Guide device for loading and / or unloading tower for cryogenic fluid

Abstract

To provide a buffer support body having a configuration to facilitate installation to a loading and / or unloading tower.SOLUTION: There is provided a guide device (16) for relatively positioning a loading and / or unloading tower for cryogenic fluid on a base attached to a bottom wall of a storage tank for cryogenic fluid. The guide device (16) includes a support body (24) having a rim (46) for defining a storage zone (54) of a buffer (26) at least partially. The rim (46) includes an opening (56) configured to insert the buffer (26) into the storage zone (54). A carrier device (16) for the buffer includes a holding member (58) for the buffer (26), which defines the storage zone (54). The holding member (58) is designed to extend in the opening (56) at least partially.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cryogenic fluids such as liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, ammonia or even hydrogen, and more particularly to problems related to the loading and / or unloading of cryogenic fluids resulting from their transportation. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a major energy source consisting mainly of methane. LNG is typically stored in a liquid state at temperatures approaching -160°C, and liquefied natural gas occupies 1 / 600th of the volume that the natural gas occupies in its gaseous state. Storing it in a liquid state makes it easy to transport it between extraction sites and destinations. LNG is stored in watertight and insulated tanks for and during transportation. Such tanks may be located on land or on floating structures.

[0003] For loading and / or unloading the liquefied natural gas to and from the tank in which it is stored, a loading and / or unloading tower is installed in the tank. The loading and / or unloading tower may be a mobile device, but in the case of an LNG tanker, the loading and / or unloading tower is generally attached directly to the tank. Furthermore, the tank has an upper opening configured to accommodate the loading and / or unloading tower, which has several masts extending over the entire height of the tank. A base is attached to the bottom of the tank, on which the loading and / or unloading tower for loading and / or unloading the liquefied natural gas is positioned.

[0004] During loading and unloading of the tank, the materials used in the loading and / or unloading towers may be affected by significant temperature changes due to the transition from the storage temperature of the liquid methane to the ambient temperature. By material changes it is understood that these materials may expand or contract in response to the temperature change. Therefore, in order to accommodate the material changes, the loading and / or unloading towers need to be vertically movable on their base, such vertical movement being understood to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the tank.

[0005] It is known to use bumpers or pads that allow the loading and / or unloading tower to move in a vertical translational direction while restricting its movement in a plane parallel to the bottom of the tank. Such bumpers are attached to the underside of the tower and are supported by a bumper support positioned opposite the base so that they can slide along the base. However, the installation of the bumper support on the loading and / or unloading tower on the one hand and the assembly of the bumper to the bumper support on the other hand are difficult to carry out in the storage tank, especially since the working space inside the storage tank is limited and the bumper support is a heavy and bulky member. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to solve this drawback by proposing a buffer support having a configuration that facilitates installation in a loading and / or unloading tower, such installation can be carried out before the loading and / or unloading tower is lowered into the liquefied natural gas storage tank, so that the only step carried out in the storage tank is the assembly of the buffer on the buffer support. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The main object of the present invention is therefore a guide device for positioning a loading and / or unloading tower for a cryogenic fluid relative to a base attached to the bottom wall of a storage tank for a cryogenic fluid, the guide device comprising a support with a rim and a storage zone for a buffer configured to be attached to the loading and / or unloading tower, the rim having an opening configured for inserting a buffer into the storage zone, the guide device comprising a retaining member for the buffer that defines the storage zone together with the rim, the retaining member being designed to extend at least partially into the opening.

[0008] The guide device according to the invention is a support device for a shock absorber, which forms the interface between a tower for loading and / or unloading a cryogenic fluid, such as liquefied natural gas or LNG, on the one hand, and the base of a storage tank, on the other hand, which base is more particularly designed to be positioned opposite the base of the loading and / or unloading tower. The guide device serves to position the loading and / or unloading tower relative to the base.

[0009] The guide device comprises a support body with a storage zone for a shock absorber, in which the shock absorber is intended to be stored, which is at least partially surrounded by a rim forming a frame for this storage zone. The rim does not continuously surround the entire circumference of the support body, but has an opening through which the shock absorber is inserted as far as the storage zone. Once the shock absorber has been positioned, the guide device has a retaining member designed to be positioned in the opening of the rim in order to permanently define a storage zone surrounding the entire circumference of the support body.

