Sealed insulated tank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed insulated tank (71) comprising a tank wall (1) and a through element (5) penetrating the tank wall (1). A sealed membrane (4) surrounds the through element (5) and has a polygonal window (24) through which the through element (5) passes. The sealed membrane (4) has a plurality of membrane portions arranged side by side and welded together, the plurality of membrane portions including at least one normal membrane portion (68, 69), the normal membrane portion (68, 69) having a row of parallel first corrugations (11) and a row of parallel second corrugations (12). Unique rectangular metal plates (51, 251, 61) positioned on either side of the window (24) lack two of the second corrugations (16, 18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealed insulated tanks provided with a membrane. The invention particularly relates to the field of sealed insulated tanks for storing and / or transporting liquefied gas at low temperatures, such as tanks for transporting liquefied petroleum gas (also known as "LPG") at a temperature of -50°C to 0°C, or tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) at approximately -162°C under atmospheric pressure. Such tanks can be installed on coastal structures or floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tank can be designed to transport liquefied gas, or to receive liquefied gas as fuel for propelling the floating structure.

Background Art

[0002] From International Publication No. WO 2011 / 157915, it is known to provide a sealed insulated tank for storing and / or transporting liquefied gas with at least one sealed membrane in contact with the liquefied gas. In order to reach the inner space of the tank to load liquefied gas into the tank or unload liquefied gas from the tank, a cargo handling tower can be provided in such a tank, or more simply, a cargo handling line passing through the ceiling wall of the tank can be provided.

[0003] In the case of a cargo handling tower, it comprises a structure formed by connecting the lower ends of a plurality of masts to each other using a base. The cargo handling tower also comprises a guide device fixed to the lower surface of the base, and this guide device cooperates with a support foot that passes through the bottom wall of the tank and is fixed to the load-bearing structure.

[0004] A pump, particularly an unloading pump, is attached to the cargo handling tower, the cargo handling line or the support foot inside the tank. In order to reduce the volume of liquid that cannot be unloaded from the tank, the lower end of the unloading pump is arranged as close as possible to the sealed membrane at a predetermined distance on the order of several centimeters.

[0005] International Publication No. 2011 / 157915 further states that the sealed membrane in contact with the liquefied gas is a corrugated metal sealed membrane having a first row of corrugations parallel in a first direction and a second row of corrugations parallel in a second direction.

[0006] International Publication No. 2023 / 094330 proposes providing a region in the sealed membrane where no rows of corrugations are aligned with the lifting pump. By eliminating the presence of such corrugations in this region, the spacing between the sealed membrane and its internal elements can be adjusted, maximizing the pumping volume.

[0007] However, the sealed membrane design in International Publication No. 2023 / 094330 would result in the fabrication of a corrugated metal sheet with the aforementioned rows of corrugations remaining. Such corrugated metal sheets are difficult to manufacture and are also expensive to produce. [Overview of the project]

[0008] One of the underlying ideas behind this invention is to ensure the simplification and cost reduction of the manufacturing of sealed membranes through the use of corrugated metal plates.

[0009] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed, insulated tank incorporated into a load-supporting structure equipped with a load-supporting wall. The sealed insulated tank comprises a tank wall fixed to the load-supporting wall of the load-supporting structure, The tank wall comprises, extending in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed insulated tank, an insulating barrier and a sealed membrane supported by the insulating barrier that comes into contact with the fluid contained in the sealed insulated tank. The sealed membrane includes a plurality of membrane portions that are arranged side by side and welded together, The plurality of membrane portions include at least one normal membrane portion (portion de membrane reguliere), The conventional membrane portion comprises a row of parallel first corrugations extending in a first direction and separated by a first wave interval in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a row of parallel second corrugations extending in the second direction and separated by a second wave interval in the first direction. The sealed insulated tank is equipped with a through element that penetrates the tank wall, The center of the through element is located at the intersection of a first directrix extending in the first direction and situated between the directrixes of two of the first corrugations, and a second directrix extending in the second direction and situated between the first and second corrugations of the second corrugation. The second directrix divides the plane of the load-bearing wall into a first half-plane and a second half-plane, the first corrugation of the second corrugation is located within the first half-plane, and the second corrugation of the second corrugation is located within the second half-plane. The aforementioned multiple membrane portions are interrupted by polygonal windows that surround the through element and allow the through element to pass through. The window interrupts the directrix lines of the two first corrugations, and also interrupts the directrix lines of the first and second corrugations of the second corrugation. The sealed membrane comprises at least one closing plate connected to the through element to seal the plurality of membrane portions, The plurality of membrane portions have a plurality of corrugated metal plates around the window, The corrugated metal plate has sides parallel to the first direction and sides parallel to the second direction. The plurality of corrugated metal plates are arranged within the second half-plane, - A first rectangular metal plate having a width of four times or more the first wave spacing in the second direction, which is arranged symmetrically on the first directrix with respect to the first directrix, and which has a first notched edge on the through element side, -Two second singular rectangular metal plates having a width of at least twice the first wave interval in the second direction and a length of one time the second wave interval in the first direction, -Two third unique rectangular metal plates having a width of three times or more the first wave interval in the second direction and a length of one time the second wave interval in the first direction, and being symmetrical with respect to the first directrix, Includes, The second unique rectangular metal plate is positioned on both sides of the window and is welded to the first rectangular metal plate, The third unique rectangular metal plate is positioned on both sides of the first metal plate and is welded to one of the second unique rectangular metal plates and the first rectangular metal plate, respectively. The first rectangular metal plate extends between the two first corrugations to the same extent as the at least one closing plate, The first rectangular metal plate, the second unique rectangular metal plate, and the third unique rectangular metal plate extend the other first corrugations on both sides of the window. Of the second corrugations, the second corrugation is not provided on the second unique rectangular metal plate, and of the second corrugations, the third corrugation is not provided on the third unique rectangular metal plate.

[0010] This configuration provides two regions in the sealed membrane where the second corrugation is absent, adjacent to the through element. Therefore, internal elements such as the lifting pump can be aligned with these two regions and positioned at a distance from each of them within the tank's internal space. The absence of the second corrugation allows for adjustment of the spacing between the sealed membrane and the lifting pump, maximizing the volume of pumpable cargo, as described in International Publication No. 2023 / 094330.

