Watertight and thermally insulated tank

Abstract

A tank comprising two walls that meet in a connection zone to form a corner of the tank, the tank including a corner piece, the corner piece including a connecting piece and a load-bearing element comprising: a pillar; an internal platform (22) that is connected to an internal end of the pillar via an internal connecting device (30), the connecting piece being fixed to the internal platform; - an external connecting device that retains an external end of the pillar to a secondary barrier, the internal and external connecting devices having: - one degree of freedom in rotation about a first axis that is perpendicular to the thickness direction of a first wall, and - one degree of freedom in rotation about a second axis that is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall and orthogonal to the first axis. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

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

[0001] The invention relates to the field of 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. These tanks can be installed on land or on a floating structure. In the case of a floating structure, the tank can be used for transporting liquefied gas or for using the liquefied gas as fuel for propelling the floating structure. Technological background

[0002] In the prior art, sealed and thermally insulated tanks for storing a liquefied gas are known.

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

[0004] One of the main difficulties is that in a tank of the aforementioned type, the tank walls are subjected to numerous stresses that are not uniform. In particular, the tank walls are subjected to compressive forces due to the tank loading, thermal stresses during cooling, and forces due to dynamic shocks of the fluid contained in the tank caused by the phenomenon of "sloshing" or sloshing of the fluid in the tank during transport at sea. Furthermore, forces are exerted transversely to the thickness direction of the tank wall and are thus likely to cause the spillage of the tank components. Summary of the invention

[0005] To allow for a better distribution of stresses within the sealing membrane, the inventors conceived of a thermally insulating barrier comprising discrete support structures, each supporting a zone of the sealing membrane, to which the sealing membrane is welded. The discrete support structures include, for example, pillars that rise along the thickness direction of the tank wall to support the sealing membrane.

[0006] Such an arrangement has several drawbacks because, as previously indicated, the forces exerted transversely are likely to cause Damage to the fixings located at opposite ends of the pillars. This phenomenon is further accentuated at the corners of the tank.

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

[0008] Another idea underlying the invention is to propose a sealed tank and thermally insulating comprising load-bearing elements capable of resisting forces exerted transversely to the thickness direction of a tank wall and whose risk of damage to the fixings located at the ends of the load-bearing elements is reduced.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a sealed and thermally insulating tank for the storage of a liquefied gas, the tank comprising a first sealed and thermally insulating tank wall, a second sealed and thermally insulating tank wall, the first and second tank walls comprising, along a thickness direction of the respective tank wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier intended to rest against a load-bearing structure, a secondary sealing membrane resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier and a primary sealing membrane resting against the primary thermally insulating barrier; in which the first and second tank walls meet in a connection zone to form a corner of the tank, the tank further comprising a corner piece in the connection zone, the corner piece comprising a watertight connecting piece forming the primary sealing membrane in the connection zone, in which the corner piece comprises: a load-bearing element, the load-bearing element comprising: - a pillar that rises along the thickness direction of the first tank wall; - an internal plate that is connected to an internal end of the pillar via an internal linking device that retains the internal plate to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the watertight connecting piece being fixed to the internal plate; - an external linking device that retains an external end of the pillar to the secondary thermally insulating barrier along the thickness direction of the first tank wall. the internal connecting device and the external connecting device having: - one degree of freedom in rotation around a first axis which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first tank wall, and - a degree of freedom in rotation around a second axis which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, the connection between the primary sealing membrane and the load-bearing element, as well as the connection between the secondary thermally insulating barrier and the load-bearing element, allows relative movement between them, thus forming a damping device that attenuates the forces that could be transmitted to the pillar, particularly when the primary sealing membrane is subjected to sloshing. The bending moments acting on the pillar are therefore reduced. The service life of the load-bearing element, and consequently of the tank wall, is thus increased compared to a tank wall lacking the aforementioned characteristics.

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

[0012] According to one embodiment, the load-bearing element comprises an external plate which is linked to the external end of the pillar via the external linking device which retains the external plate to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the external plate being fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier of the first tank wall.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the internal linking device and / or the external linking device has: - a degree of translational connection along the first axis, and - a degree of translational connection along the second axis.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the tank wall, the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has a degree of rotational connection along the thickness direction of the tank wall.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the tank wall, the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has a degree of freedom in translation along the thickness direction which is limited to a translation of a determined maximum distance, preferably less than 3 cm.

[0016] According to one embodiment, at least one of the degrees of freedom has a low stiffness.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the internal connecting device includes an internal support fixed to the internal end of the pillar and / or in which the external connecting device carries an external support fixed to the external end of the pillar.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the internal support comprises a sleeve which is fitted with the internal end of the pillar and / or in which the external support comprises a sleeve which is fitted with the external end of the pillar.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the sleeve of the internal support and / or the sleeve of the external support is fixed against a longitudinal surface of the pillar.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the sleeve of the internal support extends beyond the internal end of the pillar and / or the sleeve of the external support extends beyond the external end of the pillar.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the inner support sleeve and / or the outer support sleeve is made of composite or metallic material.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the pillar is hollow.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the pillar is made of composite material.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the inner tray and / or the outer tray is metallic.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the internal support comprises an internal closing plate fixed to the internal end of the pillar and covering the internal end of the pillar and / or the external support comprises an external closing plate fixed to the external end of the pillar and covering the external end of the pillar.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the closing plate of the internal support and / or the closing plate of the external support is metallic.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the internal linkage device comprises a ball joint cup and a ball joint head housed in said ball joint cup, one of the ball joint cup and the ball joint head being integral with the internal plate and the other being integral with the internal support and / or the external linkage device comprises a ball joint cup and a ball joint head housed in said ball joint cup, one of the ball joint cup and the ball joint head being integral with the external plate and the other being integral with the external support.

