Storage installation for liquefied gas

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquefied gas storage facility (1) comprising a metal support structure (2) and a sealed insulated tank (71) disposed within the support structure, wherein the tank comprises a metal sealing membrane (13) and an insulating barrier (12), and the tank (71) comprises a ceiling wall (4) and a vertical wall (5), wherein the sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises a plurality of strakes (15), and the ceiling wall (4) is locally disconnected in a manner that defines a loading / unloading opening (7), and the tank comprises a connecting beam (22) located at the height of the edge, and the sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises an edge strake (29) adjacent to the loading / unloading opening (7) and / or the connecting beam (22) and comprising a notch (30), and an offset portion (28) welded to the edge strake (29) and overlapping the notch (30). Includes a connecting band (26).

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of closed-loop insulated membrane tanks. The invention relates particularly to the field of closed-loop insulated tanks for the storage and / or transport of low-temperature liquefied gases, for example, tanks for the transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at temperatures between -50°C and 0°C or for the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at temperatures of about -162°C at atmospheric pressure. Such tanks may be installed on land or on floating structures. In the case of floating structures, the tank may be intended to contain liquefied gas to transport the liquefied gas or to function as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure. Background Technology

[0002] Document FR2549575 describes a sealed insulated tank that is integrated into the support structure of a vessel and comprises a secondary insulation barrier, a secondary sealing membrane, a primary insulation barrier, and a primary sealing membrane. The tank comprises a plurality of tank walls assembled together. Each sealing membrane comprises a plurality of parallel strakes. Each strake comprises a flat central portion extending longitudinally and two erected edges located on each side of the flat central portion and protruding toward the interior of the tank relative to the central portion. Thus, the strakes are juxtaposed in a repeating pattern and welded together at the level of the erected edges.

[0003] The sealing membranes are secured to the support structure at the corners of the tank by connecting beams. Thus, each connecting beam is fixed to the support structure on one side and to the sealing membrane on the other, allowing force to be transmitted between the membrane and the hull of the vessel.

[0004] Connecting beams are particularly capable of absorbing tensile and compressive forces resulting from thermal shrinkage, hull deformation, such as the bending of ship beams, and the filling state of tanks. In fact, these sealing membranes, generally called taut membranes, unlike corrugated membranes, do not have longitudinal zones that allow them to absorb tensile and compressive forces.

[0005] In this type of structure, the sealing membrane is cut off at the height of the opening to allow, for example, a loading / unloading pipe to pass through.

[0006] To maintain the seal of the tank, particularly the seal of the primary sealing membrane, connection zones are provided at the height of these openings. The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention is based on the observation that when a phenomenon occurs in which tensile and compressive forces are generated in a sealing membrane, high compressive and tensile forces are applied to the connection zone, particularly at the height of the welds, which may cause the seal in that zone to rupture. means of solving the problem

[0008] One idea of ​​the present invention is to facilitate assembly and repair while simultaneously improving the load-bearing capacity of the sealing membrane at the height of the connection zone.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention provides a liquefied gas storage facility comprising a metal support structure and a sealed insulating tank disposed within the support structure, and

[0010] The tank comprises at least one metal sealing membrane intended to define an internal storage space and come into contact with liquefied gas, and at least one insulating barrier, wherein the insulating barrier is positioned between the sealing membrane and a support structure, and

[0011] The support structure includes an upper support wall and a vertical support wall connected to the upper support wall at the height of the edge, and

[0012] The tank includes at least one ceiling wall fixed to an upper support wall and a vertical wall fixed to a vertical support wall, and

[0013] The insulation barrier of the ceiling wall includes juxtaposed insulation blocks,

[0014] The sealing membrane of the ceiling wall comprises a plurality of parallel strakes extending longitudinally, each strake comprising a flat portion resting on the upper surface of the insulation blocks and at least one erected edge protruding toward the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion, the strakes are juxtaposed in a repeating pattern transversely and welded to one another in a manner that seals at the height of the erected edge, the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and

[0015] The ceiling wall is locally cut off in a manner intended to define a loading / unloading opening through which a loading / unloading pipe is to pass, and

[0016] The tank includes a connecting beam located at the height of the edge and extending laterally, and

[0017] The connecting beam is connected in a manner that seals the ceiling wall sealing membrane to the vertical wall sealing membrane, and

[0018] The sealing membrane of the ceiling wall includes an edge strake adjacent to the loading / unloading opening and / or connecting beam, the edge strake includes a notch, a connecting strip including a flat body and an offset portion protruding from the body, the offset portion being welded to the edge strake and overlapping the notch.

