OA18014A - Installation for the storage and distribution of a product, manufacturing process and use of such a facility. - Google Patents

Abstract

This installation (1) for storing and distributing a product comprises a tank (3) for storing the product, arranged in a container (2), and means for distributing the product. A space (E) included in a volume located between the tank (3) and the container (2) is at least partially filled with a thermally insulating material (6). The container (2) is an ISO-container.

Description

The present invention relates to an installation for the storage and distribution of a product, as well as to a method of manufacturing such an installation. The invention also relates to a use of such an installation.

It is known practice to store fuel in a tank. A distribution system, typically including a pump circulating fuel through a distribution line, allows an operator to use fuel. In the event of a safety incident, for example if the installation is subjected to flames, the tank will experience a rise in temperature, which creates a risk of ignition and / or explosion of the fuel. Therefore, the safety of users and equipment is compromised.

US-A-5,564,588 discloses a product storage and dispensing tank. The tank has an inner wall and an outer wall of welded steel, separated from each other by a space filled with an insulating material. The transport of such a tank is not easy.

It is these drawbacks that the invention more particularly intends to remedy by proposing a new distribution storage installation whose safety is improved, in particular in the event of fire or more generally of a rise in temperature.

To this end, the invention relates to an installation for the storage and distribution of a product, the installation comprising a product storage tank, arranged in a container, and means for distributing the product. A space included in a volume located between the tank and the container is filled at least in part with a thermal insulating material. The container is an ISO-container.

Thanks to the invention, the insulating material surrounds the tank, which protects the product from external thermal variations, particularly in the event of fire, high heat or cold, while avoiding the formation of a gas pocket in case of product leakage. Thus, the safety of the installation and the operators is improved. In addition, thanks to the use of an ISO-container, it is possible to easily transport the container to its site of use. Optionally, the ISO-container is transported from its manufacturing site and to its site of use without the insulating material being present. Thus, the transported weight is lower. Once the ISO-container has arrived at its site of use, the space is filled with material in order to thermally insulate the vessel. According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such an installation can incorporate one or more of the following characteristics, taken in any technically permissible combination:

- The thermal conductivity of the insulating material is less than 5 W / m. ° C, preferably less than 1 W / m. ° C.

- The installation comprises unloading means for filling the tank, the minimum nominal flow of which is preferably greater than 1 L / s, more preferably than 4 L / s.

- A retractable inspection hatch is arranged around a manhole connecting the tank to pipes, and delimits a volume not filled by the insulating material and included in the volume located between the tank and the container.

- The insulating material comprises a pulverulent material such as sand or flakes, or a foam.

- The container has at least one hatch for full or partial filling of the space with the insulating material.

- The product is a flammable or temperature sensitive liquid, preferably a fuel or a fuel additive.

- A minimum thickness of the insulating material in the space, around at least part of the vessel, is greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 150 mm.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such an installation, the method comprising successive steps in which:

- the tank is installed in the container on a manufacturing site,

- the container is transported between the manufacturing site and a site where the installation is used,

- the insulating material is placed in the space around the tank at least in part at the site of use.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of such an installation, in which the tank stores a fuel additive, in particular a fuel additive comprising at least one pro-cetane compound such as 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of a storage and distribution installation in accordance with the invention, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an installation according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a side view of the installation of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a top view of the installation of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a front view of the installation of Figure 1;

- Figure 5 is a cross section of the installation of Figure 1;

- Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the installation of Figure 1; and

- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the installation of Figure 1 in a transport configuration.

Figures 1 to 5 show an installation 1 for the storage and distribution of a product, comprising a tank 3 surrounded by a thermally insulating material 6. This product can be a fluid, namely a liquid or a liquefied gas. Thus, the installation 1 is suitable for storing a product other than gasoline, especially in the case where the product is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or a gaseous product.

