Gas storage and / or transport tank comprising a device for fixing a pump to a sump

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank (1) for transporting and / or storing a liquefied gas, comprising at least a bottom (4) and a pipeline (20) for loading or offloading the liquefied gas, the bottom (4) having a sump (28) configured for accommodating a pump (26) connected to one end (22) of the loading or offloading pipeline (20), the tank (1) being characterized in that it comprises a device (30) for fixing the pump (26) in relation to the sump (28), the fixing device (30) comprising at least a plurality of anchoring arms (46) and a plurality of guide arms (48), the plurality of anchoring arms (46) being configured for supporting the pump (26) and at least one of the anchoring arms (46) lying in a first plane (P1), the plurality of guide arms (48) being in contact with the pump (26) and at least one of the guide arms (48) lying in a second plane (P2), the first plane (P1) and the second plane (P2) being distinct.

Description

DESCRIPTION Title of the invention: Gas storage and / or transport tank comprising a device for attaching a pump to a sump

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transport and storage of liquefied gases, for example liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, ammonia, or hydrogen. It relates more particularly to installations arranged in a sealed and thermally insulated tank for the storage and / or transport of liquefied gas.

[0002] Liquefied gas is transported by sea in sealed, thermally insulated storage tanks installed on transport vessels. The gas is kept in liquid form to increase the quantity transported per tank, as the volume occupied by one kilogram of gas in liquid form is much smaller than the volume occupied by one kilogram of gas in gaseous form.

[0003] The loading and unloading of liquefied gas is carried out via a loading or unloading pipeline connected to a pump. This pipeline is attached to a tower that extends into the tank.

[0004] The pump is usually installed at the bottom of the tank, and the piping extends from the pump to the outside of the tank. The pump and piping system together allow the gas contained in the tank to be drawn out and expelled, or, conversely, allow gas from the outside to be introduced into the tank via the piping.

[0005] To fully utilize the tank's storage capacity, the tank bottom incorporates a sump that extends at least partially into the thickness of the tank's lower wall. This sump collects residual gas remaining after the tank is emptied. The pump is positioned within this sump, thus maximizing the recovery of the liquefied gas.

[0006] In certain tank configurations, mechanical constraints impose a minimum distance between a mast support that cooperates with the tower and the sump. As a result, a section of the pipeline connecting the mast to the pump installed in the sump is left unsupported, thus placing the pump in a cantilevered position relative to the pipeline. The pipeline must then bear the weight of the pump and is subjected to a lever arm that can induce mechanical stresses potentially weakening the pipeline.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context and aims to address this problem by proposing a tank comprising a fastening device designed to secure the pump to the sump. This fastening device eliminates the cantilever effect by preventing the pump's weight from resting solely on the pipe, thus preserving its integrity.

[0008] The present invention thus has as its main object a tank for the transport and / or storage of a liquefied gas, comprising at least a bottom and a pipeline for loading or unloading the liquefied gas, the bottom having a sump configured to accommodate a pump connected to one end of the loading or unloading pipeline, the tank being characterized in that it includes a device for fixing the pump relative to the sump, the fixing device comprising at least a plurality of anchor arms and a plurality of guide arms, the plurality of anchor arms being configured to support the pump and at least one of the anchor arms being in a first plane, at least one of the guide arms being in contact with the pump and at least one of the guide arms being in a second plane, the first plane and the second plane being distinct.

[0009] The gas transported and / or stored in the tank can be any type of gas. By way of example, but not limited to, gases with a very low boiling point, often found at sub-zero temperatures, such as hydrogen or liquefied natural gas (LNG), can be gases with a very low boiling point. During transport and / or storage, this gas is predominantly in liquid form within the tank.

[0010] However, heat transfer can occur through the tank wall, which can heat the gas and lead to its partial vaporization. It is therefore important to note that inside the tank, the gas exists in both liquid and gaseous states. Due to gravity, the liquid gas remains in contact with a lower volume of the tank, delimited at least partially by the tank's bottom, while the gaseous gas occupies a higher volume.

[0011] When the gas contained in the tank needs to be evacuated, particularly due to tank discharge, the operation is carried out using a system consisting of the loading and unloading pipeline and the pump located at the end of said pipeline. The pump allows the gas present in the tank to be drawn from the tank or injected from a source external to the tank. The pipeline, for its part, carries the gas to or from the tank.

[0012] To maximize gas extraction during discharge, the bottom of the tank is equipped with a sump. This sump extends at least partially into the thickness of the tank bottom, allowing the gas to accumulate in the sump as it is emptied, thus preventing any residual volume of gas from remaining at the bottom of the tank after discharge.

[0013] The loading and unloading pipeline is held inside the tank by a mast, which can be, for example, a monopod, bipod, or tripod mast. This mast is fixed to the bottom of the tank by means of a mast support, also known by the acronym PTBS (Pump Tower Base Support).