[0010] The retaining element is positioned in the opening once the buffer is placed in the receiving zone. It is thus possible to separate the operations of assembling the loading and / or unloading tower with the support device for the buffer and the assembly of the buffer in the support device for the buffer, in other words the operations of assembling the loading and / or unloading tower with the support device for the buffer and the assembly of the buffer in the support device for the buffer can be carried out in two stages at different locations. As a result, it is possible to limit the assembly operations in the storage tank, in particular by fastening the guide device to the loading and / or unloading tower before the loading and / or unloading tower is placed in the storage tank, and space problems resulting from the assembly operations in the storage tank can be solved. By limiting the number of operations carried out in the storage tank, the risk of damage to this storage tank during material handling is further reduced.

[0011] Furthermore, assembling the buffer device and the buffer itself in two stages allows further components, in particular the pump support and pump, to be assembled with the loading and / or unloading tower before the loading and / or unloading tower is lowered into the storage tank.

[0012] According to an optional feature of the invention, the support has a base, the rim has a first edge, a second edge and a third edge defining a containment zone, the second edge being disposed between the first edge and the third edge to form a "U" shape, and the retaining member is intended to be attached to the base of the support opposite the second edge.

[0013] The support has a base, which forms the bottom of the support and serves to define a storage zone for the buffer. The base of the support is defined by a rim that protrudes with respect to the base. The rim is divided into three sections, namely a first edge, a second edge and a third edge. The three edges are respectively located along different ends of the support, thereby forming a "U" shape. The storage zone is defined by the sides of the "U" shape and a retaining member that is located between the sides of the "U" shape. When the retaining member is fixed to the base of the support, it joins the first edge and the third edge, thereby constituting a fourth edge of the guide device.

[0014] According to an optional feature of the invention, the first edge and the third edge are disposed at respective longitudinal ends of the support, and the second edge and the retaining member are disposed at respective vertical ends of the support.

[0015] The longitudinal ends of the support herein correspond to the longitudinal ends extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, which is the main extension direction of the support, and the vertical ends are the ends connecting the longitudinal ends in pairs. The support is generally square, preferably rectangular, so that it is more easily adapted to accommodate the buffers, which are generally also rectangular. When the guide device is positioned in the storage tank, the longitudinal ends are longitudinal ends that are substantially parallel to the bottom wall of this storage tank, and the vertical ends are substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the storage tank. The arrangement of the second edge and the retaining member on the vertical ends corresponds to a first embodiment of the guide device according to the invention. In this first embodiment, the buffers are inserted into the receiving zone of the guide device from the side of the guide device.

[0016] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide apparatus includes a mounting system for mounting the retaining member to the support, preferably removably.

[0017] A removable mounting system is for example a screw fastening system, which fastens the retaining member to the support, more precisely to the base of the support, with a screw penetrating the base until it engages with the retaining member.

[0018] In accordance with an optional feature of the invention, the retaining member and the support are welded to one another.

[0019] The welding is TIG (tungsten-inert gas) welding. The welding enables an integral assembly to be formed between the retaining member and the support.

[0020] According to an optional feature of the invention, one of the edges of the support has a chamfer, and it is intended that this edge having the chamfer is the edge that is closest to the bottom wall and extends parallel to said bottom wall.

[0021] According to an optional feature of the invention, the support has a first surface with the containment zone and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the guide device has a first plate and a second plate extending from the second surface, the first plate and the second plate configured to be fixed to opposite sides of a predetermined portion of the loading and / or unloading tower.

[0022] The second surface is designed to be positioned opposite a loading and / or unloading tower. The second surface supports two plates extending substantially perpendicular to the second surface. When the guide device is positioned on the loading and / or unloading tower, the first plate and the second plate surround a predetermined portion of the loading and / or unloading tower. In other words, the predetermined portion of the loading and / or unloading tower is located between the first plate and the second plate.

[0023] The present invention further relates to a loading and / or unloading tower configured for loading and / or unloading a cryogenic fluid into a storage tank, the loading and / or unloading tower comprising at least one guide device as described above, a plurality of masts and a base plate connecting the masts to each other, the guide device being attached to the base plate and configured to contact a base attached to a bottom wall of the storage tank.

[0024] In the loading and / or unloading tower, the base plate corresponds to a frame connecting the masts to each other. The base plate is integral with the guide device, more precisely welded to the guide device. The loading and / or unloading tower comprises at least one guide device. Preferably, the loading and / or unloading tower comprises a plurality of guide devices distributed around the periphery of the base.

