Sealing membrane for closed fluid storage tanks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing membrane for a sealed fluid storage tank, the sealing membrane comprising at least one metal plate (2) with a flat portion (3) defining the plane of the metal plate and with a number of reliefs (4) projecting from the flat portion (3) in a thickness direction perpendicular to the plane of the metal plate, the reliefs (4) being spaced apart from one another, the metal plate comprising at least one relief in all directions of its plane, each relief (4) having a base (5) constituting a connection between the relief (4) and the flat portion (3). ) and at least one apex (6), the base (5) having a first dimension and a second dimension in the plane formed by the flat portion (3), the distance between the apex (6) and the base (5) in the thickness direction constitutes the height of the relief (4), the height of the relief (4) being less than 20 mm, each relief (4) being separated in all directions in the plane by a distance not greater than twice the first dimension of the adjacent relief (4) and base (5), and the ratio of the first dimension of the base (5) to the height of the relief (4) being not greater than 2.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealing membranes for sealed tanks with membranes. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of sealing membranes for sealed, insulated tanks for the storage and / or transportation of liquefied gases at low temperatures, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG) at temperatures between -50°C and 0°C or for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. These tanks can be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tanks can be designed for the transportation of liquefied gases or for the containment of liquefied gases to be used as fuel for propelling the floating structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Document FR2691520 describes a sealed, insulated tank for storing LNG, which comprises a secondary insulating barrier, a secondary sealing membrane mounted on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier mounted on the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane mounted on the primary insulating barrier and configured to be in contact with liquefied gas.

[0003] The primary sealing membrane of the above document is composed of a corrugated metal plate having a first series of parallel corrugations, called "high" corrugations, and a second series of parallel corrugations, called "low" corrugations, the second series of corrugations being perpendicular to the first series of corrugations. These corrugated metal plates are made of stainless steel with a thickness of about 1.2 mm. Furthermore, the low corrugations have a height of about 35 mm, while the high corrugations have a height of about 55 mm. In particular, the corrugations of the primary sealing membrane give it a certain flexibility, which allows it to contract or expand under the effect of temperature changes without the risk of damaging its structure.

[0004] When such tanks are integrated into a carrier, the liquefied gas contained in the tanks undergoes various movements. In particular, the movements of the carrier at sea, for example under the influence of marine conditions or weather conditions such as wind, cause sloshing of the liquid in the tanks. The sloshing of the liquid, commonly called "sloshing", causes stresses on the tank walls, which can have a detrimental effect on the tank's integrity, in particular by bending the corrugations of the primary sealing membrane. When such damage occurs, the primary sealing membrane loses flexibility and can no longer perform its function.

[0005] FR1323237 also describes a sealing membrane for a tank storing liquefied gas. In this document, the sealing membrane comprises two series of embossments. As in the previous document, these embossments give the sealing membrane a certain flexibility, which allows it to contract or expand under the effect of temperature changes.

[0006] However, due to their shape and size ratio, the embossments in this document are also subject to fluid sloshing, which can result in the sealing membrane losing flexibility or being damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One idea forming the basis of the present invention is to maintain the flexibility of the sealing membrane of a sealed tank to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the sealing membrane while reducing the risk of damage to the sealing membrane due to sloshing.

[0008] In one embodiment, the invention provides a sealing membrane for a sealed fluid storage tank, the sealing membrane comprising at least one metal plate, the metal plate comprising a flat portion defining a plane of the metal plate and a plurality of reliefs protruding from the flat portion in a thickness direction perpendicular to the plane of the metal plate, the reliefs being spaced apart from one another, the metal plate comprising at least one relief in all directions of the plane, each relief comprising a base constituting a connection between the relief and the flat portion and at least one apex portion, the base having a first dimension equal to a diameter of the smallest circle circumscribing the base in the plane formed by the flat portion and a second dimension equal to a diameter of the largest circle inscribing the base, the distance between the apex portion and the base in the thickness direction constitutes a height of the relief, the height of the relief being less than 20 mm, in all directions of the plane each relief being spaced apart from an adjacent relief by a distance equal to or less than twice the first dimension of the base, and the ratio of the first dimension of the base to the height of each relief being equal to or less than 2.