[0014] Regulations require that this mast support be located away from the sump, for example, at a distance of approximately two meters. As a result, the pump is positioned at a certain distance from the mast, and the pipe extends between the mast and the sump without being supported by a structural element.

[0015] To prevent the pump's weight from resting on the unsupported section of the pipe, the tank according to the invention is equipped with a pump fixing device relative to the sump. This fixing device supports the weight and forces generated by the pump, transferring them to the sump via the fixing device, thereby relieving the pipe of the pump's weight and reducing the risk of pipe damage.

[0016] For this purpose, the fastening device comprises a plurality of anchor arms and a plurality of guide arms. It should be noted that the plurality of anchor arms and the plurality of guide arms are distinct components. In other words, the anchor arms and the guide arms perform different, non-interchangeable functions.

[0017] The anchor arms are configured to support the weight and forces generated by the pump, transferring these forces to the sump rather than to the pipeline. To this end, at least one of the anchor arms is attached directly or indirectly to the pump, and preferably all of the anchor arms are attached directly or indirectly to the pump.

[0018] The guide arms are configured to ensure the pump is positioned within the sump. To this end, at least one of the arms is in contact with the pump, and preferably all of the guide arms are in contact with the pump.

[0019] It should be noted that, theoretically, all guide arms should be in contact with the pump. This ensures its alignment within the sump and prevents any sloshing. However, in practice, a minimal manufacturing clearance is acceptable between the pump and the guide arms without negatively affecting the pump's alignment or preventing sloshing. As a result of this manufacturing clearance, although not all guide arms are necessarily in contact with the pump, at least one guide arm remains in contact with it.

[0020] To perform these functions, at least one of the anchor arms is located in the first plane and at least one of the guide arms is located in the second plane. In other words, at least one anchor arm and at least one guide arm are arranged in two distinct planes.

[0021] Preferably, the entire plurality of anchor arms is in the first plane and the entire plurality of guide arms is in the second plane.

[0022] The first plane corresponds to the plane in which at least one anchor arm is fixed, directly or indirectly, to the end of the pipeline or to the pump. The second plane corresponds to the plane where at least one guide arm is in contact with the pump.

[0023] The first and second planes, being distinct, are therefore not coincident. More specifically, in one embodiment of the invention, the first and second planes are parallel to each other.

[0024] The arrangement of these elements in two distinct planes makes it possible to separate the guiding and supporting functions of the pump.

[0025] In addition, positioning the guide arms in a different plane from that in which the anchor arms are located helps to prevent any swinging of the pump, a phenomenon that can occur when the two functions are integrated in the same plane or when only the support function is implemented.

[0026] According to an optional feature of the invention, the sump comprises a bottom wall and at least one side wall, at least one of the anchor arms being fixed to said side wall. For this purpose, the at least one anchor arm may, in particular, be welded to the side wall.

[0027] By way of non-limiting example, the sump may have a cylindrical structure, with the bottom wall forming the base of the cylindrical structure and the side wall forming the lateral wall of this cylindrical structure. Preferably, all of the anchor arms are fixed to the lateral wall.

[0028] This fixing of the anchor arms to the side wall allows the weight of the pump supported by the anchor arms to be transferred to the sump, and in particular to the side wall of the sump.

[0029] By transferring the weight of the pump to the sump, rather than to other structures of the tank, the risk of damage to the tank itself, and in particular to its sensitive components, such as the tank membrane, is reduced.

[0030] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the guide arms is fixed to said side wall. Preferably, all of the guide arms are fixed to said side wall. By way of non-limiting example, the guide arms may be welded to the side wall.

[0031] The guide arms are thus arranged inside the sump, which allows the pump to be positioned correctly within said sump, avoiding parasitic movements of said pump, in particular tilting movements which could occur if only the anchor arms were present.

[0032] According to an optional feature of the invention, the contact between the plurality of guide arms and the pump is a free contact.

[0033] By "free contact," we mean that each arm of the plurality of guide arms can be in contact with the pump without being fixed to it. This configuration allows, in particular, the pump to expand or contract during operation without constraint.

[0034] In other words, the free contact of the plurality of guide arms to the pump avoids limiting certain movements of said pump, particularly during its expansion and contraction.

[0035] According to an optional feature of the invention, the bottom comprises a first membrane lying in a third plane and a second membrane lying in a fourth plane, the fourth plane extending between the third plane and a fifth plane in which the bottom wall of the sump is inscribed, at least one anchoring arm being fixed to the side wall between the third and fifth planes. Preferably, all the anchoring arms are fixed to the side wall between the third and fifth planes.

[0036] In other words, at least one of the anchor arms is fixed to the side wall between the plane where the first membrane extends and the bottom wall. Each plane, namely the first plane, the second plane and the third plane, is distinct, that is to say not confused with, and parallel with the other planes.