[0019] Thanks to these features, the connection between the edge strake and the connecting band is facilitated. In fact, the offset portion allows the connecting band and the edge strake to be overlap welded without additional parts. Furthermore, these notches make the edge strake more flexible, allowing stress on the edge strake to be limited.

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention also provides a liquefied gas storage facility comprising a metal support structure and a sealed insulating tank disposed within the support structure, and

[0021] The tank comprises at least one metal sealing membrane intended to define an internal storage space and come into contact with liquefied gas, and at least one insulating barrier, wherein the insulating barrier is positioned between the sealing membrane and a support structure, and

[0022] The support structure includes an upper support wall and a vertical support wall connected to the upper support wall at the height of an edge extending laterally, and

[0023] The tank includes at least one ceiling wall fixed to an upper support wall and a vertical wall fixed to a vertical support wall, and

[0024] The insulation barrier of the ceiling wall includes juxtaposed insulation blocks,

[0025] The sealing membrane of the ceiling wall comprises a plurality of parallel strakes extending longitudinally, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and each strake comprises a flat portion lying on the upper surface of the insulation blocks and at least one erected edge protruding toward the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion, and the strakes are juxtaposed in a repetitive pattern transversely and welded to one another in a manner that seals at the height of the erected edge, and

[0026] The ceiling wall is locally cut off in a manner to define a loading / unloading opening intended for a loading / unloading pipe to pass through, said loading / unloading opening cuts off at least one of said strakes, and

[0027] The tank includes a connecting beam located at the height of the edge and connecting the sealing membrane of the ceiling wall to the sealing membrane of the vertical wall in a manner that seals,

[0028] The sealing membrane of the ceiling wall comprises an edge strake adjacent to the loading / unloading opening and / or connecting beam, and a connecting band comprising a flat body and an offset portion protruding from the body, wherein the offset portion is welded to the edge strake and overlaps the notch, and the offset portion has a longitudinal dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the body.

[0029] Thanks to these features, the connection between the edge strake and the connecting strip is facilitated. In fact, the offset portion allows the connecting strip to be overlap-welded to the edge strake without additional parts.

[0030] Examples of such facilities may have one or more of the following features.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge strake includes a notch, and the offset portion is welded to the edge strake and overlaps the notch.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the notch extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the offset portion has a longitudinal dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the main body.

[0034] Therefore, the dimensions of the offset portion, which are reduced compared to the main body of the connecting band, minimize interference with other components of the tank, making integration easier and improving accessibility for welding work.

[0035] Reducing the dimensions of the offset portion can reduce the risk of stress concentration at that location, thereby improving the durability of the welded joint.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge strake is adjacent to the loading / unloading opening and the connecting beam, and the connecting band extending laterally is located between the loading / unloading opening and the connecting beam.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ceiling wall includes a connecting angle member fixed to an insulating barrier around the loading / unloading opening, and the tank includes a lid disposed within the loading / unloading opening, the lid includes a metal sealing wall and an insulating structure located between the sealing wall and an upper support wall, and the lid is fixed to the upper support wall.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting band is welded to the connecting beam on one side and to the connecting angled member on the other side.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sealing membrane of the ceiling wall includes a corrugated connecting band extending in the transverse direction, and the corrugated connecting band is welded to a connecting angled member on one side and welded to the metal sealing wall of the lid on the other side.