[0011] Furthermore, due to the dimensions in the first direction described above, the second and third unique rectangular metal sheets as a whole do not have the second corrugation. As a result, the corrugated metal sheet either has the second corrugation along its entire length in the first direction, spaced apart by the second wave interval, or the corrugated metal sheet as a whole does not have the second corrugation. This is advantageous from an economic and industrial standpoint, because it is difficult and costly to manufacture a corrugated metal sheet in which the second corrugation is provided only on a portion of its length in the first direction.

[0012] In summary, the above-mentioned sealed insulated tank makes it possible to manufacture sealed membranes easily and at a reasonable cost, while also allowing adjustment of the distance between the sealed membrane and internal elements such as the lifting pump.

[0013] In some embodiments, the above-described sealed insulated tank may comprise one or more of the following configurations.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first wave interval and the second wave interval are equal.

[0015] In one embodiment, a width of the first rectangular metal plate in the second direction is N1 times the first wave interval, wherein N1 is an integer of 4 or greater. Preferably, N1 is an even integer, which allows the first rectangular metal plate to be symmetrically arranged with reference to the first quasi-line, and allows the first corrugations on both sides of the window to be extended, without the need to offset the first corrugations on both sides of the window in the first half-plane. More preferably, N1=4.

[0016] In one embodiment, a length of the first rectangular metal plate in the first direction is M1 times the second wave interval, wherein M1 is a non-zero integer.

[0017] In one embodiment, a width of the third specific rectangular metal plate in the second direction is N3 times the first wave interval, wherein N3 is an integer of 3 or greater.

[0018] By making the dimensions of the metal plate equal to an integer multiple of the first wave interval or an integer multiple of the second wave interval, the metal plate can be manufactured at a moderate cost.

[0019] In one embodiment, a width of the two second specific rectangular metal plates in the second direction is 2 to 4 times the first wave interval, and N3=3.

[0020] With this configuration, the sizes of the second specific rectangular metal plate and the third specific rectangular metal plate in the first direction and the second direction are reduced, and the second and third specific rectangular metal plates can maintain sufficient adaptability to thermal expansion and contraction despite the absence of second corrugations.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first quasi-line is equidistant from the quasi-lines of the two first corrugations.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second quasi-line is equidistant from the quasi-lines of the two second corrugations.

[0023] In one embodiment, the edge of the second unique rectangular metal plate parallel to the second direction and the edge of the third unique rectangular metal plate parallel to the second direction define a first overlapping region, and the first overlapping region is fixed to the thermal insulation barrier over only a portion of the length of the thermal insulation barrier.

[0024] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the thermal insulation barrier serves as a support surface for supporting the sealing membrane, and supports a metal anchor plate welded to the membrane portion to contact and hold the plurality of membrane portions, the metal anchor plate includes a first metal anchor plate positioned along the first overlapping region within the second half-plane, the first overlapping region being welded to the first metal anchor plate.

[0025] In one embodiment, the thermal insulation barrier comprises a plurality of thermal insulation panels arranged in a row, each of which has an inner surface that serves as the support surface for supporting the sealing membrane, and the thermal insulation panels are rectangular parallelepipeds having sides parallel to a first direction and sides parallel to a second direction in the plane of the load-bearing wall, and the projected dimensions of the thermal insulation panels when projected onto the plane of the load-bearing wall are substantially equal to an integer multiple of the first wave spacing in the second direction and substantially equal to an integer multiple of the second wave spacing in the first direction.

[0026] The first metal anchor plate is used to fix the second and third unique rectangular metal plates to the thermal insulation barrier by welding without risk of damaging the thermal insulation panel. By using the second and third unique rectangular metal plates, whose length in the first direction is 1 times the second wave spacing, the absence of the second corrugation eliminates difficulties in manufacturing the tank.

[0027] In one embodiment, the metal anchor plate includes a second metal anchor plate positioned within the second half-plane, wherein one edge of the first rectangular metal plate parallel to the second direction, and the edge opposite to the first notched edge of the first rectangular metal plate in the first direction, is welded to the second metal anchor plate.

[0028] In one embodiment, the plurality of corrugated metal plates include a notched rectangular metal plate within the first half-plane, the notched rectangular metal plate having a width of at least six times the first wave spacing in the second direction and a length of at least three times the second wave spacing in the first direction, the notched rectangular metal plate having a notched edge on the through-element side, each of the second unique rectangular metal plates being welded to the notched rectangular metal plate, the notched rectangular metal plate extending the first of the two first corrugations and the second corrugations to the same extent as the at least one closing plate, and extending the other first corrugations on both sides of the window.

[0029] In one embodiment, the width of the notched rectangular metal plate in the second direction is N4 times the first wave spacing, where N4 is an integer of 6 or more.

[0030] In one embodiment, the length of the notched rectangular metal plate in the first direction is M4 times the second wave interval, where M4 is an integer of 3 or more.

[0031] Preferably, N4 = 6 or 7 and M4 = 3, which allows for the manufacture of notched rectangular metal sheets without excessive additional costs.

[0032] In one embodiment, the edge of the notched rectangular metal plate parallel to the second direction and the edge of the second unique rectangular metal plate parallel to the second direction define a second overlapping region, and the second overlapping region is fixed to the thermal insulation barrier over a portion of the length of the thermal insulation barrier.

[0033] In one embodiment, the metal anchor plate includes a third metal anchor plate positioned on the second directrix, and the second overlapping region is welded to the third metal anchor plate.

[0034] In one embodiment, the first rectangular metal plate has a length twice the second wave spacing in the first direction (in other words, M1=2), and includes a corrugated portion between the two third unique rectangular metal plates that extends the third corrugation of the second corrugation, with each of the third unique rectangular metal plates connected to the corrugated portion in a sealed manner.

[0035] In one embodiment, the first rectangular metal plate is a first unique rectangular metal plate, and the third corrugation of the second corrugation is not provided on the first unique rectangular metal plate.

[0036] In one embodiment, the first unique rectangular metal plate has a length of 1 times the second wave interval in the first direction (in other words, M1=1).

[0037] In one embodiment, each of the second unique rectangular metal plates has a second notched edge on the through-element side that extends the first notched edge of the first rectangular metal plate.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first unique rectangular metal plate has a length twice the second wave spacing in the first direction (in other words, M1=2) and is welded to each of the second unique rectangular metal plates at a distance from the window.

