Accumulator Sizing Data & Application

Sizing Accumulators
In selecting the proper accumulator size V1 (size of accumulator in cubic inches) when Vw (volume of fluid to be discharged from accumulator) is known. Where: a = P3 = working pressure ratio P2 P3 = Maximum system pressure P2 = Minimum system pressure n = Polytropic exponent for adiabatic operation (See Charts on Page A64.)

V1 = ( Vw)(E) f
E in the above equation adjusts the equation due to the accumulator efficiency versus the gas pre-charge pressure. Use the following constants. For Supplementing Pump E = 1.24 for bladder accumulators. For Auxiliary Power Source (No Pump) E = 1.60 for bladder accumulators. In the above equation the discharge coefficient f adjusts the equation for the change in the gas temperature due to heat gains and losses by expansion and compression of the gas (Calculate f as shown below).

Isothermal Operations
In an isothermal operation where the compression and expansion of the gas is very slow, allowing enough time for heat transfer resulting in little or no change in gas temperature. f = 1

(1) a

Where: a = P3 = working pressure ratio P2 P3 = Maximum system pressure P2 = Minimum system pressure

Adiabatic Operation
In an adiabatic operation where the gas temperature is rapidly changing as a result of rapid compression and expansion of the gas:

f =1

( 1 ) 1/n a

(See Table 1, Page A63 for Calculations.)

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A62

Accumulator Sizing Data & Application (cont.)

Discharge Coefficient
f =1

How to Read Table 1

Locate a value in left-hand column and locate n value at top of Table 1. The point at which n and a intersect will be the f value.

( )

1 a

1/n

Note: Use this formula if a is less than 1.1 or over 3. If exact values of a are not shown, select the next higher value (See charts below).

Table 1
n Values a Values
1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0

1.40
0 .0658 .1221 .1709 .2136 .2515 .2852 .3155 .3429 .3677 .3905 .4114 .4306 .4484 .4649 .4803 .4947 .5081 .5207 .5326 .5438

1.45
0 .0636 .1182 .1655 .2071 .2439 .2769 .3065 .3333 .3577 .3800 .4005 .4194 .4370 .4533 .4684 .4826 .4959 .5084 .5226 .5337

1.50
0 .0616 .1145 .1605 .2009 .2369 .2690 .2980 .3242 .3481 .3700 .3902 .4088 .4261 .442 .4571 .4711 .4843 .4966 .5083 .5193

1.55
0 .0596 .1110 .1557 .1951 .2302 .2616 .2899 .3156 .3391 .3606 .3804 .3987 .4157 .4315 .4463 .4601 .4731 .4854 .4969 .5078

1.60
0 .0578 .1077 .1512 .1897 .2239 .2545 .2823 .3074 .3305 .3516 .3711 .3891 .4058 .4214 .4360 .4496 .4625 .4746 .4860 .4967

1.65
0 .0561 .1046 .1470 .1845 .2179 .2479 .2750 .2997 .3223 .3430 .3622 .3799 .3964 .4117 .4261 .4396 .4523 .4642 .4755 .4862

1.70
0 .0545 .1017 .1430 .1796 .2122 .2415 .2681 .2923 .3145 .3348 .3537 .3711 .3873 .4025 .4167 .4300 .4425 .4543 .4654 .4760

1.75
0 .0530 .0989 .1392 .1749 .2068 .2355 .2616 .2853 .3070 .3270 .3456 .3627 .3787 .3936 .4076 .4207 .4331 .4448 .4558 .4662

1.80
0 .0516 .0963 .1356 .1705 .2017 .2298 .2553 .2786 .2999 .3196 .3378 .3547 .3704 .3851 .3989 .4119 .4241 .4356 .4465 .4568

1.85
0 .0502 .0939 .1322 .1663 .1968 .2244 .2494 .2722 .2932 .3125 .3304 .3470 .3625 .3770 .3906 .4034 .4154 .4268 .4376 .4478

1.90
0 .0489 .0915 .1290 .1623 .1922 .2191 .2437 .2661 .2867 .3057 .3233 .3396 .3549 .3692 .3820 .3952 .4071 .4184 .4290 .4391

1.95
0 .0480 .0896 .1264 .1594 .1887 .2154 .2395 .2617 .2819 .3010 .3181 .3344 .3493 .3634 .3766 .3891 .4010

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.4120 .4226 .4326

Table 2
n
1.41 - 1.45 1.46 - 1.49 1.50 - 1.53 1.54 - 1.57 1.58 - 1.62 1.63 - 1.67 1.68 - 1.73 1.74 - 1.79 1.80 - 1.85 1.86 - 1.91 1.92 - 1.94

C3
.0300 .0318 .0336 .0352 .0371 .0389 .0410 .0429 .0447 .0464 .0472

A63

Accumulator Sizing Data & Application (cont.)