[0009] These features allow the relief, due to its height / dimension ratio, to be less subject to sloshing of the fluid, avoiding damage to the sealing membrane and loss of its sealing property. Furthermore, the above-mentioned maximum distance between adjacent patterns related to the relief dimensions allows a good distribution of the relief over the sealing membrane, which allows regular contraction or expansion in all directions, thus maintaining flexibility during the use of the tank.

[0010] The term "adjacent patterns" refers to patterns that are separated from each other by at least one straight line formed only by flat portions in the plane of the plate.

[0011] The diameter of the smallest circle circumscribing the base is the diameter of the smallest circle located around and outside the base, and the smallest circle has at least two intersections with the base so as to encircle the base without cutting it. For example, in the case of a triangular base, the center of this circle is at the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of the base.

[0012] The diameter of the largest circle inscribed in the base means the diameter of the largest circle located inside the base, which has at least two intersections with the base so that the entire circle is inside the base without cutting the base. For example, in the case of a triangular base, the center of this circle is at the intersection of the bisectors of the base.

[0013] In embodiments, such a sealing membrane may have one or more of the following features:

[0014] In one embodiment, the ratio of the second dimension of the base to the height of the relief is less than or equal to 0.6.

[0015] In one embodiment, the sealing membrane comprises a number of metal plates tightly welded together at their edges.

[0016] The expression "closely welded" refers to a weld made with a continuous weld bead to form a continuous surface between the two elements welded together.

[0017] In one embodiment, all the reliefs of the plate are identical.

[0018] In one embodiment, the relief is regularly or irregularly distributed on the metal plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the metal plate comprises at least a first series of reliefs and a second series of reliefs, the first series of reliefs having a different size and / or shape than the second series of reliefs.

[0020] In one embodiment, each relief is separated from an adjacent relief in all directions in the plane by a distance no greater than 1.5 times the first dimension of the base, preferably no greater than 1 time.

[0021] In one embodiment, each metal plate is at least 1 m long and at least 0.5 m wide, for example 3 m long and 1 m wide.

[0022] In one embodiment the relief height is between 8 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 14 mm.

[0023] In one embodiment the ratio of the first dimension of the base to the height of the relief is less than or equal to 1.5, for example 1.4, for an elliptical relief.

[0024] In one embodiment, the ratio of the second dimension of the base to the height of the relief is greater than or equal to 0.7.

[0025] In one embodiment, the ratio of the second dimension of the base to the height of the relief is between 1 and 2.5.

[0026] In one embodiment the relief is produced by moulding, preferably by drawing, or by stamping or die stamping, or by magnetic moulding.

[0027] In one embodiment, the metal plate e, expressed in mm at the flat プレート The thickness of the metal plate is greater than or equal to 115 / E, where E is the Young's modulus of the material from which the metal plate is made, expressed in GPa.

[0028] In one embodiment, the metal plate is made from stainless steel or high manganese steel.

[0029] Thus, for stainless steel with a Young's modulus of 200 GPa, the minimum thickness of the metal plate is approximately equal to 0.58 mm. Thus, for high manganese steel with a Young's modulus of 170 GPa, the minimum thickness of the metal plate is approximately equal to 0.68 mm.

[0030] In one embodiment, the metal plate has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0031] In one embodiment, the metal plate is made from a metal with a Young's modulus of 130 GPa to 230 GPa.

[0032] In one embodiment, the metal plate is made from a metal with a yield strength greater than 170 MPa at room temperature.

[0033] In one embodiment, the metal plate is made from a metal with a yield strength of 170 MPa to 500 MPa.

[0034] In one embodiment, the number of reliefs per linear meter of the metal plate N relief is in the following range:

number

[0035] In one embodiment, the base is elliptical, for example circular, or polygonal.

[0036] In one embodiment, the base is elliptical and the ratio of the first dimension of the base to the height of the relief is less than or equal to 1.4.

[0037] In one embodiment, the ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is less than or equal to 1.4, preferably between 1 and 1.4.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first dimension of the base is equal to the second dimension of the base.

[0039] In one embodiment, each relief is pyramidal or semi-elliptical, for example a hemisphere or a pyramid with a square base.

[0040] In one embodiment, each relief has a shape that flares outwardly towards a base.