[0028] The terms "ball joint head" and "ball joint cup" are respectively defined in this text as the protrusion and the receiving cavity of a ball joint.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the internal linking device and / or the external linking device is arranged so as to press the ball joint head and the ball joint cup against each other.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the internal linking device and / or the external linking device comprises a rod passing through the ball joint head and the ball joint cup.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the rod of the internal connecting device and / or the rod of the external connecting device has a first end fixed to an element among the support and the internal plate.

[0032] According to one embodiment, said rod of the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has a second end fixed to the other element among the support and the internal plate.

[0033] According to one embodiment, said rod of the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has a first end equipped with a stop.

[0034] According to one embodiment, said rod of the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has a second end equipped with a stop.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the internal linking device and / or the external linking device further comprises at least one elastic element or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and disposed between the stop and one of the ball joint cup and the ball joint head so as to press the ball joint head and the ball joint cup against each other.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the internal linking device and / or the external linking device includes an elastic element or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and disposed between the stop and the ball joint cup and further includes an elastic element or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and disposed between the stop and the ball joint head, so as to press the ball joint head and the ball joint cup against each other.

[0037] According to one embodiment, said rod of the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has a first end fixed to an element among the support and the internal plate and a second end equipped with a stop, the connecting device further comprises at least one elastic element or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and disposed between the stop and one among the ball joint cup and the ball joint head so as to press the ball joint head and the ball joint cup against each other.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device comprises a rod having a first end which is fixed to a first element among the internal plate and the support and a second end having a stop, said rod passing through a second element among the internal plate and the support, the connecting device further comprising at least one elastic member or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and positioned between the internal plate and the support so as to press the second element against the stop surface.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the tank wall, the elastic element is dimensioned to limit the translational freedom movement along the thickness direction.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the elastic element comprises a Belleville washer.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the elastic element comprises a plurality of washers Belleville, preferably 2, 3 or 4 Belleville washers.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the rod is a screw having a screw head and the stop is the screw head.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the internal linking device and / or the external linking device comprises: a rod passing through the ball joint head and the ball joint cup, the rod has a screw head which forms a stop, - an elastic element or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and positioned between the stop and one of the ball joint cup and the ball joint head so as to press the ball joint head and the ball joint cup against each other.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the internal connecting device comprises a rod having a first end which is fixed to a first element among the internal plate and the internal support and a second end having a stop, said rod passing through a second element among the internal plate and the internal support, wherein the internal connecting device further comprises at least one elastic member mounted on the rod and positioned between the internal plate and the internal support so as to press the second element against the stop surface and / or the external connecting device comprises a rod having a first end which is fixed to a first element among the external plate and the external support and a second end having a stop, said rod passing through a second element among the external plate and the external support,wherein the external connecting device further comprises at least one elastic element mounted on the rod and positioned between the external plate and the external support so as to press the second element against the stop surface.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the internal connecting device comprises a plurality of rods spaced apart from each other and a plurality of elastic members, each rod having a first end which is fixed to a first element among the internal plate and the internal support and a second end having a stop, said rod passing through a second element among the internal plate and the internal support, each elastic member mounted on one of the rods and positioned between the internal plate and the internal support so as to press the second element against the stop surface and / or in which the external connecting device comprises a plurality of rods spaced apart from each other and a plurality of elastic members, each rod having a first end which is fixed to a first element among the external plate and the external support and a second end having a stop,said rod passing through a second element between the outer plate and the outer support, each elastic element mounted on one of the rods and positioned between the outer plate and the outer support so as to press the second element against the stop surface.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the plurality of rods of the internal linking device and / or the plurality of rods of the external linking device comprises three rods distributed so that the three segments of the lines connecting the rods two by two form an equilateral triangle.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the pile is a first pillar, the internal linking device is a first internal linking device and the external linking device is a first external linking device, in which the supporting element comprises a second pillar which rises along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the internal platform being linked to the internal end of the pillar via a second internal linking device which retains the internal platform to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall and the external platform being linked to the external end of the pillar via a second external linking device which retains the external platform to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall.

[0048] Thanks to these characteristics, the forces exerted on the load-bearing element in a direction transverse to the thickness direction of the first and / or second wall of the tank, which are particularly important at the angle of the tank, are taken up by the two pillars, which makes it possible to increase the life of the load-bearing element and therefore the life of the tank.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the second pillar is located at a distance from the first pillar.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the second pillar is not in direct contact with the first pillar.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the second pillar is adjacent to the first pillar.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first pillar has the same characteristics techniques than the second pillar. Depending on the implementation method, the first pillar and the second pillar are different.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the second internal connecting device and / or the second external connecting device of the second pillar is identical to the first internal connecting device and / or the first external connecting device of the first pillar.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the second internal connecting device and / or the second external connecting device of the second pillar is different from the first internal connecting device and / or the first external connecting device of the first pillar.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the load-bearing element is a first load-bearing element, the corner piece further comprising a second load-bearing element, the second load-bearing element comprising: - a pillar that rises along the thickness direction of the second tank wall; - an internal platform that is connected to an internal end of the pillar via an internal linking device that retains the internal platform to the pillar along the thickness direction of the second tank wall, the watertight connecting piece being fixed to the internal platform, - an external linking device that retains an external end of the pillar to the secondary thermally insulating barrier along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the internal linking device and the external linking device having: - a degree of rotational freedom about a first axis (XI) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second tank wall, and - a degree of freedom in rotation around a second axis (X2) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the second load-bearing element comprises an external plate which is connected to the outer end of the pillar via the external connecting device which retains the external plate to the pillar along the thickness direction of the second tank wall, the external plate being fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier of the second tank wall

[0057] According to one embodiment, the connection zone comprises a row of the aforementioned corner pieces. Thus, the connection zone comprises a row of the aforementioned load-bearing elements.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the load-bearing elements are separated from each other exclusively by a gaseous phase, preferably under vacuum, in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall.