[0025] According to an optional feature of the invention, the guide device includes a buffer configured to contact the base and allow movement of the loading and / or unloading tower along an extension axis of the loading and / or unloading tower, and the guide device at least partially blocks the loading and / or unloading tower in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall.

[0026] The buffer or pad is a protective element that buffers any impact when the second portion moves towards the base. The buffer is configured to allow vertical movement of the loading and / or unloading tower but block at least one horizontal movement of the loading and / or unloading tower. Thus, movement of the loading and / or unloading tower is blocked in at least one direction that is perpendicular to the buffer.

[0027] The support and retaining members are made of stainless steel. The buffer is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE.

[0028] Inserting the shock absorber through an opening in the rim makes it easy to replace the shock absorber.

[0029] According to an optional feature of the invention, the mast extends primarily in a vertical direction, the base extends primarily in a longitudinal-transverse plane, the support extends primarily in a longitudinal direction, the second edge and the retaining member are respectively located at longitudinal ends of the support, and the first edge and the third edge are respectively located at vertical ends of the support.

[0030] The arrangement of the second edge and the retaining member at the longitudinal end corresponds to a second embodiment of the guide device, in which it is possible to insert the buffer into the receiving zone of the guide device, for example from the underside of the guide device, which is accessible inside the storage tank.

[0031] The chamfer is more particularly provided on an edge located at the longitudinal end closest to the bottom wall of the tank when the loading and / or unloading tower is associated with a base integral with the bottom wall of the tank, the chamfer facilitating the installation of the loading and / or unloading tower in contact with the base.

[0032] The invention also relates to a storage tank for a cryogenic fluid, comprising a loading and / or unloading tower according to the invention, a base and a bottom wall to which the base is attached, wherein a guide device is configured to guide the positioning of the loading and / or unloading tower on the base.

[0033] More specifically, the guide device is configured to block the loading and / or unloading tower in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall while allowing translation of the loading and / or unloading tower in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. In other words, movement of the loading and / or unloading tower in a vertical direction is permitted in the storage tank, but movement in a horizontal direction is prevented by the guide device. The storage tank is, for example, a tank of a floating structure, and the storage tank is watertight and insulated.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention is intended to cover a method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower as described above, comprising the steps of inserting a buffer in the receiving zone of the support, then positioning a retaining member in the opening and at least one step of fixing the retaining member to the support.

[0035] During the method of installing the loading and / or unloading tower, the retaining member is placed against the base of the support and then fixed to the support. The buffer is more particularly inserted into the receiving zone through an opening provided in the rim, which is then closed by the retaining member.

[0036] According to an optional feature of the invention, the method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower comprises, prior to the inserting step, a calibration step during which a calibrated member is inserted into a receiving zone of the support to measure a distance between the support and the base and then the calibrated member is removed from the receiving zone, and a step of machining the buffer based on the distance measurements collected during the calibration step.

[0037] The calibrated member is, for example, a calibrated metal snubber that allows for measuring the clearance with a feeler gauge at the four corners of the calibrated metal plug. The purpose of the calibration step is to determine the clearance measurements that will be used to machine the final snubber so that it is a predefined distance from the base. This ensures that the snubber is as close to the base as possible because it is custom fitted.

[0038] According to an optional feature of the invention, the at least one step of fastening the retaining member to the support includes a first step of fastening by a removable mounting system and a second step of fastening by welding.

[0039] Welding can be used to complement the removable attachment system, for example by overlapping the screws to fix the position of the screws, or welding can be performed directly between the holding member and the base of the support.

[0040] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a storage tank intended to accommodate a loading and / or unloading tower as described above, comprising the steps of associating a support of a guide device with the loading and / or unloading tower, lowering the loading and / or unloading tower until it comes into contact with the base, and installing the loading and / or unloading tower by the installation method as described above.

[0041] The assembly method according to the invention allows the installation of a loading and / or unloading tower in a storage tank for loading or unloading a cryogenic fluid. First, a guide device is associated with the loading and / or unloading tower, which is then lowered into the storage tank. Then, a buffer is inserted into the containment zone and the opening is closed by a retaining member. When the buffer contacts the base, the guide device blocks the horizontal movement of the loading and / or unloading tower while allowing the vertical movement of the loading and / or unloading tower.