The product is in particular a flammable product, such as alcohol or a solvent, or a product sensitive to temperature. The liquid can be selected from a fuel or a fuel additive. For example, the fuel is of the Diesel type. It can also be another hydrocarbon such as a lubricant. The fuel additive is used to improve the properties of a fuel. For example, the additive may contain procetans to improve the auto-ignition of gas oil, for example 2-Ethylexyl nitrate (2EHN). This exothermic compound is considered to be combustible and non-flammable pure or diluted, for example in a solution containing from 15 to 100% of 2EHN. This additive, when pure and when heated to a temperature above 100 ° C, undergoes an exothermic reaction which can lead to explosion. The fuel may optionally contain a fuel additive.

When the product is a liquefied gas, it can be, for example, methane, hydrogen, propane or butane. It is also conceivable to store a solid product. It can be a flammable solid such as natural rubber, phosphorus, sulfur or silicon.

Alternatively, the product is stored in a gaseous state. It can be, for example, hydrogen or methane.

In Figures 1 to 3, cutouts reveal elements arranged in a container 2 of the installation 1. The container 2 is a metal box in the form of a parallelepiped designed for the transport of goods.

The container 2 comprises a floor 21 provided to rest on the ground, as well as two side walls 22A and 22B perpendicular to the floor 21, a rear wall 23 perpendicular to the side walls 22A and 22B and to the floor 21, a ceiling 24 parallel to the floor 21 , and two doors 25A and 25B parallel to the rear wall 23 in a closed configuration and each articulated with an edge of the side wall 22A or 22B. A plinth 28 is fixed against an edge of the floor 21, between the side walls 22A and 22B at the level of the hinge of the doors 25A and 25B. In Figures 1 to 6, the doors 25A and 25B are open, so as to leave free an opening 26 for access to a first part V1 of an interior volume V of the container 2. Means 27 for closing and locking, comprising for example a metal bar and a handle, allow the locking of the doors 25A and 25B in the closed configuration.

A partition 20, parallel to the rear wall 23, separates the first part V1 of the interior volume V from a second part V2 of this volume, in which is arranged a tank 3 for storing a product.

Container 2 can be chosen in accordance with the standards given by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which reduces the cost of installation through the use of standard components. We then speak of ISOcontainer. An ISO-container is a container of parallelepiped shape.

The dimensions of an ISO-container are standardized internationally. The corners of an ISO-container are fitted with gripping parts to secure it and transfer it from one vehicle to another. An ISO-container has a metallic structure, which gives it good strength and offers the possibility of making it watertight. In addition, an ISO-container can be produced in very large series, which reduces costs. In addition, the use of an ISO-container makes it possible to permanently install the means of storage and distribution of the product inside. Thus, no operation on the installation site is necessary, except possibly the realization of a concrete slab and the electrical connection. Thus, the installation can be used directly at its site of use, without requiring prior work. Optionally, the insulating material 6 is incorporated on the site of use, in order to lighten the installation 1 during its transport.

The length of an ISO-container is generally 20 feet or 40 feet, for a width of 8 feet and a height of 8.5 feet.

For a 20ft ISO-container, a standard 8m ³ tank can be used, and for a 40ft ISO-container a standard 25m ³ tank can be used. The tank 3 comprises a body 31 of cylindrical shape, of circular section, the generator of which is parallel to the side walls 22A and 22B, to the floor 21 and to the ceiling 24. The body 31 rests on two supports 32A and 32B fixed on the floor 21 , so that a minimum distance D1 between the body 31 of the tank 3 and the floor 21 is preferably greater than 10 mm, more preferably greater than 30 mm.

D2 denotes a minimum distance between the body 31 of the tank 3, on the one hand, and the closest to the side walls 22A and 22B, on the other hand. The distance D2 is greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than 30 mm. As a variant, the distance D2 is greater than 50 mm, preferably greater than 150 mm.

Opposite the supports 32A and 32B, that is to say on the top, the tank 3 has a manhole closed by a plate 33 to which pipes are connected, in particular for the unloading and the transfer of the product, in other words its transfer. The manhole plate 33 is provided with nozzles connecting pipes to the interior volume of the tank 3. Thus, the manhole makes it possible to connect the pipes to the tank 3, leaving a free space devoid of insulating material 6 .