[0059] According to another embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises a radiative multilayer insulation blanket, which has openings through which the load-bearing elements pass and which extends transversely to the thickness direction of the tank wall. The radiative multilayer insulation blanket is typically made of a material designated by the acronym MLI for "multi-layer insulation" in English.

[0060] According to another embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier comprises thermally insulating elements such as insulating panels, thermally insulating boxes or thermally insulating lining, located between the load-bearing elements in order to increase the thermal insulation properties of the tank.

[0061] According to one embodiment, outside the connection zone, the primary thermally insulating barrier of the first and / or second tank wall further comprises a load-bearing element, the load-bearing element comprising: - a pillar that rises along the thickness direction of the tank wall; - an internal tray which is connected to an internal end of the pillar via an internal linking device which retains the internal tray to the pillar along the thickness direction, the waterproofing membrane being fixed to the internal tray, the linking device having: - a degree of rotational freedom about a first axis that is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall, and - a degree of freedom in rotation around a second axis which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the first wall and the second wall of the tank each comprise, outside the connection area, a row of load-bearing elements supporting the sealing membrane which extends parallel to the edge, of which at least one load-bearing element is as described above.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane is metallic.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane is corrugated.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane comprises a first series of undulations presenting first undulations parallel to each other and spaced from each other by flat areas.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane comprises a second series of corrugations having second corrugations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations, the primary sealing membrane comprises a plurality of flat zones which are each defined between two adjacent first corrugations and between two adjacent second corrugations.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the internal plate is positioned against a flat area of ​​the primary sealing membrane, preferably against a flat area of ​​the sealing connection piece.

[0068] According to one embodiment, a height of the first series of undulations is less than a height of the second series of undulations in the thickness direction of the tank wall.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane does not have a corrugation located between the external plate and the corner of the tank.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane rests, outside the connection zone, exclusively against the internal plates of the load-bearing elements.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane is welded to the internal metal plate.

[0072] The watertight connecting piece serves to connect the respective primary sealing membranes of the two tank walls in a watertight manner and can be made in different ways.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the watertight connecting piece comprises a primary metal angle having a first flange extending in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first tank wall and a second flange extending in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second tank wall, the first wing of the primary metal angle being fixed to the inner plate, preferably welded to the inner plate.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the second wing is fixed to the internal plate of the second supporting element.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the sealed connecting piece rests exclusively against the internal plates of the load-bearing elements.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the first wing rests exclusively against the internal plates of the load-bearing elements.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the second wing against the internal plates of the load-bearing elements.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the first wing does not have a corrugation.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the first wing is flat.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the second wing does not have a corrugation.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the second wing is flat.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the sealing connection piece is metallic.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane of the first tank wall comprises a metal sheet which is welded to the first flange.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the primary sealing membrane of the second tank wall comprises a metal sheet which is welded to the second wing.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane is metallic.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane is corrugated.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane comprises a first series of undulations presenting first undulations parallel to each other and spaced from each other by flat areas.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the secondary sealing membrane comprises a second series of corrugations having second corrugations parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first corrugations, the secondary sealing membrane comprises a plurality of flat zones which are each defined between two adjacent first corrugations and between two adjacent second corrugations.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the external plate is positioned against a flat area of ​​the secondary sealing membrane.

[0090] According to one embodiment, a height of the first series of undulations is less than a height of the second series of undulations in the thickness direction of the tank wall.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the secondary external sealing membrane does not have a corrugation located between the external plate and the corner of the tank.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the external metal plate is welded to the secondary sealing membrane.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier of the first tank wall comprises, at the connection area, a thermally insulating corner panel having a layer of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between an internal rigid plate and an external rigid plate, the internal rigid plate being located opposite the external plate, the external plate being pressed against the secondary sealing membrane.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the load-bearing element is fixed to the external rigid plate of the secondary thermally insulating barrier.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier of the second tank wall comprises, at the connection area, a thermally insulating corner panel having a layer of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between an internal rigid plate and an external rigid plate, the internal rigid plate being located opposite the external plate of the second load-bearing element, the external plate being pressed against the secondary sealing membrane and fixed to the external rigid plate.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the corner thermally insulating panel of the first tank wall and the corner thermally insulating panel of the second tank wall are adjacent and each have a lateral face machined at a bevel in order to limit the space between the first corner thermally insulating panel and the second corner thermally insulating panel.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier and the primary thermally insulating barrier each comprise at least one of the aforementioned load-bearing elements.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the primary thermally insulating barrier has a gaseous phase under vacuum, preferably at an absolute pressure less than 1 Pa.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the secondary thermally insulating barrier has a gaseous phase under vacuum, preferably at an absolute pressure less than 1 Pa.

[0100] According to some embodiments, the first tank wall and the second tank wall may have the same technical characteristics. According to another embodiment, the first tank wall and the second tank wall may have different technical characteristics.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the angle of the tank formed by the first and second tank walls is between 80° and 145°, preferably 90° or 135°.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the liquefied gas is liquid hydrogen.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the tank contains the liquefied gas.

[0104] Such a tank may be part of a land-based storage facility or installed in a floating structure, whether coastal or deep-water, including 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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 tank installed in the hull of the vessel 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.

