KR102580155B1 - Method for manufacturing a heat insulating barrier for a ship wall and a heat insulating barrier manufactured thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thermal insulation barrier (2, 5) for the wall (1) of an oil-tight and insulated tank integrated into a support structure (3), comprising:
Until the inner ends 48, 61 of the insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96 reach a predetermined position in the openings 43, 55, the support members 15, 82 , 91) to irreversibly damage the insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96, and insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95. , 96) and an insulating blocking member ( Insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58 are placed on the support members 15, 82, 91 in the direction of the support structure 3, so as to irreversibly reduce the size of the 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96). , 59, 60).
The invention also relates to thermal insulating barriers (2, 5) manufactured in this way.

Description

Method for manufacturing a heat insulating barrier for a ship wall and a heat insulating barrier manufactured thereby

The present invention relates to the field of oil-tight and insulated tanks of membrane type for the storage and/or transport of fluids, such as cryogenic fluids.

Oil-tight and insulated tanks of the membrane type are especially employed for the storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is stored at approximately -162°C at atmospheric pressure.

Document WO2016046487 discloses an oil-tight and insulated tank of membrane type. Each wall of the tank is continuously, from the outside to the inside of the tank in the thickness direction, a secondary insulation barrier including an insulating panel fixed to a support structure, a secondary sealing membrane seated on the secondary insulation barrier, and a secondary seal. It features a primary insulating barrier comprising an insulating panel seated on the membrane and a primary sealing membrane seated on the primary insulating barrier and intended to contact the liquefied natural gas stored in the tank. Each insulating panel of the primary insulating barrier has cutouts along its edges and at its corners. These cutouts define openings to receive fasteners that join the insulating panels of the primary insulating barrier to the insulating panels of the secondary insulating barrier. The insulating blocking element is intended to be received in an opening formed in the primary insulating barrier, in order to ensure continuity of thermal insulation.

The size error of the insulating blocking member is small so that the insulating blocking member can be optimally fitted to the size of the opening. In particular, the sizes of the openings in the thickness direction of the insulating blocking member and the tank wall need to be matched to each other. In practice, otherwise the insulating blocking elements locally cause height differences that affect the flatness of the supporting surface of the primary sealing membrane. This height difference is likely to damage the primary sealing membrane.

A second specific feature is that the openings in the direction perpendicular to the thickness are limited as much as possible in order to limit maximum gas movement phenomena that can affect the thermal performance.

The idea on which the invention is based is a method for manufacturing a thermal insulating barrier characterized by an opening and an insulating blocking member received in the opening, which is intended to define an inner support surface of the sealing membrane, wherein the inner support surface of the sealing membrane is parallel to the opening. The goal is to limit the existence of height differences and provide a simple method to employ.

According to one embodiment, the invention provides a method for manufacturing a thermal insulation barrier for the walls of an oil-tight and insulated tank integrated into a support structure, the method comprising:

A plurality of insulating panels are fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure by a fastening device, wherein the plurality of insulating panels define an inner support surface of the sealing membrane and include at least one opening open in the area of the inner surface. steps to do,

preparing an insulating blocking member of polymer foam intended to ensure continuity of thermal insulation in the area of said opening, said insulating blocking member having an inner end;

Inserting the insulating blocking member into the opening and pressing it in the direction of the support structure until the insulating blocking member is supported in the direction of the support structure by the support member received in the opening;

so as to irreversibly damage the insulating blocking member at the point where it is supported on the support member until the inner end of the insulating blocking member reaches a predetermined position in said opening, and the inner end of the insulating blocking member and the insulating blocking member are supported. and pressing the insulating blocking member against the support member in the direction of the support structure to irreversibly reduce the size of the insulating blocking member between the supported members.

Therefore, in this kind of method, the initial size of the insulating blocking member in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall is no longer critical, because when the insulating blocking member is pressed into the opening, the inner end of the insulating blocking member reaches the required position. This is because the size of the wall in the thickness direction is irreversibly reduced. In other words, this method allows direct adjustment of the size of the insulating blocking element in the thickness direction of the tank wall during the integration of the thermal insulation barrier into the support structure. This allows, on the one hand, a simplified production of the insulating blocking element by allowing for an increase in size tolerances, and, on the other hand, a limitation of the width of the height difference that is liable to form on the inner support surface of the sealing membrane.

According to another advantageous embodiment, a method of the above kind may have one or more of the following features.

According to one embodiment, the insulating blocking member is made of polymer foam with a density of 20 to 60 kg/m ³ . This type of foam can therefore be easily and irreversibly deformed by hand, without using dedicated tools.

According to one embodiment, the insulating blocking member is made of polyurethane foam.

According to another embodiment, the insulating blocking member is made of expanded polystyrene foam.