Instructions for Selection of Discharge Coefficient n
1. Determine Average System Pressure 4. Select the curve on the graph which corresponds to the gas operating temperature (If gas temperature under operating conditions is not known assume 100 F / 38C.) 5. To use the graph, locate the average system pressure along the bottom portion of the graph. Move vertically along this column until you intersect the line corresponding to the gas temperature. Then move horizontally along this line and read the discharge coefficient to the left side of the graph.

P2 + P3 = Average System Pressure 2

2. Determine the time in seconds to discharge the oil from the accumulator. 3. Select the graph which corresponds to the time (sec.) required to discharge the accumulator.

Selection Charts for Discharge Coefficient n

0 - 8 Seconds
2.40 2.30 2.20 2.10 2.00 n 1.90 1.80 1.70 1.60 1.50 1.40 1000 68.9 2000 137.9 3000 (PSI) 206.8 (bar)
125 F / 51.7 C 150 F / 65.6 C 75 F / 23.9 C 100 F / 37.8 C 0 F / -17.8 C

9 - 30 Seconds
2.30 2.20 2.10 2.00 1.90 n 1.80 1.70 1.60 1.50 1.40 1.30 1000 68.9 2000 137.9 3000 (PSI) 206.8 (bar)
75 F / -23.9 C 100 F / 37.8 C 150 F / 65.6 C 125 F / 51.7 C 0 F / -17.8 C

31 - 60 Seconds
2.20 2.10 2.00 1.90 1.80 n 1.70 1.60 1.50 1.40 1.30 1.20 1000 68.9 2000 137.9 3000 (PSI) 206.8 (bar)
75 F / -23.9 C 100 F / 37.8 C 150 F / 65.6 C 125 F / 51.7 C 0 F / -17.8 C

Average System Pressure (PSI)

Average System Pressure (PSI)

Average System Pressure (PSI)

61 - 120 Seconds

121 - 500 Seconds

501 - 900 Seconds

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2.00 1.90
0 F / -17.8 C

1.80 1.70 1.60 n 1.50 1.40 1.30 1.20 1.10 1.00 1000 68.9 2000 137.9 3000 (PSI) 206.8 (bar)
75 F / -23.9 C 100 F / 37.8 C 125 F / 51.7 C 150 F / 65.6 C

1.40

0 F / -17.8 C

75 F / -23.9 C

1.30
0 F / -17.8 C

1.30 n 1.20

100 F / 37.8 C

125 F / 51.7 C 150 F / 65.6 C

1.20 n 1.10

75 F / -23.9 C 100 F / 37.8 C 125 F / 51.7 C 150 F / 65.6 C

1.10 1.00 1.00 1000 68.9 2000 137.9 3000 (PSI) 206.8 (bar) 1000 68.9 2000 137.9 3000 (PSI) 206.8 (bar)

Average System Pressure (PSI)

Average System Pressure (PSI)

Average System Pressure (PSI)

A64

Accumulator Sizing Data & Application (cont.)

Problem #1
Given:

Supplementing Pump Flow

Solution:
V1 (in3) = (Vw) (E) f = 1.24 for bladder accumulator (See Page A62).

A 4.5" bore x 10" stroke cylinder with a 2" diameter rod must extend and retract in 6 seconds. Minimum pressure required to cycle cylinder is 1000 PSI (68 bar). Dwell time between cycles is 1.5 minutes. Gas temperature is 100 F. Maximum system pressure is 2000 PSI (136 bar).

V1 (in3)

Information Required:
P2 P3 CT VC DT T = = = = = = 1000 PSI (68 bar) 2000 PSI (136 bar) 6 sec. 286.5 in3 90 sec. 100 F. = = = = = = Minimum system pressure Maximum system pressure Cycle time of actuator Displacement of actuator per cycle Dwell time between cycles Gas operating temperature

= 269 (1.24) = 973 in3 or 4.25 Gallons .3430

Where V1 = Accumulator size required in cubic inches

Solve For:
PC = 3.0 in3/ sec. = VC DT+CT = minimum required output of pump (in3 / sec)

Once V1 has been determined, select the accumulator from Pages A47-A50 which has a gas volume equal to or greater then V1. In this example a 5 gallon bladder accumulator would satisfy the system. P = gas pre-charge, which should be 80% of P2 in bladder accumulators.