[0107] 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

[0108] 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.

[0109] Fig. 1 represents a partial, cross-sectional view of an angle of a sealed and thermally insulated tank for storing a liquefied gas, according to a first embodiment.

[0110] Figure [Fig. 2] represents a partial, schematic cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a first variant of a first embodiment.

[0111] Figure 3 represents a partial, schematic cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a second variant of the first embodiment.

[0112] Figure 4 represents a partial, perspective view of the load-bearing element according to the second variant of the first embodiment, represented in [Fig.3].

[0113] Figure 5 represents a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a third variant of the first embodiment.

[0114] Figure 6 represents a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a first variant of a second embodiment.

[0115] The [Fig.7] represents a partial, schematic cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a second variant of the second embodiment.

[0116] Fig. 8 represents a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a third variant of the second embodiment.

[0117] Fig. 9 represents a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a fourth variant of the second embodiment.

[0118] Fig. 10 represents a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a load-bearing element according to a third embodiment.

[0119] Fig. 11 represents a partial schematic perspective view of an angle of a sealed and thermally insulating tank according to a fourth embodiment, in which the sealing membranes have been omitted.

[0120] Fig. 12 represents a schematic, partial, cross-sectional, perspective, enlarged view of the angle of the tank according to the fourth embodiment.

[0121] Fig. 13 represents a schematic, partial, cross-sectional, perspective, enlarged view of the angle of the tank according to the fourth embodiment.

[0122] Figure 14 is a schematic cutaway representation of a hydrogenerator vessel tank and a loading / unloading terminal for this tank. Description of embodiments

[0123] 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.

[0124] In relation to [Fig. 1], a sealed and thermally insulated tank angle for storing a liquefied gas is described below. The tank comprises a first tank wall 98 and a second tank wall 99 forming the tank angle of 135 degrees, the first and second tank walls being connected in a connection zone I.

[0125] The first tank wall 98 and the second tank wall 99 each have a multilayer structure comprising, according to the thickness direction E of the tank wall concerned, from the outside to the inside, a secondary thermally insulating barrier 12, a secondary sealing membrane 13 which is corrugated and fixed against the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12, a primary thermally insulating barrier 14 and a primary sealing membrane 15 which is corrugated and fixed against the primary thermally insulating barrier 14. The primary sealing membrane 15 is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, such as liquid hydrogen, which is intended to be contained in the tank.

[0126] The first tank wall 98 and the second tank wall 99 are connected at the connection zone I. The connection zone I comprises a plurality of parts of watertight connecting elements which are here primary metal angles 90 forming a portion of the primary sealing membrane 14 at the connection zone I.

[0127] Each primary metal angle 90 has a first wing 91 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction E of the first tank wall 98 and a second wing 92 which extends in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction E of the second tank wall 99. The primary sealing membrane 15 of the first tank wall 98 comprises a primary corrugated metal sheet which is welded to the first wing 91 of the primary metal angle 90 and the primary sealing membrane 15 of the second tank wall 99 comprises a primary corrugated metal sheet which is welded to the second wing 92 of the primary metal angle 90.

[0128] The ends of the corrugations of the primary corrugated metal sheet of the first tank wall 98 and the ends of the corrugations of the primary corrugated metal sheet of the second tank wall 99 are connected by a primary metal wave connecting piece 89 ensuring the continuity of the corrugation between the primary corrugated metal sheets of the first and second tank walls, at a space located between two primary metal angles 90. The primary metal wave connecting piece 89 also allows the spaces between the primary metal angles 90 to be filled and sealed.

[0129] Similarly, the secondary sealing membrane 13 of the first tank wall 98 comprises a secondary corrugated metal sheet which is welded to a secondary sealing connection piece 88 which may, for example, be a secondary metal angle and the secondary sealing membrane 13 of the second tank wall 99 comprises a secondary corrugated metal sheet which is welded to the secondary sealing connection piece 88.

[0130] The ends of the corrugations of the secondary corrugated metal sheet of the first tank wall 98 and the ends of the corrugations of the secondary corrugated metal sheet of the second tank wall 99 are connected by a secondary metal wave connecting piece 87 ensuring the continuity of the corrugation between the corrugated metal sheets of the first and second tank walls, at a space located between two secondary watertight connecting pieces 88. The metal wave connecting piece 87 also allows the spaces located between the secondary watertight connecting pieces 88 to be filled and sealed.

[0131] The secondary sealing membrane and / or the primary sealing membrane are, for example, made of Invar®: that is to say, an iron and nickel alloy whose coefficient of expansion is typically between 1.2 x 10⁶ and 2 x 10⁶ K⁻¹, or of an iron alloy with a high manganese content whose coefficient of expansion is typically in the order of 7.106 K Alternatively, the secondary sealing membrane and / or the primary sealing membrane can also be made of stainless steel or aluminum.

[0132] The secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 of the first tank wall 98 and the second tank wall 99 comprise a plurality of thermally insulating panels 16 anchored to a supporting structure 1. The insulating panels 16 comprise a layer of insulating polymer foam 17 sandwiched between an inner plate 18 and an outer plate 19. The inner plate 18 and outer plate 19 are, for example, plywood panels glued onto said layer of insulating polymer foam 17. The insulating polymer foam 17 may, in particular, be a polyurethane-based foam preferably reinforced with fibers.

[0133] At the connection zone I, the secondary thermally insulating barrier 12 of the first tank wall 98 and the second tank wall 99, the thermally insulating panels 16 are corner thermally insulating panels which further have a beveled machined side face in order to limit the space between the corner thermally insulating panels of the first tank wall 98 and the corner thermally insulating panels of the second tank wall 99.