[0039] In one embodiment, the height of the first corrugation in the thickness direction of the tank wall is lower than the height of the second corrugation in the same thickness direction of the tank wall.

[0040] In one embodiment, the sealing membrane comprises a first closing plate on the first half-plane and a second closing plate on the second half-plane, the first and second closing plates surrounding the through element. In this embodiment, the first notched edge of the first rectangular metal plate is welded to the second closing plate to seal, and the second notched edge of the notched rectangular metal plate is welded to the first closing plate to seal. The notched rectangular metal plate can extend the two first corrugations and the first of the two second corrugations to a first end piece connected to the first closing plate to seal. The first rectangular metal plate can extend the two first corrugations to the same extent as the second end piece connected to the second closing plate to seal.

[0041] In one embodiment, the tank has an internal space defined by the sealing membrane, and the tank comprises internal elements arranged within the internal space of the tank. The internal elements are aligned in the thickness direction of the tank with one second unique rectangular metal plate and one third unique rectangular metal plate adjacent to the second unique rectangular metal plate, and are spaced apart from the second unique rectangular metal plate and the third unique rectangular metal plate.

[0042] In one embodiment, the tank comprises a cargo handling tower and a lifting pump attached to the cargo handling tower, and the through element is a support foot provided on the tank for supporting the cargo handling tower.

[0043] In one embodiment, the cargo handling tower comprises a base that connects the lower ends of multiple masts to each other, the base is equipped with a guide device that cooperates with the support feet, and the support feet are configured to ensure the vertical linear guidance of the cargo handling tower.

[0044] In one embodiment, the internal element, which is aligned in the thickness direction of the tank with one second unique rectangular metal plate and one third unique rectangular metal plate adjacent to the second unique rectangular metal plate, and which is separated from the second unique rectangular metal plate and the third unique rectangular metal plate, is the load lifting pump.

[0045] As described above, the absence of the second corrugation in the second and third unique rectangular metal plates allows for adjustment of the distance between the sealing membrane and the lifting pump, maximizing the volume of pumpable cargo.

[0046] In one embodiment, the internal element is connected to the support foot.

[0047] There are various ways in which the corrugated metal sheet can be manufactured. In one embodiment, the corrugated metal sheet is formed integrally, for example, by bending a metal panel that is initially flat. In another embodiment, the corrugated metal sheet is made up of multiple parts that are welded together.

[0048] In one embodiment, the corrugated metal plate, or each of the corrugated metal plates, selected from the first rectangular metal plate, the two second rectangular metal plates, and the two third rectangular metal plates, comprises multiple parts welded together.

[0049] In one embodiment, the liquefied gas is LNG, a high-methane-content mixture stored at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of approximately -162°C. Other liquefied gases can also be used, particularly ethane, propane, butane, or ethylene. The liquefied gas can also be stored under pressure, for example, at a gauge pressure of 2 to 20 bar, particularly about 2 bar. Various technologies exist for manufacturing the tanks, and they can be manufactured in the form of tanks with integrated membranes or self-supporting tanks.

[0050] Such tanks can constitute part of onshore storage facilities, such as onshore storage facilities for LNG storage, or they can be installed in floating, coastal, or deep-sea structures, particularly LNG carriers, floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facilities, etc. Such tanks can also be used as fuel tanks on any type of vessel.

[0051] In one embodiment, a vessel for transporting liquefied gas comprises a double hull and the tanks described above, which are arranged in the double hull.

[0052] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a liquefied gas transfer system, which comprises the above-mentioned vessel, an insulated pipe arranged to connect the tank of the vessel to a floating or coastal storage facility, and a pump that drives the flow of liquefied gas from the floating or coastal storage facility to the tank of the vessel or from the tank of the vessel to the floating or coastal storage facility via the insulated pipe.

[0053] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading cargo from the above-mentioned vessel, the method of transporting liquefied gas from a floating or coastal storage facility to a tank on the vessel or from the tank to the floating or coastal storage facility via an insulated pipe.

[0054] Referring to the attached drawings and reading the following description of several specific embodiments of the present invention will provide a better understanding of the invention and will make other objects, details, features, and advantages of the invention more apparent. The specific embodiments described below are illustrative and not limiting to the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0055] [Figure 1] This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the support foot region of a sealed, insulated tank. [Figure 2] This is a detailed view of Figure 1. [Figure 3]This is a partial top view of the bottom wall of the support foot of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a partial top view of the insulating barrier located below the sealed membrane. [Figure 5] This is a partial top view of the bottom wall of the support foot of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 5 is a partial top view of the insulating barrier located below the sealed membrane. [Figure 7] This is a partial top view of the bottom wall of the support foot of the third embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a partial top view of the insulating barrier located below the sealed membrane. [Figure 9] This is a schematic sketch of an LNG carrier and the terminal for loading and unloading the tanks. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0056] Figure 1 shows a portion of a sealed insulated tank 71 for storing and / or transporting liquefied gas, the sealed insulated tank 71 having its bottom wall 1 fixed to the inner surface of a load-bearing structure 2. The load-bearing structure 2 is, for example, a structure located on the coast or the inner hull of a double-hulled vessel. To hold cryogenic liquids such as LNG, the tank wall includes at least one sealed membrane 4 and at least one insulating barrier 3 positioned between the sealed membrane 4 and the load-bearing structure 2. A secondary sealed membrane and a secondary insulating barrier (not shown) may be provided between the load-bearing structure and the insulating barrier 3 as safety measures, and the insulating barrier 3 is referred to as the primary in this example.

[0057] The liquefied gas stored in tank 71 may be liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is a mixture mainly consisting of methane and one or more other hydrocarbons. Alternatively, the liquefied gas may be liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is a mixture of hydrocarbons mainly consisting of propane and butane, produced by refining petroleum, or ethane.

[0058] The tank 71 can be manufactured in various well-known geometric forms; for example, it can be manufactured in a prismatic form within a ship's hull, or in a cylindrical form at coastal or other installation locations. Furthermore, there are many methods for manufacturing thermal barriers and sealing membranes from, for example, prefabricated elements.