[0037] Securing at least one anchor arm between the third and fifth planes allows the forces applied by the pump to be transmitted to the sump, under the first membrane, thus preventing any transmission of force to this membrane and thus preventing the risk of deterioration of said first membrane.

[0038] Furthermore, this arrangement places the anchor arms' mounting points in the sump rather than in the tank housing. This prevents the anchor arms' mounting points in the sump from being subjected to the oscillating movements of the gas contained in the tank, thus avoiding additional stress on the anchor arms.

[0039] It should be noted that when the tank is placed on a level, horizontal surface, the third, fourth, and fifth layers are parallel to the ground. It should also be noted that, in a vertical direction perpendicular to the ground, the third layer is located above the fourth layer, which is itself located above the fifth layer. Thus, the first membrane is positioned above the second membrane, which is itself located above the bottom wall. Consequently, the first membrane is the element closest to the tank housing and furthest from the outside of the tank, while the bottom wall is the element furthest from the tank housing and closest to the outside of the tank.

[0040] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the anchor arms is fixed to the side wall between the third plane and the fourth plane.

[0041] In other words, at least one anchor arm is fixed to the side wall between the first and second membranes. Preferably, all the anchor arms of the plurality of anchor arms are fixed between the third and fourth layers.

[0042] This arrangement has the advantage of limiting the depth at which the anchor arms are fixed in the sump. For example, when these anchor arms are fixed between the fourth and fifth layers, that is, under the second membrane, they are anchored at a greater depth than when they are positioned between the third and fourth layers, that is, between the first and second membranes. Consequently, the anchor arms are more easily accessible when they are fixed between the third and fourth layers, thus facilitating any necessary intervention by an operator.

[0043] Furthermore, positioning the anchor arms between the third and fourth layers allows for a reduction in the size of the guide arms. Indeed, the size of the anchor arms depends, in particular, on the distance between their attachment point on the sump and the layer where they are attached to the pump. This distance is shorter when the attachment point is located between the third and fourth layers (between the first and second membranes) than when it is located between the fourth and fifth layers (below the second membrane).

[0044] As a result, when fixed between the third and fourth planes, the anchor arms are smaller than when fixed in other areas of the sump, such as between the fourth and fifth planes, which reduces the leverage effect and, consequently, decreases the stresses exerted on the sump.

[0045] It should be noted, however, that the fixing of the guide arms can also be carried out between the fourth plane and the fifth plane, that is to say below the second membrane.

[0046] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the guide arms is fixed to the side wall between the fourth plane and the fifth plane.

[0047] In other words, at least one of the guide arms is fixed to the side wall, between the second membrane and the bottom wall of the sump. Preferably, all the guide arms of the plurality of guide arms are fixed to the side wall, between the fourth and fifth layers.

[0048] The anchor arms and guide arms are thus fixed at different levels of the side wall. More specifically, the anchor arms are fixed between the third and fourth planes, while the guide arms are fixed between the fourth and fifth planes.

[0049] The guide arms are positioned below the anchor arms when the tank is placed on a flat, level surface. This configuration allows the guide arms to prevent any pump swing, a phenomenon that could occur if the pump were supported solely by the anchor arms without guidance from the multiple guide arms. By preventing this swing, this arrangement reduces the stress on the anchor arms, as pump swing generates additional forces on them.

[0050] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fastening device comprises at least one carrying member fixed to the plurality of anchor arms, the end of the loading or unloading pipeline being integral with the carrying member.

[0051] The pump is connected to this end of the pipe, which thus supports the pump's weight. Thanks to the support element, which is attached to the end of the pipe and fixed to the anchor arms, the weight supported by the end of the pipe is transferred to the anchor arms. These, in turn, transmit this weight to the side wall of the sump.

[0052] The anchor arms are thus indirectly connected to the pump via the support bracket and the end of the pipeline. Therefore, the anchor arms support the pump by being attached to the end of the pipeline via the support bracket. By being attached to the end of the pipeline rather than the pump itself, the anchor arms limit the transmission of mechanical stresses and vibrations generated by the pump's operation to the pipeline, thereby reducing the stress exerted on it.

[0053] According to an optional feature of the invention, the end of the loading or unloading pipeline includes a first connecting flange and the pump includes a second connecting flange, the first connecting flange being configured to cooperate with the second connecting flange, the fastening device comprising at least one fastening member securing together the first connecting flange, the second connecting flange and the carrying member.

[0054] It should be noted that the first and second connecting flanges are arranged to allow bidirectional gas exchange between the pump and the pipeline. Furthermore, through the interaction of the first and second connecting flanges, the pipeline end provides support for the pump, with the end itself being supported by the multiple anchor arms via the support structure.