[0041] In one embodiment, the orthogonal projection of at least one vertex of the relief onto the plane of the plate lies within the outer periphery of the base.

[0042] In one embodiment, at least 90%, preferably all, of the area of ​​the metal plate that protrudes from the flat portion is in relief.

[0043] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed insulated tank for storing liquefied gas integrated into a support structure, the tank comprising a plurality of tank walls forming an interior space for containing the liquefied gas, at least one of the tank walls comprising an insulating barrier fixed to the support structure and a sealed membrane as described above mounted on the insulating barrier and configured to be in contact with the liquefied gas in the tank.

[0044] In one embodiment, the relief projects from the flat portion in the direction of the interior space of the tank.

[0045] In one embodiment, the relief protrudes from the flat portion towards the support structure.

[0046] In one embodiment, the insulating barrier includes a plurality of insulating panels juxtaposed against one another.

[0047] In one embodiment, the sealing membrane is a primary sealing membrane, the insulating barrier is a primary insulating barrier, and the tank wall comprises, in the thickness direction, from the exterior to the interior of the tank, a secondary insulating barrier fixed to a support structure, a secondary sealing membrane mounted on the secondary insulating barrier, a primary insulating barrier mounted on the secondary sealing membrane, and a primary sealing membrane mounted on the primary insulating barrier.

[0048] Such tanks may form part of an onshore storage facility, for example for storing LNG, or may be located on floating, coastal or deep sea structures, in particular liquefied gas carriers, floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), remote floating production and storage units (FPSOs), etc. Such tanks may be used as fuel tanks in any type of carrier.

[0049] In one embodiment, a carrier for transporting cryogenic liquid products comprises a double hull and the above tank arranged within the double hull, the double hull forming a support structure for the tank.

[0050] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a transfer system for transferring a cryogenic liquid product, the system comprising the above-mentioned carrier, an insulated pipeline arranged to connect a tank installed within the hull of the carrier to a floating or on-shore storage facility, and a pump for flowing the cryogenic liquid product from the floating or on-shore storage facility to the tank of the carrier or from the tank of the carrier to the floating or on-shore storage facility via the insulated pipeline.

[0051] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading and unloading the above-mentioned carrier, in which the cryogenic liquid product is transferred via an insulated pipeline from a floating or onshore storage facility to a tank of the carrier or from a tank of the carrier to a floating or onshore storage facility.

[0052] The invention will be better understood and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description of some particular embodiments of the invention, given purely by way of example and non-limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of a membrane with a relief according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, showing one of the reliefs of the sealing membrane. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a sealing membrane with a relief according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing one of the reliefs of the sealing membrane. [Diagram 5]FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of a portion of a sealing membrane with a relief according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a tank wall according to a first variant, comprising a sealing membrane and a thermal insulating barrier according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a tank wall according to a second variant, comprising a sealing membrane and a thermal insulating barrier according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a tank wall according to a third variant, comprising a primary sealing membrane according to the first embodiment, a primary insulating barrier, a secondary sealing membrane and a secondary insulating barrier. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cutaway schematic view of a liquefied gas carrier tank having a sealing membrane and a terminal for loading and unloading the tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] By convention, "top" or "above" or "upper side" refers to a position closer to the interior of the tank, and "bottom" or "below" or "lower side" refers to a position closer to the supporting structure, regardless of the orientation of the tank wall with respect to the Earth's gravitational field.

[0055] In the following, a sealing membrane 1 for a sealed fluid storage tank is described.

[0056] 1 shows a sealing membrane 1 according to a first embodiment. The sealing membrane 1 comprises a number of metal plates 2 closely welded to one another at their edges. The metal plates 2 have a flat portion 3 defining the plane of the plate and a number of reliefs 4 projecting from the flat portion 3 in the thickness direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate.

[0057] The reliefs 4 are arranged at a distance from one another and distributed over the entire metal plate 2, such that it is not possible to draw a straight line in the plane of said plate without intersecting the reliefs 4. In particular, in order to ensure the flexibility of the metal plate 2 against thermal contraction / expansion, the sealing membrane 2 has reliefs in all directions of the plane of said plate. A flat portion 3 thus separates the reliefs 4 from one another. Each relief 4 has a base 5 and at least one apex 6. The thickness 11 of the metal plate 2 of the sealing membrane 1 is relatively small compared to the other dimensions of the metal plate 2 in order to ensure the flexibility of the sealing membrane against thermal contraction / expansion.