[0059] The bottom wall 1 of the tank is shown to have elongated rigid elements that constitute support legs 5, which penetrate the heat insulating barrier 3 and the sealing membrane 4, with a portion of the support legs 5 in contact with the load-bearing structure 2 and another portion protruding into the tank at a distance from the sealing membrane 4. The support legs 5 can be used, for example, to support a single device 7 before it is immersed in the tank. For example, to support a lifting pump 7, a lifting tower 6 can be placed inside the tank as schematically shown in Figure 1. The tank 71 may also have, instead of the lifting tower 6, lifting lines that are not connected to each other and are guided by the support legs 5.

[0060] In the case of the cargo handling tower 6, it has a structure formed from multiple masts whose lower ends are connected to each other using a base. The cargo handling tower 6 also has a guide device fixed to the underside of the base, which works in cooperation with the support feet.

[0061] The support foot 5 is configured to guide the cargo handling tower 6 (or just the cargo handling line) in a vertical linear movement while the lifting pump 7 is fixed to the cargo handling tower 6 or directly fixed to the support foot 5.

[0062] Here, the cross-section of the support foot 5 is circular and has a frustoconical lower portion 8, the frustoconical lower portion 8 having one end of its smaller diameter connected to the cylindrical upper portion 9. The larger diameter bottom surface of the frustoconical portion 8 is in contact with and fixed to the load-bearing structure 2. The frustoconical portion 8 penetrates the thickness of the bottom wall 1 and protrudes from the sealing membrane 4.

[0063] Although not shown in Figures 1 and 2, the thermal insulation barrier 3 comprises a series of rectangular parallelepiped thermal insulation blocks arranged in a grid. Details of the thermal insulation blocks will be described later.

[0064] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the sealing membrane 4 comprises a plurality of 10 corrugated metal plates. The corrugated metal plates have an inner surface that comes into contact with the fluid in the tank. The corrugated metal plates can be made of stainless steel or an iron-nickel alloy called Invar®, and are welded together in overlapping regions. This welding is lap welding. The corrugated metal plates can be designed in various ways depending on their shape and dimensions, and the welded regions can be arranged in various ways. Some corrugated metal plates (hereinafter referred to as "metal plates" for convenience) are shown in Figure 3 and will be described in detail below.

[0065] The inner surfaces of the regular metal plates (toles regulieres) 68, 69 are provided with rows of first corrugations 11 and rows of second corrugations 12 (see Figures 2 and 3). Referring to Figure 3, the first corrugations 11 are parallel to each other and extend in a first direction D1, while the second corrugations 12 are parallel to each other and extend in a second direction D2. The second direction D2 is perpendicular to direction D1.

[0066] The first corrugation 11 is higher than the second corrugation 12. The height of the corrugation is measured between the apex of the corrugation and the height of the flat portion 19. Referring to Figure 2, the sealed membrane 4 also has a corrugation node portion 15 formed at the intersection of the first corrugation 11 and the second corrugation 12. The height of the corrugation node portion 15 is higher than the height of the second corrugation 12. The corrugation node portion 15 is not shown in Figures 3, 5 and 7 to avoid over-complexing the illustration. The corrugations 11 and 12 protrude into the interior of the tank 71.

[0067] Continuing to refer to Figure 3, the first corrugations 11 are separated from each other by a first wave interval P1 in the second direction D2, and the second corrugations 12 are separated from each other by a second wave interval P2 in the first direction D1. The first wave interval P1 and the second wave interval P2 are measured between the peaks of two adjacent corrugations. The first wave interval P1 and the second wave interval P2 can be equal or different, as shown in the figure. The plurality of metal plates 10 described above have flat portions 19 located between the first corrugations 11 and the second corrugations 12, and these flat portions 19 are provided on the metal plates so as to be in contact with and fixed to the heat insulating barrier 3.

[0068] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0069] Figure 3 is a partial top view of the bottom wall 1 as seen from inside the tank 71, or in other words, a partial top view of the bottom wall 1 as seen from the internal space of the tank that contains fluid and is defined by the sealing membrane 4. Figure 3 shows the support feet 5 and some of the metal plates arranged around or near the support feet 5.

[0070] The center of the support foot 5 is located at the intersection X of the first directrix A1 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 3) and the second directrix A2 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 3). The first directrix A1 extends in the first direction D1 and is at an equal distance from two adjacent first corrugations 13 of the first corrugation 11. The second directrix A2 extends in the second direction D2 and is at an equal distance from two adjacent first corrugations 14 and 16 of the second corrugation 12. Alternatively, the first directrix A1 may extend between the corrugations 13 and be positioned so as not to be at an equal distance from the corrugations 13, or the second directrix A2 may extend between the corrugations 14 and 16 and be positioned so as not to be at an equal distance from the corrugations 14 and 16.

[0071] The second directrix A2 divides the plane of the load-bearing wall into a first half-plane PA at the top of the page in Figure 3 and a second half-plane PF at the bottom of the page in Figure 3. Corrugation 14 is located within half-plane PA, and corrugation 16 is located within half-plane PF.

[0072] Multiple corrugated metal plates are interrupted by polygonal windows 24 (hereinafter referred to as "windows 24" for convenience). Window 24 encloses a through element 5 inside, allowing the through element 5 to pass through. In the illustrated example, window 24 has the shape of a regular octagon centered at intersection X. Alternatively, window 24 can be made into other polygonal shapes, such as a square or rectangle.

[0073] Window 24 interrupts the directrix G of the two corrugations 13 in direction D1, and interrupts the directrix H of the two corrugations 14 and 16 in direction D2. Parts of the directrixes G and H are shown as dashed lines in Figure 3.

[0074] Two closing plates 25 and 26 are positioned within the window 24 to extend the sealing membrane 4 and ensure the sealing of the tank around the support foot 5. The closing plates 25 and 26 connect a plurality of 10 corrugated metal plates to seal them to the support foot 5. Closing plate 25 is located within the half-plane PA, and closing plate 26 is located within the half-plane PF. Closing plates 25 and 26 can be symmetrical with respect to a second directrix A2, for example, as shown in the figure. In the half-plane PA, corrugations 13 and 14 are connected to closing plate 25 by end pieces 27 so as to seal them. In the half-plane PF, corrugation 13 is connected to closing plate 26 by end pieces 28 so as to seal it. On the other hand, corrugation 16 is not connected to closing plate 26, which will be described in detail below. The support foot 5, closing plates 25, 26, and end pieces 27, 28 can be manufactured, in particular, as described in International Publication No. 2011 / 157915 or No. 2016 / 170254. Alternatively, other structures are also possible. In particular, the number of closing plates provided can be changed, and / or the geometric shape of the closing plates can be changed.