[0040] Using corrugated connecting bands improves the flexibility of the membrane and allows it to adapt better to the movement and deformation of the structure, which contributes to maintaining the integrity of the seal.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge strake has a transverse edge extending in the transverse direction, a first longitudinal edge extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second longitudinal edge, the transverse edge is welded to a connecting beam, the first longitudinal edge includes the notch, and the second longitudinal edge is an erected edge.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transverse edge of the edge strake is aligned with the transverse edge extending transversely to the main body of the connecting band.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge strake includes a chamfer at the joint between the transverse edge and the first longitudinal edge, the offset portion of the connecting band includes a chamfer, and the chamfer of the connecting band wraps around the chamfer of the edge strake.

[0044] The presence of chamfers corresponding to edge strakes and connecting bands prevents wide overlapping of weld lines, which reduces stress concentration points that could lead to premature failure.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transverse edge of the edge strake is spaced at a certain distance in the longitudinal direction from the transverse edge extending in the transverse direction of the main body of the connecting band, and the offset portion includes a transverse portion that wraps the edge strake in the transverse direction and a longitudinal portion that wraps the edge strake in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the insulation barrier is a primary insulation barrier and the sealing membrane is a primary sealing membrane, and the tank further comprises a secondary insulation barrier fixed to a support structure and a secondary sealing membrane disposed on the secondary insulation barrier, wherein the primary insulation barrier is placed on the secondary sealing membrane.

[0047] These facilities may be, for example, onshore storage facilities for storing LNG, or offshore or offshore floating structures, particularly methane tanker vessels, Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs), and Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSOs).

[0048] One embodiment of the present invention also provides the above-described storage facility, wherein the support structure is in the form of a floating structure and is composed of a double hull of the floating structure and the longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction of the floating structure, and the floating structure is preferably a vessel for transporting low-temperature liquid products.

[0049] One embodiment of the present invention also provides a transport system for a low-temperature liquid product, the system comprising the storage facility described above, insulating pipes arranged in such a manner that a tank installed within the hull of a floating structure is connected to an external floating or land storage facility, and a pump for driving the flow of the low-temperature liquid product through the insulating pipes from the floating or land storage facility toward the tank of the floating structure or from the tank of the floating structure toward the floating or land storage facility.

[0050] One embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for loading or unloading the above-described storage facility, wherein a low-temperature liquid product is transported through insulated pipes from a floating or offshore storage facility toward a tank of a floating structure or from a tank of a floating structure toward a floating or offshore storage facility. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0051] The present invention will be better understood through the following description of specific embodiments of the invention provided as non-limiting examples with reference to the attached drawings, and other purposes, details, features, and advantages will also become more clearly apparent. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a ship and storage facility. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage facility including a lid, corresponding to the enlarged view of II in FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a front view of the ceiling wall within the loading / unloading opening area before the lid is placed during the assembly of the tank. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of Figure 3 IV before the placement of the connecting strip, showing the area located between the connecting beam and the loading / unloading opening. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of FIG. 3 IV after the placement of the connecting strip, showing the area located between the connecting beam and the loading / unloading opening, and the connecting strip and edge strake are according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a drawing similar to Figure 5 after the lid and corrugated connecting band have been placed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection between a connecting band and an edge strake, and the connecting band and the edge strake are according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a connection between a connecting band and an edge strake, and the connecting band and the edge strake are according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic partial view of a methane tanker vessel including tanks on board and a terminal for loading / unloading tanks. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0052] Regardless of the orientation of the tank walls relative to the Earth's gravitational field, by convention "top" or "upper" or "upper" indicates a location closer to the interior of the tank, and "bottom" or "lower" or "lower" indicates a location closer to the ship's support structure. Accordingly, FIGS. 4 through 8 are illustrated with an orientation opposite to that of the actual storage location within the storage facility.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a methane tanker vessel (70) for storing and transporting liquefied gas. However, the present invention is not limited to this type of vessel.