[0042] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the illustrative and non-limiting exemplary embodiments on the one hand from reading the following description and on the other hand from reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a tank for storing a cryogenic fluid, the tank having a tower for loading and / or unloading the cryogenic fluid, the loading and / or unloading tower having a base plate mounted on the base of the tank. [Diagram 2] 2 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a plurality of guide devices disposed between the base plate and the base shown in FIG. 1, in which the insertion direction of the shock absorber into the guide device is indicated by an arrow. [Diagram 3] 3 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a plurality of guide devices arranged between the base plate and the base shown in FIG. 2, in which the insertion direction of the shock absorber into the guide device is indicated by an arrow. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of one of the guide devices shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] The features, variations, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in different combinations, provided that they are not mutually incompatible or exclusive. In particular, variations of the invention can be envisioned that comprise only a selection of features described below separately from other features described, where this selection of features is sufficient to provide a technical advantage and / or distinction of the invention over the prior art.

[0045] In the drawings, elements common to several drawings bear the same references.

[0046] In the following detailed description, the terms "longitudinal", "lateral" and "vertical" refer to the orientation of the guide device according to the invention. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the main extension direction of the support of the guide device, which longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the illustrated reference system L,V,T. The vertical direction corresponds to a direction substantially perpendicular to the base of the storage tank in which the guide device is located, which vertical direction is parallel to the vertical axis V of the reference system L,V,T, which vertical axis V is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, the lateral direction corresponds to a direction parallel to the lateral axis T of the reference system L,V,T, which lateral axis T is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0047] Thus, FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a storage tank 1 for a cryogenic fluid, for example liquefied natural gas. Alternatively, the cryogenic fluid may be liquefied petroleum gas, methane, ethane, ammonia, nitrogen (dinitrogen), carbon dioxide or even hydrogen (dihydrogen) without departing from the scope of the invention. The storage tank 1 is a tank of a floating structure, for example a liquefied gas processing vessel such as an LNG tanker, or even a tank of a land-based installation or a gravity platform. The storage tank 1 comprises a bottom wall 2 corresponding to its floor. The storage tank 1 further comprises a side wall which together with the bottom wall 2 serves to define the liquefied natural gas storage volume. The walls of the storage tank 1 are provided with at least one insulating layer covered by a sealing membrane, which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas.

[0048] A conical base 4 is attached to the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1. This base 4 projects from the bottom wall 2 in a vertical direction V that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2. The base 4 forms a seat for receiving further elements of the storage tank 1.

[0049] Among the elements supported by the base 4, the storage tank 1 comprises at least one loading and / or unloading tower 6 configured for loading and / or unloading liquefied natural gas into and / or from the storage tank 1. In other words, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 allows the liquefied natural gas to be transported to and / or removed from the storage tank 1. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends between the ceiling wall of the storage tank and the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank, more precisely the base 4. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 is installed within the volume of the storage tank 1, for example through a cover of the ceiling wall of this storage tank 1.

[0050] The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends along a main direction of extension substantially parallel to the vertical direction V, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 2. The loading and / or unloading tower 6 extends between a first end 8, which is arranged opposite the ceiling wall of the storage tank 1, and a second end 10, which is arranged opposite the bottom wall 2. More precisely, the first end 8 is opposite the cover, while the second end 10 is in contact with the base 4.

[0051] The loading and / or unloading tower 6 comprises a number of masts 12 which extend mainly in a vertical direction V. In the present invention, the loading and / or unloading tower 6 has three masts 12 forming a tripod, only two of which are shown in FIG. 1. The three masts 12 are connected to each other at the second end 10 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 by a base plate 14. This base plate 14 is a plate which connects the masts 12 to each other, is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2 and therefore extends mainly in a longitudinal-transverse plane.

[0052] The base plate 14 corresponds to a portion of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 that is positioned opposite the base 4. This arrangement of the base plate 14 relative to the base 4 maintains the loading and / or unloading tower 6 in a vertical position within the storage tank 1, in particular when the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is at least partially immersed in liquefied natural gas.

[0053] During installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 within the volume of the storage tank 1, the base plate 14 is positioned relative to the base 4 by at least one guiding device 16, the function of which is more specifically to allow vertical translational movement of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 relative to the base 4 while preventing movement in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2.