[0058] 1 and 2, the relief 4 has a circular base 5 and a single apex 6 so as to form a hemisphere or semi-ellipsoid. The relief 4 is here regularly distributed on the metal plate 2, but in another embodiment, not shown, it may also be irregularly distributed on the metal plate 2.

[0059] Figure 2 shows a cross section of one of the reliefs of figure 1 to show the various dimensions of the relief 4. In particular, the base 5 comprises a first dimension 7 and a second dimension 8 in the plane of the plate, which are equal in the case of the first embodiment. The first dimension 7 is equal to the diameter of the smallest circle circumscribing the base 5, and the second dimension 8 is equal to the diameter of the largest circle inscribing the base 5. Furthermore, the distance between the apex 6 and the base 5 in the thickness direction of the metal plate 2 defines the height 9 of the relief 4.

[0060] In the embodiment of Fig. 2, each relief 4 is separated from an adjacent relief 4 by a distance equal to or less than 1 times the first dimension 7 of the base 5. The ratio of the second dimension 8 of the base 5 to the height 9 of the relief 4 is equal to about 3.33. Thus, the ratio of the first dimension 7 of the base 5 to the height 9 of the relief 4 is equal to about 0.3.

[0061] 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the relief 4 of the sealing membrane 1. In this embodiment, the shape of the base 5 of the relief 4 differs from the first embodiment. In particular, the base 5 is a quadrilateral, with a larger dimension 7 formed in this case by a diagonal of the quadrilateral and a smaller dimension 8 formed by a smaller side of the quadrilateral. Here, the ratio of the first dimension 7 of the base 5 to the second dimension 8 of the base 5 is equal to about 1.4, while the ratio of the second dimension 8 of the base 4 to the height 9 of the relief 4 is equal to about 2.5. The ratio of the first dimension 7 of the base 5 to the height 9 of the relief 4 is therefore equal to about 0.56.

[0062] In the first two embodiments, the metal plate 2 is provided with reliefs of identical shape and size from one metal plate to another.

[0063] 5 shows a third embodiment of the relief 4 of the sealing membrane 1, which differs from the previous embodiments in that the metal plate 2 comprises a first series of reliefs 22 and a second series of reliefs 23 having different dimensions and shapes. In particular, the relief 4 of the first series of reliefs 22 is in the form of the relief of the first embodiment of figures 1 and 2 and the relief 4 of the second series of reliefs 23 is in the form of the relief 4 of the second embodiment. As shown, these series of reliefs alternate with each other in a dimension of the metal plate 2.

[0064] In other embodiments not shown, the relief 4 can have different shapes and sizes with respect to those mentioned above, and the metal plate 2 can also include three or more different series of reliefs.

[0065] The above described techniques for manufacturing sealing membranes may be used in different types of storage tanks, for example to construct primary sealing membranes for LNG storage tanks in land-based facilities or floating structures such as liquefied gas carriers.

[0066] Figure 6 shows a multi-layer structure of the tank wall according to a first variant for a sealed, insulated tank 71 for storing, for example, liquefied gas. As shown, in this variant, the tank wall comprises successively in the thickness direction from the exterior to the interior of the tank 71, a thermal insulating barrier 12 fixed to a support structure 15 and a sealing membrane as described in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, which rests on the thermal insulating barrier 12 and is configured to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank.

[0067] The support structure 3 may in particular be formed by the hull or double hull of a carrier. The support structure 3 comprises a number of walls which define the overall shape of the tank, which is usually multi-sided.

[0068] The thermal insulation barrier 12 comprises a plurality of thermal insulation panels 16 secured by fastening devices (not shown) to a support structure 15. The thermal insulation panels 16 have a generally parallelepiped shape and are arranged in parallel rows.

[0069] Figure 7 shows the multi-layer structure of the tank wall according to a second variant. This variant differs from the first variant only in the shape of the insulating barrier 12. In particular, in this variant, the insulating panel 16 is configured such that the complementary shape 18 of its upper surface is complementary to the relief 4 and optimally matches the shape of the sealing membrane 1. In particular, in the case of the illustrated example, the relief 4 projects towards the interior of the tank and the complementary shape 18 thus fills the space below the relief 4. In the not illustrated embodiment, the relief 4 projects towards the exterior of the tank and the complementary shape 18 is in this case a recess in the insulating barrier 12 for receiving the relief 4.