According to one embodiment, one of the fastening devices is received in the opening, said fastening device comprising a support member against which the insulating blocking member is pressed.

According to one embodiment, the fixing device received in the opening includes a stud directly or indirectly coupled to the support structure, and during fixation of the plurality of insulating panels, the fixing member is insulated to secure the insulating panel to the support structure. mounted on a stud to cooperate with at least one fastening area of the panel, the stud forming a support member against which the insulating blocking member is pressed such that the stud is inserted into the insulating blocking member when the insulating blocking member is pressed in the direction of the support structure. do.

According to one embodiment, when the insulating blocking element is pressed in the direction of the support structure, the studs are inserted into the body of the insulating blocking element at a distance of 5 to 30 mm, for example 8 to 15 mm.

According to one embodiment, one of the fastening devices is received in the opening, and the insulating blocking member has an outer end through which the housing opens, wherein the fastening device is connected to the housing when the inner end of the insulating blocking member reaches a predetermined position. At least partially accepted.

According to one embodiment, during fixation of the plurality of insulating panels, to studs directly or indirectly coupled to the support structure,

fixing member,

Nuts that secure the fixing member to the support structure and

For fixing the insulating panel to the support structure, at least one elastic washer is mounted between the nut and the fixing member, engaging a stud, so as to provide an elastic force pressing the fixing member to the fixing area of at least one of the insulating panels,

The nut and at least one elastic washer are received in the opening opened in the area of the outer end of the insulating blocking member when the inner end of the insulating blocking member reaches the predetermined position.

According to one embodiment, the opening abuts, on the inner surface, an adjacent boundary surface, and at a predetermined position of the inner end of the insulating blocking member, said inner end is less than 1 mm above and 3 mm below the adjacent boundary surface. It is placed below.

At the predetermined position of the inner end of the insulating blocking element, said inner end of the insulating blocking element is preferably arranged parallel to the height of the adjacent boundary surface or at least 2 mm below it.

According to one embodiment, the adjacent boundary surfaces extend in the plane of the inner surface of the plurality of insulating panels or form the bottom of a recess into which the closing plate is disposed after positioning the insulating blocking member at a predetermined position.

According to one embodiment, the insulating blocking member is irreversibly compressed in the thickness direction perpendicular to the support structure, at the place where it is supported on the support member, when the insulating blocking member is pressed in the direction of the support structure.

According to one embodiment, the insulating blocking member has a cross-section larger than the opening and is mounted with an interference fit in the opening. According to a variant embodiment, the insulating blocking element has a periphery that is disengaged during insertion of the insulating blocking element into the opening.

According to another embodiment, the invention also relates to a thermal insulating barrier for the walls of an oil-tight and insulated tank integrated into a support structure,

a plurality of insulating panels fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure by fastening devices, defining an inner support surface of the sealing membrane, the plurality of insulating panels comprising at least one opening open in the area of the inner surface; and

An insulating blocking member of polymer foam inserted into the opening to ensure continuity of thermal insulation,

The insulating blocking member is supported on a support member received in the opening in the direction of the support structure, and is characterized in that irreversible damage to the insulating blocking member occurs at a position where it is supported on the support member, wherein the irreversible damage reaches a predetermined position. It is formed by pressing the insulating blocking member in the direction of the support structure until

According to one embodiment, the invention also relates to an oil-tight and insulated tank comprising the above-described thermal insulating barrier and a sealing membrane seated on the insulating barrier.

A tank according to one of the above-described embodiments may form part of an onshore storage facility, for example for storing LNG, or may be used as an offshore or deep-sea offshore structure, in particular an ethane or methane tanker, a Floating Storage and Regassification Unit (FSRU), a Floating Production Unit (FPSO). Storage and Offloading) units, etc. In the case of offshore structures, the tank may be intended to contain liquefied natural gas, which serves as fuel for propulsion of the offshore structures.

According to one embodiment, a ship for the transport of fluids comprises a hull, such as a double hull, and one of the tanks described above arranged in the hull.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a method for loading or offloading a ship of the above type, wherein fluid is supplied from an offshore or onshore storage facility to a tank of the ship or vice versa through an insulated pipe.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a fluid transfer system, the system comprising an insulated pipe arranged to connect a tank installed in the hull of a ship to the aforementioned ship, sea or land storage facility via an insulated pipe and an insulated pipe. Includes a pump to cause flow of fluid to or from an onshore storage facility.

Through the following description of a number of specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, the invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages will become clearer. It will become clear.