[0054] The guide devices 16 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The storage tank 1 comprises, in this embodiment, several guide devices 16 arranged around the base 4. More precisely, the storage tank 1 comprises six guide devices 16, two of which are arranged along an edge 18 of the base plate 14 and four of which are arranged along a side edge 20 of said base plate 14. Thus, there are two guide devices 16 along a first side edge 20 of the base plate 14 and two guide devices 16 along a second side edge 20 of the base plate 14, the first and second side edges 20 corresponding to the long sides of the base plate 14 and joining the two edges 18. Unless otherwise stated, features described in relation to one of these guide devices 16 are intended to apply mutatis mutandis to all of the guide devices 16.

[0055] 4, the guide device 16 has a body 22 attached to the base plate 14. The body 22 is welded to the base plate 14, for example, on one of the faces of the base plate that faces the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1 when the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is installed in said storage tank 1.

[0056] The body 22 of the guide device 16 comprises a support 24 intended to be placed opposite the base 4. This support 24 forms a seat for a buffer 26 of the guide device 16, which is a protective device designed to come into contact with the base 4. This buffer 26 is configured to allow a movement of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 in a vertical direction V, but to prevent a movement of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 in a direction parallel to the bottom wall 2, i.e. in a longitudinal-transverse plane. The buffer 26 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE, while the body 22 of the guide device 16, and in particular the support 24 of the guide device 16, are made of stainless steel.

[0057] The support 24 is substantially rectangular. The support 24 extends mainly in a longitudinal direction L substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2. The support 24 extends between a first longitudinal end 28 and a second longitudinal end 30, both of which are parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The second longitudinal end 30 is closer to the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1 than the first longitudinal end 28. The first longitudinal end 28 and the second longitudinal end 30 are connected in pairs by vertical ends 32, 34 of the support 24, including a first vertical end 32 and a second vertical end 34. Due to the substantially rectangular shape of the support 24, the first longitudinal end 28 and the first vertical end 32 abut to form a first corner 36 of the support 24, the first longitudinal end 28 and the second vertical end 34 abut to form a second corner 38, the second vertical end 34 and the second longitudinal end 30 abut to form a third corner 40, and the second longitudinal end 30 and the first vertical end 32 abut to form a fourth corner 42.

[0058] The support 24 comprises a substantially flat base 44 on which a rim 46 of the support 24 is arranged. This support 24 therefore constitutes a projection relative to the plane in which the base 44 mainly extends. The rim 46 comprises a first edge 48, a second edge 50 and a third edge 52 corresponding to the straight portion of the rim 46. The edges 48, 50, 52 are arranged relative to one another to form a "U" shape, the second edge 50 being arranged between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52 in a substantially perpendicular direction to the first edge 48 and the third edge 52.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, which corresponds to the first embodiment, the first edge 48 is arranged along the first longitudinal end 28 and the third edge 52 is arranged along the second longitudinal end 30, whereas the second edge 50 is arranged along the first vertical end 32. In contrast, in the second embodiment, not shown, the first edge 48 is arranged along the first vertical end 32 and the third edge 52 is arranged along the second vertical end 34, whereas the second edge 50 is arranged along the first longitudinal end 28. As will be explained below, the first embodiment corresponds to a guide device 16 arranged along a side edge 20 of the base plate 14, whereas the second embodiment corresponds to a guide device 16 arranged along an end edge 18 of said base plate 14. Regardless of the embodiment, it is understood that the rim 46 extends along three of the four ends 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 of the support 24 .

[0060] As can be seen in FIG. 4, i.e. in the case of the guide device 16 positioned along the side edge 20 of the base plate 14, the edge located along the second longitudinal end 30 closest to the bottom wall 2, i.e. the third edge 52, has a chamfer 53. This chamfer 53 is configured to facilitate the lowering of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 into the storage tank 1, more specifically in contact with the base 4 attached to the bottom wall 2 of the storage tank 1. Although not shown here, the guide device 16 according to the second embodiment, in other words the guide device 16 positioned along the edge 18 of the base plate 14, also has a chamfer 53 at the second longitudinal end 30 of the base plate 14, the end without the rim 46.

[0061] Together with the base 44, the rim 46 defines a receiving zone 54 for the bumper 26. In other words, the bumper 26 is intended to be received in this receiving zone 54 when it is associated with the support 24. The rim 46 therefore has an opening 56 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, opposite the second edge 50 in the longitudinal direction L. This opening 56 therefore corresponds to the part of the support 24 that does not have the rim 46. The opening 56 is arranged along the second vertical edge 34 in the first embodiment and along the second longitudinal edge 30 in the second embodiment. When the bumper 26 is associated with the support 24, the bumper 26 more specifically slides through the opening 56 into the receiving zone 54. The bumper 26 therefore abuts against the first edge 48, the second edge 50 and the third edge 52 that surround the receiving zone 54.