[0075] The metal plate shown in Figure 3 is rectangular in shape, with sides parallel to a first direction D1 and sides parallel to a second direction D2. The dimensions of the sides of the metal plate in the first direction D1 are substantially equal to an integer multiple of the second wave spacing P2, and the dimensions of the sides of the metal plate in the second direction D2 are substantially equal to an integer multiple of the first wave spacing P1. Note that some metal plates are omitted in Figure 3, in particular metal plates located away from the window 24 are omitted.

[0076] The following section describes the metal plate located within the half-plane PF shown in Figure 3.

[0077] A metal plate 41 is positioned symmetrically on the first reference line A1 with respect to the first reference line A1. The metal plate 41 has a notched edge 42 on the support foot 5 side. The notched edge 42 is welded to the closing plate 26 so as to be sealed.

[0078] In the illustrated example, the width of the metal plate 41 in the second direction D2 is four times the first wave spacing P1. Alternatively, the width of the metal plate 41 in the second direction D2 may be greater than four times P1, preferably N1 times P1, where N1 is an integer greater than 4. More preferably, N1 is an even number.

[0079] On either side of the first directrix A1 are two singular metal plates (toles singulieres) 51, the length in the first direction D1 being one times the second wave spacing P2. Each singular metal plate 51 has a notched edge 52 on the support foot 5 side, and the notched edge 42 extends in the half-plane PA to the same extent as the metal plate 31 described below. The notched edges 52 are welded to the closing plate 26 so as to be sealed. On both sides of the window 24, the singular metal plates 51 and the metal plate 41 are welded in an overlapping region 54 parallel to the second direction D2.

[0080] In the illustrated example, the width of the singular metal plate 51 in the second direction D2 is 3 to 4 times the first wave interval P1. More specifically, the width of one singular metal plate 51 (the singular metal plate 51 on the right in Figure 3) is 4 times P1, while the width of the other singular metal plate 51 (the singular metal plate 51 on the left in Figure 3) is smaller, strictly speaking less than 4 times P1. Alternatively, the singular metal plates 51 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the first directrix A1.

[0081] On both sides of the metal plate 41 are two singular metal plates 61, the length of which in the first direction D1 is 1 times the second wave spacing P2. More specifically, the singular metal plates 61 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the first directrix A1. On both sides of the window 24, the singular metal plate 61 and the metal plate 41 are welded in an overlapping region 64 parallel to the first direction D1, the singular metal plate 61 and the singular metal plate 51 are welded in an overlapping region 65 parallel to the second direction D2, and the singular metal plate 61 and the adjacent ordinary metal plate 69 are welded in an overlapping region 66 parallel to the second direction D2.

[0082] In the illustrated example, the width of the singular metal plate 61 in the second direction D2 is three times the first wave spacing P1. Alternatively, the width of the singular metal plate 61 in the second direction D2 may be greater than three times P1, preferably N3 times P2, where N3 is an integer.

[0083] As can be seen in Figure 3, the metal plate 41 extends the corrugation 13, which is connected to the closing plate 26 by the end piece 28 as described above, to the same extent as the closing plate 26. Furthermore, the metal plate 41 and the special metal plates 51 and 61 extend the other corrugations 11 on both sides of the window 24.

[0084] On the other hand, by not providing corrugations 16 on the metal plate 51, the corrugations 16 are not extended to the same extent as the closing plate 26. Also, in the semi-planar PF, the corrugation 18 closest to corrugation 16 among the rows of the second corrugations 12 is not provided on the metal plate 61. In this way, two areas of the sealing membrane 4 adjacent to the support feet 5 are obtained where the second corrugations 12 are not provided. Therefore, the load pump 7 (shown by the dashed line in Figure 3) can be aligned with the above-mentioned areas in the internal space of the tank 71 and positioned at a distance from each of these areas. Referring to Figure 2, the absence of the second corrugations 12 on the metal plates 51 and 61 ensures that the minimum gap 22 below the load pump 7 is increased by a gap increment 23, thereby allowing the gap between the sealing membrane 4 and the load pump 7 to be adjusted so as to maximize the volume of pumpable cargo, as described in International Publication No. 2023 / 094330.

[0085] The corrugations 16 and 18 can be sealed by welding an end piece 48, similar to the end pieces 27 and 28, in the overlapping region between the metal plates 51 and 61 and the adjacent ordinary metal plate 69.

[0086] Here, the metal plate 41 is provided with a corrugated portion 18U that extends the corrugation 18 between the special metal plates 61. The corrugated portion 18U is sealed in each overlapping region of the metal plate 41 and the special metal plate 61 by an end piece 49 similar to the end pieces 27, 28, and 48.

[0087] Finally, since the length of the metal plate 41 in the first direction D1 is twice the second wave spacing P1, the metal plate 41 extends the second corrugation 12 on the side opposite to the window 24.

[0088] Within the semi-plane PF, ordinary metal plates 69 are arranged around the metal plates 41, 51, and 61, and these ordinary metal plates 69 are welded to the metal plates 41 and / or 51 and / or 61. The dimensions of the ordinary metal plates 69 can be set within a wide range as required. Therefore, the dimensions of the ordinary metal plates 69 shown in Figure 3 are merely examples.

[0089] Here, we will explain the metal plates located within the semi-plane PA shown in Figure 3.

[0090] The notched plate 31 has a notched edge 32 on the support foot 5 side. The notched edge 32 is welded to the closing plate 25 so as to be sealed. On both sides of the window 24, the special metal plate 51 and the notched metal plate 31 are welded in an overlapping region 53 located on the second directrix A2 parallel to the second direction D2.

[0091] The width of the notched metal sheet 31 in the second direction D2 is seven times the first wave spacing P1, and the length of the notched metal sheet 31 in the first direction D1 is three times the second wave spacing P1, thereby enabling the notched metal sheet 31 to be manufactured without excessive additional costs. Alternatively, the width of the notched metal sheet 31 in the second direction D2 may be six times or more P1, preferably N4 times P1, and / or the length of the notched metal sheet 31 in the first direction D1 may be greater than three times P2, preferably M4 times P2, where N4 and M4 are integers.

