These types of accumulators (frequently referred to as hydro-pneumatic accumulators) have been found to be more practically viable as compared with the weight and springloaded types. The gas-loaded type operates in accordance with Boyle’s law of gases, according to which the pressure of a gas is found to vary inversely with its volume for a constant temperature process.
The compressibility of the gas accounts for the storage of potential energy in these accumulators. This energy forces the oil out of the accumulator when the gas expands, due to a reduction in system pressure.
Gas-loaded accumulators fall under two main categories:
1. Non-separator type
2. Separator type.