[0055] The support element is fixed to the first connecting flange and the second connecting flange, and thus serves as a means to transmit the weight of the pump to the plurality of anchor arms, thus enabling the latter to support the weight of the pump.

[0056] To achieve this fastening, the fastening element may include a screw-nut assembly, configured to cooperate with one or more through holes arranged in the first connecting flange, the second connecting flange, and the supporting element. The screw is inserted into these holes and then tightened with the nut, thus securing the connection between the first connecting flange, the second connecting flange, and the supporting element.

[0057] According to an optional feature of the invention, the fastening device comprises at least one fastening means, the fastening means being configured to connect the carrying member to the anchoring arm, the fastening means comprising a device for adjusting the relative position of the carrying member with respect to the anchoring arm.

[0058] The fastening means allows the support element to be securely fixed to the anchoring arm, so that the weight of the pump is transmitted from the support element to the anchoring arm, and then to the sump.

[0059] The relative position adjustment device allows for precise adjustment of the support element's position relative to the anchor arm. Since the support element is connected to the end of the pipe, which is itself connected to the pump, this ensures the pump is correctly positioned inside the sump.

[0060] By way of non-limiting example, the fastening means may consist of a screw, a nut, and a plurality of oblong holes, said plurality of oblong holes constituting the adjustment device. More specifically, a first oblong hole may be located on the support member and a second oblong hole on the anchor arm, thus allowing the position of the support member, and consequently the pump, to be adjusted in various directions.

[0061] According to an optional feature of the invention, the plurality of anchor arms comprises at least three anchor arms and the plurality of guide arms comprises at least three guide arms, the three anchor arms and the three guide arms being angularly distributed at regular intervals.

[0062] By "regular intervals", it should be understood that the same first distance separates each anchor arm from each other and the same second distance separates each guide arm from each other, which ensures a uniform distribution of the anchor arms and guide arms in the sump.

[0063] This arrangement at regular intervals allows for a regular distribution of the pump's weight between the three anchor arms, thus ensuring efficient transmission of the pump's weight to the sump.

[0064] According to an optional feature of the invention, at least one of the guide arms is arranged in an angular sector defined by two adjacent anchor arms.

[0065] As a result, from a top view, the multiple anchor arms and guide arms are arranged so that one guide arm is positioned between two anchor arms. This arrangement allows the operator, when installing the pump in the sump, to have a clear view. The operator can thus observe both the anchor arms and the guide arms, the latter not being obscured by the anchor arms. This configuration therefore facilitates the positioning of the pump in the sump.

[0066] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0067] [Fig. 1] is a cross-sectional view of a tank used for the transport and / or storage of a gas;

[0068] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of a sump of the tank, shown separately from the tank as shown in Figure 1;

[0069] [Fig. 3] is a cross-sectional view of the sump isolated from the tank along a cross-sectional plane C, visible in figure 2;

[0070] [Fig. 4] is a top view of the sump fitted with a fixing device.

[0071] The features and variants of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of the features described below, isolated from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0072] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0073] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tank 1 used for the transport and / or storage of a gas.

[0074] The gas can be of any type that exists in gaseous and liquid forms. Liquefied natural gas is particularly used as a gas, although other applications for tank 1, such as dihydrogen, are also conceivable.

[0075] Tank 1 includes a ceiling 2, a bottom 4 and side walls 6. The bottom 4, positioned opposite the ceiling 2, forms the floor of tank 1. The side walls 6 connect the ceiling 2 to the bottom 4. When tank 1 is placed on a flat and horizontal surface, the bottom 4 and the ceiling 2 are substantially horizontal, while the side walls 6 are substantially vertical.

[0076] The ceiling 2, the bottom 4, and the side walls 6 of tank 1 define a compartment 8 within tank 1. It is important to understand that this compartment 8 corresponds to an internal void within tank 1, designed to contain the gas. The ceiling 2, the bottom 4, and the side walls 6 of tank 1 thus serve to form this internal void by defining compartment 8.

[0077] Within this dwelling 8, the gas can be present in different states. It is originally stored in tank 1 in liquid form, but due to a heat flow at the ceiling 2, the bottom 4 and the side walls 6, which tends to cause the gas to evaporate, the gas is present in dwelling 8 in both liquid and gaseous form.

[0078] Housing 8 comprises a lower volume 10, where the gas is in liquid form, and an upper volume 12, where the gas is in gaseous form. Indeed, under the effect of gravity, the gas in liquid form naturally remains in the lower volume 10, which can be considered the lower part of housing 8. Conversely, the gas in gaseous form will occupy a portion of housing 8 not filled by the liquid gas and therefore naturally remains in the upper volume 12, which can be considered the upper part of tank 1.

[0079] The dimensions, and in particular the height of each volume, vary according to the quantity of gas in liquid form and therefore the additional quantity of gas in vapor form.

