primary thermally insulating panels 4, at the primary junction zone IV, as illustrated in [Fig. 12], in order to obtain wall 1.

[0156] With reference to [Fig. 16], a cutaway view of a vessel 70 shows a sealed and thermally insulating tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the vessel. The wall of the tank 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 vessel, 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.

[0157] 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 liquefied gas from or to the tank 71.

[0158] Figure 16 also shows an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading berth 75, a subsea pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading berth 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 steerable movable arm 74 is suitable for all hydrogenerator sizes. An unshown connecting pipeline extends inside tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the hydrogenerator 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 installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which allows for . keep the hydrogenerator vessel 70 a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0159] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, one can either use pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the land installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 or allow a rise in pressure in the internal space of the tank under the effect of the evaporation of the liquefied gas stored in the tank.

[0160] 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.

[0161] The use of the verb "comporter" or "comprendre" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0162] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

Demands

1. A watertight and thermally insulating wall (1) intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure for constructing a liquefied gas storage and / or transport tank, the wall (1) comprising, along the thickness direction of the wall: a thermally insulating barrier comprising an internal metal anchoring strip (2), a watertight membrane (3) situated against the thermally insulating barrier, the watertight membrane comprising parallel corrugations (38, 39) spaced by flat areas (37), the watertight membrane comprising a first metal sheet (31, 131) and a second metal sheet (32, 132), the second metal sheet being adjacent to the first metal sheet at a junction zone (II, III), the watertight membrane being fixed to the internal metal anchoring strip at the junction zone, the wall further comprising a primary coupler (6) comprising an external metal plate (61) welded to the junction zone,a stud (62) projecting from an inner face of the outer metal plate in the thickness direction of the wall and a support plate (63) mounted on the stud, wherein the wall further comprises a primary thermally insulating barrier (4) positioned against the waterproof membrane, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprising primary thermally insulating panels (41) retained against the waterproof membrane by the support plate, the wall comprising a primary waterproof membrane (5) situated against the primary thermally insulating barrier.

2. Wall according to claim 1, wherein the primary thermally insulating panels comprise a layer of polymer foam (42) sandwiched between an external rigid plate (43) and an internal rigid plate (44), wherein at least one of said primary thermally insulating panels has, in an area adjacent to the primary coupler (6), a well formed through the layer of polymer foam (42) and the internal rigid plate (44) to expose a bearing portion of the external rigid plate (43), and wherein the bearing plate (63) is in contact with the bearing portion of the external rigid plate (43).

3. Wall according to claim 2, the wall further comprising a plug (7) filling a space formed between the primary thermally insulating panels at the primary coupler, the plug comprising an internal cover plate (92) intended to form a flat surface with the internal rigid plates of the primary thermally insulating panels.

4. Wall according to claim 3, wherein the primary thermally insulating panels each comprise a counterbore (47) at an edge of the internal rigid plate adjacent to the primary coupler, wherein the internal cover plate (92) of the plug (7) is supported on the counterbores (47) of the primary thermally insulating panels in order to form the flat surface with the internal rigid plates of the primary thermally insulating panels.

5. Wall according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the internal cover plate comprises an internal metal sheet (93), the primary waterproof membrane being welded to the internal metal sheet.

6. Wall according to claim 5, wherein the primary waterproof membrane has parallel corrugations (58, 59) spaced by flat areas (57), wherein the primary waterproof membrane comprises a first primary metal sheet (51) and a second primary metal sheet (52), the second primary metal sheet being adjacent to the first primary metal sheet at a primary junction area (IV), the junction area and the primary junction area being located opposite each other, the primary waterproof membrane being welded to the internal metal sheet at the primary junction area.

7. Wall according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the primary thermally insulating panels is located on two adjacent flat areas separated by a corrugation (38, 39) and passes over the corrugation, said primary thermally insulating panel having an external groove (46) providing a space for the corrugation.

8. Wall according to claim 7, wherein the external groove has a cross-section conforming to a cross-section of the corrugation.

9. Wall according to claim 7 or 8 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the external groove (46) extends through the external rigid plate (43) and through a thickness portion of the polymer foam layer (42).

10. Wall according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the thermally insulating barrier is an intermediate thermally insulating barrier, the waterproof membrane (3) is an intermediate waterproof membrane, the wall further comprising a secondary waterproof membrane intended to be disposed between the intermediate waterproof membrane and the supporting structure and a secondary thermally insulating barrier intended to be disposed between the secondary waterproof membrane and the supporting structure.

11. A method for manufacturing a watertight and thermally insulating wall according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising: - providing a watertight and thermally insulating wall comprising, along the thickness direction of the wall: a thermally insulating barrier comprising an internal metal anchoring strip (2), a watertight membrane (3) situated against the thermally insulating barrier, the watertight membrane comprising parallel corrugations (38, 39) spaced by flat areas (37), the watertight membrane comprising a first metal sheet (31) and a second metal sheet (32), the second metal sheet being adjacent to the first metal sheet at a junction zone (II, III), the watertight membrane being fixed to the internal metal anchoring strip at the junction zone, - fixing a primary coupler (6) comprising an external metal plate (61),a stud (62) and a support plate (63) by welding the outer metal plate to the joint area and welding the stud so that the stud protrudes from an inner face of the metal plate in the direction of the wall thickness, - add a primary thermally insulating barrier (4) against the waterproof membrane, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprising primary thermally insulating panels (41), - mount and fix the support plate (63) onto the stud in order to retain the primary thermally insulating panels against the waterproof membrane, - add and fix a primary waterproof membrane (5) against the primary thermally insulating barrier.

12. A watertight and thermally insulating tank intended to be fixed to a load-bearing structure, the tank comprising at least one wall according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. Tank according to claim 12, wherein the tank comprises a plurality of walls including a bottom wall, a side wall and a ceiling wall, wherein the bottom wall and the side wall are a wall according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. Vessel (70) for the transport of a cold liquid product, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to claim 13, disposed in the double hull.

15. Transfer system for a cold liquid product, the transfer system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 14, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the vessel's tank (71) to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) and a pump to drive a flow of cold liquid product through the insulated pipes 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 vessel (70) according to claim 14, wherein a cold liquid product is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the vessel's (70) tank (71).

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