1 is a cut-away perspective view of a tank wall according to a first embodiment.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing device that enables coupling of the primary insulating panel of the primary insulating barrier to the secondary insulating barrier accommodated in an opening formed between two primary insulating panels and an insulating blocking member inserted in the opening.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the insulating blocking member of Figure 2;
Figure 4 shows a top view of the primary insulating panel, in the area of the opening formed between two primary insulating panels, when an insulating blocking member is received in the opening and a closing plate covers the opening.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing device accommodated in openings formed in four corner regions of four adjacent primary insulating panels.
Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a fixing device accommodated in an opening of a primary heat insulating barrier and an insulating blocking member according to an alternative embodiment before being inserted into the opening.
Figure 7 is a schematic diagram similar to that of Figure 6 during insertion of an insulating blocking member into the opening;
Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a fastening device received in an opening of a primary thermal insulating barrier and an insulating blocking member according to another alternative embodiment while being inserted into the opening.
Figure 9 is a cut-away perspective view of the tank wall according to the second embodiment.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of an insulating blocking member of the primary thermal insulation barrier of the tank wall of Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of an insulating blocking member of the secondary thermal insulation barrier of the tank wall of Figure 9.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the fixing device for the tank wall of FIG. 9.
Figure 13 is a cutaway schematic diagram of a methane tanker tank including a wall as shown in Figure 1 and a terminal for loading/offloading the tank.

Conventionally, the terms “outside” and “inside” are used to define the position of one element relative to the other with respect to the inside and outside of the tank.

In Figure 1, the multi-layer structure of the wall 1 of an oil-tight and insulated tank for storing a fluid such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) is shown. Each wall (1) of the tank is continuously, from the outside to the inside of the tank in the thickness direction, a secondary insulation barrier (2) fixed to the support structure (3), and a secondary insulation barrier (2) seated on the secondary insulation barrier (2). It comprises a primary sealing membrane (4), a primary insulating barrier (5) seated on the secondary sealing membrane (4) and a primary sealing membrane (6) intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas stored in the tank.

The support structure 3 can in particular be formed by a ship hull or a double hull. The support structure 3 comprises a plurality of walls defining the general shape of the tank, usually a polyhedral shape.

The secondary insulation barrier (2) includes a plurality of secondary insulation panels (7) fixed to the support structure (3) by studs (not shown) and/or resin beads (not shown) welded to the support structure (3). Includes. Each secondary insulating panel 7 includes a layer of insulating polymer foam sandwiched between a rigid inner plate and a rigid outer plate. The inner and outer plates are for example plywood sheets attached to the insulating polymer foam layer. The insulating polymer foam may in particular be a polyurethane-based foam.

The secondary sealing membrane (4) comprises a plurality of corrugated metal plates (10). Adjacent corrugated metal plates 10 are overlapped and welded together. Furthermore, the corrugated metal plate 10 is welded to a small metal plate 14 joined to the inner plate of the secondary insulating panel 7. A corrugated metal plate (10) is joined to the inner plate of the secondary insulating panel (7) and allows the passage of studs (15) intended to join the primary insulating barrier (5) to the secondary insulating barrier (2). Include cutouts along its longitudinal edge and at its four corners.

The primary insulating barrier 5 includes a plurality of primary insulating panels 16 that are substantially rectangular in shape. Each primary insulating panel 16 comprises a polymer foam layer 17 sandwiched between two rigid plates, an inner plate 18 and an outer plate 19. The inner plate 18 and the outer plate 19 are, for example, plywood sheets. The polymer foam layer 17 is for example polyurethane foam, optionally reinforced by fibers such as glass fibers.

The inner plate 18 of each primary insulating panel 16 is provided with small metal plates 20, 21 for fixing the corrugated metal plate 22 of the primary sealing membrane 6. Small metal plates 20, 21 are joined to recesses formed in the inner plate 18 of the primary insulating panel 16, for example by means of screws, rivets or staples.

The primary sealing membrane (6) is obtained by assembling a plurality of corrugated metal plates (22). Each corrugated metal plate 22 includes between the corrugations a plurality of planar surfaces 25 pressed against the inner plate 18 of the primary insulating panel 16. In other words, the inner plate 18 of the primary insulating panel 16 forms the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

The corrugated metal plates 22 of the primary sealing membrane 6 are connected to the primary insulating panels 16 such that each corrugated metal plate 22 extends jointly across four neighboring primary insulating panels 16. are placed offset from each other. The corrugated metal plates 22 are overlapped and welded together and also along their edges to smaller metal plates 20, 21 joined to the primary insulating panel 16.