[0080] It should be noted that, although not visible in the figure, at least the bottom 4 of the tank 1 is formed of a first membrane and a second membrane. The first membrane is the one positioned closest to the housing 8 of these two membranes, while the second membrane is the one positioned furthest from the housing 8 of these two membranes. An insulating material may be interposed between the first and second membranes, as well as between the second membrane and the bottom 4, in order to limit heat exchange between the inside and outside of the tank 1. By way of non-limiting example, this insulation may consist of glass wool or polymers.

[0081] Tank 1 is also equipped with a mast 14, which forms a support structure for internal equipment within tank 1. This mast 14 extends from a dome 16 located at ceiling level 2 to a bottom area 4. By way of non-limiting example, the mast 14 may be monopod, bipod, or tripod. In the embodiment shown, the mast 14 is a monopod mast.

[0082] The monopod mast 14 is secured to the bottom 4 by means of a mast support 18, itself fixed directly to the bottom 4 of tank 1. This mast support 18 is commonly referred to by the acronym PTBS (Pump Tower Base Support). In other words, the mast support 18 is anchored to the bottom 4 of tank 1, and the mast 14 is fixed to said support 18 to ensure the connection of the mast 14 with the bottom 4 of tank 1.

[0083] The mast 14 also serves as a support for a pipe 20 intended for loading or unloading the liquid gas contained in the tank 1. This pipe 20 is configured to allow the gas to be conveyed in liquid form between the lower volume 10 and the outside of the tank 1, thus facilitating the filling and emptying operations of the tank 1. In order to ensure its fixing and retention in position within the housing 8, the pipe 20 is fixed to the mast 14.

[0084] The pipe 20 includes a first end 22, to which a pump 26 is connected, and a second end 24 opening outside the tank 1. The assembly consisting of the first end 22 and the pump 26 is positioned in a sump 28 extending at least partially into a thickness of the bottom 4 of the tank 1.

[0085] The sump 28 is a recess made in the bottom 4 of the tank 1, configured to allow the evacuation of the liquefied gas contained in the tank 1. It thus constitutes a low point of the tank 1, facilitating the collection of the liquefied gas at this point under the effect of gravity.

[0086] The positioning of the pump 26 and the first end 22 of the pipe 20 within this sump 28 allows a maximum of liquefied gas to be evacuated from the tank 1 when an unloading of the tank 1 is necessary, minimizing the amount of residual gas remaining at the bottom 4 of the tank 1.

[0087] In accordance with the construction restrictions of tank 1, the support 18 of the mast 14 is located at a distance of approximately 2 meters from the sump 28. Therefore, the mast 14 itself is located at a significant distance from this sump 28.

[0088] This configuration induces a lever arm effect on the pipeline, since the pipeline must support the weight of the cantilevered pump 26 along its entire free length. Such an arrangement generates significant mechanical stresses at the support 18 of the mast 14 and at the pipeline itself, due to the mass of the cantilevered pump 26 and the pipeline.

[0089] To eliminate these mechanical stresses, the tank 1 according to the invention includes a fixing device 30 for the pump 26 relative to the sump 28, which will be detailed in particular in the following figures. This fixing device 30 anchors the pump 26 to the sump 28 so as to transfer the load from the pump 26 and from the first end 22 of the pipe 20 directly to the sump 28, via the fixing device 30, thereby preventing excessive mechanical stresses on said pipe.

[0090] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sump 28, shown separately from the tank 1 as described above. It should be noted that this perspective view shows the sump 28 in transparency, thus allowing visualization of at least part of the fastening device 30 according to the invention.

[0091] In this embodiment, the sump 28 comprises a first cylindrical structure 32 arranged inside a second cylindrical structure 34 of the sump 28.

[0092] The first cylindrical structure 32 includes a first collar 36, while the second cylindrical structure 34 includes a second collar 38. The first collar 36 is configured to be connected to the first membrane of the bottom 4 of the tank 1, while the second collar 38 is configured to be connected to the second membrane of the bottom 4 of the tank 1. This configuration thus makes it possible to anchor the sump 28 to the bottom 4 of the tank 1 and to integrate it structurally into said tank 1.

[0093] The first cylindrical structure 32 constitutes a cylinder open towards the housing 8 of the tank 1 and the second cylindrical structure 34 constitutes a cylinder, also open towards the housing 8 of the tank 1, within which the first cylindrical structure 32 is arranged.

[0094] The sump 28, and in particular the first cylindrical structure 32, comprises at least a side wall 40 and a bottom wall 42, said bottom wall 42 being notably visible in figure 3. The side wall 40 corresponds to the cylindrical surface of the first cylindrical structure 32, while the bottom wall 42 constitutes the flat base of the first cylindrical structure 32.