[0054] Accordingly, the vessel (70) illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a storage facility (1) comprising four tanks (71) that are positioned and fixed within a support structure (2) formed by the inner hull of the vessel (70). Each tank (71) is polyhedral in shape and includes a plurality of tank walls, specifically a ceiling wall (4), a rear cofferdam wall (5), and a front cofferdam wall (6), which are assembled together to form an internal space (3). The front cofferdam wall (6) and the rear cofferdam wall (5) are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction (L) of the vessel (70), and their upper portions are fixed to the ceiling wall (4). For the proper operation of these tanks (71), a loading / unloading opening (7) is formed in the ceiling wall (4) to allow a loading / unloading pipe to pass through. The ceiling wall (4) is fixed to the upper support wall (8) of the support structure (2). The upper support wall (8) also includes holes (9) that allow the loading / unloading pipe to pass through the support structure (2).

[0055] The loading / unloading opening (7) serves as an entry point for various equipment for LNG handling, such as, for example, a filling line, an emergency pumping line, an unloading line connected to an unloading pump, a spray line, and a supply line connected to a spray pump. The operation method of such equipment is already known.

[0056] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a polyhedron formed by the assembly of a ceiling wall (4) and a rear cofferdam wall (5). A loading / unloading opening (7) is provided in the ceiling wall (4) near the rear cofferdam wall (5).

[0057] The multi-layered structure of the ceiling wall (4) is explained in more detail below.

[0058] The multilayer structure of the ceiling wall (4) of a sealed insulated tank (71) for storing liquefied gas such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) comprises a secondary insulation barrier (10) fixed to an upper support wall (8) in a thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary sealing membrane (11) placed on the secondary insulation barrier (10), a primary insulation barrier (12) placed on the secondary sealing membrane (11), and a primary sealing membrane (13) placed on the primary insulation barrier (12) and intended to come into contact with the liquefied natural gas contained in the tank (71).

[0059] The secondary insulation barrier (10) includes a plurality of secondary insulation blocks (14) that are fixed to the upper support wall (8) by fixing devices (not shown). The secondary insulation blocks (14) have an overall shape in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped and are arranged, for example, in rows parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) and the transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).

[0060] The secondary sealing membrane (11) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises a continuous layer of metal strakes (15) having erected edges. Thus, the strakes (15) comprise a flat central portion (16) that rests on the secondary insulation blocks (14) of the secondary insulation barrier (10), and two erected edges (17) located on each side of the flat central portion (16) in the transverse direction (T) and protruding toward the interior of the tank relative to the central portion (16). The erected edges (17) of the strakes (15) are welded to parallel weld supports fixed in grooves on the surfaces of the secondary insulation blocks (14) that contact the secondary sealing membrane (11). The strakes (15) are, for example, Invar®, that is, a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion of generally 1 x 10⁻⁶ -6 and 2 x 10 -6 K -1 An alloy of iron and nickel with a coefficient of thermal expansion between 7 x 10 -6 and 1 x 10 -6 K -1 It is made of an alloy of iron and manganese.

[0061] The primary insulation barrier (12) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises a plurality of primary insulation blocks (18) that are fixed to the upper support wall (8) by fasteners (not shown). The primary insulation blocks (18) have an overall shape in the form of a rectangular prism. Furthermore, they may have dimensions substantially the same as or different from the dimensions of the secondary insulation blocks (14). The primary insulation blocks (18) are arranged to be aligned with the secondary insulation blocks (14) or offset relative to them in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or transverse direction (T).

[0062] The secondary insulation blocks (14) and primary insulation blocks (18) can be manufactured in various ways. For example, some or all of these are made in the form of a box comprising a bottom plate, a cover plate, and a support mesh that extends in the thickness direction between the bottom plate and the cover plate and defines a plurality of compartments filled with an insulating filler such as perlite, glass wool, or rock wool.

[0063] In another embodiment, some or all of the secondary insulation blocks (14) and the primary insulation blocks (18) comprise a bottom plate, a cover plate, and one or more insulating polymer foam layers sandwiched and bonded between the bottom plate and the cover plate. The insulating polymer foam may be a foam particularly based on polyurethane and may optionally be reinforced with fibers.

[0064] In another embodiment, the secondary insulation barrier (10) and / or the primary insulation barrier (12) comprises, depending on their location within the tank, at least two different types of structures, such as secondary insulation blocks (14) and / or primary insulation blocks (18) having the two structures described above. An example of such a structure is provided in Publication WO-A-2019077253.