[0134] The primary thermally insulating barrier 14 of the first wall 98 and the second tank wall 99 comprise a plurality of load-bearing elements 20 extending along the thickness direction E of the tank wall, between the secondary sealing membrane 13 and the primary sealing membrane 15.

[0135] A row of load-bearing elements 20 of the first tank wall 98 and a row of load-bearing elements 20 of the second tank wall 99 are located in the connection zone I, at the corner of the tank. In addition, rows of load-bearing elements 20 are further located outside the connection zone I.

[0136] The load-bearing elements 20 each comprise at least one cylindrical pillar 21. Each pillar 21 is connected at its inner end to an inner plate 22 via an internal connecting device 30 and is fixed at its outer end to an external plate (not visible in [Fig. 1]) via an external connecting device 97.

[0137] Each of the primary metal angles 90 are welded, at a flat area, between two primary metal wave connecting pieces 89, against a respective internal plate 22. In other words, the first metal wing 91 is welded against an internal plate 22 of the first tank wall 98 and the second metal wing 92 is welded against an internal plate 22 of the second tank wall 99.

[0138] The secondary sealing membrane 13 is welded, in the connection zone I, at the level of each flat area located between two corrugations, onto metal plates housed and fixed in the outer plate 19.

[0139] The external plate is fixed via the external linking device 97 to the secondary thermally insulating barrier 13, preferably at the level of the external plate 19.

[0140] Pillar 21 is preferably made from composite material comprising fibers and a matrix.

[0141] The inner tray 22 and the outer tray are metallic, for example made of stainless steel.

[0142] The internal linking device 30 and the external linking device 97 have in particular a degree of freedom in rotation about a first axis which is perpendicular to the thickness direction E of the first tank wall 98 if it concerns a load-bearing element 20 of the first tank wall or of the second tank wall 99 if it concerns a load-bearing element 20 of the second tank wall 99, and a degree of freedom in rotation about a second axis which is perpendicular to the thickness direction E of the first tank wall 98 if it concerns a load-bearing element 20 of the first tank wall or of the second tank wall 99 if it concerns a load-bearing element 20 of the second tank wall 99 and orthogonal to the first axis.

[0143] Furthermore, the gaseous phase of the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 is advantageously placed under vacuum, for example at an absolute pressure below 1 Pa and preferably below 10² Pa. To achieve this, the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 is advantageously connected to a vacuum pump. Thanks to the gaseous phase being placed under vacuum, the thermal insulation properties of the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 are increased. However, the vacuum conditions of the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 will tend to deform the primary sealing membrane 15 and the secondary sealing membrane 13 inwards towards the primary thermally insulating barrier 15.

[0144] The arrangement of the plurality of supporting elements 20 generally allows the primary sealing membrane 15 to be supported by taking on the one hand the forces due to the hydrostatic and dynamic pressures exerted on the primary sealing membrane 15 by the liquefied gas contained inside the tank, and on the other hand the forces due to the aforementioned vacuum conditions.

[0145] As illustrated, for example, in [Fig. 1], the load-bearing elements 20 are spaced from each other by the vacuum gas phase in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction E. According to an alternative (not shown), the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 comprises a radiative multilayer insulation blanket, for example MLI, which has openings through which the load-bearing elements 20 pass and which extends transversely to the thickness direction E of the first tank wall 98 if the radiative multilayer insulation blanket passes through an element load-bearing element 20 of the first tank wall 98 or of the second tank wall 99 if the multilayer radiative insulation cover passes through a load-bearing element 20 of the second tank wall 99. According to another variant not shown, the primary thermally insulating barrier 14 includes thermally insulating elements such as insulating panels between the load-bearing elements 20.

[0146] Embodiments of a load-bearing element 20 and in particular of the internal linking device 30 and of the external linking device 97 will be described below.

[0147] The external linking device 97 is analogous to the internal linking device 30, that is to say that the external linking device 97 may include one or more of the characteristics of the internal linking device 30 adapted to the external end of the pillar.

[0148] With reference to Figures 2 to 10, a plurality of embodiments of the load-bearing element are described below. The characteristics relating to the internal connecting device 30 are detailed below, but these characteristics are also applicable to the external connecting device by analogy.

[0149] Identical or similar elements bear the same reference numbers incremented by a multiple of 100.

[0150] In relation to [Fig.2], a first variant of a first embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0151] The supporting element 120 comprises a pillar 121 which is hollow, an internal platform 122 and a connecting device 130 which allows the connection of the internal platform 122 to the internal end of the pillar 121.

[0152] The connecting device 130 includes an internal support 131 which is a metal sleeve fitted into the internal end of the pillar 121 and bonded via a layer of glue 191 against an internal longitudinal surface of the pillar 121. The sleeve extends beyond the internal end of the pillar 121 by forming a receiving collar 132 which has a diameter greater than the external diameter of the pillar 121.

[0153] The connecting device 130 comprises three threaded rods 133, referred to as screws in the following description, only one of which is present in the cross-sectional plane of [Fig. 2]. The three screws 133 are regularly positioned on a geometric circle concentric with the longitudinal axis of the pillar 121. In other words, the three screws 133 are distributed such that the three line segments connecting the rods in pairs form an equilateral triangle. The screws 133 pass through the inner plate 122 and each has an internal end 134 screwed into a tapped hole 135 which is positioned in the receiving flange 132. The screws 133 also have, at the internal end 136, a screw head which is positioned in a countersink 123 formed in the internal surface 124 of the inner plate 122.

[0154] The connecting device 130 further includes an elastic element 137 which is a spring washer, also called an elastic washer or Belleville washer.

[0155] The elastic element 137 is mounted on the screw 133, between the inner plate 122 and the receiving collar 132 so as to press the inner plate 122 against the screw head 136.

[0156] When forces are exerted on the primary sealing membrane, which is welded to the inner plate 122, the elastic compression properties of the elastic element 137 allow the inner plate 122 to rotate about a first axis XI, which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall, and about a second axis X2, which is perpendicular to the thickness direction E of the tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis XL. When the transverse forces cease to act against the inner plate 122, the elastic element 137 returns to its initial shape and the inner plate 122 returns to its initial position. The elastic element 137 is, for example, chosen so that the stiffness associated with the degrees of freedom about the first and second axes XI and X2 is low.

[0157] When forces are applied parallel to the thickness direction E and uniformly on the inner plate 122, the elastic properties of the elastic element 137 allow a translational movement of the inner plate 122 along the thickness direction E of the tank wall. This movement brings the inner plate 122 closer to the mounting flange 132, reducing the distance between the inner plate 122 and the mounting flange 132 by a distance less than or equal to the distance represented by the elastic compression capacity of the elastic element 137. When the forces cease to be applied, the elastic element 137 returns to its initial shape and the inner plate 122 to its initial position.

[0158] In relation to figures 3 and 4, a second variant of the first embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0159] The load-bearing element 520 differs from that of [Fig. 2] in that the internal support 531 is a closing plate, for example made of metal, which covers the opening of the hollow pillar 521. The closing plate has a diameter similar or identical to the diameter of the pillar 521.

[0160] The support element 520 comprises three rods 533, only one of which is visible in the cross-sectional view of [Fig. 3]. Each rod 533 passes through the inner plate 522 and each has an external end 534 fixed in a hole 535 provided in the closing plate and an internal end 536 fixed in a recess 525 having a base 526. The rods 533 are fixed to the inner support 531, for example, via a threaded and tapped system. The screws 533 can be adjusted by screwing them into the tapped hole 535 in order to adjust the height of the inner plate 522.

[0161] The connecting device 530 comprises four Belleville washers 537 superimposed and mounted on each rod 533, between the inner plate 522 and the closing plate.

[0162] The three rods 533 are distributed around the periphery of the closing plate 531 so that the three segments of the lines connecting the rods two by two form an equilateral triangle.

[0163] In relation to [Fig.5], a third variant of the first embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0164] The support element 820 differs from [Fig. 2] in that it comprises a first metal piece 840 positioned against the outer surface 827 of the inner plate 822 and fixed to the outer surface 827 by means of fixing screws 841. The support element 820 further comprises a second metal piece 850 located opposite the first metal piece 840. The second metal piece 850 is positioned against the inner surface of the receiving flange 832 and fixed to the receiving flange 832 by means of fixing screws 844.

[0165] The supporting element includes a central threaded rod 833 that passes through the hole 835 provided in the second metal part 850. The threaded rod 833 has an external end 834 that is fixed via a stop against an external surface of the second metal part 850 at the hole 835. The threaded rod further includes an internal end 836 fixed via a stop in a recess 825 having a base 826 located in the first metal part 840. The rod 833 is fixed to the first metal part 840 and to the second metal part 850, for example, via a screw and nut system. Optionally, the Belleville washers 837 can be adjusted, for example, by tightening or loosening the nuts mounted on the rod 833.

[0166] In relation to [Fig.6], a first variant of a second embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0167] The bearing element 220 differs from that of [Fig.2] in that the connecting device 230 comprises a ball joint head 238 housed in a ball joint cup 239. The ball joint cup 239 is formed in the receiving flange 232, at the center of the diameter of the receiving flange 232. The ball joint head 238 is formed by a protrusion projecting from the inner plate 222 and has a shape complementary to that of the ball joint cup 239.

[0168] The connecting device 230 includes a screw 233 that passes through the inner plate 222, the ball joint head 238, and the ball joint cup 239. The outer end 234 of the screw 233 is fixed in a hole 235 provided in the ball joint cup 239, and the inner end of the screw 233 has a screw head 236 that is positioned in a recess 225 provided in the inner surface 224 of the inner plate 222, the recess 225 having a base 226. The elastic element 237 is located in the recess 225 between the screw head 233 and the bottom 226 of the chamber 225 so as to press the internal plate 222 against the receiving collar 232, while allowing one degree of rotational freedom around the first axis XI and one degree of rotational freedom around the second axis X2.

[0169] In relation to [Fig.7], a second variant of the second embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0170] The carrier element 320 differs from that of [Fig.6] in that the metal sleeve 331 does not have a receiving flange, and in that the ball head 338 protrudes from a metal piece 340 positioned against the external surface 327 of the inner plate 322. The metal piece 340 has a diameter greater than the external diameter of the pillar 321.

[0171] The metal part 340 is fixed to the inner plate 322 by means of fixing screws 341 located on the periphery of the metal part 340. The fixing screws 341 pass through the inner plate 322 and the metal part 340. The fixing screws 341 each have an external end 342 which is fixed to the metal part 340, for example by riveting, and an internal end 343 which has a screw head which is housed in a countersink 323 formed in the internal surface 324 of the inner plate 322.

[0172] In relation to [Fig.8], a third variant of the second embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0173] The support element 420 differs from that of [Fig. 6] in that it comprises a first metal piece 440 positioned against the outer surface 427 of the inner plate 422 and fixed to the outer surface 427 by means of fixing screws 441. The support element 420 further comprises a second metal piece 450 located opposite the first metal piece 440. The second metal piece 450 is positioned against the inner surface of the receiving flange 432 and fixed to the receiving flange 432 by means of fixing screws 444.