[0095] The fastening device 30, according to the invention, comprises a plurality of anchoring arms 46 configured to support the pump 26, as well as a plurality of guide arms 48 in contact with said pump 26. In this embodiment and by way of non-limiting example, the plurality of anchoring arms 46 comprises three anchoring arms 46 and the plurality of guide arms 48 comprises three guide arms 48.

[0096] It should be noted that the plurality of anchor arms 46 and the plurality of guide arms 48 are fixed, and more specifically welded, to the side wall 40 of the sump 28.

[0097] The plurality of anchor arms 46 is configured to support the pump 26, so that the weight of said pump 26 does not rest on the pipeline 20, but is transferred to said anchor arms 46. This arrangement avoids any excessive stress on the pipeline 20, thus limiting the risks of deformation or structural damage.

[0098] More specifically, the mounting device 30 includes a support member 52. In the described embodiment, this support member 52 consists of a plate with a substantially triangular shape. This support member 52 is configured to be fixed to the first end 22 of the pipe 20 on which the pump 26 is mounted. More precisely, the support member 52 is fixed to the first end 22 of the pipe 20.

[0099] In order to be fixed to the first end 22 of the loading or unloading pipe 20, the carrying member 52 is connected to a first connecting flange of the first end 22 of the pipe 20 and to a second connecting flange of the pump 26. These two connecting flanges are configured to be fixed to each other, thus establishing a leak-proof connection between the first end 22 of the pipe 20 and the pump 26.

[0100] For this purpose, the fastening device 30 may include fastening elements configured to cooperate with the support member 52, as well as with the first connecting flange and the second connecting flange. In particular, the support member 52, the first connecting flange, and the second connecting flange may be provided with through holes 44. The fastening elements are inserted into these through holes 44 and ensure the strength of the assembly. In this embodiment, the fastening element may consist of a screw and a nut. The screw passes through the through holes 44 of the support member 52, the first connecting flange, and the second connecting flange, while the nut tightens the assembly.

[0101] In this way, the fixing member simultaneously secures the first connecting flange to the second connecting flange, thus connecting the first end 22 of the pipe 20 to the pump 26, and the support member 52 to the first connecting flange, thus establishing a mechanical link between the support member 52 and the first end 22 of the pipe 20.

[0102] It should be noted that the first and second connecting flanges are not visible in this figure, but are visible in Figure 3 and are referred to as 56 and 58 respectively. The first connecting flange 56 is concealed by the support member 52, while the second connecting flange 58 is not shown because the pump 26 has not been included in this figure for clarity. Only the through holes 44 of the support member 52 are visible.

[0103] The support member 52 is also fixed to the plurality of anchor arms 46. This configuration thus makes it possible to transfer the mechanical forces from the first end 22 of the pipe 20 which supports the pump 26, to the support member 52, then to the anchor arms 46 and finally to the side wall 40 of the sump 28.

[0104] Thus, the fixing device 30, and more particularly the anchor arms 46 and the support member 52, make it possible to support the weight of the pump 26, which is fixed to the first end 22 of the pipe 20. This arrangement makes it possible to avoid any cantilevered load on the pipe 20.

[0105] In order to fix the plurality of anchor arms 46 to the support member 52, the fixing device 30 includes at least one fixing means 54 configured to ensure the connection between these elements.

[0106] This fastening means 54 includes at least one fastening element as well as a device for adjusting the relative position of the carrying member 52 with respect to the anchoring arms 46.

[0107] In the described embodiment, the fastening element consists of a screw and a nut. The adjustment device comprises a first oblong hole formed in the support member 52 and a second oblong hole formed in the anchoring arm 46. It should be noted that, in this figure, the first oblong hole and the second oblong hole are concealed by the fastening element, which is already positioned in the adjustment device.

[0108] The adjustment mechanism allows the relative position of the support member 52 and the anchor arm 46 to be adjusted by sliding the oblong holes relative to each other. Once the desired position is reached, the screw is simply inserted through the oblong holes and secured with the nut, thus ensuring that the support member 52 is held in place by the multiple anchor arms 46.

[0109] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sump 28 isolated from the tank 1 according to a cross-sectional plane C, visible in Figure 2. This cross-sectional view allows visualization of the fixing device 30 according to the invention, as well as the position of the pump 26 relative to the fixing device 30.

[0110] This figure highlights that at least one of the anchor arms 46, among the plurality of anchor arms 46, is in a first plane PI, while at least one guide arm 48 is in a second plane P2, these two planes being distinct.

[0111] More specifically, in this embodiment, all the arms of the plurality of anchor arms 46 lie within the first plane PL. By "lie within the first plane PL," it is meant that the connection, direct or indirect, of the anchor arms 46 with the first end 22 of the pipeline 20, via the support member 52 in order to support the pump 26, takes place within this first plane PL.

[0112] Also, in this embodiment, all the guide arms 48 of the plurality of guide arms 48 are located in the second plane P2. By "are located in the second plane P2", it should be understood that the contact between the guide arms 48 and the pump 26 takes place in this second plane P2.

[0113] In this embodiment, the first plane PI and the second plane P2 are two parallel planes. Of these two planes, the first plane PI is the one located closest to housing 8 and furthest from the exterior of tank 1, while the second plane P2 is the one located furthest from housing 8 and closest to the exterior of tank 1. In other words, when tank 1 is placed on a flat, horizontal surface, the first plane PI is located above the second plane P2.

[0114] The first collar 36 of the first cylindrical structure 32 is, as previously stated, configured to be connected to the first membrane. To this end, the first collar 36 extends primarily in a third plane P3. Furthermore, although not visible in this figure, the first membrane also extends in this third plane P3.

[0115] The second collar 38 of the second cylindrical structure 34 is configured to be connected to the second membrane and therefore extends mostly in a plane common to that in which the second membrane extends. More specifically, the second collar 38 and the second membrane extend in a fourth plane P4.

[0116] The third plane P3 and the fourth plane P4 are two planes that are substantially parallel to each other. It follows that the first membrane, the second membrane, as well as the first collar 36 and the second collar 38 are substantially parallel to each other.

[0117] Considering tank 1 arranged in a flat and horizontal environment, the third plane P3 is positioned above the fourth plane P4. In other words, among these two planes, the third plane P3 is the plane positioned closest to housing 8 of tank 1 and furthest from the outside of tank 1, while the fourth plane P4 is the plane located furthest from housing 8 of tank 1 and closest to the outside of tank 1.

[0118] The bottom wall 42 of the sump 28, and more particularly the bottom wall 42 of the first cylindrical structure 32, extends mainly in a fifth plane P5. This fifth plane P5 is, in this embodiment—although this is not limiting of the invention—parallel to the third and fourth planes P4. Of these three planes, the fifth plane P5 is the one furthest from the housing 8 and closest to the exterior of the tank 1. In other words, when the tank 1 is placed on a flat, horizontal surface, the fifth plane P5 is located below the fourth plane P4, and the fourth plane P4 is located below the third plane P3.

[0119] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the first plane PI, in which the plurality of anchoring arms 46 are located, is arranged above the third plane P3 and therefore constitutes, among the first, second, third, fourth and fifth plane P5, the one located closest to the housing 8 of the tank 1 and furthest from the outside of the tank 1. The second plane P2, in which at least one guide arm 48 is located, is arranged between the second plane P2 and the third plane P3.

[0120] The plurality of anchor arms 46 is, as previously mentioned, fixed to the side wall 40 of the sump 28, and more specifically to the side wall 40 of the first cylindrical structure 32. At least one of the anchor arms 46, and in this embodiment all of the anchor arms 46, is fixed to the side wall 40 between the third plane P3 and the fifth plane P5. In other words, the plurality of anchor arms 46 is fixed to the side wall 40 between the first flange 36 and the bottom wall 42.

[0121] The plurality of anchor arms 46 is thus fixed below the level where the first diaphragm is located. Therefore, the weight of the pump 26, supported by the plurality of anchor arms 46, is transmitted to the side wall 40 without this load being transmitted to the diaphragm and damaging it.

[0122] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the plurality of anchor arms 46 is fixed to the side wall 40 between the third plane P3 and the fourth plane P4, i.e. between the first membrane and the second membrane.

[0123] The plurality of guide arms 48 is also fixed to the side wall 40 of the sump 28 between the third plane P3 and the fifth plane P5. More specifically, the plurality of guide arms 48 is fixed to the side wall 40 between the fourth plane P4 and the fifth plane P5.

[0124] Figure 4 is a top view of the sump 28 equipped with the fixing device 30. This view allows observation of the plurality of anchor arms 46 and the plurality of guide arms 48. It also allows visualization of the plurality of through holes 44 arranged in the support member 52, intended to accommodate the fixing members allowing the anchor member to be fixed to the first end 22 of the pipe.

[0125] The plurality of anchor arms 46 is distributed angularly at regular intervals. In other words, in this embodiment, the plurality of anchor arms 46 comprises a first anchor arm 46A, a second anchor arm 46B and a third anchor arm 46C, with the same distance separating the first anchor arm 46A from the second anchor arm 46B, the second anchor arm 46B from the third anchor arm 46C, and the third anchor arm 46C from the first anchor arm 46A.

[0126] This distribution at regular intervals thus makes it possible to better distribute the forces applied to the fixing device 30 in order to support the pump 26 in a balanced manner.

