This topic describes how an accumulator (Koomey Unit) works. First of all, I will start with accumulator bottles. The accumulator bottles are used to store hydraulic pressure for closing/opening all blow out preventers. Each bottle, which has a rubber bladder inside, has a storage volume of 10 gallons. The rubber bladder inside is pre-charged to 1,000 psi with Nitrogen (N2). Each bottle will be pressured up 200 psi over the pressure charge pressure. At this stage, 1.7 gal of hydraulic fluid is used in order to compress N2 to minimum system pressure of 1,200 psi (200 psi over pre charge pressure), called “minimum operating pressure”. Hydraulic oil will be pumped into the bottle until pressure in the bladder reach 3,000 psi, called “Operating Pressure”. Volume of hydraulic fluid used to pressure up from 1200 psi to 3000 ps,which is called “Useable Fluid”, is equal to 5 gallons,
Note: I will show you how to use Bolye’s Law to figure out usable fluid later.
Accumulator Pressure Charging System
