Description

Accumulator is a device used specifically for storage of liquid under pressure. As liquids,for all practical purposes, are incompressible, this objective is achieved by utilizing the compressibility of gases. A flexible rubber separator i.e.,bladder is fitted into the accumulator shell. An inert gas – nitrogen – is filled into the bladder through a pressure valve to a pressure P . The bladder expands, filling 0 the entire volume V of the accumulator shell. 0 When the system pressure P is higher than the gas 1 precharge pressure P , the liquid enters the accumulator and the bladder is compressed reducing the gas volume toV1. Should the liquid pressure rise to P , the volume of gas reduces to V with an attendant rise in pressure, thus balancing the Liquid pressure. A potential energy is now stored in the accumulator to be utilized whenever needed.