Each primary insulating panel 16 includes one or more cutouts 35 along each of two longitudinal edges and a cutout 36 at each corner. Each cutout 35, 36 passes through the inner plate 18 and extends throughout the entire thickness of the polymer foam layer 17. In the area of each cutout 35, 36, the outer plate 19 is positioned against the polymer foam layer 17 and the inner plate 18 to form a fastening area 37 that cooperates with the fastening device 38. It protrudes. Each cutout 35 formed on an edge of one of the primary insulating panels 16 is disposed to face a cutout 35 formed on an opposite edge of a neighboring primary insulating panel 16 . The cutouts 35 of two neighboring primary insulating panels 16 thus form openings 43 in twos in which the fastening devices 38 are received. A single fastening device 28 can thus cooperate with two fastening zones 37 belonging respectively to one of the two neighboring primary insulating panels 16 and to the other. Moreover, each cutout 36 formed in one of the corners of the primary insulating panel 16 is open facing the cutout 36 formed in the neighboring corner of the three neighboring primary insulating panels 16. The four cutouts 36 thus together form a cross-shaped opening 39. A single fastener 38 can thereby cooperate with four contact surfaces 37 of four neighboring primary insulating panels 16 .

Referring to Figure 2, with an opening 43 formed in the area of the cutout 35 formed at the edge of two adjacent primary insulating panels 16, an insulating blocking member 44 received in the opening 43 and A fixture 38 is shown.

The fastening device 38 includes studs 15 coupled to the inner plate of the secondary insulating panel 7. The fixing device 38 further includes a fixing member 40 coupled to the stud 15. The fastening member 40 is supported on the fastening area 37 of the primary insulating panel 16 , that is, on the area of the inner plate 18 and the outer plate 19 protruding relative to the polymer foam layer 17 . Each fastening zone 37 is thus sandwiched between the fastening element 40 and the secondary sealing membrane 4 .

Here, the fastening member 40 is a small annular metal plate containing a bore mounted on the stud 15. The nut 41 cooperates with the threads of the stud 15 to couple the fastening member 40 to the stud 15. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, one or more elastic washers, such as Belleville washers 42, are mounted on the studs 15 between the nuts 41 and the fastening members 40, which are used to form secondary insulating panels. It enables elastic fixation of the primary insulating panel 16 to (7).

When the fixing device 38 is installed, an insulating blocking member 44 is installed in the opening 43 to ensure continuity of insulation.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner plate 18 of the primary insulating panel 16 features a recess 45 at the bottom 46 abutting the opening 43. The recess 45 is intended to receive the closing plate 47 after the insulating blocking member 44 has been placed in the opening 43 . The closure plate 47 has an inner surface parallel to the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16, so as to ensure the flatness of the support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

In another embodiment (not shown), the primary insulating barrier 5 does not have the recess 45 and closing plate 47 described above. Also in this case, the inner end 48 of the insulating blocking element 44 is intended to be aligned with the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16, so as to ensure the flatness of the supporting surface of the primary sealing membrane 6. .

The insulating blocking member 44 shown in Figures 2 and 3 is made of polymer foam. By way of example, the insulating blocking element 44 consists in particular of polyurethane foam with a density of 20 to 60 kg/m ³ , advantageously 30 to 50 kg/m ³ . The insulating blocking member 44 having this feature is particularly advantageous in that it can be irreversibly deformed without the stress required to obtain the irreversible deformation becoming too large. Alternatively, the insulating blocking element 44 can likewise consist of expanded polystyrene with a density of 20 to 60 kg/m ³ , advantageously 30 to 50 kg/m ³ .

The insulating blocking member 44 has a cross section corresponding to that of the opening 43 . Additionally, the insulating blocking member 44 has a planar inner end 48. The insulating blocking member 44 also has an outer end 49 through which the housing 50 is opened, which is intended to at least partially receive the fastening device 38 . More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, housing 50 has two parts 51 and 52 with different diameters. The first part 51 has a larger diameter and is open in the area of the outer end 49 of the insulating blocking member 44 . The first part 51 is intended to receive an elastic washer 42 and a nut 41 . The second part 52 has a smaller diameter and extends from the first part 51 in the direction of the inner end 48 of the insulating blocking member 44 . The second portion 52 is intended to receive the end of the stud 15 . Accordingly, the structure of the housing 50 corresponds to that of the fastening device 38 in order to optimize the arrangement of the insulating material in the opening 43 .

As shown in FIG. 3, in the initial state before insertion of the insulating blocking member 44 into the opening 43, the insulating blocking member 45 is connected to the inner end 48 of the insulating blocking member 44 and the housing 50. It has a size (X ₀ ) in the thickness direction of the tank wall (1) between the bottom (53). The _size (

In the depicted embodiment, the adjacent boundary surface corresponds to the bottom 46 of the recess 45 . In other words, the size Y here corresponds to the distance between the bottom 46 of the recess 45 and the end of the stud 15. In another alternative embodiment, the primary insulating barrier 5 does not have a closing plate 47 and the inner end 48 of the insulating blocking member 44 is intended to be flush with the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16. When so, the adjacent boundary surface corresponds to the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16. In other words, the size Y here corresponds to the distance between the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16 and the end of the stud 15.

Advantageously X ₀ = Y + Δ, where Δ is 5 to 30 mm, preferably 8 to 15 mm.

The mounting of the insulating blocking member 44 in the opening 43 is described in detail below.