As shown in Figure 6 by the arrow F1, the pumped product is discharged from the installation via a pipe which opens to the left of the installation 1 through the side wall 22A. The installation 1 is designed to allow this pipe to be moved so that it emerges on the right, in order to adapt to different configurations of use of the installation 1. For this purpose, the container 3 has two distribution hatches 292 removable sides, which each close an access opening to the interior volume V of the container 2, provided in the side wall 22A or 22B.

The installation 1 includes a system 5 for accessing the tank 3 and measuring parameters, allowing an operator to climb on the ceiling 24 of the container 2 to perform, for example, control operations. The system 5 comprises a fixed frame 51 which comprises four side walls perpendicular to the floor 21. A front wall and a rear wall of the frame 51 are provided with a lower edge in the form of an arc of a circle of complementary shape to that of the body 31. These walls are fixed to the body 31 of the tank 3 in a sealed manner. Two other side walls of the frame 51 are sealed to the tank 3 by means of metal plates. The fixed frame 51 surrounds the manhole plate 33 of the tank 3 and is flush with the ceiling 24. The fixed frame 51 defines a third volume V3, included in the second part V2 of the volume. The third volume V3 is delimited on the sides by the side walls of the fixed frame 51, and at the bottom by the body 31 of the tank 3.

The system 5 comprises a cover 52 which is slidably mounted inside the fixed frame 51. The cover 52 is movable in translation perpendicular to the floor 21 relative to the fixed frame 51. The cover 52 has four side walls and a parallel upper wall. on the ceiling 24 of the container 2, which closes the third volume V3 from above. The height of the cover 52 relative to the floor 21 is variable and makes it possible to vary the volume of the third volume V3.

In the configuration of use of the installation 1, visible in Figures 1 to 4, the cover 52 is in an extended position in which its side walls protrude, at least partially, above the ceiling 24 of the container 2. In this configuration, the upper wall of the movable cover 52 is separated by a non-zero distance from the ceiling 24 of the container 2. The cover 52 allows the fixing of the pipes connected to the plate 33.

For the thermal insulation of the tank 3, a space E, that is to say a hollow volume, located between the tank 3 and the container 2, is filled at least in part with the insulating material 6, which is not is not shown in Figures 1 and 3 for clarity of the drawing. The space E is included in the second part V2 of the volume V. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 5, the space E is completely filled with the insulating material 6. As a variant, only a part of the space E is filled with the insulating material 6. Preferably, at least 75% of the space E is filled with the insulating material 6, so as to insulate the tank 3 up to the level equivalent to the maximum filling level, preferably still at least 95%, so as to completely cover the upper generatrix of the cylindrical shape of the tank 3.

The insulating material 6 is a thermal insulator consisting at least in part, for example, of a pulverulent material such as sand, in particular mineral sand or perlite, or cellular glass beads, for example FoamGIas (registered trademark ). It can be any other inorganic or organic material. The use of a pulverulent material makes it possible, when the tank 3 is used to store a liquid capable of generating vapor, to prevent the formation of gas pockets and the appearance of leaks which generate fine droplets.

As a variant, the insulating material 6 can be at least partly in the form of foam or flakes. This can be, for example, rock wool flakes or polyurethane foam.

To protect the tank 3 from the risk of fire or explosion, the thermal conductivity λ of the insulating material 6 is preferably less than 5 W / m. ° C, more preferably less than 1 W / m. ° C.

The thermal conductivity of cellular glass is 0.04 W / m. ° C, that of perlite is 0.05 W / m. ° C and that of dry sand is 0.4 W / m. ° C.

The space E extends around the body 31 of the tank 3 and the volume V3. The space E is limited at the bottom by the floor 21 of the container 2, and on the sides by both the partition 20, the rear wall 23 and the portions of the side walls 22A and 22B located between the partition 20 and the rear wall 23. On the top, the space E is delimited by the portion of the ceiling 24 located between the partition 20 and the rear wall 23.

