Gas-loaded Accumulators

 Gas-loaded accumulators, also popularly known as hydro-pneumatic accumulators, are the most commonly used accumulators in almost all the industrial applications.

GAS-LOADED ACCUMULATORS

1. What are Gas-Loaded Accumulators?

• Gas-loaded accumulators, also popularly known as hydro-pneumatic accumulators, are the most commonly used accumulators in almost all the industrial applications.

• They work on the basis of the Boyle's gas law. They Boyle's gas law states that for a constant temperature process, the pressure of the gas varies inversely with its volume. Mathematically,

• For example, when the gas is compressed more (say half the initial volume), then the pressure of the gas is increased (in this case, the pressure is doubled). This compressibility of gas accounts for the storage of potential energy. This potential energy forces the hydraulic fluid out of the accumulator when the gas expands due to reduction in system pressure..

2. Types of Gas-Loaded Accumulators

• The two types of gas-loaded accumulators (Fig.9.1) are :

1. Non-separator type, and

2. Separator type.

(a) Piston type, (b) Diaphragm type, and (c) Bladder type.

• In the non-separator type, the gas which provides the load is in direct contact with the hydraulic fluid, whereas in the separator type, they are separated by a piston, diaphragm, or bladder.