KR20230153288A - Tank wall traversed by a sealed fluid-discharge conduit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank (2) having a tank wall with a secondary thermally insulating barrier, a secondary sealing membrane, a primary thermally insulating barrier and a primary sealing membrane. The tank (2) also has a sealed conduit (7), a sealed cover (26), a connection plate (28), and a peripheral connection element (29). The connection plate (28) is disposed about the entirety of the sealed conduit and has an inner surface (28a) facing the interior of the tank (2). The peripheral connection element (29) extends parallel to the sealed cover (26). The connection plate (28) is connected to the peripheral connection element (29) to be sealed, and has an outer portion (48) extending outward in a radial direction from the peripheral connection element (29). Therefore, provided is a sealed and thermally insulating tank disposed on a load-supporting structure to accommodate fluid.

Description

Tank wall traversed by a sealed fluid-discharge conduit}

The present invention relates to the field of sealed and insulated tanks for containing high or low temperature liquids, and more particularly to tanks mounted on ships or other floating structures for storage and/or transportation of liquefied gases at sea.

Sealed insulated tanks are used to store hot or cold products in a variety of industries. For example, in the energy domain, this product could be liquefied natural gas (LNG) stored in land-based storage tanks or tanks mounted on floating structures. Such floating structures include, inter alia, barges, liquefied natural gas carriers for transporting LNG, and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units and floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) for the storage, liquefaction or regasification of LNG. Contains known marine facilities.

Sealed insulated tanks can be made of one or several airtight membranes connected to an insulating layer. A sealed insulated tank comprising a tank wall fixed to a load-bearing structure, the tank wall comprising a primary sealing membrane, a primary insulating barrier, and a secondary seal sequentially in the direction of the thickness of the tank wall and in contact with the product contained in the tank. It has a multilayer structure comprising a membrane and a secondary thermal insulating barrier, which are known in particular from document FR 2691520 A.

LNG is stored in these tanks at atmospheric pressure of approximately -163°C and is therefore in a two-phase liquid-vapor equilibrium, so heat flow through the tank walls tends to cause evaporation.

To prevent excessive pressure inside the tanks, especially on liquefied natural gas carriers, each tank is connected to an exhaust conduit for the vapor produced by LNG evaporation, called a gas dome. These gas domes are large structures that pass through the ceiling wall of a tank to define a vapor passageway between the tank's interior space and the ship's main vapor manifold placed outside the tank. The collected vapors can be conveyed to a reliquefaction device so that the fluid can be sent to tanks, energy generating equipment, or riser masts provided on the deck of the ship.

However, under certain failure conditions, when the fill level in the tank is at its maximum and the vessel is at a significant angle of list and/or trim position, the gas dome opens into the liquid phase and is no longer in contact with the vapor phase stored in the tank. There is a risk that it will not happen. In this situation, isolated gas pockets in vapor phase are likely to form inside the tank. These gas pockets can cause excessive pressure that can damage the tank and/or cause liquid to escape from the tank through the vapor exhaust conduit.

To prevent the formation of separate vapor phase gas pockets inside the tank that cannot be discharged, at least two sealed conduits of smaller diameter than the gas dome pass through the tank wall and open into the tank at two locations positioned away from the gas dome. do. Accordingly, when the vessel is stationary in an inclined position with one of the two opposing ends of the ceiling wall rising relative to the other, at least one of the two conduits opens into a high area of the ceiling wall, thereby allowing the vapor phase stored in the tank to flow. can be discharged.

Further details regarding the number and location of vapor phase discharge conduits and vapor collection facilities located outside the tank and to which these conduits can be connected are described in document WO 2016120540 A.

Additionally, the document WO 2019155154 A describes an installation for the storage and transport of liquefied gases comprising such a closed conduit supported by a coaming mounted on a load-bearing structure for discharging the vapor phase stored in a closed insulated tank. .

In the above-described tanks, a secondary seal is provided to isolate the seal conduit from deformation of the secondary seal membrane caused by deformation of the ship's load-bearing structure or the effects of thermal contraction and expansion during filling or emptying of the LNG contained in the tank. The membrane is connected by hermetic bonding to a connecting plate fixed around the perimeter of the hermetic cover welded to the hermetic conduit.

The connecting plate is first fixed to the hermetic cover of the hermetic conduit. A welded metal structure containing the sealing conduit, sealing cover and connecting plate is welded in situ to the coaming to bring the connecting plate flush with the secondary sealing membrane. Finally, a secondary sealing membrane is joined to the connecting plate.

However, it is difficult to adjust the position of the connecting plate in the secondary sealing membrane due to heat shrinkage of the welds that secure the welded structure to the coaming.

The basic idea of the invention is to propose a structure that uses a simple assembly for inserting sealed conduits, especially conduits of reduced diameter, into a sealed insulated tank and which can be used to collect or inject liquids or vapors.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a sealed insulated tank disposed on a load bearing structure to contain a fluid, the sealed insulated tank comprising:

A tank wall fixed to a load-bearing structure, the tank wall having a multi-layer structure, the multi-layer structure being supported by a secondary thermal insulation barrier, and the secondary thermal insulation barrier, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed and insulated tank. a tank wall continuously comprising a secondary sealing membrane, a primary insulating barrier, and a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary insulating barrier and brought into contact with a fluid contained in the sealed insulating tank;

A sealing conduit disposed through the tank wall, wherein the primary sealing membrane includes a sealing conduit hermetically connected to the sealing conduit,

The tank wall is about the sealed conduit,

An airtight sheath disposed around the entire circumference of the airtight conduit and extending parallel to the airtight conduit through the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier, wherein the space between the airtight sheath and the airtight conduit is in communication with the secondary insulating barrier. an airtight cover hermetically connected to the airtight conduit to prevent damage to the airtight conduit;

Secondary insulating blocks secured to the load bearing structure around the enclosure and forming a secondary insulating barrier around the enclosure, the enclosure conduit passing through the secondary insulating barrier between the secondary insulating blocks. insulating block;

a first sealing layer covering the secondary insulating blocks;

a connecting plate disposed around the entire circumference of the sealed conduit, the connecting plate having an inner surface facing the inside of the sealed insulated tank and disposed parallel to the tank wall;

A peripheral connection element extending parallel to the closure lid, the peripheral connection element being sealingly connected to the closure lid around the entire perimeter of the closure lid, the connection plate being sealingly connected to the peripheral connection element and extending radially outward from the peripheral connection element. a peripheral connecting element, having an external portion that is

a second sealing layer covering the inner surface of the connecting plate over at least a portion of the outer portion of the connecting plate, the connecting plate being arranged such that the second sealing layer is located at the same height as the first sealing layer. floor;

a third sealing layer hermetically fixed across the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer, wherein the first sealing layer, the second sealing layer, and the third sealing layer form the second sealing membrane. , a third sealing layer;

These features allow it to easily and reliably pass through tank walls without damaging the tank wall's seal. In practice, the second sealing layer can be fixed to the connecting plate in the workshop using adhesives that are particularly sensitive to temperature and humidity conditions to ensure good bonding quality.