[0065] The primary sealing membrane (13) comprises a continuous layer of metal strakes (15) having erected edges of the same kind as the strakes (15) of the secondary sealing membrane (11), for example. The erected edges (17) of the strakes (15) of the primary sealing membrane (13) are welded to parallel weld supports fixed in grooves on the surface of the primary insulation blocks (18) in contact with the primary sealing membrane (13).

[0066] The secondary sealing membrane (11) and the primary sealing membrane (13) are fixed to the support structure (2) by a connecting beam (22) by a known technique, particularly at the height of the corner between the ceiling wall (4) and the rear cofferdam wall (5). Thus, the connecting beam (22) is fixed to the support structure (2) on one side and to the sealing membranes (11, 13) on the other side, allowing force to be transmitted between the sealing membranes (11, 13) and the support structure (2).

[0067] In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the connecting beam (22) is composed of a plurality of parts (23) connected to each other by a joining kit (24) specifically described in document WO202174413.

[0068] To define the loading / unloading opening (7), the ceiling wall (4) is locally cut off so that the loading / unloading pipe can pass through. Thus, the sealing membranes (11, 13) and insulation barriers (10, 12) are cut off throughout the entire perimeter of the loading / unloading opening (7) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0069] The tank (71) includes a lid (19) placed in the loading / unloading opening (7) to ensure continuous sealing and continuous insulation. The lid (19) includes a metal sealing wall (20) and an insulation structure (21) located between the metal sealing wall (20) and the upper support wall (8). The lid (19) is fixed to the upper support wall (8). The metal sealing wall (20) provides continuous sealing with the primary sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4), and the insulation structure (21) provides continuous insulation.

[0070] The insulation structure (21) may include a box-shaped cover insulation block comprising, for example, a bottom plate, a cover plate, and a support mesh that defines a plurality of compartments that extend in the thickness direction between the bottom plate and the cover plate and are filled with an insulation filler such as rigid insulation foam. The insulation block of the lid has a hole (not shown) to allow a loading / unloading pipe to pass through.

[0071] The sealing wall (20) of the lid (19) comprises a plurality of flat metal plates welded together. The sealing wall (20) further comprises a plurality of holes (not shown) intended for a loading / unloading pipe to pass through.

[0072] The storage facility (1) further includes connecting parts for closing the primary sealing membrane (13) at a specific area, particularly at the height of the ceiling wall (4) between the rear cofferdam wall (5) and the lid (19).

[0073] In the embodiment described herein, a connecting part is used instead of a strake (15) to connect the connecting beam (22) and the sealing wall (20) of the lid (19) because the connecting beam (22) is relatively close to the loading / unloading opening (7) at the height of the edge between the ceiling wall (4) and the rear cofferdam wall (5).

[0074] Accordingly, FIG. 4 shows the area located between the connecting beam (22) and the loading / unloading opening (7) before the connecting parts and the lid (19) are placed.

[0075] In particular, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ceiling wall (4) includes a primary connecting angled member (25) that is fixed to a primary insulation barrier (12) around the loading / unloading opening (7). The primary connecting angled member (25) has a first flange fixed to the upper surface of a primary insulation block located at the edge of the loading / unloading opening (7) and a second flange connected to a secondary connecting angled member (not shown) and forming a 90° angle with respect to the first flange.

[0076] FIG. 5 again shows the area located between the connecting beam (22) and the loading / unloading opening (7) after the metal connecting band (26) is placed.

[0077] Accordingly, the primary sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) includes a flat body (27) and a metal connecting band (26) extending in the transverse direction (T) including an offset portion (28) protruding from the body (27).

[0078] The connecting band (26) is welded to one flange of the connecting beam (22) on one side and to the first flange of the primary connecting angled member (25) on the other side.

[0079] The strakes of the primary sealing membrane (13) on both sides of the transverse direction (T) of the loading / unloading opening (7) include a special strake called an edge strake (29) which has only one erected edge, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The edge strake (29) forms a joint with the existing strakes (15) and the lid (19).