[0070] Figure 8 shows a multi-layer structure of the tank wall according to a third variant. Each tank wall comprises successively in the thickness direction from the exterior to the interior of the tank 71: a secondary insulating barrier 14 fixed to a support structure 15, a secondary sealing membrane 13 resting on the secondary insulating barrier 12, a primary insulating barrier 12 resting on the secondary sealing membrane 13 and a primary sealing membrane 6 as described in the first embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2, resting on the primary insulating barrier 12 and arranged to be in contact with the fluid contained in the tank.

[0071] The primary insulation barrier 12 includes a plurality of primary insulation panels 16 secured to a support structure 15 by fastening devices (not shown). The secondary insulation barrier 14 includes a plurality of secondary insulation panels 17 secured to a support structure 15 by fastening devices (not shown). The primary insulation panels 16 and the secondary insulation panels 17 have a generally parallelepiped shape and are arranged in parallel rows.

[0072] The secondary insulation panel 17 and the primary insulation panel 16 consist of a base plate, a cover plate and optionally an intermediate plate, for example made of plywood. The insulation panel 16, 17 is also provided with one or more layers of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between and adhesively bonded to the base plate, the cover plate and the optional intermediate plate. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam, optionally fiber-reinforced. In another embodiment, the insulation panel 16, 17 can be made entirely from insulating polymer foam. The insulation panel 16, 17 can also be manufactured in the form of a box filled with an insulating lining.

[0073] The secondary sealing membrane 13 can be manufactured in the same manner as the primary sealing membrane 1. The secondary sealing membrane 13 may also be manufactured by a continuous sheet of metal strakes with raised edges, or by strips of laminated composite material adhesively bonded together.

[0074] 9, a cutaway view of a liquefied gas carrier 70 shows a generally prismatic, sealed, insulated tank 71 mounted within the carrier's double hull 72. The walls of the tank 71 comprise a primary containment barrier configured to be in contact with the LNG contained within the tank, a secondary containment barrier disposed between the primary containment barrier and the carrier's double hull 72, and two insulating barriers disposed between the primary containment barrier and the secondary containment barrier and between the secondary containment barrier and the double hull 72, respectively.

[0075] In a manner known per se, an offloading pipeline 73 located on the upper deck of the carrier can be connected by suitable connectors to an offshore or port terminal to transfer a cargo of LNG to or from the tanks 71.

[0076] 9 shows an example of a marine terminal with an offloading station 75, an underwater pipe 76 and an onshore facility 77. The offloading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility with a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 holds a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 that can be connected to an offloading pipeline 73. The steerable movable arm 74 is adjustable to fit all sizes of liquefied gas carriers. A connecting pipe (not shown) extends inside the tower 78. The offloading station 75 allows offloading of the liquefied gas carriers 70 from or to the onshore facility 77. The facility comprises a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81 that is connected to the offloading station 75 by an underwater pipe 76. The underwater pipes 76 enable the liquefied gas to be transported over long distances, for example 5 km, between the offloading station 75 and the onshore facility 77, thereby allowing the liquefied gas carrier 70 to be kept far from shore during offloading operations.

[0077] To generate the pressure required for the transfer of the liquefied gas, a pump on board the carrier 70 and / or a pump provided at the onshore facility 77 and / or a pump provided at the loading / unloading station 75 is used.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific embodiments, it is clear that the invention is not limited thereto but comprises all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof, provided that these are within the framework of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0079] Use of the verbs "comprise" or "include" and their conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim.

