Abstract: A sealed and thermally insulative tank includes thermal installation including a plurality of juxtaposed insulation blocks on the supporting structure and a seal including a plurality of sealing metal plates disposed on the insulation blocks and welded to each other. Mechanical coupling members extend through the thermal insulation at the level of the edges of the insulation blocks and hold the insulation blocks in bearing engagement on the supporting structure. The metal plates are disposed so that the edges of the metal plates are offset relative to the edges of the underlying insulation blocks. The metal plates are held in bearing engagement on the insulation blocks only by the coupling members. The mechanical coupling members are attached to the metal plates at the level of attachment points away from the edges of the metal plates.

Abstract: A sealed and thermally insulative tank includes thermal installation including a plurality of juxtaposed insulation blocks on the supporting structure and a seal including a plurality of sealing metal plates disposed on the insulation blocks and welded to each other. Mechanical coupling members extend through the thermal insulation at the level of the edges of the insulation blocks and hold the insulation blocks in bearing engagement on the supporting structure. The metal plates are disposed so that the edges of the metal plates are offset relative to the edges of the underlying insulation blocks. The metal plates are held in bearing engagement on the insulation blocks only by the coupling members. The mechanical coupling members are attached to the metal plates at the level of attachment points away from the edges of the metal plates.

Abstract: A glass fiber reinforced polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam obtained by: 1) contacting: an isocyanate component, a polyol component including a first polyol, a second polyol, and a third polyol, in the presence of: catalysts, a physical or chemical blowing agent, an emulsifier, and optionally a flame retardant, 2) impregnating, with the formulation obtained from step 1, a glass fiber stack, and 3) expanding and solidifying the formulation to form a reinforced foam block containing the glass fiber stack; the reinforced foam block having an average density of between 115 and 135 kg/m3, and an isocyanate index of between 100 and 180.