Preferably, the connection between the peripheral connecting element and the sealing cover is formed at a distance from the connecting plate. Accordingly, the connecting plate can be secured to the sealing cover via peripheral connecting elements spaced from the connecting plate to prevent heat generated near the weld from damaging the second sealing layer.

According to one embodiment, the peripheral connecting element is connected to a radially inner edge of the connecting plate such that the entire connecting plate extends radially outward from the peripheral connecting element.

According to one embodiment, the peripheral connecting element protrudes from the inner surface of the connecting plate towards the inside of the sealed insulated tank, and the connection between the peripheral connecting element and the sealed cover is formed at a distance from the inner surface of the connecting plate.

Preferably, the weld between the peripheral connecting element and the closure cover is eliminated from the engagement of the connecting plate. The connecting plate, previously covered with a secondary sealing layer in the workshop, can be installed directly around the sealing cover during assembly of the tank wall on site, so that the connecting plate can be adjusted to the height of the secondary sealing membrane.

According to one embodiment, the connecting plate further comprises an inner portion extending radially from the peripheral connecting element towards the sealing conduit.

According to one embodiment, the connecting plate has an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the peripheral connecting element protrudes from the outer surface towards the load-bearing structure, and the connection between the peripheral connecting element and the enclosure cover is provided by the connecting plate. It is formed spaced apart from the outer surface of.

According to one embodiment, the secondary insulating block is disposed around the entire sealed cover to form a gap space between the sealed cover and the secondary insulating block, the gap space is filled with an insulating material, and the gap space has the same thickness as the radial extension of the outer part of the connecting plate.

Accordingly, the weld formed between the peripheral connecting element and the sealing cover is removed from the joining portion of the connecting plate. The connecting plate, previously covered with the second sealing layer in the workshop, can be installed around the sealing cover so as to be adjusted to the height of the second sealing membrane directly during assembly of the tank wall in the field.

According to embodiments, such sealed insulated tanks may have one or more of the following features:

According to one embodiment, the first sealing layer and/or the second sealing layer is a cover made of a rigid composite laminate material comprising at least one metal foil sandwiched between two layers of glass fibers bonded by a polymer resin. am.

According to one embodiment, the third sealing layer is a cover made of a flexible composite laminate material comprising at least one metal foil sandwiched between two layers of glass fibers bonded by a polymer resin.

According to one embodiment, the hermetic cover extends outside the hermetically insulated tank and has an outer end hermetically connected to the hermetic conduit around the entire circumference of the hermetic conduit.

According to one embodiment, a support ring is secured to the outer end of the closure lid and extends radially toward the closure conduit, forming a sealed connection between the closure lid and the closure conduit.

According to one embodiment, the primary insulation block is disposed on a secondary sealing membrane, and the primary insulation block forms a primary insulation barrier around the sealing conduit, such that the sealing conduit is between the primary insulation blocks. passes through the first insulating barrier.

According to one embodiment, the sealed sheath is a secondary sealed sheath, and the sealed insulated tank has a primary sealed sheath arranged around the sealed conduit between the sealed conduit and the secondary sealed sheath, the primary sealed sheath extends parallel to the sealing conduit at least as far as the primary sealing membrane, and the primary sealing membrane is hermetically connected to the primary sealing sheath.

Accordingly, the transmission of mechanical stresses between the load-bearing wall and the sealing membrane through the sealing conduit can be very substantially limited by the presence of the secondary sealing cover and, if applicable, the primary sealing cover.

Such sealed conduits can perform various functions such as collecting liquid from the internal space of a sealed insulated tank or injecting gases into the internal space, especially vapor phase fluids into the upper part of said tank or liquid fluids into the bottom part of the tank. You can.

According to one embodiment, the tank wall is a ceiling wall.

Such conduits for collecting the vapor phase in a closed insulated tank can be provided at different locations in the upper part of the tank, in particular near the longitudinal and/or lateral edges of the ceiling wall of the tank.

According to one embodiment, the sealed conduit has a collection end that opens into an upper portion of the sealed insulated tank to collect the gas phase of the fluid contained in the tank.

Such conduits for collecting the vapor phase in the tank may be provided with a relatively small diameter, for example less than 300 mm, especially less than 100 mm.

According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a facility for fluid storage, the facility comprising a load-bearing structure and a sealed insulated tank, the load-bearing structure comprising a load-bearing wall provided with an opening and an airtight conduit. Engaged in an opening in the load-bearing wall to define a fluid passageway between the interior and exterior of the sealed insulated tank, the load-bearing structure also includes a coaming projecting outward from the sealed insulated tank relative to the load-bearing wall, wherein the coaming It is disposed around the entire perimeter of the hermetically sealed conduit and has an upper wall, the hermetic conduit being supported by the upper wall of the coaming.

Accordingly, the transmission of mechanical stresses between the load-bearing wall and in particular the secondary sealing membrane can be very substantially limited by the presence of the coaming.

The secondary containment cover and, if applicable, the primary containment cover may be secured to the load bearing structure, directly or indirectly, in a variety of ways.

According to one embodiment, the outer end of the closure lid is secured to the top wall of the coaming.

According to one embodiment, the airtight cover forms a side wall of a coaming, the airtight cover is welded to a load-bearing wall, in particular to a mid-deck around an opening in the load-bearing wall, and the top wall of the coaming is on the outside of the cover. It is fixed at the end.

The load-bearing structure may be a transportable land-based structure in the form of a self-supporting metal frame, or an offshore or deep-sea floating structure, especially a liquefied natural gas carrier, an LPG carrier, a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), or a floating production and offloading unit (FPSO). ) can be made in a variety of ways, including.

Therefore, according to one embodiment, the invention also provides a vessel for transporting cold liquid products having a double hull and fluid storage facilities installed in the double hull, wherein the load-bearing structure is formed by the inner wall of the double hull .

According to embodiments, such vessels may have one or more of the following characteristics.

According to one embodiment, the tank wall is a ceiling wall and the load-bearing wall is a mid-deck of a vessel, the vessel further comprising an upper deck parallel to and spaced from the mid-deck, and the sealed conduit is upper on the coaming. It further includes an upper portion extending to the deck, wherein a sleeve of insulating material is disposed around the upper portion between the coaming and the upper deck.

According to one embodiment, the vessel further comprises a bellows compensator extending along an upper portion of the conduit above the upper deck, the compensator having its lower end attached to the upper deck about an opening in the upper deck; The top is attached to the seal conduit around the entire perimeter of the seal conduit, and the compensator is used to seal the opening in the upper deck around the seal conduit while allowing heat shrinkage of the seal conduit.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method of use on board a ship for loading or unloading a cold liquid product, wherein the cold liquid product is transferred through an insulated pipe between a land-based or floating storage facility and a sealed insulated tank on the ship. do.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a cold liquid transfer system, the system comprising a ship, an insulated pipe arranged to connect a sealed insulated tank installed in the double hull of the ship to an onshore or floating storage facility, and an onshore or floating storage facility. It includes a pump for driving the flow of cold liquid product through insulated pipes between the floating storage facility and the ship's sealed insulated tank.