= .78 GPM

= .26 PC = pump output (GPM) = VC (3.85) (Q) (CT) = cubic inches of fluid required from accumulator

Vw = 269 in3

=2

= P3 P2

= working pressure ratio

n f

= 1.65 = .3430

= From Page A64 = From Page A63 (Table 1) (Based on values of a & n)

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A65

Accumulator Sizing Data & Application (cont.)

Problem #2 Increasing Actuation Speed in an Existing Hydraulic System
Given: Present system has a 5 GPM pump capable of 3000 PSI (207 bar), 6" bore x 12" stroke cylinder with a 2" rod. Minimum pressure to extend and retract cylinder is 1500 PSI (103 bar). Gas temperature is 150 F. Bladder accumulator to be used. Cylinder cycle time is to be reduced from 40 seconds to 8 seconds. Dwell time between cycles is 40 seconds.

Solution:
V1 (in3) = (Vw) (E) f = 1.24 for bladder accumulator (See Page A64).

V1 (in3)

= 486.5 (1.24) = 1887.5 in3 or 8.2 Gallons .3196

Where V1 = Accumulator size required in cubic inches Once V1 has been determined, select the accumulator from Pages A47-A50 which has a gas volume equal to or greater then V1. In this example a 10 gallon bladder accumulator would satisfy the system. P = gas pre-charge, which should be 80% of P2 in bladder accumulators.

Information Required:
P2 P3 CT VC DT Q T = = = = = = = 1500 PSI (103 bar) = Minimum system pressure 3000 PSI (207 bar) = Maximum system pressure 8 sec. = Cycle time of actuator = Displacement of actuator per cycle 640.5 in3 40 sec. = Dwell time between cycles 5 GPM = Present pump flow 150 F. = Gas operating temperature

Solve For:
Vw = 486.5 in3 = VC (3.85) (Q) (CT) = oil required from accumulator

VR = 770 in3

= (3.85) (Q) (DT) is the pump output during the dwell period. VR must be Greater than Vw to accomplish the new cycle rate. If not, cycle time (CT) or dwell time (DT) must be increased. = P3 = Pressure ratio P2

=2

n f

= 1.76 = .3196

= From Page A66 = From Page A65 (Table 1) (Based on values of a & n)

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A66

Accumulator Sizing Data & Application (cont.)

Problem #3 Shock Suppression
Given: System has a 120 GPM pump operating at 2200 PSI (152 bar). Shock is caused by rapidly closing the directional control valve. 80 feet of pipe is between the pump and valve causing shock. Internal area of pipe is 1.4 square inches. Gas operating temperature is 100F (38C). Using standard petroleum oil (54.3 lbs/ft3). What size of accumulator (V1) would be required to limit shock pressure to 10% above system pressure P2?

Solution:
V1 (in3) = (Vw) (E) f V1 = Size of accumulator required

= (V)2 (W) (n-1) (.205) (P2) (C3) = (27.5)2 (42.2) (1.80-1) (.205) = 53.2 in3 or .23 Gallons (2200) (.0447)

V1

A1 Qt. accumulator would satisfy the system. P1 gas pre-charge pressure should normally be 60% of P2, (in a shock suppression application).

Information Required:
L A P2 Q T = 80 ft. = = = = = Length of pipe between pump and valve causing shock. = Internal area of pipe 1.4 in 2 2200 PSI (152 bar) = Operating pressure 120 GPM = Rate of flow 100 F = Gas operating temperature

Solve For:
n = 1.80 = Discharge coefficient See Page A64. Use 0-8 second curves. = (L) (A) = Total volume of oil in pipe 144

VT

= 0.78 ft3

WT = 54.3 lbs/ ft3 = Weight of fluid per cubic foot W V = 42.2 lbs = (VT) (WT) = Total weight of liquid in pipe

= 27.5 ft/ sec. = (.3208) (Q) = Flow velocity A = .0447 = From Page A63 (Table 2) (Opposite the n value selected)

C3

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A67