First, the insulating blocking member 44 is inserted into the opening 43 so that the insulating blocking member 44, more specifically the bottom 53 of the housing 50, is supported on the end of a support member, here a stud 15. is pressed in the direction of the support structure 3 until the The insulating blocking member 44 is then pressed against the stud 15 such that the stud 15 penetrates the insulating blocking member 44 of the polymer foam and irreversibly damages it. In other words, in the area of the insulating blocking member 44 in contact with the stud 15, the insulating blocking member 44 deforms beyond its elastic limit, causing plastic deformation and/or rupture. Therefore, _the size ( is smaller than size (X ₀ ). According to one embodiment, the studs 15 are pressed into the body of the insulating blocking element 44 at a distance of 5 to 30 mm, for example 8 to 15 mm.

The predetermined position of the insulating blocking member 44 in the opening 43 is such that the inner end 48 of the insulating blocking member 44 is positioned relative to the adjacent boundary surface, here the bottom 46 of the recess 45 . This applies to positions located less than 1 mm above and less than 3 mm below adjacent boundary surfaces. The inner end 48 of the insulating blocking member 44 is preferably arranged parallel to or less than 2 mm below the adjacent boundary surface. In other words, at a predetermined position of the insulating blocking member, the size (X ₁ ) can be defined as follows.

Y ≥ X ₁ ≥ Y - ε

ε = 2　mm

Methods of the above type thus make it possible to reduce the width of the height difference that is likely to form on the inner support surface of the primary sealing membrane 6.

Figure 5 shows the fixing device 54 and the openings 55 formed at the corners of four neighboring primary insulating panels 16 and in which the fixing device 54 is received. In this embodiment, the fastening member 56 has an Five insulation blocking members (57, 58, 59, 60) ensure continuity of insulation. Four insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59, two shown partially and one fully shown in Figure 5, are each received in a cutout 36 of the respective primary insulating panel 16, while the fifth insulating blocking member Member 60 is disposed in the center of opening 55 between the other four insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 as a wedge allowing the other insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 to be held in place. It plays a role.

By way of example, the insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59, 60 are made of the same material as that of the insulating blocking member 44 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

Mounting of the insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59, 60 in the opening 55 is described in detail below. First, four insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 are placed in respective cutouts 36 of one of the primary insulating panels 16. According to a variant embodiment, the four insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 are provided so that their inner ends 61 do not have to be reversibly damaged in order to align them with the inner surface of the adjacent primary insulating panel 16. , has a size in the thickness direction of the tank wall 1 corresponding to that of the opening.

According to another alternative embodiment, the four insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 are located on the sides of the fastening member 56, which are intended to receive the planar portion of the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16 and the outer end of the insulating blocking member. It has a size in the thickness direction of the tank that is larger than the size in the thickness direction of the tank wall 1 between the supporting surfaces. Additionally, in this embodiment, in order to mount the insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 in the opening 55, each of the insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 is first connected to the insulating blocking members 57, 58. , 59) is inserted into the opening 44 in the direction of the support structure 3 until it is supported on one of the lugs of the support member, here the fastening member 56 . Each of the insulating blocking elements 57, 58, 59 is then pressed against the fixing element 56, such that the insulating blocking elements 57, 58, 59 are irreversibly compressed. The size of each insulating blocking member 57, 58, 59 is thus such that the inner end 61 of each insulating blocking member 57, 58, 59 is substantially parallel with the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 16. It decreases irreversibly until the inner end 61 of each insulating blocking member 57, 58, 59 reaches the defined position.

The central insulating blocking member 60 is inserted into the opening 55 between the other four insulating blocking members 57, 58, 59 until it is supported on the end of the stud 15. 2 to 4, the insulating blocking member 60 is attached to the studs 15 such that the studs 15 then penetrate the insulating blocking member 60 of polymer foam and irreversibly damage it. I feel pressured. The insulating blocking member 60 is deformed until the inner end 61 of the insulating blocking member 60 reaches a predetermined position.

Each predetermined position of the insulating blocking member 57, 58, 59, 60 is such that the inner end 61 of the respective insulating blocking member 57, 58, 59, 60 is adjacent to its boundary surface, here the primary insulator. This corresponds to a position located less than 1 mm above the inner surface of the panel 16 and less than 3 mm below it, preferably less than 2 mm.

6 and 7 schematically show an insulating blocking member 62 according to another embodiment. This embodiment differs from the embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 in that, in its initial state, the insulating blocking member 62 has a cross-section with a larger size than that of the opening 43 . As shown in Figure 7, when the insulating blocking member 62 is forcibly inserted into the opening 43, the periphery 63 of the insulating blocking member 62 is surrounded by the insulating blocking member 62 inserted into the opening 43. is at least partially deviated from the part of. This type of arrangement makes it possible to prevent a gap between the wall of the opening 43 and the insulating blocking member 62, which is likely to impair thermal insulation.