According to one embodiment, the present invention also provides a method for assembling a tank wall around a sealed conduit in a sealed insulated tank, wherein the sealed insulated tank is arranged with a load bearing structure to contain a fluid;

The tank wall has a multilayer structure, wherein the multilayer structure includes a secondary thermal insulation barrier, a secondary sealing membrane supported by the secondary insulation barrier, and a primary insulation barrier in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed and insulated tank. , and a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary insulating barrier and adapted to contact a fluid contained in the sealed insulating tank,

The sealed conduit penetrates the multi-layer structure of the tank wall to form a passage between the inside and outside of the sealed insulated tank,

a hermetic cover disposed entirely around the hermetic conduit, the hermetic sheath extending parallel to the hermetic conduit through the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier;

The assembly method is continuously,

- juxtaposing and securing the prefabricated panels to a load bearing structure around the enclosure, each prefabricated panel comprising: a floor panel, a first insulating foam supported by the floor panel and forming together with the floor panel part of a secondary thermal insulating barrier; a bottom panel and a primary insulating foam layer comprising a cutout on one edge to receive an enclosure, a first enclosure completely covering the primary insulating foam layer and forming part of a secondary insulating barrier; a layer, a second insulating foam layer disposed on the first sealing layer, and a top panel covering the second insulating foam layer and forming part of a primary insulating barrier with the second insulating foam layer, The insulating foam layer and the top panel do not cover the peripheral flanges and gap zones of the first sealing layer such that the peripheral flanges of the first sealing layer of the first prefabricated panel are in each case adjacent to the peripheral flanges of the first sealing layer of the second prefabricated panel. , juxtaposing and fixing steps,

- providing a connecting plate and a peripheral connecting element, wherein the connecting plate has an inner surface extending from a radially inner edge, said inner surface being covered by a second sealing layer, and the peripheral connecting element having a radially inner edge. providing a connecting plate and a peripheral connecting element connected to the connecting plate, the entire connecting plate extending radially outwardly from the peripheral connecting element, the peripheral connecting element protruding from the inner surface of the connecting plate;

- fixing a peripheral connecting element to the sealing lid around the entire perimeter of the sealing lid such that the inner surface faces the inside of the sealed insulated tank and is arranged parallel to the tank wall, wherein the second sealing layer covering the internal surface comprises: 1 fastening a peripheral connecting element to the sealing cover, arranged flush with the sealing layer, said peripheral connecting element being fixed to the sealing cover, preferably at an end of the peripheral connecting element spaced from the inner surface of the connecting plate;

- disposing at least a portion of the third sealing layer across the gap region of the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer disposed on the inner surface of the connecting plate, and extending the third sealing layer across the adjacent peripheral flange of the first sealing layer of the prefabricated panel. 3 placing strips of sealing layer,

- gluing the strips with a portion of said third sealing layer to complete a secondary sealing membrane between said prefabricated panels and between said prefabricated panels and connection plates;

- placing and securing primary insulating blocks to at least a portion of the third sealing layer, each primary insulating block having a second insulating foam layer and a top panel disposed on the second insulating foam layer, 2 The insulating foam layer and the top panel have a cutout at one edge in the thickness direction to receive the sealing conduit, completing the primary insulating barrier around the sealing conduit, forming a primary insulating block at least part of the third sealing layer. placing and fixing,

- placing and securing the primary sealing membrane to the primary insulating barrier.

In the above method, some steps may be performed in a different order. For example, securing the peripheral connection elements and the enclosure cover to the load bearing structure may be performed prior to juxtaposing and securing the prefabricated panel to the load bearing structure.

Preferably, positioning the connecting plate so that the second sealing layer is flush with the first sealing layer is performed relative to a reference plane.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides an assembly method for assembling a tank wall around a sealed conduit in a sealed insulated tank, the sealed insulated tank arranged with a load bearing structure to contain a fluid;

The tank wall has a multilayer structure, wherein the multilayer structure includes a secondary thermal insulation barrier, a secondary sealing membrane supported by the secondary insulation barrier, and a primary insulation barrier in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed and insulated tank. , and a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary insulating barrier and adapted to contact a fluid contained in the sealed insulating tank,

The sealed conduit penetrates the multi-layer structure of the tank wall to form a passage between the inside and outside of the sealed insulated tank,

a hermetic cover disposed entirely around the hermetic conduit, the hermetic sheath extending parallel to the hermetic conduit through the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier;

The assembly method is,

- providing a connecting plate and a peripheral connecting element, wherein the connecting plate has an inner surface covered by a second sealing layer, said peripheral connecting element protruding from an outer surface of the connecting plate opposite the inner surface, said providing a connecting plate and a peripheral connecting element, the connecting plate having an outer portion extending radially outward from the peripheral connecting element and an inner portion extending radially from the peripheral connecting element;

- fastening peripheral connecting elements to the sealing cover around the entire perimeter of the sealing cover so that the inner surface faces the inside of the sealed insulated tank and is arranged parallel to the tank wall, wherein the inner part of the connecting plate extends towards the sealing conduit, The peripheral connecting element is preferably fixed to the closure cover at an end of the peripheral connecting element spaced from the outer surface of the connecting plate, and the peripheral connecting element preferably protrudes only from the outer surface of the connecting plate. fixing to the airtight cover;

- providing insulation and filling the secondary space between the external part of the connecting plate and the load-bearing structure with insulation,

- providing prefabricated panels, each prefabricated panel comprising a floor panel, a first insulating foam layer supported by the floor panel and forming a secondary insulating block with the floor panel, the first insulating foam layer completely a first sealing layer covering and forming part of the secondary sealing membrane, a second insulating foam layer disposed on the first sealing layer, and covering the second insulating foam layer and together with the second insulating foam layer. Providing a prefabricated panel comprising a top panel forming part of a primary insulating barrier, wherein the second insulating foam layer and the top panel do not cover a gap area of the peripheral flange and the first sealing layer;

- fixing the prefabricated panel to the load-bearing structure, wherein the prefabricated panel is placed on a mastic bead having a mastic thickness, the mastic bead is sandwiched between the load-bearing structure and the floor panel, and the prefabricated panel is enclosed in an airtight cover. Juxtaposed around the perimeter, the peripheral flange of the first sealing layer of the first prefabricated panel is in each case adjacent to the peripheral flange of the first sealing layer of the second prefabricated panel, and the second insulating block of each prefabricated panel is once connected to the prefabricated panel. When fixed, the prefabricated panel is dimensioned to leave a gap space between the sealing cover and the secondary insulation block, said gap space preferably having a thickness equal to the radial extension of the outer part of the connecting plate, to the load-bearing structure. fixing steps,

- adjusting the position of the first sealing layer so that the first sealing layer is flush with the second sealing layer,

- disposing at least a portion of the third sealing layer across the gap region of the first sealing layer and the second sealing layer disposed on the inner surface of the connecting plate, and extending the third sealing layer across the adjacent peripheral flange of the first sealing layer of the prefabricated panel. 3 placing strips of sealing layer,

- gluing the strips with a portion of the third sealing layer to complete a secondary sealing membrane between the prefabricated panels and between the prefabricated panels and the connecting plates, - placing and fixing the primary insulation block on at least part of the third sealing layer. As a step, each primary insulation block is provided with a second insulation foam layer and an upper panel arranged on top of the second insulation foam layer, and each insulation block is sealed by having a cut at one edge in the thickness direction. placing and securing a primary insulating block to at least a portion of the third sealing layer to receive the conduit and complete a primary insulating barrier around the sealing conduit;

- placing and securing the primary sealing membrane to the primary insulating barrier.