[0092] As can be seen in Figure 3, the notched metal plate 31 extends the corrugation 13 to the same extent as the closing plate 25, similar to the metal plate 41. Furthermore, the notched metal plate 31 extends the other corrugations 11 on both sides of the window 24 to the same extent as the special metal plate 51. Finally, the notched metal plate 31 extends the corrugation 14 to the same extent as the closing plate 25.

[0093] Within the semi-plane PF, a notched metal plate 31 is surrounded by a conventional metal plate 68, which is welded to the notched metal plate 31. For simplification, only one conventional metal plate 68 is shown in Figure 3. The dimensions of the conventional metal plate 68 can be set within a wide range of requirements. Therefore, the dimensions of the conventional metal plate 68 shown in Figure 3 are merely examples.

[0094] Finally, it should be noted that there are many ways in which the dimensions of metal plates constituting the sealed membrane 4, including those not shown in Figure 3, can be set according to requirements.

[0095] As described above, the thermal insulation barrier 3 comprises a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped thermal insulation blocks arranged in a row. In Figure 4, which shows the thermal insulation barrier positioned below the sealing membrane 4 shown in Figure 3, three of the thermal insulation blocks 80 are shown together with support feet 5. The thermal insulation block 80 has a cover panel on the inside of the tank, and a metal anchor plate is supported on the upper surface of the cover panel. Bridging elements 81 are provided in the gaps between the thermal insulation blocks 80, and the bridging elements 81 further have a cover panel on the inside of the tank, and the upper surface of the cover panel is capable of supporting the metal anchor plate. Such thermal insulation blocks 80 and bridging elements 81 are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,035,795. The upper surfaces of the plurality of cover panels come together to form a support surface for supporting the sealing membrane 4. The metal anchor plate is riveted to the upper surface of the cover panel, for example.

[0096] Figure 4 also shows a configuration in which the support foot 5 is surrounded by corner blocks and anchor plates manufactured as described in International Publication No. 2011 / 157915 or 2016 / 170254.

[0097] In Figure 4, reference numeral 91 denotes a heat-insulating section (indicated by the shaded area) which is a long piece of glass wool or other insulating material. The heat-insulating section 91 is positioned on the cover panel and below the edges of the corrugated metal plate or below the end pieces 27, 28, 48, 49, so that the edges of the corrugated metal plate or the end pieces 27, 28, 48, 49 can be welded to the insulation block 80 without fixing the edges of the corrugated metal plate or the end pieces 27, 28, 48, 49 to the insulation block 80 or burning the cover plate of the insulation block 80. In Figure 4, reference numeral 800 denotes a similar heat-insulating section around the support foot 5.

[0098] Continuing to refer to Figure 4, the above metal anchor plate includes anchor plates 95, 96, and 97.

[0099] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the anchor plate 96 is located within the semi-plane PF and extends in the second direction D2, with an overlapping region 65 (see Figure 3) welded to the anchor plate 96 (see Figure 4). With this configuration, the special metal plates 51 and 61 are not only welded together in the overlapping region 65, but are also fixed to the anchor plate 96 supported by the heat insulating barrier 3 by welding. Therefore, the absence of corrugations 12 in the special metal plates 51 and 61 eliminates difficulties in tank manufacturing.

[0100] The anchor plate 95 is positioned on the second directrix A2 and extends in the second direction D2. An overlapping region 53 (see Figure 3) is welded to the anchor plate 95 (see Figure 4). With this configuration, the special metal plate 51 is not only welded to the metal plate 31 but is also fixed to the heat insulating barrier 3.

[0101] The anchor plate 97 is located within the half-plane PF and extends in the second direction D2. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the edge 43 of the metal plate 41 that is parallel to the second direction D2 and opposite to the notched edge 42 (see Figure 3) is welded to the anchor plate 97 (see Figure 4). Therefore, the metal plate 41 is not only welded to the adjacent ordinary metal plate 69 but is also fixed to the thermal insulation barrier 3. Alternatively, it is possible not to fix the edge 43 to the thermal insulation barrier 3. In that case, when welding the edge 43 to the adjacent ordinary metal plate 69, the thermal insulation barrier 3 is protected by using the heat shield 91 instead of the anchor plate 97.

[0102] The second embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In these figures, elements that are similar to or identical to those described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and further explanation will be omitted.

[0103] Referring to Figure 5, in the second embodiment, instead of the metal plate 41 of the first embodiment, a metal plate 141 is provided whose length in the second direction D2 is 1 times that of P1. This metal plate 141 does not have corrugations 12 and 18, nor does it have a corrugation portion 18U that extends the corrugation 18.

[0104] Similar to the edge portion 43 in the first embodiment, the edge portion 143 of the metal plate 141 that is parallel to the second direction D2 and opposite to the notched edge portion 42 (see Figure 5) can be welded to the anchor plate 197 (see Figure 6). Alternatively, the above-mentioned edge portion 143 may not be fixed to the heat insulating barrier 3. In that case, the heat-insulating portion 91 is used instead of the anchor plate 197.

[0105] Except for the points mentioned above, the second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment; therefore, for the sake of brevity, the description of the second embodiment will be concluded.

[0106] The third embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. In these figures, elements that are similar to or identical to those described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and further explanation will be omitted.

[0107] Referring to Figure 7, in the third embodiment, a metal plate 241 is provided in place of the metal plate 141 of the second embodiment, with a length in the first direction D1 being twice that of P1. This metal plate 241 does not have corrugations 12 and 18, nor does it have a corrugated portion 18U that extends the corrugation 18.

[0108] Furthermore, instead of the special metal plate 51, a special metal plate 251 is provided, the width of which in the second direction D2 is 2 to 3 times that of P1. More specifically, the width of one of the special metal plates 251 (the special metal plate on the right in Figure 3) is 3 times that of P1, while the width of the other special metal plate 251 (on the left in Figure 3) is smaller, strictly speaking less than 3 times that of P1. Alternatively, the special metal plates 251 can be provided symmetrically with respect to the first directrix A1. On both sides of the window 24, the singular metal plate 251 and the metal plate 241 are welded in an overlapping region 256 parallel to the first direction D1, the singular metal plate 251 and the metal plate 31 are welded in an overlapping region 253 oriented parallel to the second direction D2 and located on the second directrix A2, and the singular metal plate 251 and the singular metal plate 61 are welded in an overlapping region 265 parallel to the second direction D2.