[0127] Similarly, the plurality of guide arms 48 is also arranged at regular intervals. More particularly, in this embodiment, the plurality of guide arms 48 comprises a first guide arm 48A, a second guide arm 48B and a third guide arm 48C, with the same distance separating the first guide arm 48A from the second guide arm 48B, the second guide arm 48B from the third guide arm 48C, and the third guide arm 48C from the first guide arm 48A.

[0128] The spacing between each anchor arm 46 forms an angular sector 50. In other words, the space between two consecutive anchor arms 46 of the plurality of anchor arms 46 defines an angular sector 50. Thus, a first angular sector 50A is delimited between the first anchor arm 46A and the second anchor arm 46B, a second angular sector 50B is delimited between the second anchor arm 46B and the third anchor arm 46C, and a third angular sector 50C is delimited between the third anchor arm 46C and the first anchor arm 46A.

[0129] It should be noted that the plurality of guide arms 48 is positioned relative to the plurality of anchor arms 46 in such a way that a guide arm 48 is disposed within each angular sector 50. In other words, a guide arm 48 is positioned angularly between two anchor arms 46.

[0130] More specifically, the first guide arm 48A is positioned in the first angular sector 50A, that is, between the first anchor arm 46A and the second anchor arm 46B. The second guide arm 48B is positioned in the second angular sector 50B, that is, between the second anchor arm 46B and the third anchor arm 46C. Finally, the third guide arm 48C is positioned in the third angular sector 50C, that is, between the third anchor arm 46C and the first anchor arm 46A.

[0131] As described above, the present invention achieves its intended purpose, namely, to avoid mechanical stresses on a gas loading or unloading pipeline due to the weight of a pump installed at one end of that pipeline. To this end, the present invention provides a tank comprising a device for securing the pump to a sump in the tank, such that the mechanical stresses are borne by the securing device rather than by the loading or unloading pipeline.

[0132] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein, and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration, as well as any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

DEMANDS:

1. A tank (1) for the transport and / or storage of a liquefied gas, comprising at least one end (4) and a pipeline (20) for loading or unloading the liquefied gas, the end (4) having a sump (28) configured to accommodate a pump (26) connected to one end (22) of the loading or unloading pipeline (20), the tank (1) being characterized in that it comprises a device for securing the pump (26) relative to the sump (28), the securing device (30) comprising at least one plurality of anchor arms (46) and one plurality of guide arms (48), the plurality of anchor arms (46) being configured to support the pump (26) and at least one of the anchor arms (46) being in a first plane (PI), at least one of the guide arms (48) being in contact with the pump (26) and at least one of the guide arms (48) being part of a second plane (P2), the first plane (PI) and the second plane (P2) being distinct.

2. Tank (1) according to claim 1, in which the sump (28) comprises a bottom wall (42) and at least one side wall (40), at least one of the anchor arms (46) being fixed to said side wall (40).

3. Tank (1) according to claim 2, in which at least one of the guide arms (48) is fixed to said side wall (40).

4. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact between the plurality of guide arms (48) and the pump (26) is a free contact.

5. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in combination with claim 2, wherein the bottom (4) comprises a first membrane forming in a third plane (P3) and a second membrane forming in a fourth plane (P4), the fourth plane (P4) extending between the third plane (P3) and a fifth plane (P5) in which the bottom wall (42) of the sump (28) is formed, at least one of the anchoring arms (46) being fixed to the side wall (40) between the third plane (P3) and the fifth plane (P5).

6. Tank (1) according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the anchoring arms (46) is fixed to the side wall (40) between the third plane (P3) and the fourth plane (P4).

7. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, in which at least one of the guide arms (48) is fixed to the side wall (40) between the fourth plane (P4) and the fifth plane (P5).

8. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fixing device (30) comprises at least one carrying member (52) fixed to the plurality of anchoring arms (46), the end (22) of the loading or unloading pipeline (20) being integral with the carrying member (52).

9. Tank (1) according to claim 8, in which the end (22) of the loading or unloading pipeline (20) comprises a first connecting flange (56) and the pump (26) comprises a second connecting flange (58), the first connecting flange (56) being configured to cooperate with the second connecting flange (58), the fastening device (30) comprising at least one fastening member configured to secure together the first connecting flange (56), the second connecting flange (58) and the carrying member (52).

10. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the fastening device (30) comprises at least one fastening means (54), the fastening means (54) being configured to connect the carrying member (52) to the anchoring arm (46), the fastening means (54) comprising a device for adjusting the relative position of the carrying member (52) with respect to the anchoring arm (46).

11. Tank (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of anchoring arms (46) comprises at least three anchoring arms (46) and the plurality of guide arms (48) comprises at least three guide arms (48), the three anchoring arms (46) and the three guide arms (48) being angularly distributed at regular intervals.

12. Tank (1) according to claim 11, in which at least one of the guide arms (48) is disposed in an angular sector (50) defined by two adjacent anchor arms (46).

Images