Preferably, positioning the connecting plate so that the second sealing layer is flush with the first sealing layer is performed relative to a reference plane.

The invention may be better understood from the following detailed description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein further objects, details, features and advantages are more clearly set forth. do.
Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sealed insulated tank mounted on an LNG carrier equipped with sealed conduits for vapor exhaust passing through the ceiling wall of the tank and the middle and upper decks of the ship.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged schematic diagram of region II of Fig. 1 according to the first embodiment;
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of region III in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram equivalent to Figure 3 according to the second embodiment.
Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the tank wall section surrounding the sealing conduit before the secondary sealing membrane is closed.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a secondary sealing membrane and a primary insulating barrier.
Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the tank wall section surrounding the sealing conduit showing the primary sealing membrane.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic diagram of region II of Fig. 1 according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of area IX of FIG. 8.
Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram equivalent to Fig. 9 according to the fourth embodiment.
Figure 11 is a schematic cutaway view of a vessel comprising sealed and insulated LNG storage tanks and loading/unloading terminals for the tanks.
Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of area

The following embodiment is described in relation to a sealed insulated tank for the storage and/or transportation of LNG at sea. In a variation not described, such a sealed insulated tank may be a tank used to store other cold or hot products on land.

1 shows a general polyhedral shape formed by tank walls, specifically a ceiling wall 12 (the only visible wall) according to the prior art, a bottom wall, transverse walls and side walls connecting the bottom wall and the ceiling wall 12. This is a partial view of the hull (1) inclined by the ship inclination angle, including the sealed and insulated tank (2). The sealed insulated tank 2 is intended to receive LNG cargoes, for example at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure.

Typically, the terms "top", "above", "top" and "top" generally refer to a location facing the inside of the sealed insulated tank 2, while "bottom", "bottom", "lower", “Bottom” generally refers to an outward-facing location of the sealed insulated tank 2, regardless of the orientation of the tank walls with respect to the gravitational field of the Earth.

The sealed insulated tank 2 has longitudinal dimensions extending in the longitudinal direction of the vessel. The sealed insulated tank 2 is bounded at each longitudinal end by transverse partitions (not shown) demarcating an enclosed intermediate space called a “cofferdam”.

The hull 1 of the ship is a double hull comprising an inner hull and an outer hull spaced apart by reinforcing members 3. In the upper part of the vessel, the inner hull is closed by the middle deck (4) and the outer hull by the upper deck (5), which is closed by the inter-deck space (6), as clearly shown in Figure 2. are separated.

For example, a closed conduit (7) provided for exhausting vapor in an inclined situation can open the internal space of the sealed insulated tank (2) through the pressure relief valve (11) to the main steam manifold circuit (9) and the riser mast. Connect to the gas dome (8) connected to (10). For this purpose, the sealed conduit 7 passes through the wall of the tank, in this case the ceiling wall 12 . The function of this closed conduit 7 for the discharge of the vapor phase is described in more detail in document WO 2016120540 A.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 10 and 12 , the construction of the tank wall and the load-bearing structure through which the sealing conduit 7 passes is explained in more detail below. This location is indicated as area II in Figure 1.

First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 to 7, and 12.

Referring to Figure 2, each wall of the sealed insulated tank 2, in this case the ceiling wall 12, is covered with a secondary insulating barrier 13 in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed insulated tank 2. a secondary containment membrane (14) supported on a secondary insulating barrier; a primary insulating barrier (15); a primary containment membrane (16) supported by the primary insulating barrier and brought into contact with the LNG contained in the sealed insulating tank (2) ) are included consecutively.

The secondary insulation barrier 13 and the primary insulation barrier 15 are basically parallel panels. The secondary thermal insulating barrier 13 is arranged on mastic beads (not shown) arranged on the inner surface of the load-bearing wall, in this case the intermediate deck 4 . More information on tank walls can be found in document FR 2691520 A.

The sealed conduit (7), for example, has a diameter of less than 100 mm and extends perpendicular to the ceiling wall (12) through the entire thickness of the ceiling wall (12) and the double hull (1), thereby extending into the internal space of the sealed insulated tank (2). is a generally circular stainless steel tube that connects to a fixture on the upper deck (5) of a ship. The sealing conduit (7) has an open inner end (17) which opens into the interior space of the sealed insulated tank (2) in the immediate vicinity of the primary sealing membrane (16).

The sealing conduit (7) extends through an opening in the primary sealing membrane (16) and through an opening in the secondary sealing membrane (14), which are hermetically sealed to the entire sealing conduit (7), as will be described later. It is closed.

The sealed conduit (7) also extends through an opening (18) in the gapped middle deck (4) and through an opening (19) in the gapped upper deck (5).

It is known that the load-bearing structures of floating structures are susceptible to deformation due to swell, especially bending along the longitudinal axis. In order to isolate the sealed conduit (7) from the effects of these deformations, the sealed conduit (7) is supported in the middle deck (4) by a coaming (20), which allows the welded connection of the sealed conduit (7) to be connected to the middle deck (4). ) so that it can be placed away from the

The coaming extends into the inter-deck space (6). The height of the coaming 20 is significantly smaller than the height of the inter-deck space 6, for example, 10 cm to 20 cm.

Referring to Figure 12, coaming 20 is a welded metal structure made, for example, of stainless steel. The coaming has side walls 21 and a top wall 22 forming an outwardly projecting turret welded to the intermediate deck 4 around the opening 18 . A peripheral flange 68 extending parallel to the middle deck 4 is welded to the upper end of the side wall 21 opposite the middle deck 4. The top wall 22 has, for example, an opening in the center of the top wall 22 through which the sealing conduit 7 passes, the edges of which are welded around the sealing conduit 7 . The bracket (67) is welded to the sealing conduit (7) and the top wall (22) and braces the sealing conduit (7) against the coaming (20). The top wall 22 is welded to the peripheral flange 68 so that the coaming 20 supports the weight of the sealed conduit 7. The internal space of the coaming defined by the side wall 21 and the top wall 22 communicates with the secondary insulating barrier through the opening 18. At sea, the coaming (20) deforms in a manner similar to a ball joint in response to bending of the mid-deck (4) and helps limit the displacement of the sealing conduit (7).