By way of example, if the insulating blocking element 62 and the opening 43 have a circular cross-section, the insulating blocking element 62 has a diameter that is 2 to 10 mm, advantageously 5 to 7 mm larger than that of the opening 43. have If the insulating blocking member 62 has some other shape, for example a rectangular parallelepiped shape, at least one of the sizes of its cross section is larger than the corresponding size of the cross section of the opening 43.

According to an alternative embodiment, the periphery 63 of the insulating blocking member 62 may be pre-cut to facilitate removal of the insulating blocking member 62 upon insertion into the opening 43 .

As in the previous embodiment, the insulating blocking member 43 is deformed against the stud 15 of the fixture until the inner end of the insulating blocking member 62 reaches a predetermined position.

Figure 8 schematically shows an insulating blocking member 64 according to another alternative embodiment. As in the previous embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7 , the insulating blocking member 64 has a cross section having a larger size than that of the opening 43 . However, in this embodiment, the periphery of the insulating blocking member 64 is not separated during insertion of the insulating blocking member 64 into the opening 43, and the insulating blocking member 64 is tightly fitted into the opening 43. It is installed.

In Figure 9, the multi-layer structure of the tank wall 1 according to another embodiment is shown.

The secondary insulating barrier 2 includes a plurality of juxtaposed secondary insulating panels 65. Each secondary insulating panel 65 is made of, for example, plywood, extending between the bottom plate, the cover plate and the bottom plate and the cover plate in the direction of the thickness of the wall 1, defining a compartment filled with an insulating filler, for example perlite. It consists of a rectangular box. The bottom plate protrudes laterally on two opposite sides of the box such that planks 68 engage these protrusions at each corner of the box.

The primary insulating barrier 5 also includes a plurality of juxtaposed primary insulating panels 66 . The primary insulating panel 66 has a structure substantially similar to that of the secondary insulating panel 65. The primary insulating panel 66 has the same size as that of the secondary insulating panel 65, except for the thickness in the thickness direction of the tank, which may be smaller than that of the secondary insulating panel 65. The bottom plate of the primary insulating panel protrudes laterally on two opposite sides of the box, such that planks 67 are joined to these protrusions at each corner of the box.

The secondary sealing membrane 4 comprises a continuous layer of metal strakes with raised edges. The raised edges of the strakes are welded to parallel welded supports that engage grooves formed in the cover plate of the secondary insulating panel 65. The primary sealing membrane 6 has a similar structure and comprises a continuous layer of metal strakes with raised edges. The raised edges of the strakes are welded to parallel weld supports that engage grooves formed in the cover plate of the primary insulating panel 66.

Metal strakes are made, for example, of Invar®, an alloy of nickel and iron with a coefficient of expansion typically between 1.2×10 ^-6 and 2×10 ^-6 K ^-1 .

Figure 12 shows a fixing device 69 for fixing the primary insulating panel 65 and the secondary insulating panel 65. The fastening device 69 includes bushes 82 coupled to the support structure 3 in the area of the four corners of the four neighboring secondary insulating panels 66 . Each bush 82 receives a nut 83 into which the lower end of the stud 84 is screwed. The fixing device 69 further includes a fixing member 85 coupled to the stud 84. The fixing member 85 is supported on the strakes 68 to secure the secondary insulating panel 65 to the support structure 3. Nut 86 cooperates with the threads of stud 84 to couple fastening member 85 to stud 84. Moreover, the fastening device 69 includes an elastic washer 87 mounted on the stud 84 between the fastening member 85 and the nut 86, which provides a secondary insulating panel to the support structure 3 ( 65) enables elastic fixation. The fixing device further includes a small plate 88 coupled to the fixing member 85. A spacing element 89 , for example made of wood, is arranged between the fastening member 85 and the small plate 88 . The spacing member 89 has a thickness such that the small plate 88 is aligned with the cover plate of the secondary insulating panel 65. The spacing element 89 comprises a central housing intended to receive the top of an elastic washer 87 , a nut 86 and a stud 84 . The spacing element 89 also includes a bore intended to have a bolt 90 passing therethrough for fastening the small plate 88 to the fastening member 85 .

Furthermore, small plate 88 includes a central threaded bore that receives the threaded base of stud 91. The studs 91 pass through bores formed through the strakes of the secondary sealing membrane 4. The stud 91 features a flange around its periphery welded around the bore to ensure sealing of the secondary sealing membrane 4 . The stud 91 has a threaded upper end into which a nut 92 is screwed to fasten the fixing member 93 to the strakes 67 of the primary insulating panel 66. The fastening device 69 is also threaded across the studs 91 between the nuts 92 and the fastening members 93 to provide elastic fastening of the primary insulating panel 66 to the small plate 9. Contains one elastic washer (94).