The frame 51 and the cover 52 form a retractable inspection hatch which sealingly separates the space E from the manhole plate 33, so as to isolate the plate 33 from the insulating material 6. Indeed, the third volume V3 is not filled with insulating material 6. The space E is also delimited by the side walls of the frame 51.

The thickness of insulating material 6 around the tank 3 and in the space E is determined by the dimensions of the space E. The minimum thickness of the insulating material 6 is equal to the smallest distance among the distances D1 and D2 . The lower part of the tank 3 is less subjected to heat flows than the side and upper parts, since the container 2 rests on the ground. Therefore, the distance D1 may be less than the distance D2. Preferably, the minimum thickness of insulating material 6 is greater than 10 mm, more preferably greater than 30 mm.

In the example shown in the figures, the minimum thickness is measured only outside the volume V3, at the level of the surface of the tank 3 which does not delimit the third volume V3, taking into account the presence of the hatch 51 and 52. As a variant, the installation 1 does not include an inspection hatch and the minimum thickness can possibly be observed all around the tank 3.

A guardrail 53 arranged around the frame 51 and the cover 52 also belongs to the access system 5. It surrounds the ceiling 24, directly above the second part V2 of volume V. A ladder 54 equipped with a crinoline allows an operator to climb securely on the ceiling 24 of the container 2.

For filling the insulating material 6 in the space E, the container comprises at least one removable hatch 291, which closes an access opening to the second part V2 of the interior volume V, around the tank 3. Several hatches 291 are provided on the ceiling 24, around the cover 52, for example six hatches 291.

The installation 1 comprises a transfer system 4 provided for the unloading of the product out of its initial container, for example a tanker truck transporting the product intended to be stored in the tank 3. The transfer system 4 is also able to distribute this product, so that a user can use. The decanting system comprises decanting means, for example a pump, for the circulation of the product. The minimum nominal flow rate of the unloading means is greater than 1 L / s, preferably greater than 4 L / s.

The minimum nominal flow is set according to the desired maximum unloading time. For example, for an unloading time of 1 h, which is an ideal time, the nominal flow must be at least 2.22 L / s for a tank of 8m ³ or 6.94 L / s for a tank of 25 m ³ . By setting a maximum unloading time equal to 2 hours, a nominal flow rate of 1.11 L / s is obtained for an 8 m ³ tank and a nominal flow rate of 3.47 L / s for a 25 m ³ tank. A minimum nominal flow rate of between 1 and 4 L / s allows unloading in 2 hours, whether for a tank of 8 or 25 m ³ .

The tank 3 is equipped with a vent 404 for filling the tank 3 with air as the product is dispensed, and for evacuating the air contained in the tank 3 when the product is unloaded in the tank 3.

Installation 1 includes a 403 gauge pipe, called the reference rod vertical, for measuring the level of product in tank 3. Installation 1 also includes a level 406 allowing continuous measurement of the level of product in the tank. tank 3 for example by contactless technology, in particular radar or ultrasound, or mechanical, in particular by means of a feeler.

A safety device 405 detects a very high critical level threshold, A sensor 407 reads the temperature of the product stored in the tank 3.

As visible in Figure 5, the body 31 of the tank 3 comprises an inner skin 31 A, in contact with the stored product, and an outer skin 31B surrounding the inner skin 31A and forming a safety envelope, in the event of a defect. sealing of the inner skin 31 A. A space E1 is formed between the skins 31A and 31B and can be filled with a liquid such as glycol or maintained under an air vacuum. A leak detector allows, in the event of a glycol leak between the skins 31A and 31B or loss of air vacuum, to activate an alarm indicating the containment fault.

During the manufacturing of the installation 1, and in a first step, the tank 3, the container 2, the transfer system 4 and the access system 5 are manufactured separately.