An insulating sleeve (24) is placed around the sealing conduit (7) in the inter-deck space (6) to limit heat leakage. Additionally, an insulating filler 25 is disposed on the coaming 20 past the secondary insulating barrier 13 to limit heat leakage. Suitable materials for the insulating sleeve 24 and the insulating filler 25 include, among others, glass wool, polyurethane foam, etc.

A tubular secondary sealing sheath (26), for example made of stainless steel, is arranged around the sealing conduit (7) and extends partly through the thickness of the tank wall and partly into the inter-deck space (6), forming a sealing conduit (7). 7) and the coaming (20).

More specifically, the secondary sealing cover 26 extends from a support ring 27 secured around the sealing conduit 7 of the coaming 20 to the primary insulating barrier 15 . The gap 59 between the sealing conduit 7 and the secondary sealing cover 26, clearly shown in Figure 3, can be empty or filled with insulating packing. Preferably, the support ring 27 is disposed in the upper half of the coaming 20.

However, other means may be used to connect the secondary enclosure cover 26 to the load bearing structure.

According to one embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the secondary seal cover 26 may be welded to the top wall 22 of the coaming 20 . In this case, part of the coaming 20 is part of the secondary sealing membrane 14 at least in the upper wall 22 extending between the secondary sealing cover 26 and the sealing conduit 7 . Therefore, the coaming 20 must be sealed at least at the top wall 22.

According to another embodiment (not shown), at least a portion of the secondary sealing cover 26 may directly form the sidewall of the coaming 20. In this case, the entire coaming 20 is part of the secondary sealing membrane 14. Therefore, the coaming 20 must be completely sealed.

As shown in FIG. 12 , when assembled, the welded assembly comprising the sealed conduit 7, the secondary sealed cover 26 and the top wall 22 extends from the outside of the sealed insulated tank 2 to the middle deck 4. ) is inserted into the opening 18, and the upper wall 22 is then welded to the peripheral flange 68 and secured to the coaming 20.

As shown in Figure 2, above the upper deck 5, the sealing conduit 7 is provided with a bellows compensator 23 (bellows) which sealingly connects the peripheral surface of the sealing conduit 7 to the outer surface of the upper deck 5. Surrounded by a compensator, it is possible to change the length of the sealed conduit (7) due to changes in operating temperature.

Alternatively, a connection (not shown) can be made between the bellows-free sealing conduit (7) and the outer surface of the upper deck (5), especially when the sealing conduit (7) between the middle deck (4) and the upper deck (5) is an elbow. ).

The secondary sealing membrane 14 is hermetically coupled to the inner surface 28a of a connecting plate 28 fixed to the periphery of the secondary sealing cover 26 via a tubular peripheral connecting element 29 . In particular, the connecting plate 28 includes an outer portion 48 extending radially outside the secondary sealing cover 26 .

Preferably, the connecting plate 28 and the peripheral connecting element 29 are two separate elements joined by welding. The connection plate 28 and peripheral connection elements 29 are assembled prior to field assembly.

The primary sealing membrane (16) is hermetically welded around the sealing conduit (7) away from the inner end (30) of the secondary sealing cover (26).

The structure of the tank wall around the seal conduit 7 and the secondary seal cover 26 is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

Figure 5 shows the construction of the secondary insulating barrier 13, secondary sealing membrane 14 and primary insulating barrier 15 using two rectangular prefabricated panels 31. The prefabricated panels 31 are arranged on the inner surface of the intermediate deck 4 on either side of the sealing conduit 7, so that the secondary sealing covers 26 are positioned at the edges, for example at their longitudinal midpoints, of each prefabricated panel. It is seated in the cutout portion at the longitudinal edge of (31). Figure 5 also shows the section A-A corresponding to Figure 3.

Each of the two prefabricated panels 31 around the sealed conduit 7 is generally stepped with a secondary insulating block 32 forming an element of the secondary insulating barrier 13 . More specifically, each secondary insulation block 32 includes a bottom panel 37 and an insulating foam layer 38, and the bottom panel 37 and the insulating foam layer 38 are connected to a secondary sealing cover 26. It has a semicircular shape arranged in the center to accommodate.

Advantageously, the insulating foam layer 38 is made from a cellular plastic material such as polyurethane foam. Preferably the reinforced glass fibers are embedded in polyurethane foam.

Each prefabricated panel 31 also has a first sealing layer 33 that completely covers the upper surface of the secondary insulating block 32 and a smaller U-shaped upper insulating block forming an element of the primary insulating barrier 15 ( 34). The upper insulating block 34 is positioned relative to the secondary insulating block 32 so as to leave the gap zone 36 and peripheral flange 35 of the first sealing layer 33 around the secondary sealing cover 26 exposed. do. The connecting plate 28 is covered by a second sealing layer 40 .

Advantageously, the first sealing layer 33 and the second sealing layer 40 are arranged sandwiched between two glass-fiber sheets soaked in a metal foil stack, for example a polymer resin, for example a polyamide resin. It consists of a cover made of rigid composite laminate material containing a stack of 0.07 mm thick aluminum foil.

The prefabricated panel 31 further comprises a shoulder 47 shown in FIG. 3 formed by a semicircular cut in the insulating foam layer 38 of the secondary insulating block 32, extending from the connecting plate 28 to the intermediate deck ( It receives a part of the peripheral connection element 29 protruding toward 4).

Referring to Figure 3, peripheral connection elements 29 extend on both sides of connection plate 28. The peripheral connection element 29 has a radially inner edge 49 of the connection plate 28 such that in this case the entire connection plate 28 corresponding to the outer part 48 extends radially outward from the peripheral connection element 29 connected to Accordingly, in the cutting plane containing the axis of rotation of the closed conduit 7, the assembly comprising the connecting plate 28 and the peripheral connecting elements 29 has a T-shaped section. The “T” shape has the advantage of providing a strong fixation between the peripheral connection element 29 and the secondary sealing cover 26.

In particular, at the edge 49, a part of the peripheral connecting element 29 protrudes from the inner surface 28a of the connecting plate 28 into the interior of the sealed insulated tank 2 parallel to the secondary sealing cover 26. . In the described embodiment, the secondary sealing cover extends as part of the primary insulating barrier 15 so that the weld 66 between the peripheral connection element 29 and the secondary sealing cover 26 is connected to the connection plate 28. away from the inner surface 28a.

Another part of the peripheral connecting element 29 protrudes towards the intermediate deck 4 from the outer surface 28b opposite the inner surface 28a of the connecting plate 28. Preferably, the portion of the peripheral connecting element 29 protruding towards the intermediate deck 4 is longer than the portion of the peripheral connecting element 29 protruding towards the interior of the sealed insulated tank 2 .