[0109] The metal plate 241 has a notched edge 242 similar to the notched edge 42 and extends to a similar extent as the metal plate 31. On both sides of the window 24, the metal plate 241 and the metal plate 31 are welded together in an overlapping region 255 located on the second directrix A2 parallel to the second direction D2.

[0110] Due to the geometric shape of the metal plate 241, the dimensions of one of the singular metal plates 251 are equal to the dimensions of the singular metal plate 61, or, optionally, if the two singular metal plates 251 are symmetric with respect to the first directrix A1, the dimensions of one of the singular metal plates 251 are equal to the dimensions of the two singular metal plates 251.

[0111] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the overlapping region 265 is welded to the anchor plate 96. Similarly, the overlapping region 253 is also welded to the anchor plate 95.

[0112] Similar to the edge portion 143 in the second embodiment, the edge portion 243 of the metal plate 241 that is parallel to the second direction D2 and opposite to the notched edge portion 242 (see Figure 7) can be welded to the anchor plate 197 (see Figure 8). Alternatively, the above-mentioned edge portion 243 may not be fixed to the heat insulating barrier 3. In that case, the heat-insulating portion 91 is used instead of the anchor plate 197.

[0113] Except for the points mentioned above, the third embodiment is identical to the second embodiment; therefore, for the sake of brevity, the description of the third embodiment will be concluded.

[0114] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the lifting pump 7, the above description of all elements inside the tank 71 that are located near the sealed membrane 4 is, of course, applicable.

[0115] Referring to Figure 9, a section of the LNG tanker 70 is shown, illustrating a rectangular prism-shaped sealed insulated tank 71 installed within the double hull 72 of the vessel. The walls of the tank 71 comprise a primary sealing membrane in contact with the LNG entering the tank, a secondary sealing membrane positioned between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the vessel, and two insulating barriers positioned between the primary sealing membrane and the secondary sealing membrane, and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double hull 72, respectively.

[0116] As is obvious, in order to transfer LNG cargo to or from tank 71, the cargo handling pipes 73 located on the upper deck of the ship can be connected to the sea or a port terminal using appropriate connectors.

[0117] Figure 9 shows an example of a maritime terminal comprising a cargo handling station 75, an underwater line 76, and coastal facilities 77. The cargo handling station 75 is a fixed offshore facility consisting of a movable arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 supports a bundle of insulated flexible hoses 79 that can be connected to a cargo handling pipeline 73. This directionally adjustable movable arm 74 can be adjusted to accommodate LNG carriers of any size. Connecting lines (not shown) extend inside the tower 78. The cargo handling station 75 is capable of unloading from an LNG tanker 70 to coastal facilities 77 and loading from coastal facilities 77 to an LNG tanker 70. The facility includes a liquefied gas storage tank 80 and connecting lines 81 that connect to the cargo handling station 75 via the underwater line 76. The underwater line 76 is for transferring liquefied gas over long distances, such as 5 km, between the loading / unloading station 75 and the coastal facilities 77. This makes it possible to keep the LNG carrier 70 moored far from the shore during loading / unloading operations.

[0118] To generate the pressure necessary for transferring the liquefied gas, pumps mounted on the vessel 70 and / or pumps equipped on the coastal equipment 77 and / or pumps equipped on the cargo handling station 75 can be used.

[0119] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it is clear that the present invention is not limited in any way to these specific embodiments, and that all technical equivalents of the above means and technically equivalent combinations of the above means are included in the present invention as long as they fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0120] The use of the verbs “to have” or “to provide” (“include” or “comprise”) and their conjugated forms does not preclude the existence of elements or steps other than those described in the claims.

[0121] In the claims, no symbols in parentheses should be construed as limitations on the claims.

Claims

1. A sealed, insulated tank (71) incorporated into a load-bearing structure (2) equipped with a load-bearing wall, The sealed insulated tank comprises a tank wall (1) fixed to the load-supporting wall of the load-supporting structure (2), The tank wall (1) comprises, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed insulated tank, an insulating barrier (3) and a sealed membrane (4) supported by the insulating barrier (3) that comes into contact with the fluid contained in the sealed insulated tank. The sealed membrane (4) includes a plurality of membrane portions that are arranged side by side and welded together, The plurality of membrane portions include at least one normal membrane portion (68, 69), The conventional membrane portion (68, 69) comprises a row of parallel first corrugations (11) extending in a first direction (D1) and separated by a first wave interval (P1) in a second direction (D2) perpendicular to the first direction (D1), and a row of parallel second corrugations (12) extending in the second direction (D2) and separated by a second wave interval (P2) in the first direction (D1), The sealed insulated tank (71) is equipped with a through element (5) that penetrates the tank wall (1), The center of the through element (5) is located at the intersection (X) of a first directrix (A1) that extends in the first direction (D1) and is situated between the directrixes of two corrugations (13) of the first corrugation (11), and a second directrix (A2) that extends in the second direction (D2) and is situated between the first corrugation (14) and the second corrugation (16) of the second corrugation (12). The second direct line (A2) divides the plane of the load-bearing wall into a first half-plane (PA) and a second half-plane (PF), the first corrugation (14) of the second corrugation is located within the first half-plane (PA), and the second corrugation (16) of the second corrugation is located within the second half-plane (PF). The aforementioned multiple membrane portions are interrupted by polygonal windows (24) that surround the through element (5) and allow the through element (5) to pass through. The window (24) interrupts the directrix (G) of the two first corrugations (13), and also interrupts the directrix (H) of the first corrugation (14) and the second corrugation (16) of the second corrugation. The sealing membrane (4) includes at least one closing plate (25, 26) connected to the through element (5) to seal the plurality of membrane portions, The plurality of membrane portions have a plurality of corrugated metal plates around the window (24), The corrugated metal plate has sides parallel to the first direction (D1) and sides parallel to the second direction (D2), The plurality of corrugated metal plates are located within the second half-plane (PF), A first rectangular metal plate (41, 141, 241) having a width of four times or more the first wave spacing (P1) in the second direction (D2), the first rectangular metal plate (41, 141, 241) being arranged symmetrically on the first directrix (A1) with respect to the first directrix (A1), and having a first notched edge portion (42, 242) on the through element (5) side, Two second unique rectangular metal plates (51, 251) having a width of at least twice the first wave interval (P1) in the second direction (D2) and a length of one time the second wave interval (P2) in the first direction (D1), Two third unique rectangular metal plates (61) having a width of three times or more the first wave interval (P1) in the second direction (D2) and a length of one time the second wave interval (P2) in the first direction (D1), and being symmetrical with respect to the first directrix (A1), Includes, The second unique rectangular metal plates (51, 251) are arranged on both sides of the window (24) and are welded to the first rectangular metal plates (41, 141, 241), respectively. The third unique rectangular metal plate (61) is positioned on both sides of the first metal plate (41, 141, 241) and is welded to one of the second unique rectangular metal plates (51, 251) and one of the first rectangular metal plates (41, 141, 241), respectively. The first rectangular metal plate (41, 141, 241) extends between the two first corrugations (13) to the same extent as the at least one closing plate (25, 26), The first rectangular metal plates (41, 141, 241), the second unique rectangular metal plates (51, 251), and the third unique rectangular metal plate (61) extend the other first corrugations (11) on both sides of the window (24). Of the second corrugations, the second corrugation (16) is not provided on the second unique rectangular metal plate (51), and of the second corrugations, the third corrugation (18) is not provided on the third unique rectangular metal plate (61). A sealed, insulated tank (71) characterized by the following features.

