Application Of Boyle's Law For Calculating Stored Usable Fluid In Surface Accumulator

Bottles
Since accumulator bottles are normally pre-charged to 1000 psi, that becomes the initial pressure (P1). Let us say
that the accumulator bottle has 10 gallons of capacity (V1), the minimum pressure required to operate the BOP
function is 1200 psi, and the maximum pressure that will be placed in the bottle is 3000 psi.
P1= 1000 PSI V1= 11 GAL
It is important to note that the "stored usable fluid" contained in the accumulator bottle is that amount pushed out of
the bottle by the expanding nitrogen gas bubble as pressure falls from 3000 psi to 1200 psi. Any fluid remaining in
the bottle at that time is not considered "usable".
We can calculate (under isothermal conditions) that amount not considered usable by solving the Boyle's Law
equation for V2 as given below:

V2 = P1 x V1/P2 = 1000 x 10 / 1200 = 8.3 gallons nitrogen

Where:
V2 = gallons of nitrogen at minimum system pressure
P2= 1200 PSI V2= 9,16666667 GAL
P1 = initial pressure (nitrogen pre-charge), psia
V1 = initial gas volume in gallons
P2 = minimum system pressure, psia

So as the pressure in the bottle rises from 1000 psi (pre-charge pressure) to 1200 psi (minimum system pressure),
the nitrogen gas is compressed from 10 gallons to 8.3 gallons or 1.7 gallons of liquid was forced into the bottle liquid was
causing the pressure rise. This 1.7 gallons is not considered stored usable fluid. forced into 1,83333333 GAL
The total volume of liquid in the bottle at the maximum system pressure can also be calculated using Boyle's Law the bottle
as given below:

V3 = P1 x V1 /P3 = 1000 x 10 / 3000 = 3.3 gallons nitrogen

Where:
V3 = gallons of nitrogen at maximum system pressure
P1= 1000 PSI V1= 11 GAL
P1 = initial pressure (nitrogen pre-charge)
V1 = initial gas volume in gallons
P3 = maximum system pressure in psi

Now we know that as the pressure in the bottle rises from 1000 psi (pre-charge pressure) to 3000 psi (maximum
system pressure), the nitrogen gas is compressed from 10 gallons to 3.3 gallons or 6.7 gallons of liquid is now in the
bottle. Remembering that the 1.7 gallons is not usable, we can determine the stored usable fluid in the bottle by the P3= 3000 PSI V3= 3,66666667 GAL
following equation:
Stored Usable Fluid = (6.7 - 1.7) gal = 5.0 gallons.
liquid is now
Said another way, as the pressure in the 10 gallon accumulator falls from 3000 psi to 1200 psi, 5.0 gallons of liquid
in the 7,33333333 GAL
are forced out of the bottle and into the system.
bottle
NOTE: Accumulator bottles come in various sizes. Some manufacturers state the size in regard to their gas
volume while others state the physical inside volumetric capacity as the size. It is sometimes necessary to subtract
the bladder or float displacement from the physical inside volumetric capacity in order to arrive at the true gas
volume or stored usable fluid volume. For example, an 11 gallon accumulator bottle becomes 10 gallon capacity
when subtracting approximately 1 gallon for bladder displacement.
CLOSE OPEN
Sizing Accumulator System Capacity For Surface Blowout Preventers
Referring to the tables in K1.8, above, let us say that we have a surface BOP stack that requires the following
closing volumes of fluid:
Annular gallons to close = 17.98 gallons
ANNULAR 19 15,3 GAL
3 Rams @ 5.8 gal. ea. to close = 17.40 gallons
Total galonage required: 35.38 gallons
Plus 50% Safety Factor 17.69 gallons
Stored Usable Fluid Required = 53.07 gallons

Having previously calculated the stored usable fluid in a 10 gallon accumulator bottle, we can calculate the number
of bottles required according to the following equation;
SINGLE RAM 10,5680317 10,0396301 GAL
Accumulator = (Stored Usable Fluid Required) / (Stored Usable Fluid per Bottle)
= (53.07 gallons )/(5.0 gallons/bottle) = 10.6 or 11 bottles

Government regulations of various countries and some oil companies have specific requirements regarding accumulator
capacity. The preceding references and calculations are only intended to explain the considerations and
fundamentals of calculating accumulator capacity using Boyle's Law which is a widely accepted method.
Maximum charging pressure, pre-charge pressure, and minimum working pressure of the accumulator system may
vary on certain "high pressure", (10,000 psi and above) BOP systems. These pressures may be changed as a result DOBLE RAM 17,2387097 15,4293263
of requirements to close ram type BOPs against full well bore pressure. Control system manufacturers may
recommend alternative accumulator capacity calculations in order to optimize performance of the system while
minimizing cost. IADC recommends contacting a reputable control system manufacturer when proper accumulator
capacities are in question.

subtotal 46,806741 15,3 GAL

Plus 50%
Safety 50% 23,40337069 GAL
Factor
Stored
Usable
GRAN TOTAL 70,21011207 GAL
Fluid
Required

Accumulator = (Stored Usable Fluid Required) / (Stored Usable Fluid per Bottle) Stored Usable Fluid
5,5
= (53.07 gallons )/(5.0 gallons/bottle) = 10.6 or 11 bottles per Bottle
ACCUM # BOTTLES 12,77 13