Additionally, a circular counter bore 39 is formed in the insulating foam layer 38 of the secondary insulating block 32 in the gap zone 36 shown in FIG. 5 away from the secondary sealing cover 26. In order to accommodate the connecting plate 28, the diameter of the counter bore 39 is larger than the diameter of the connecting plate 28. The interstitial space 69 formed between the edge of the counterbore 39 and the end of the connecting plate 28 opposite the edge 49 can be filled with an insulating material.

During the assembly of the tank wall in the field, when the prefabricated panel 31 is juxtaposed around the secondary sealing cover 26, the connecting plate 28 and the peripheral connecting elements 29 bonded to the second sealing layer 40. They are located in the counter bore 39 and the shoulder 47 of the secondary insulating block 32, respectively. The part of the peripheral connecting element 29 that protrudes from the inner surface 28a of the connecting plate 28 into the inside of the sealed insulated tank 2, that is, the part not inserted into the shoulder 47, is connected to the secondary sealing cover 26. ) are welded to be sealed. One assembly is performed so that the second sealing layer 40 is positioned exactly at the same height as the first sealing layer 33.

Then, as shown in Figure 6, in order to ensure the continuity of the secondary sealing membrane 14, the connecting plate 28 and the secondary insulation block 32 are horizontally aligned across the secondary sealing cover 26. Then, a portion 42 of the third sealing layer 41 is bonded. Strips 43 of the third sealing layer 41 are also glued in the gap between the two prefabricated panels 31 so as to cover the peripheral flange 35 not covered by the upper insulating block 34 .

Advantageously, the third sealing layer 41 comprises a metal foil, for example an aluminum foil 0.1 mm thick, sandwiched between two layers of glass fibers bonded by a polymer resin, for example a polyamide resin. It includes a covering made of a flexible composite laminate material.

Figure 6 also shows a complementary top insulation bonded to the peripheral flange 35 of the prefabricated panel 31 after completion of the secondary sealing membrane 14 and bonded in the gap zone 36 to complete the primary thermal insulation barrier 15. An exploded perspective view of block 44 is provided.

Two primary insulating blocks 45 in the form of half blocks are used around the secondary insulating block 32 and the sealing conduit 7 arranged across the connecting plate 28. Each has a semi-circular cutout 46 at one edge, such as the longitudinal edge, to receive the sealing conduit 7. The shoulder 51 shown in FIG. 3 is formed in the semicircular cutout 46 and covers the inner end 30 of the secondary sealing cover 26.

Referring to Figure 3, the upper insulation block 34, the complementary upper insulation block 44 and the primary insulation block 45 are each supported on the secondary sealing membrane 14 and covered by the upper panel 53. It is provided with an insulating foam layer 52 to support the primary sealing membrane 16.

Advantageously, the insulating foam layer 52 is made of a cellular plastic material, such as polyurethane foam. Preferably the reinforced glass fibers are embedded in polyurethane foam.

Primary insulation block 45 may include a rigid base plate 54, such as plywood, to provide reinforcement. The upper insulating block 34 and the complementary upper insulating block 44 are larger in size and have higher rigidity due to the absence of cutouts, but the blocks may also be provided with a base plate (not shown).

Figure 7 shows the primary sealing membrane 16 for the sealing conduit 7. The primary sealing membrane 16 is formed by a metal plate with corrugations 55, 56 protruding towards the inside of the sealed insulated tank 2. More specifically, the primary sealing membrane 16 has a first series of pleats 55, referred to as transverse pleats, and a second series of pleats 56, referred to as longitudinal pleats, arranged perpendicularly to each other. The first series of transverse pleats 55 is higher than the second series of longitudinal pleats 56 .

The pleats 55, 56 form elastic regions designed to absorb thermal contraction and static and dynamic compressive forces. Such corrugated or checkered sheet metal sealing membranes are described in particular in the documents FR 1379651 A, FR 1376525 A, FR 2781557 A and FR 2861060 A.

The spacing between two pleats 56 in a series of longitudinal pleats or between two pleats 55 in a series of transverse pleats is for example between 200 mm and 600 mm, in particular 340 mm.

The end 17 of the sealing conduit 7 passes through a flat area 57 of the primary sealing membrane 16, which is located between a series of corrugations 55, 56 and is provided with corresponding openings. A flanged ring 58 is welded to both the periphery of the sealed conduit 7 and the edge of the metal plate forming the primary sealed membrane 16 around the opening to provide a seal.

The peripheral connection element 29 can be welded to the secondary sealing cover 26 in other ways. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4, the same or similar components as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numbers as those in FIGS. 2, 3, 5 to 7, and the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. Only the parts that are different from the explanation will be explained again.

Referring to Figure 4, the connecting plate 28, in addition to the outer portion 48 extending radially outward from the peripheral connecting element 29, extends radially from the peripheral connecting element 29 towards the sealing conduit 7. It includes an extending inner portion (50). The connecting plate 28 also has a circular passage 83 through which the sealing conduit 7 passes. The diameter of the circular passage 83 is larger than the diameter of the sealed conduit 7, leaving a gap between the inner part 50 and the sealed conduit 7.

In this embodiment, the secondary seal cover 26 is part of the secondary insulating barrier 13, i.e. extends parallel to the seal conduit to this side of the secondary seal membrane 14. Additionally, the peripheral connecting element 29 protrudes only towards the intermediate deck 4 from the outer surface 28b. The sealed weld 82 between the peripheral connecting element 29 and the secondary sealing cover 26 is thus moved away from the inner surface 28a of the connecting plate 28 .

The inner part 50 and the peripheral connecting element 29 form an inner space 84 adjacent the outer wall of the sealing conduit 7, the inner space 84 intended to receive the end of the secondary sealing cover 26. do. In this way, the secondary sealing cover 26 and the peripheral connecting element 29 can be fastened together and interact in a sliding manner when not welded. When welding the peripheral connecting element 29 to the secondary sealing cover 26, the gap between the connecting plate 28 and the intermediate deck 4 is such that the second sealing layer 40 glued to the connecting plate 28 is It can be adjusted to be exactly the same height as the first sealing layer 33.

In this embodiment, the secondary insulating block 32 is such that, when arranged around the secondary sealing cover 26, the interstitial space 60 filled with the insulating material 64 provides secondary insulation with the secondary sealing cover 26. It is dimensioned to provide between barriers 13. The thickness of the interstitial space 60 is equal to the radial extension of the outer part 48 of the connecting plate 28 .

Advantageously, the insulating material 64 can be, for example, polyurethane foam or glass wool.

Preferably, a gap space 85 is provided between the secondary insulation block 32 and the insulation material 64. The interstitial space 85 is filled with an insulating material, preferably glass wool.

