Hull insulation

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulation arrangement for a liquefied gas carrying ship wherein the ship has a primary barrier for containing a liquefied gas and a hull, and where the hull is spaced from said primary barrier to define a void between the hull and primary barrier. The hull is insulated with an insulation layer, said layer comprising a plurality of individual tessellating insulation panels.

1 . An insulation arrangement for a liquefied gas carrying ship, said ship comprising a primary barrier for containing a liquefied gas and a hull, wherein the hull is spaced from said primary barrier to define a void between the hull and primary barrier, and wherein the void facing surface of the hull is provided with an insulation layer, said layer comprising a plurality of individual tessellating insulation panels. 
     
     
         2 . An insulation arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating panels are triangular in shape. 
     
     
         3 . An insulation arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating panels are hexagonal in shape. 
     
     
         4 . An insulation arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating panels are irregular pentagons in shape. 
     
     
         5 . An insulation arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the insulating panels are square or rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         6 . An insulation arrangement according to  claim 1  comprising insulation panels selected from any of  claims 2  to  4  in combination. 
     
     
         7 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation panels are in abutment with the hull surface. 
     
     
         8 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the panels are connected to the hull by means of one or more selectively releasable attachments. 
     
     
         9 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the selectively releasable attachments are nuts and bolts. 
     
     
         10 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the panels are connected to the hull by means of a single, centrally located selectively releasable attachment. 
     
     
         11 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  7  wherein the insulation panels are connected to the hull by means of a glue. 
     
     
         12 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  6 , wherein the insulation panels are spaced from the hull to define a void between the hull and the insulation panels. 
     
     
         13 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in  12 , wherein the insulation panels are supported on a support structure spaced from the hull and connected thereto by a plurality of support beams and the panels are connected to the support structure by any one of the means according to  claims 8  to  11 . 
     
     
         14 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the void is arranged to receive an inert gas. 
     
     
         15 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the void is filled with nitrogen. 
     
     
         16 . An insulation arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the insulation layer is a cryogenic barrier arranged to contain a liquefied gas released from the primary barrier. 
     
     
         17 . A liquefied gas carrying ship comprising a primary barrier for containing a liquefied gas and a hull, wherein the hull is spaced from said primary barrier to define a void between the hull and primary barrier, and wherein the void facing surface of the hull is provided with an insulation layer, said layer comprising a plurality of individual tessellating insulation panels. 
     
     
         18 . A liquefied gas carrying ship according to  claim 17 , wherein the liquefied gas is one selected from Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied Ethylene Gas or Liquefied Propane Gas. 
     
     
         19 . A method of insulating a ship comprising applying an insulation arrangement as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  16  and wherein individual panels are tessellated so as to cover the inner surface of the hull surrounding the primary barrier. 
     
     
         20 . An insulation arrangement or ship substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     
     
         21 . A method substantially as described herein. 
     
     
         22 . A method of insulating a marine vessel as substantially described herein.