[0080] The edge strake (29) also includes a notch (30) on one longitudinal edge of the edge strake (29) that extends in the longitudinal direction (L). The notch (30) also extends in the longitudinal direction (L). The notch (30) extends in the longitudinal direction (L) between the flange of the connecting beam (22) and the flange of the primary connecting angled member (25).

[0081] The offset portion (28) of the connecting strip (26) is overlap welded to the edge strake (29). Thus, the offset portion (28) enables a sealed connection between these two portions without a third portion for joining. The offset portion (28) is positioned to cover the notch (30).

[0082] In the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the transverse edge of the edge strake (29) welded to the connecting beam (22) is aligned transversely (T) with the transverse edge of the main body (27) welded to the connecting beam (22). The connecting band (26) includes a joint (31) between the main body (27) and the offset portion (28), and the longitudinal (L) dimension of the joint (31) decreases from the main body (27) to the offset portion (28). Thus, the offset portion (28) has a longitudinal (L) dimension smaller than the longitudinal (L) dimension of the main body (27). This prevents the transverse edge of the offset portion (28) from being aligned with the transverse edge of the edge strake (29), thereby preventing the two weld lines from overlapping.

[0083] The primary sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) further includes a corrugated connecting strip (32) extending in the transverse direction (T), as can be seen in FIG. 6. The corrugated connecting strip (32) includes a plurality of corrugations (33) extending in the transverse direction (T), and has a first transverse edge welded to the primary connecting angled member (25) and a second transverse edge welded to the metal sealing wall (20) of the lid (19). Furthermore, a corrugated closing device (34) is welded to the edge strake (29) and the longitudinal edge of the corrugated connecting strip (32) to close the corrugations (33) in a manner that seals them. The corrugated connecting band (32) includes an offset band portion (35) covering the longitudinal edge of the edge strake (29), and the corrugated closing device (34) includes an offset portion (36) of the device covering the offset band portion (35) of the corrugated connecting band (32). The corrugated connecting band (32) enables the absorption of longitudinal thermal shrinkage / expansion forces in the area where a plurality of flat parts are welded together.

[0084] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the connecting strip (26). In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the connecting strip (26) does not include a joint (31) that is reduced in size so that the offset portion (28) and the main body (27) have the same dimensions in the longitudinal direction (L). However, to prevent misalignment of the weld lines, the edge strake (29) includes a chamfer (37) at the joint between the transverse edge welded to the connecting beam (22) and the longitudinal edge including the notch (30). The offset portion (28) of the connecting strip (26) includes a chamfer (38) that crosses the chamfer (37) of the edge strake (29) to prevent misalignment of the weld lines.

[0085] FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the connecting strip (26). In this embodiment, unlike previous embodiments, the transverse edge of the edge strake (29) welded to the connecting beam (22) is not aligned transversely (T) with the transverse edge of the main body (27) itself welded to the connecting beam (22). In this embodiment, the connecting strip (26) covers a larger portion of the connecting beam (22) compared to the edge strake, thereby preventing alignment of the weld lines. Nevertheless, in this third embodiment, the offset portion (28) is more complex and includes a transverse portion (39) that wraps the edge strake (29) in the transverse direction (T) and a longitudinal portion (40) that wraps the edge strake (29) in the longitudinal direction (L).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 9, a partial cutaway of a methane tanker vessel (70) shows a sealed insulated tank (71) that is entirely prismatic in shape and mounted within the double hull (72) of the vessel (70). The walls of the tank (71) include a primary sealing membrane intended to come into contact with the LNG contained in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane positioned between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull (72) of the vessel (70), 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.

[0087] The loading / unloading pipes (73) placed on the upper deck of the ship can be connected to a sea or port terminal via a suitable connector in a known manner to transport LNG cargo from or toward the tank (71).

[0088] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a marine terminal comprising a loading and unloading station (75), an underwater pipe (76), and a land facility (77). The loading and unloading station (75) is a fixed marine facility comprising a movable arm (74) and a tower (78) supporting the movable arm (74). The movable arm (74) carries a bundle of insulated flexible tubes (79) that can be connected to a loading / unloading pipe (73). The oriented movable arm (74) can be applied to methane tanker vessels of all sizes. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower (78). The loading and unloading station (75) enables loading from the land facility (77) to the methane tanker vessel (70) and unloading from the methane tanker vessel (70) to the land facility (77). The land facility (77) includes a liquefied gas storage tank (80) and connecting pipes (81) that are connected to a loading or unloading station (75) through an underwater pipe (76). The underwater pipe (76) allows the liquefied gas to be transported over a long distance, such as 5 km, between the loading or unloading station (75) and the land facility (77), thereby allowing the methane tanker vessel (70) to be far from the shore during loading and unloading operations.

[0089] Pumps mounted on the ship (70) and / or pumps mounted on the land facility (77) and / or pumps mounted on the loading and unloading station (75) are used to generate the pressure required to transport liquefied gas.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described in relation to various specific embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments, and it is evident that the present invention encompasses technical equivalents and combinations of the described means where they fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0091] The use of verbs such as "include" or "comprise" and their conjugations does not exclude the existence of elements or steps other than those specified in the claim.

[0092] In a claim, reference numerals in parentheses should not be interpreted as limiting the claim. Explanation of the symbols

[0093] 1 Storage facilities 2 Support structure 3 Interior space 4 ceiling wall 5 Rear copper dam wall 6 Front Cocodam Wall 7 Loading / Unloading Opening 8 upper support wall 9 hole 10 Secondary insulation barrier 11 secondary sealing membrane 12 Primary insulation barrier 13 Primary sealing membrane 14 Secondary insulation blocks 15 Metal strake 16 central part 17 erected edge 18 Primary insulation block 19 lid 20 metal sealed wall 21 Insulated structures 22 connecting beam 23 part time job 24 bonding kit 25 Primary connecting angle member 26 Connecting strip 27 entity 28 Offset part 29 Edge strake 30 notch 31 copula 32 corrugated connecting strip 33 wrinkles 34 Fold closure device 35 Offset band section 36 offset portion of the device 37 Chamfering 38 Chamfering 39 transverse part 40 longitudinal part 70 methane tanker ship 71 tank 72 double hull 73 Shipping / Unloading Pipe 74 Mobile arm 75 Loading and unloading station 76 Underwater pipe 77 Onshore facilities 78 Tower 79 Insulated flexible tube 80 storage tank 81 connecting pipe L longitudinal T transverse direction

Claims

Claim 1 A liquefied gas storage facility (1) comprising a metal support structure (2) and a sealed insulated tank (71) disposed within the support structure, wherein the tank comprises at least one metal sealing membrane (13) and at least one insulating barrier (12) intended to define an internal storage space (3) and come into contact with the liquefied gas, wherein the insulating barrier is disposed between the sealing membrane (13) and the support structure, wherein the support structure comprises an upper support wall (8) and a vertical support wall connected to the upper support wall at an edge level, wherein the tank (71) comprises at least one ceiling wall (4) fixed to the upper support wall (8) and a vertical wall (5) fixed to the vertical support wall, wherein the insulating barrier (12) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises juxtaposed insulating blocks (18), and the sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises a plurality of parallel strakes (15) extending in the longitudinal direction (L), and each strake (15) is placed on the upper surface of the insulating blocks (18). It comprises a flat portion (16) and at least one erected edge (17) protruding toward the interior of the tank relative to the flat portion (16), the strakes (15) are juxtaposed in a repetitive pattern in the transverse direction (T) and welded to each other in a manner that seals at the height of the erected edge, the transverse direction (T) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), the ceiling wall (4) is locally severed in a manner that defines a loading / unloading opening (7) intended for a loading / unloading pipe to pass through, the tank comprises a connecting beam (22) located at the height of the edge and extending in the transverse direction (T), the connecting beam (22) connects the sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) to the sealing membrane (13) of the vertical wall (5) in a manner that seals, and the sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) is adjacent to the loading / unloading opening (7) and / or the connecting beam (22). Includes edge strake (29),The above edge strake (29) includes a notch (30) and a connecting strip (26) including a flat body (27) and an offset portion (28) protruding from the body (27) in a direction toward the interior of the internal space (3), wherein the offset portion (28) is welded to the edge strake (29) and overlaps the notch (30), storage facility (1). Claim 2 In claim 1, the notch (30) is a storage facility (1) that extends in the longitudinal direction (L). Claim 3 In claim 1 or 2, the storage facility (1) has the offset portion (28) having a longitudinal dimension smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the main body (27). Claim 4 In any one of claims 1 to 3, the edge strake (29) is adjacent to the loading / unloading opening and the connecting beam (22), and the connecting strip extending in the transverse direction (T) is located between the loading / unloading opening and the connecting beam (22), storage facility (1). Claim 5 In claim 4, the ceiling wall (4) comprises a connecting angle member (25) fixed to the insulating barrier around the loading / unloading opening, and the tank comprises a lid (19) disposed within the loading / unloading opening (7), the lid (19) comprises a metal sealing wall (20) and an insulating structure (21) located between the sealing wall (20) and the upper support wall (8), and the lid (19) is fixed to the upper support wall (8), storage facility (1). Claim 6 In claim 5, the connecting band (26) is welded to the connecting beam (22) on one side and welded to the connecting angled member on the other side, storage facility (1). Claim 7 In claim 6, the sealing membrane (13) of the ceiling wall (4) comprises a corrugated connecting band (32) extending in the transverse direction, wherein the corrugated connecting band (32) is welded to the connecting angled member on one side and welded to the metal sealing wall of the lid on the other side, storage facility (1). Claim 8 In any one of claims 5 to 7, the edge strake (29) has a transverse edge extending in the transverse direction, a first longitudinal edge extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second longitudinal edge, wherein the transverse edge is welded to the connecting beam (22), the first longitudinal edge includes the notch (30), and the second longitudinal edge is an erected edge, storage facility (1). Claim 9 In claim 8, the transverse edge of the edge strake (29) is aligned with the transverse edge extending transversely from the main body (27) of the connecting band (26), in a storage facility (1). Claim 10 In claim 9, the edge strake (29) includes a chamfer at the joint between the transverse edge and the first longitudinal edge, the offset portion (28) of the connecting strip (26) includes a chamfer, and the chamfer of the connecting strip (26) straddles the chamfer of the edge strake (29), storage facility (1). Claim 11 In claim 8, the transverse edge of the edge strake (29) is longitudinally separated from the transverse edge extending transversely from the main body (27) of the connecting strip (26), and the offset portion (28) comprises a transverse portion (39) wrapping the edge strake (29) transversely and a longitudinal portion (40) wrapping the edge strake (29) longitudinally. Claim 12 In any one of claims 1 to 11, the insulation barrier is a primary insulation barrier and the sealing membrane is a primary sealing membrane, and the tank further comprises a secondary insulation barrier fixed to the support structure and a secondary sealing membrane disposed on the secondary insulation barrier, wherein the primary insulation barrier is placed on the secondary sealing membrane, storage facility (1). Claim 13 In claims 1 to 12, the support structure is in the form of a floating structure and is composed of a double hull (72) of the floating structure, the longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction (L) of the floating structure, and the floating structure is preferably a vessel (70) for transporting low-temperature liquid products, a storage facility (1). Claim 14 A transport system for a low-temperature liquid product, the system comprising a storage facility according to claim 13, insulating pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged in such a manner that the tank (71) installed within the hull of the floating structure is connected to an external floating or land storage facility (77), and a pump for driving a flow of the low-temperature liquid product through the insulating pipes from the floating or land storage facility toward the tank of the floating structure or from the tank of the floating structure toward the floating or land storage facility. Claim 15 A method for loading or unloading storage facilities according to claim 13, wherein a low-temperature liquid product is transported through insulating pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from a floating or offshore storage facility (77) toward a tank of said floating structure or from a tank of said floating structure toward the floating or offshore storage facility (77).

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