Referring to FIG. 9, it is shown that insulating blocking members 95 and 96 are provided in the secondary insulating barrier 2 and the primary insulating barrier 3 of the tank wall 1 having this type of multilayer structure.

The insulating blocking element 95 of the secondary thermal insulating barrier 2 is shown in detail in FIG. 11 . Each insulating blocking member 95 has a cross shape and includes an inner bore through which the stud 84 of the fastening device 69 is inserted. The insulating blocking member 95 is positioned at the corners of the four secondary insulating panels 65 such that each of the four branches of the insulating blocking member 95 is inserted into the gap between two neighboring secondary insulating panels 65. It is inserted into the opening formed in the area of.

According to one embodiment, the insulating blocking member 95 is made of the same material as that of the insulating blocking member 44 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. The insulating blocking member 95 is mounted in the opening as follows. The insulating blocking member 95 is inserted into the opening in the direction of the support structure 3 until the stud 91 is arranged facing the stud 84 and is supported by a support member, here a bush 82 . The insulating blocking member 95 is then pressed against the bush 82 such that the insulating blocking member 95 is irreversibly deformed until the insulating blocking member 95 reaches a predetermined position. At the predetermined position, the inner end of the insulating blocking member 95 is substantially parallel with the surface of the strake 68 on which the fastening member 85 is supported.

The insulating blocking element 96 of the primary thermal insulating barrier 5 is shown in detail in FIG. 10 . Each insulating blocking member 96 is inserted into an opening formed at the corner of four neighboring primary insulating panels.

According to one embodiment, the insulating blocking member 96 is made of the same material as that of the insulating blocking member 44 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. Insulating blocking members 96 are mounted in the individual openings as follows. The insulating blocking member 96 is arranged in the housing and is pressed in the direction of the support structure 3 until it is supported by a support member, here a stud 91 . The insulating blocking member 96 is then pressed against the stud 91 such that the insulating blocking member 96 is irreversibly deformed until the insulating blocking member 96 reaches a predetermined position. At the predetermined position, the inner end of the insulating blocking member 96 is substantially parallel with the inner surface of the primary insulating panel 66.

Referring to FIG. 13, a cutaway view of a methane tanker 70 shows an oil-tight and insulated tank 71 of a general prismatic shape mounted on the double hull 72 of the ship. The walls of the tank 71 are comprised of a primary sealing membrane intended to be in contact with the LNG stored in the tank, a secondary sealing membrane arranged between the primary sealing membrane and the double hull 72 of the ship, and a primary sealing membrane and a secondary seal. It comprises two thermal insulating barriers arranged respectively between the membranes and between the secondary sealing membrane and the double shell 72.

In a known manner, the loading/offloading pipe 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected by a suitable connector to a marine or port terminal for transferring LNG cargo to or from the tank 71. .

Figure 13 shows an example of a marine terminal comprising land installations 77, underwater pipes 76 and loading and offloading stations 75. The loading and offloading station 75 is a fixed offshore facility comprising a mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 supporting the mobile arm 74. The mobile arm 74 has a bundle of insulated flexible tubes 79 that can be connected to a loading/offloading pipe 73 . The directional mobile arm (74) applies to all methane tanker loading gauges. A connecting pipe (not shown) extends inside the tower 78. Loading and offloading station 75 enables loading and offloading of methane tankers 70 to or from an onshore facility 77 . The latter comprises a liquefied gas tank 80 and a connecting pipe 81 connected to the loading or offloading station 75 via an underwater pipe 76 . Submersible pipes 76 enable the transfer of liquefied gas between loading or offloading stations 75 and land installations 77 over long distances, for example 5 km, which allow methane tankers 70 to load and offload. Ensure that it is maintained at a distance from the shore during operations.

To generate the pressure required to transport the liquefied gas, pumps provided on board the ship 70 and/or pumps provided on land installations 77 and/or pumps provided at the loading and offloading station 75 are used.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a number of specific embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but includes all technical equivalents and combinations of means thereof, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The use of the verbs “comprise” or “consist of” and their conjugations do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those mentioned in the claims.

In the claims, reference signs between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims.