During assembly of the tank wall on site, the peripheral connection elements 29 are first welded to the secondary sealing cover 26. The position of the connecting plate 28 can be adjusted with respect to the reference plane so that the inner surface 28a supporting the second sealing layer 40 allows the other elements comprising the second sealing membrane 14 to be positioned in the same plane. and, in particular, the first sealing layer 33 and the second sealing layer 40 are positioned on the same plane. The interstitial space 60 located between the outer part 48 of the connecting plate 28 and the intermediate deck 4 is then filled with insulation material 64. The panel 31 is then juxtaposed around the secondary sealing cover 26 during assembly. If necessary, the position of the first sealing layer 33 is adjusted using known means so that it is exactly horizontal with the second sealing layer 40 supported by the inner surface 28a of the connecting plate 28.

The peripheral connection elements 29 are welded to the secondary sealing enclosure 26 before installing the prefabricated panels 31 and also before filling them with insulating material 64 . Otherwise, the secondary insulating barrier 13 will impede access to the secondary space around the secondary enclosure cover 26, ie where welding is performed.

Additionally, because the prefabricated panel is on mastic beads, the assembly steps of the first embodiment described above cannot be followed. In practice, the counterbore for receiving the outer part 48 of the connecting plate 28 and the absence of a shoulder for receiving the peripheral connecting elements 29 in the insulating material 64 allow the prefabricated panel 31 to form a secondary sealing cover. (26) to prevent it from "sliding" on the intermediate deck (4) into position below the connecting plate (28) previously fixed around it. Accordingly, the prefabricated panel 31 is such that the secondary insulating block 32 is interrupted from the secondary sealing cover 26 to form a gap space ( 60) is dimensioned to provide.

The third and fourth embodiments of the tank wall around the sealing conduit (7) are versions of the first and second embodiments, i.e. of a connecting plate (28) extending radially from the peripheral connecting element towards the sealing conduit (7). Description will be made below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 , with and without the inner portion 50. Elements that are the same or similar to those in the first two embodiments have the same reference numerals as in Figures 2 to 7 and are not described again.

These third and fourth embodiments are also used to close the primary sealing membrane 16, which is sandwiched between the secondary sealing cover 26 and the sealing conduit 7 and is not directly connected to the sealing conduit 7. It has a tubular primary sealing cover 61 (sheath). The primary seal cover 61 further removes the primary seal membrane 16 and protects it against movement of the seal conduit 7 in service under the influence of heat shrinkage and/or internal flow. Advantageously, the primary sealing lid 61 is made of stainless steel.

Like the secondary containment cover 26, the primary containment cover 61 can be assembled with the load bearing structure in different ways. Referring to Figure 8, the primary seal cover 61 is connected to the seal conduit 7 by a support ring 62. According to another embodiment (not shown), the primary sealing cover 61 may also extend to the top of the coaming 20, for example being fastened to the top wall 22 of the coaming 20.

9 and 10 show in more detail the structure of the tank wall and the load-bearing structure through which the sealing conduit 7 passes. In particular, Figure 9 is an enlarged view of area IX of Figure 8.

A flanged ring 58 is welded both to the perimeter of the primary seal cover 61 and to the edge of the metal plate forming the primary seal membrane 16 around the opening to provide a seal. The gap 63 between the sealed conduit 7 and the primary sealed cover 61 communicates with the internal space of the sealed insulated tank 2. Depending on the size of the gap 86 between the secondary sealing cover 26 and the primary sealing cover 61, the gap may be filled with insulating packing such as glass wool or polyurethane foam.

In exemplary dimensions, the thickness of the walls of the sealing conduit 7, the secondary sealing cover 26 and, if applicable, the primary sealing cover 61 is between 5 mm and 12 mm.

The structures described above with reference to the sealed conduit (7) for exhausting the vapor phase and the ceiling wall (12) of the sealed insulated tank (2) can be used for other conduits that have to pass through the entire tank wall, especially pipes of small diameter. .

Referring to FIG. 11 , a cutaway view of a liquefied natural gas carrier 70 shows a sealed insulated tank 2 having an overall prismatic shape mounted on the double hull 1 of the liquefied natural gas carrier 70 .

In a known manner, a loading/unloading pipe 73 arranged on the upper deck of the liquefied natural gas carrier 70 is connected to a sea or port terminal using a suitable connector to transport the LNG cargo to the sealed insulated tank 2. It can be transported.

11 also shows an exemplary marine terminal including loading/unloading points 75, subsea lines 76, and onshore facilities 77. The loading/unloading point 75 is a stationary marine installation comprising a movable arm 74 and a column 78 holding the movable arm 74. The movable arm 74 carries a bundle of insulating hoses 79 that can be connected to the loading/unloading pipe 73.

The movable arm 74, which can change direction, can be adapted to any size liquefied natural gas carrier 70. A connecting line (not shown) extends inside column 78. The loading/unloading point 75 allows loading and unloading of the liquefied natural gas carrier 70 to or from an onshore facility 77 . This facility has a liquefied gas storage tank (80) and a connection line (81) connected to an unloading point (75) via a subsea line (76). Subsea lines 76 enable the transfer of liquefied gas between loading/unloading points 75 and onshore facilities 77 over long distances, for example 5 km, for loading and unloading liquefied natural gas carriers 70. It is possible to keep it away from the coast during unloading operations.

Pumps onboard the liquefied natural gas carrier (70) and/or pumps installed at the onshore facility (77) and/or pumps installed at the loading/unloading points (75) are used to generate the pressure required to transfer the liquefied gas. do.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several specific embodiments, it is not limited thereto and includes all technical equivalents of the described means and combinations thereof that fall within the scope of the invention.

The use of the verbs "comprise" or "comprise" (including when conjugated) does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps other than those mentioned in the claims.

Reference signs between parentheses in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

2: sealed insulated tank 7: sealed conduit
13: secondary insulating barrier 14: secondary sealing membrane
15: primary insulating barrier 16: primary sealing membrane
26: Sealing cover
28: connection plate 29: peripheral connection element
32: secondary insulation block 33: first sealing layer
40: second sealing layer 41: third sealing layer

Claims (18)