[0080] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

Claims

1. A sealed, insulated tank (71) for storing liquefied gas, integrated into a support structure (15), comprising: The sealed, insulated tank (71) comprises a plurality of tank walls forming an interior space for containing the liquefied gas; At least one of the tank walls comprises an insulating barrier (12) fixed to the support structure (15) and a sealing membrane (1) resting on the insulating barrier (12) and configured to be in contact with the liquefied gas in the sealed insulated tank (71), The sealing membrane (1) comprises at least one metal plate (2), The metal plate (2) comprises a flat portion (3) defining a plane of the metal plate (2) and a plurality of reliefs (4) protruding from the flat portion (3) in a thickness direction perpendicular to the plane of the metal plate (2); The reliefs (4) are spaced apart from one another, said metal plate (2) comprises at least one said relief (4) in every direction of said plane, Each of the reliefs (4) comprises a base (5) constituting a connection between the relief (4) and the flat portion (3) and at least one apex (6), The base (5) has a first dimension (7) equal to the diameter of the smallest circle circumscribing the base (5) in the plane formed by the flat portion (3) and a second dimension (8) equal to the diameter of the smallest circle inscribing the base (5). a second dimension (8) equal to the diameter of the largest circle in the the distance between the apex (6) and the base (5) in the thickness direction constitutes the height of the relief (4); said height (9) of said relief (4) being less than 20 mm; in all directions in said plane, each of said reliefs (4) is separated from adjacent reliefs (4) by a distance not greater than twice the first dimension (7) of said base (5); A sealed, insulated tank (71), wherein the ratio of the height (9) to the first dimension (7) of the base (5) of each of the reliefs (4) is less than or equal to 2.

2. 2. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the second dimension (8) of the base (5) to the height (9) of the relief (4) is equal to or greater than 0.

6.

3. the thickness (11) e of said metal plate (2) at said flat portion (3) expressed in mm ｐｌａｑｕｅ 3. The tank (71) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the Young's modulus of the material of which the metal plate (2) is made is 115 / E, where E is the Young's modulus of the material of which the metal plate (2) is made, expressed in GPa.

4. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thickness (11) of the metal plate (2) is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

5. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the metal plate (2) is made of a metal having a Young's modulus of 130 GPa to 230 GPa.

6. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metal plate (2) is made from a metal having a yield strength of more than 170 MPa at ambient temperature.

7. The number N of said reliefs (4) per linear meter of said metal plate ｒｅｌｉｅｆ but, [0010] and In the formula, α is K －１ is the thermal expansion coefficient of the metal plate (2) represented by ΔT is the temperature difference between the ambient temperature, expressed in K, and the temperature of the fluid stored in the sealed insulated tank; The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein h is the height (9) of the relief (4) expressed in mm.

8. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (5) is elliptical or polygonal.

9. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base (5) is elliptical and the ratio of the height (9) of the relief (4) to the first dimension (7) of the base (5) is less than or equal to 1.

4.

10. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ratio of the first dimension to the second dimension is less than or equal to 1.

4.

11. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the relief (4) protrudes from the flat portion (3) in the direction of the interior space of the sealed, insulated tank (71).

12. The sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relief (4) projects from the flat portion (3) in the direction of the support structure (15).

13. The sealing membrane is a primary sealing membrane (1), The thermal insulation barrier is a primary thermal insulation barrier (12), The tank wall (1) is formed in a thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed insulated tank (71). a secondary insulating barrier (14) secured to said support structure (15); a secondary sealing membrane (13) disposed on the secondary insulating barrier (14); the primary insulating barrier (12) resting on the secondary sealing membrane (13); The sealed and insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the primary sealing membrane (1) resting on the primary insulating barrier (12).

14. A carrier (70) for transporting a cryogenic liquid product, comprising: The carrier comprises a double hull (72) and a sealed insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 arranged within the double hull, The double hull forms the support structure for the sealed, insulated tank (71), carrier (70).

15. 1. A transfer system for transferring a cryogenic liquid product, comprising: A carrier (70) according to claim 14; an insulated pipeline (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the sealed insulated tank (71) installed in the hull of the carrier to a floating or land-based storage facility (77); a pump for causing a flow of the cryogenic liquid product through the insulated pipeline from the floating storage facility or the onshore storage facility to the sealed insulated tank of the carrier or from the sealed insulated tank of the carrier to the floating storage facility or the onshore storage facility.

16. A method for loading and unloading a carrier (70) according to claim 14, comprising the steps of: A method in which a cryogenic liquid product is transferred from a floating or onshore storage facility (77) to the sealed, insulated tank (71) of the carrier or from the sealed, insulated tank (71) of the carrier to the floating or onshore storage facility (77) via an insulated pipeline (73, 79, 76, 81).

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