Claims (15)

A method for manufacturing a thermal insulation barrier (2, 5) for the wall (1) of an oil-tight and insulated tank integrated into a support structure (3), comprising:
A plurality of insulating panels (16, 65, 66) are fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure (3) by fixing devices (38, 54, 69), wherein the plurality of insulating panels (16, 65, 66) are defining an inner support surface of the sealing membrane (4, 6), comprising at least one opening (43, 55) opening in the area of the inner support surface;
Prepare insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96 of polymer foam intended to ensure continuity of thermal insulation in the area of the openings 43, 55, wherein the insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) stages with medial ends (48, 61);
By inserting the insulating blocking members (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) into the openings (43, 55), the insulating blocking members are supported by the support members (15, 82) accommodated in the openings (43, 55). , pressing in the direction of the support structure 3 until it is supported in the direction of the support structure 3 at 91), and
Until the inner ends 48, 61 of the insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96 reach a predetermined position in the openings 43, 55, the support members 15, 82 , 91) to irreversibly damage the insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96, and insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95. , 96) and an insulating blocking member ( Insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58 are placed on the support members 15, 82, 91 in the direction of the support structure 3, so as to irreversibly reduce the size of the 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96). , 59, 60). According to paragraph 1,
A method wherein the insulating blocking members (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) are made of polymer foam having a density of 20 to 60 kg/m ³ . According to claim 1 or 2,
A method in which the insulating blocking members (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) are made of polyurethane foam. According to claim 1 or 2,
One of the fastening devices (38, 54, 69) is received inside the opening (43, 55),
The method of claim 1 , wherein the fastening device (38, 54, 69) comprises a support member against which an insulating blocking member (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) is pressed. According to clause 4,
The fixing device (38, 54, 69) received inside the opening is directly or indirectly coupled to the support structure (3),
While the plurality of insulating panels 16, 65, 66 are fixed, fixing members 40, 56 are used to secure the insulating panels 16, 65, 66 to the support structure 3. It is mounted on a stud so as to be supported against at least one fixation area (37) of 65, 66),
The studs (15, 91) are pressed against the insulating blocking members (44, 60, 96) when the insulating blocking members (44, 60, 96) are pressed in the direction of the support structure (3). A method of forming a support member against which an insulating blocking member (44, 60, 96) is pressed to be inserted into. According to clause 5,
When the insulating blocking members 44, 60, 96 are pressed in the direction of the support structure 3, the studs 15, 91 are pressed against the body of the insulating blocking members 44, 60, 96 by a distance of 5 to 30 mm. How it is inserted. According to claim 1 or 2,
One of the fastening devices (38) is received inside the opening (43),
The insulating blocking member 44 has an outer end 49 through which the housing 50 is opened,
The securing device (38) is at least partially received in the housing (50) when the inner end (48) of the insulating blocking member (44) reaches a predetermined position. According to claim 1 or 2,
The openings 43, 55 abut, on the inner support surface, the adjacent boundary surface 46,
At a predetermined position of the inner end 48, 61 of the insulating blocking member 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96, the inner end 48, 61 is above the adjacent boundary surface 45. Methods placed less than 1 mm, or less than 3 mm below that. According to clause 8,
Adjacent boundary surfaces extend from planar portions of the inner support surfaces of the plurality of insulating panels 16, 65, 66, or are adjacent to a surface on which the closing plate 43 is placed after placing the insulating blocking member 44 at a predetermined position. Method for forming the bottom (46) of the set (45). According to claim 1 or 2,
When the insulating blocking members 44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96 are pressed in the direction of the support structure 3, A method of irreversibly compressing in the thickness direction perpendicular to the support structure (3) where it is supported on the support members (15, 82, 91). As a thermal insulation barrier (2, 5) for the wall (1) of the oil-tight and insulated tank integrated into the support structure (3),
It is fixed directly or indirectly to the support structure 3 by means of a fastening device 38 , 54 , 69 and defines an inner support surface of the sealing membrane 4 , 6 and has at least one part open in the area of the inner support surface. a plurality of insulating panels (16, 65, 66) including one opening (43, 55) and
Insulating blocking members (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) of polymer foam inserted into the openings (43, 55) to ensure continuity of insulation,
The insulating blocking members (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) are supported in the direction of the support structure (3) on support members (15, 82, 91) accommodated in the openings (43, 55),
Characterized by irreversible damage to the insulating blocking members (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) where they are supported on the support members (15, 82, 91),
The insulating barrier (2, 5) is formed by pressing the insulating blocking member (44, 57, 58, 59, 60, 95, 96) in the direction of the support structure, until the irreversible damage reaches a predetermined position. Insulating barriers (2, 5) according to paragraph 11 and
An oil-tight and insulated tank comprising a sealing membrane (4, 6) mounted on the insulating barrier (2, 5). As a ship 70 for transporting fluid,
double hull (72) and
A ship containing a tank (71) according to clause 12. A system for transporting a fluid, comprising:
Ship (70) according to paragraph 13,
Insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the tank (71) installed in the double hull of the ship to an offshore or onshore storage facility (77) and
A system comprising a pump for directing fluid from an offshore or onshore storage facility to a ship's tank or vice versa through insulated pipe. A method for loading or offloading a ship (70) according to claim 13, comprising:
A method in which fluid is supplied from an offshore or onshore storage facility (77) to a ship's tank (71) or vice versa via insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81).