[0174] The first metal part 440 includes a ball joint head 438 forming a protrusion from the external surface 445 and the second metal part 450 includes a base 452 projecting from the internal surface 451 of the second metal part 450, the base having the ball joint cup 439. The ball joint head 438 is housed in the ball joint cup 439.

[0175] The first metal part 440, the second metal part 450 and the receiving collar 432 have, for example, an identical or similar diameter.

[0176] The screw 433 passes through the inner plate 422, the first metal piece 440, the ball head 438, the ball cup 439 and the second metal piece 450. The screw 433 has an external end which is fixed in the second metal piece 450.

[0177] According to an alternative embodiment of [Fig. 8], the elastic element 437 is replaced by a spherical washer located in the recess 425 between the screw head 436 and the bottom 426 of the chamber 425. The spherical washer has two parts which cooperate with each other by spherical surfaces, which allows a mobility of the screw head 436 relative to the internal plate 422.

[0178] In relation to [Fig.9], a fourth variant of the second embodiment of the load-bearing element is described below.

[0179] The supporting element 620 differs from that [Fig.7] in that the internal support is a closing plate 631. The ball joint cup 639 is provided in the closing plate 632, at the center of the diameter of the closing plate 632.

[0180] The fixing rod 633 passes through the inner plate 622, the metal part 640 and the closing plate 632.

[0181] The rod 633 has an external end 634 fixed in a hole 635 which is provided at the center of the diameter of the closure plate 632 and an internal end fixed via a rod head 636 in the chamber 625 provided in the internal plate 622.

[0182] In relation to [Fig. 10], a third embodiment is described below.

[0183] The carrier element 920 differs from that of [Fig.8] in that it does not include the ball joint head 438 and the base 452 illustrated on [Fig.8] and in that the elastic member 837 is positioned between the first metal part 940 and the second metal part 950.

[0184] The attachment of the threaded rod 933 to the first metal part 940 and to the second metal part 950 is for example carried out in a similar manner to the embodiment illustrated via [Fig.5], i.e. via screw-nut systems.

[0185] In relation to Figures 11 to 13, a fourth embodiment is described below.

[0186] In this fourth embodiment, the first tank wall 798 and the second tank wall 799 form a 90-degree angle of the tank.

[0187] In addition, the load-bearing elements 720 located at the connection zone I comprise two pillars 721 spaced apart and fixed to the same internal plate 22 by an internal connecting device 730 and fixed to the same external plate 723 by an external connecting device 797. The internal connecting device 730 and / or the external connecting device 797 may have the characteristics described with the previous embodiments.

[0188] The external linking device 797 further includes an external support which is an external sleeve 731 located at the external end of the pillar 721. The external sleeve is positioned against an external longitudinal surface of the pillar 721.

[0189] The internal connecting device 730 similarly comprises, in the same way as the external connecting device 797, an internal support which is an internal sleeve (not visible on the figures 11 to 13) located at the inner end of pillar 721. The sleeve is positioned against an external longitudinal surface of pillar 721.

[0190] With reference to [Fig. 14], 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 71 comprises a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, preferably liquid hydrogen, contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the 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.

[0191] 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.

[0192] Figure 14 also shows an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading berth 75, a subsea pipeline 76 and an onshore facility 77. The loading and unloading berth 75 is a fixed offshore facility comprising a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipelines 73. The steerable movable arm 74 is suitable for all 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 the hydrogen vessel 70 to be kept a long distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0193] 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.

[0194] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite clear that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0195] The use of the verb "comporter", "comprendre" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0196] In claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Demands A sealed and thermally insulating tank for the storage of a liquefied gas, the tank comprising a first sealed and thermally insulating tank wall, a second sealed and thermally insulating tank wall, the first and second tank walls comprising, along a thickness direction (E) of the respective tank wall, a secondary thermally insulating barrier intended to rest against a load-bearing structure, a secondary sealing membrane resting against the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier (12, 14) and a primary sealing membrane (15, 115, 715) resting against the primary thermally insulating barrier; in which the first and second tank walls meet in a connection zone to form a corner of the tank, the tank further comprising a corner piece in the connection zone, the corner piece comprising a watertight connecting piece forming the primary sealing membrane in the connection zone, in which the corner piece comprises: a load-bearing element (20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920), the load-bearing element comprising: - a pillar (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621, 721, 821, 921) which rises along the thickness direction of the first tank wall; - an internal platform (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722, 822, 922) which is connected to an internal end of the pillar via an internal connecting device (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930) which retains the internal platform to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the watertight connecting piece being fixed to the internal platform, - an external connecting device that retains an external end of the pillar to the secondary thermally insulating barrier along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the internal connecting device and the external connecting device having: - a degree of freedom in rotation around a first axis (XI) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first tank wall, and - a degree of freedom in rotation around a second axis (X2) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis.

2. Tank according to claim 1, in which the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device has: - a degree of connection in translation along the first axis (XI), and - a degree of connection in translation along the second axis (X2).

3. Tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the load-bearing element comprises an external tray which is linked to the external end of the pillar via the external linking device which retains the external tray to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the external tray being fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier of the first tank wall.

4. Tank according to claim 3, wherein the internal connecting device comprises an internal support (131, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 831, 931) fixed to the internal end of the pillar and / or wherein the external connecting device carries an external support fixed to the external end of the pillar.

5. Tank according to claim 4, wherein the internal support comprises a sleeve (131, 231, 331, 431, 831, 931) which is fitted with the internal end of the pillar and / or wherein the external support comprises a sleeve (131, 231, 331, 431, 831, 931) which is fitted with the external end of the pillar.