A sealed insulated tank (2) disposed in a load bearing structure to contain a fluid, the sealed insulated tank (2) comprising:
A tank wall fixed to a load-bearing structure and having a multi-layer structure, the multi-layer structure comprising, in the thickness direction from the outside to the inside of the sealed and insulated tank 2, a secondary insulating barrier 13, the secondary insulating barrier ( a secondary sealing membrane (14) supported by 13), a primary insulating barrier (15), and a primary sealing membrane supported by the primary insulating barrier and brought into contact with the fluid contained in the sealed insulating tank (2). a tank wall continuously comprising (16); and
A sealing conduit (7) arranged to pass through the tank wall, the primary sealing membrane (16) comprising a sealing conduit (7) hermetically connected to the sealing conduit (7),
Around the sealed conduit (7), the tank wall is:
- a sealing cover (26) arranged around the entire perimeter of the sealing conduit (7) and extending parallel to the sealing conduit (7) through the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier (13), wherein the sealing cover (26) is sealed. a sealing cover (26) hermetically connected to the conduit (7) such that the space (59) between the sealing cover (26) and the sealing conduit (7) does not communicate with the secondary insulating barrier (13);
- a secondary insulating block (32) fixed to the load-bearing structure around the hermetic cover (26), wherein the secondary insulating block (32) forms a secondary insulating barrier (13) around the hermetic cover (26). Thus, the insulating conduit 7 passes through the secondary insulating barrier 13 between the secondary insulating blocks 32, the secondary insulating block 32;
- A first sealing layer (33) covering the secondary insulation block (32),
- a connecting plate (28) arranged around the entire perimeter of the sealed conduit (7), which faces the inside of the sealed insulated tank (2) and has an inner surface (28a) arranged parallel to the tank wall. having a connecting plate (28);
- a peripheral connection element (29) extending parallel to the closure cover (26), said peripheral connection element (29) being hermetically connected to the closure cover (26) around the entire circumference of the closure cover (26), said connection plate (28) is a peripheral connection element (29), which is hermetically connected to the peripheral connection element (29) and has an outer part (48) extending radially outwardly from the peripheral connection element (29);
- a second sealing layer (40) covering the inner surface (28a) of the connecting plate (28) over at least a part of the outer part (48) of the connecting plate (28), wherein the connecting plate (28) is a second sealing layer (40), wherein (40) is located at the same height as the first sealing layer (33);
- A third sealing layer 41 that is hermetically fixed across the first sealing layer 33 and the second sealing layer 40, wherein the first sealing layer 33, the second sealing layer 40, and the third sealing layer 41 are sealed. The sealed insulated tank, characterized in that the layer (41) comprises a third sealing layer (41), forming a secondary sealing membrane (14). According to paragraph 1,
Hermetic insulation, characterized in that the peripheral connecting element (29) is connected to the radially inner edge (49) of the connecting plate (28), such that the entire connecting plate (28) extends radially outward from the peripheral connecting element (29). Tank. According to paragraph 2,
A peripheral connecting element 29 protrudes from the inner surface 28a of the connecting plate 28 towards the inside of the sealed insulated tank 2, and the connection between the peripheral connecting element 29 and the sealed cover 26 is formed by the connecting plate 28. A sealed insulated tank, characterized in that it is formed away from the inner surface (28a) of (28). According to paragraph 1,
Sealed insulated tank (2), characterized in that the connecting plate (28) further comprises an inner part (50) extending radially from the peripheral connecting element (29) towards the sealing conduit (7). According to paragraph 4,
The connecting plate 28 has an outer surface 28b opposing the inner surface 28a, a peripheral connecting element 29 protruding from the outer surface 28b towards the load-bearing structure, and a peripheral connecting element 29 A sealed insulated tank (2), characterized in that the connection between and the sealed cover (26) is formed spaced apart from the outer surface (28b) of the connecting plate (28). According to clause 4 or 5,
The secondary insulating block 32 is disposed around the entire enclosure cover 26 to form a gap space 60 between the sealing cover 26 and the secondary insulating block 32, and the gap space 60 is filled with insulation (64), the interstitial space (60) preferably having the same thickness as the radial extension of the outer part (48) of the connecting plate (28). According to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The first sealing layer (33) and/or the second sealing layer (40) is a cover formed of a rigid composite laminate material comprising at least one metal foil sandwiched between two layers of glass fibers bonded by a polymer resin. A sealed insulated tank (2), characterized in that. According to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The third sealing layer (41) is a cover formed of a flexible composite laminate material comprising at least one metal foil sandwiched between two layers of glass fibers bonded by a polymer resin. According to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The sealed cover (26) extends to the outside of the sealed insulated tank (2) and has an outer end hermetically connected to the sealed conduit (7) around the entirety of the sealed conduit. ). According to clause 9,
It further comprises a support ring (27) fixed to the outer end of the sealing cover (26) and extending radially toward the sealing conduit (7), thereby forming a sealing connection between the sealing lid (26) and the sealing conduit (7). A sealed insulated tank characterized by forming. According to any one of claims 1 to 10,
It further includes a primary insulation block 45 disposed on the secondary sealing membrane 14, and the primary insulation block 45 forms a primary insulation barrier 15 around the sealing conduit 7. , a sealed insulated tank, characterized in that the sealed conduit (7) passes through the primary insulating barrier (15) between the primary insulating blocks (45). According to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The sealing cover 26 is a secondary sealing cover 26, and the sealing insulating tank 2 is a primary sealing tank disposed around the sealing conduit 7 between the sealing conduit 7 and the secondary sealing cover 26. It further comprises a sealing cover (61), wherein the primary sealing cover (61) extends parallel to the sealing conduit (7) at least as far as the primary sealing membrane (16), wherein the primary sealing membrane (16) extends parallel to the sealing conduit (7). A sealed insulated tank characterized in that it is hermetically connected to a car seal cover (61). According to any one of claims 1 to 12,
A sealed insulated tank characterized in that the tank wall is a ceiling wall (12). 14. Equipment for storing a fluid comprising a load-bearing structure and a sealed and insulated tank (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the load-bearing structure has a load-bearing wall (4) provided with an opening. Including, an airtight conduit (7) is fitted with an opening (18) in the load bearing wall (4) to define a fluid passageway between the interior and exterior of the sealed insulated tank (2), wherein the load bearing structure is connected to the load bearing wall (2). (4) further comprising a coaming (20) projecting outwardly from the sealed insulated tank (2), the coaming (20) being arranged around the entire perimeter of the sealed conduit and having an upper wall (22), Equipment for storing fluid, characterized in that the closed conduit (7) is supported by the upper wall (22) of the coaming (20). A vessel (70) for transporting low-temperature liquid products, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a facility for storing fluid according to claim 14 installed on the double hull (72), wherein the load-bearing structure includes: A ship characterized by being formed by the inner wall of a double hull (72). According to clause 15,
The tank wall is a ceiling wall 12, the load-bearing wall 4 is the middle deck of the ship 70, and the ship 70 is an upper deck parallel to the middle deck 4 and spaced from the middle deck ( 5), wherein the sealed conduit (7) is disposed around the upper portion extending from the coaming (20) to the upper deck (5) and the upper portion between the coaming (20) and the upper deck (5). A vessel, characterized in that it further comprises a sleeve (24) of insulating material. A method of using the vessel of claim 15 or 16 to load or unload cold liquid product, wherein the cold product is transferred between a land or floating storage facility (77) and an insulated tank (2) on the vessel (70). A method of using a vessel, characterized in that transmission is carried out through insulated pipes (73, 76, 79, 81). In the transport system for low-temperature liquids, the system comprises a vessel (70) according to claim 15 or 16, an insulated sealed tank (2) installed on the double hull (72) of the vessel (70), on land or floating. Insulated pipes (73, 76, 79, 81) arranged for connection to the storage facility (77) and insulating the cold liquid product between the land or floating storage facility (77) and the insulated sealed tank (2) of the vessel (70). A transport system comprising a pump driven through pipes (73, 76, 79, 81).