[0062] To fix the position of the buffer 26 in the receiving zone 54, the guide device 16 has a retaining member 58, which is positioned in the opening 56, i.e. between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52, substantially parallel to the second edge 50 and opposite the second edge 50 in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the retaining member 58 is arranged along the second vertical end 34 of the support 24. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the retaining member 58 is arranged along the second longitudinal end 30 of the support 24. It is understood that when the buffer 26 is inserted in the receiving zone 54, the retaining member 58 is positioned in the opening 56 so as to close the receiving zone 54.

[0063] The retaining member 58 is fixed to the support 24, more precisely, the retaining member 58 is fixed to the base 44 of the support 24. Such fixing is achieved by means of a removable mounting system 60. As shown in FIG. 4, this removable mounting system 60 has screws which pass through holes provided for this purpose in the base 44 from the side opposite the opening 56 and the retaining member 58. When the removable mounting system 60 is used, the screws are inserted into the holes from the side of the base 44 facing the body 22 of the guide device 16 to the side intended to face the base 44, until they engage with the retaining member 58 positioned relative to the base 44 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52.

[0064] To ensure that the removable attachment system remains in place over time, the holding member 58 is also fixed to the support 24 by means of a permanent attachment system, in particular by welding. This welding is performed by overlapping a screw on the one hand and optionally between the holding member 58 and the support 24 on the other hand. The welding is for example an arc welding with a tungsten electrode.

[0065] We now describe a method of assembling a storage tank 1, which itself comprises a method of installing a loading and / or unloading tower 6. During the method of assembling the storage tank 1, a loading and / or unloading tower 6 is positioned within the volume of the storage tank 1 for the purpose of loading and / or unloading liquefied natural gas in and / or from the storage tank 1.

[0066] The method for assembling the storage tank 1 starts with a step of associating the body 22 of the guiding device 16 with the loading and / or unloading tower 6. In particular, the body 22 of the guiding device 16 carrying the supports 24 is welded to the base plate 14 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6. At this stage of the assembly method, the guiding device 16 does not have the shock absorbers 26 and the retaining members 58.

[0067] Once the body 22 has been associated with the loading and / or unloading tower 6, the assembly method comprises the step of lowering the mast 12 of the loading and / or unloading tower 6, which is associated with one another via the base plate 14, from the cover of the storage tank 1 to the base 4 attached to the bottom wall 2. The step of lowering the loading and / or unloading tower 6 is facilitated by the presence of a chamfer at the second longitudinal end 30 of the support 24.

[0068] Once the base plate 14 is opposed to the base 4 , the method of assembling the storage tank 1 continues with the step of installing the loading and / or unloading tower 6 .

[0069] The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 begins with a calibration step during which a substantially rectangular calibrated member is inserted into the receiving zone 54 of the support 24 through the opening 56. Distance measurements are then made at the four corners 36, 38, 40, 42 of the support 24 using feeler gauges, and the calibrated member is then removed from the receiving zone 54. The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 then includes a step of machining the bumpers 26, which are machined based on the distance measurements collected during the calibration step, more precisely, the bumpers 26 are machined such that, when inserted into the support 24, they are located at a predetermined distance from the base 4 of less than 0.5 millimeters.

[0070] The step of machining the bumper 26 is carried out, for example, outside the storage tank 1, and the machined bumper 26 is then lowered into the storage tank 1 for insertion in the support 24. During this insertion step, the bumper 24 slides through the opening 56 into the receiving zone 54. In the case of the guide device 16 according to the first embodiment, the bumper 26 is inserted through the second vertical end 34 of the support 24, whereas in the case of the guide device 16 according to the second embodiment, the bumper 16 is inserted through the second longitudinal end 30. The insertion direction of the bumper 26 is indicated by the arrow SI in the drawings, the first embodiment being shown in Figures 3 and 4 and the second embodiment being shown in Figure 2.

[0071] The installation of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 continues with a step of positioning a retaining member 58 in the opening 56 between the first edge 48 and the third edge 52. During a fixing step, this retaining member 58 is fixed to the base 44 of the support 24 first by means of a removable mounting system 60 and then by means of a welding complementary to the removable mounting system 60. Thus, the guide device 16, with the buffers 26 held in place by the retaining member 58, can block horizontal translational movements of the loading and / or unloading tower 6 while allowing vertical translational movements of the loading and / or unloading tower 6.