2. The edges of the second unique rectangular metal plate (51, 251) parallel to the second direction (D2) and the edges of the third unique rectangular metal plate (61) parallel to the second direction (D2) define a first overlapping region (65, 265), The first overlapping region (65, 265) is fixed to the thermal insulation barrier (3) over only a portion of the length of the thermal insulation barrier (3). A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to claim 1.

3. The inner surface of the heat insulating barrier (3) serves as a support surface for supporting the sealing membrane, and supports metal anchor plates welded to the membrane portion in order to hold the plurality of membrane portions in contact with the support surface. The metal anchor plate includes a first metal anchor plate (96) positioned within the second half-plane (PF) along the first overlapping region (65, 265), The first overlapping region (65, 265) is welded to the first metal anchor plate (96). A sealed insulated tank (71) according to claim 2.

4. The metal anchor plate includes a second metal anchor plate (97, 197) positioned within the second half-plane (PF), One edge (43, 143, 243) of the first rectangular metal plate (41, 141, 241) parallel to the second direction (D2), and the edge (43, 143, 243) opposite to the first notched edge (42, 242) of the first rectangular metal plate (41, 141, 241) in the first direction (D2), is welded to the second metal anchor plate (97, 197). A sealed insulated tank (71) according to claim 3.

5. The plurality of corrugated metal plates include a notched rectangular metal plate (31) within the first half-plane (PA), The notched rectangular metal plate (31) has a width of six times or more the first wave interval (P1) in the second direction (D2) and a length of three times or more the second wave interval (P2) in the first direction (D1), The rectangular metal plate with a notch (31) has a notched edge (32) on the through element (5) side, Each of the second unique rectangular metal plates (51, 251) is welded to the notched rectangular metal plate (31). The notched rectangular metal plate (31) extends the two first corrugations (13) and the first corrugation (14) of the second corrugations to the same extent as the at least one closing plate (25, 26), and also extends the other first corrugations (11) on both sides of the window (24). A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The edge of the notched rectangular metal plate (31) parallel to the second direction (D2) and the edge of the second unique rectangular metal plate (51, 251) parallel to the second direction (D2) define a second overlapping region (53, 253), The second overlapping region (53, 253) is fixed to the thermal insulation barrier (3) over only a portion of the length of the thermal insulation barrier (3). A sealed insulated tank (71) according to claim 5.

7. The metal anchor plate includes a third metal anchor plate (95) positioned on the second line of reference (A2), The second overlapping region (53, 253) is welded to the third metal anchor plate (95). A sealed insulated tank (71) according to claim 6, relating to claim 3 or 4.

8. The first rectangular metal plate (41) has a length twice the second wave spacing (P2) in the first direction (D1), and includes a corrugated portion (18U) between the two third unique rectangular metal plates (61) that extends the third corrugation (18) of the second corrugation. Each of the third unique rectangular metal plates (61) is connected to the corrugated portion (18U) in a sealed manner. A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The first rectangular metal plate is the first unique rectangular metal plate (141, 241), The third corrugation (18) of the second corrugation is not provided on the first unique rectangular metal plate (141, 241). A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The first unique rectangular metal plate (141) has a length equal to one times the second wave interval (P2) in the first direction (D1). A sealed insulated tank (71) according to claim 9.

11. Each of the second unique rectangular metal plates (51) has a second notched edge (52) on the through element (5) side that extends the first notched edge (42) of the first unique rectangular metal plate (41, 141), A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. The first unique rectangular metal plate (241) has a length twice the second wave spacing (P2) in the first direction (D1) and is welded to each of the second unique rectangular metal plates (251) at a distance from the window (24). A sealed insulated tank (71) according to claim 9.

13. The height of the first corrugation (11) in the thickness direction of the tank wall (1) is lower than the height of the second corrugation (12) in the thickness direction of the tank wall (1). A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The sealing membrane (4) is provided with a first closing plate (25) on the first half-plane (PA) and a second closing plate (26) on the second half-plane (PF). The first closing plate (25) and the second closing plate (26) surround the through element (5). A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The sealed insulated tank (71) comprises a cargo handling tower (6) and a lifting pump (7) attached to the cargo handling tower (6). The through element (5) is a support foot for supporting the cargo handling tower (6). A sealed, insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A vessel (70) for transporting liquefied gas, A vessel (70) comprising a double hull (72) and a sealed insulated tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, disposed within the double hull.

17. A transfer system for liquefied gases, The vessel (70) according to claim 16, Insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) are arranged to connect the sealed insulated tank (71) of the vessel to a floating or coastal storage facility (77), A pump for driving the flow of liquefied gas from the floating or coastal storage facility through the insulated pipe to the sealed insulated tank of the vessel, or the flow of liquefied gas from the sealed insulated tank of the vessel through the insulated pipe to the floating or coastal storage facility, A transport system characterized by having the following features.

18. A method for loading or unloading cargo from a vessel (70) according to claim 16, Liquefied gas is transported from a floating or coastal storage facility (77) to a sealed insulated tank (71) of the vessel (70) or from the sealed insulated tank (71) to the floating or coastal storage facility (77) via insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81). A method characterized by the following:

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