6. Tank according to claim 4, wherein the internal support comprises an internal closing plate (531, 631) fixed to the internal end of the pillar and covering the internal end of the pillar and / or the external support comprises an external closing plate (531, 631) fixed to the external end of the pillar and covering the external end of the pillar.

7. A bowl according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the internal connecting device comprises a ball joint cup (239, 339, 439, 639) and a ball joint head (238, 338, 438, 638) housed in said ball joint cup, one of the ball joint cup and the ball joint head being integral with the internal plate and the other being integral with the internal support, and / or the external connecting device comprises a bowl ball joint (239, 339, 439, 639) and a ball joint head (238, 338, 438, 638) housed in said ball joint cup, one of the ball joint cup and the ball joint head being integral with the external plate and the other being integral with the external support.

8. A cup according to claim 7, in which the internal connecting device and / or the external connecting device comprises: a rod (233, 333, 433, 633) passing through the ball head and the ball cup, the rod having a screw head which forms a stop, - an elastic element (237, 337, 437, 637) or a spherical washer mounted on the rod and disposed between the stop and one of the ball cup and the ball head so as to press the ball head and the ball cup against each other.

9. Tank according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the internal connecting device comprises a rod (133, 533, 833, 933) having a first end (134, 534, 834, 934) which is fixed to a first element among the internal tray and the internal support and a second end (136, 536, 836, 936) having a stop, said rod passing through a second element among the internal tray and the internal support, wherein the internal connecting device further comprises at least one elastic member (137, 537, 837, 937) mounted on the rod and positioned between the internal tray and the internal support so as to press the second element against the stop surface and / or the external connecting device comprises a rod (133, 533, 833, 933) having a first end (134, 534, 834, 934) which is fixed to a first element among the external plate and the external support and a second end (136, 536, 836, 936) comprising a stop,said rod passing through a second element between the outer plate and the outer support, wherein the external connecting device further comprises at least one elastic element (137, 537, 837, 937) mounted on the rod and positioned between the outer plate and the outer support so as to press the second element against the stop surface.

10. Tank according to claim 9, wherein the internal connecting device comprises a plurality of rods spaced apart from one another and a plurality of elastic members, each rod (133, 533) having a first end (134, 534) which is fixed to a first element of the internal tray and the internal support and a second end having a stop (136, 536), said rod passing through a second element among the internal plate and the internal support, each elastic member (137, 537, 837) mounted on one of the rods and positioned between the internal plate and the internal support so as to press the second element against the stop surface and / or in which the external linking device comprises a plurality of rods spaced apart from each other and a plurality of elastic members, each rod (133, 533) having a first end (134, 534) which is fixed to a first element among the external plate and the external support and a second end having a stop (136, 536), said rod passing through a second element among the external plate and the external support, each elastic member (137, 537, 837) mounted on one of the rods and positioned between the external plate and the external support so as to press the second element against the stop surface.

11. Tank according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the pillar is a first pillar, the internal connecting device is a first internal connecting device and the external connecting device is a first external connecting device, wherein the supporting element comprises a second pillar which rises along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the internal tray being connected to the internal end of the pillar via a second internal connecting device which retains the internal tray to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall and the external tray being connected to the external end of the pillar via a second external connecting device which retains the external tray to the pillar along the thickness direction of the first tank wall.

12. Tank according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the load-bearing element is a first load-bearing element, the corner piece further comprising a second load-bearing element, the second load-bearing element comprising: - a pillar (21, 121, 221, 321, 421, 521, 621, 721, 821, 921) which rises along the thickness direction of the second tank wall; - an internal plate (22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522, 622, 722, 822, 922) which is linked to an internal end of the pillar via an internal linking device (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930) which retains the internal plate to the pillar along the thickness direction of the second tank wall, the watertight connecting piece being fixed to the internal plate, - an external linking device which retains an external end of the pillar to the secondary thermally insulating barrier along the thickness direction of the first tank wall, the internal linking device and the external linking device having: - a rotational degree of freedom about a first axis (XI) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second tank wall, and - a rotational degree of freedom about a second axis (X2) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis.

13. Tank according to claim 12, wherein the second load-bearing element comprises an external tray which is linked to the outer end of the pillar via the external linking device which retains the external tray to the pillar along the thickness direction of the second tank wall, the external tray being fixed to the secondary thermally insulating barrier of the second tank wall.

14. Tank according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the watertight connecting piece comprises a primary metal angle having a first wing extending in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first tank wall and a second wing extending in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second tank wall, the first wing of the primary metal angle being fixed to the internal tray.

15. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, outside the connection zone, the primary thermally insulating barrier of the first and / or second tank wall further comprises a load-bearing element, the load-bearing element comprising: - a pillar that rises along the thickness direction of the tank wall; - an internal platform that is connected to an internal end of the pillar via an internal connecting device that retains the internal platform to the pillar along the thickness direction of the tank wall, the sealing membrane being fixed to the internal platform; - an external connecting device that retains an external end of the pillar to the secondary thermally insulating barrier along the thickness direction of the tank wall. the internal linking device and the external linking device having: - a degree of freedom in rotation around a first axis (XI) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall, and - a degree of freedom in rotation around a second axis (X2) which is perpendicular to the thickness direction of the tank wall and orthogonal to the first axis.

16. Vessel (70) for the transport of a liquefied gas, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 disposed in the double hull.

17. Transfer system for a liquefied gas, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 16, 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 to drive 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.

18. A method of loading or unloading a ship (70) according to claim 16, 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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