[0072] The invention therefore proposes a guiding device, the retaining member of which is fixed to a support of the guiding device so as to hold in a predetermined position a buffer for adjusting the position of a loading and / or unloading tower of liquefied natural gas.

[0073] However, the invention is not limited to the means and arrangements described and illustrated herein, but also applies to any equivalent means or arrangements and to any combination of such means in the art.

Claims

1. A loading and / or unloading tower (6) configured for loading and / or unloading a cryogenic fluid from a storage tank (1), comprising at least one guide device (16) designed to enable the loading and / or unloading tower (6) for the cryogenic fluid to be positioned relative to a base (4) attached to a bottom wall (2) of the storage tank (1) for the cryogenic fluid, said guide device (16) comprising a support (24) configured to be attached to said loading and / or unloading tower (6), said support (24) comprising a rim (46) and a receiving zone (54) for receiving a buffer (26), said rim (46) being adapted to support said receiving zone (54) relative to said base (4) and said support (24) being adapted to support said loading and / or unloading tower (6), said support (24) being adapted to support said loading and / or unloading tower (6), said support (24) comprising a rim (46) and a receiving zone (54) for receiving a buffer (26), said support (24) being adapted to support said base (4) relative to said base (4) and said rim (46) being adapted to support said base (4) relative to said base (4).

1. A loading and / or unloading tower comprising: a storage tank having a storage zone (54) and a rim (46) for receiving said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54), said storage zone (54) being configured to receive said storage zone (54),

2. 2. The loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 1, wherein the support (24) comprises a base (44), the rim (46) comprises a first edge (48), a second edge (50) and a third edge (52) defining the containment zone (54), the second edge (50) being disposed between the first edge (48) and the third edge (52) so as to form a "U" shape, and the retaining member (58) is designed to be fixed to the base (44) of the support (24) opposite the second edge (50).

3. 3. The loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 2, wherein one of the edges (48, 50, 52) of the support (24) has a chamfer (53), the edge (48, 50, 52) having the chamfer (53) being intended to be the edge (48, 50, 52) which is closest to the bottom wall (2) of the tank and which extends parallel to said bottom wall (2).

4. 4. The loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first edge (48) is arranged at a longitudinal end (28) of the support (24), the third edge (52) is arranged at a longitudinal end (30) of the support (24), the second edge (50) is arranged at a vertical end (32) of the support (24), and the retaining member (58) is arranged at a vertical end (34) of the support (24).

5. 5. The loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guiding device comprises a preferably removable mounting system (60) for fixing the holding member (58) to the support (24).

6. 6. The loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support (24) has a first surface with the storage zone (54) and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the guide device (16) has a first plate and a second plate extending from the second surface, the first plate and the second plate being configured to be fixed on either side of a predetermined portion of the loading and / or unloading tower (6).

7. 7. The loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the guide device comprises a buffer (26) configured to contact the base (4) and allow movement of the loading and / or unloading tower (6) along an extension axis of the loading and / or unloading tower (6), and the guide device (16) at least partially blocks the loading and / or unloading tower (6) in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall (2).

8. A storage tank (1) for a cryogenic fluid, comprising a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said base (4) and said bottom wall (2) to which said base (4) is attached, said guide device (16) being configured to guide the positioning of said loading and / or unloading tower (6) on said base (4).

9. 8. A method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 7, comprising the steps of inserting the buffer (26) in the receiving zone (54) of the support (24), then positioning the retaining member (58) in the opening (56), and at least one step of fixing the retaining member (58) to the support (24).

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, prior to said inserting step, a calibration step during which a calibrated member is inserted into the receiving zone of the support for measuring a clearance between the support and the base, and then the calibrated member is removed from the receiving zone, and a step of machining the buffer based on clearance measurements collected during the calibration step.

11. 11. A method for installing a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to claim 9 or 10, when dependent on claim 5, wherein the at least one step of fastening the holding member (58) to the support (24) comprises a first step of fastening, preferably by means of a removable mounting system (60), and a second step of fastening by welding.

12. A method for assembling a storage tank (1) intended to accommodate a loading and / or unloading tower (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: associating the support (24) of the guiding device (16) with the loading and / or unloading tower (6), lowering the loading and / or unloading tower (6) until it comes into contact with the base (4), and installing the loading and / or unloading tower (6) by the installation method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

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