Then, in a second step, the tank 3 is installed in the container 2 and the transfer system 4 is put in place. The feet 32A and 32B of the tank 3 are fixed to the floor, for example by means of bolts.

The first and second steps can be performed at the manufacturing site of plant 1, which may be remote from the site of use. In general, on the manufacturing site, the operators have the skills and tools necessary to ensure a design and construction guaranteeing the reliability and safety of the operations, which is not always the case on the site of use. .

Then, in a third step, the insulating material 6 is introduced into the space E, around the tank 3, through the hatches 291. The third step can be carried out on the manufacturing site. However, to limit the weight of the installation 1 when it is transported to its site of use and to limit costs, the third step is preferably carried out in whole or in part at the site of use. Indeed, the filling of the insulating material 6 does not require any particular technical skill.

Between the second and third stage, the installation being manufactured can be transported, for example by boat, between the manufacturing site and the site of use.

As visible in Figure 7, when the doors 25A and 25B are closed, the elements of the installation 1, in particular the tank 3, the transfer system 4 and at least part of the system 5 can be housed inside the container 2, which facilitates transport installation 1.

Once in place in space E, the insulating material 6 provides a thermal protection function for the product contained in the tank 3, in particular in the event of fire around the installation 1 or of high heat when the installation is in use. in a sub-Saharan or tropical region, or lasting frost when the installation is used in a cold region. The risks of explosion or degradation of the product contained in tank 3 are thus minimized.

When the installation 1 is used in a war zone, the insulating material 6 constitutes ballistic protection making it possible to protect the tank 3 from projectiles. In addition, the interior walls of the container 2 can be lined with metal plates, for example made of steel, in order to form additional ballistic protection.

The floor 21 is sealed to the walls 20, 22A, 22B and 23, and the plinth 28 makes it possible to contain inside the container 2 any product leaks.

As a variant, the body 31 of the tank 3 comprises a single skin. In this case, the container 2 constitutes an additional envelope preventing the dispersion of the product outside the container 2 in the event of a leak in the first and only skin 31 A.

Alternatively, when the facility 1 is used for the storage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the pumps of the transfer system 4 are replaced by compressors.

In the context of the invention, the variants described can be combined with each other, at least partially.

Claims (10)

1, -Installation (1) for the storage and distribution of a product, the installation (1) comprising a tank (3) for storing the product, arranged in a container (2), and means for distributing the product, a space (E) included in a volume (V2) located between the tank (3) and the container (2) being filled at least in part with a thermal insulating material (6), characterized in that the container (2) is an ISO-container. 2, - Installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermal conductivity (λ) of the insulating material (6) is less than 5 W / m. ° C, preferably less than 1 W / m. ° C . 3, - Installation (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises unloading means (4) for filling the tank (3), the minimum nominal flow rate of which is preferably greater at 1 L / s, more preferably at 4 L / s. 4, - Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a retractable inspection hatch (51, 52) is arranged around a manhole (33) for connecting the tank (3 ) to pipes, and delimits a volume (V3) not filled by the insulating material (6) and included in the volume (V2) located between the tank (3) and the container (2). 5, - Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating material (6) comprises a powdery material such as sand or flakes, or foam. 6, - Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (2) comprises at least one hatch (291) for total or partial filling of the space (E) with the insulating material (6 ). 7, - Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is a flammable or temperature sensitive liquid, preferably a fuel or a fuel additive. 8, - Installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a minimum thickness (D1, D2) of the insulating material (6) in the space (E), around at least part of the tank (3) is greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than 30 mm. 9. - A method of manufacturing an installation according to one of the claims 5 above, characterized in that it comprises successive steps in which: - the tank (3) is installed in the container (2) on a manufacturing site, - the container (2) is transported between the manufacturing site and a site of use of the installation (1), - the insulating material (6) is placed in the space (E) around the tank (3) at 10 less in part on the site of use. 10, - Use of an installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tank (3) stores a fuel additive, in particular a fuel additive containing at least one pro-cetane compound such than 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate.