Hardware Recommendation - Small Portable Air Compressor

[Chance17]

I have a client that operates a rail car facility with 17 folding gangways.
Normally the gangways are operated using 80-psig nitrogen from header.
For nitrogen outages, the client wishes to use a small portable air compressor.

The vision is for the compressor and driver (gasoline) to be mounted on a wheeled cart.
Due to engine sparks, the air-to-nitrogen connection would be in a non-hazardous area.
Operation of only one gangway at a time is needed for emergency outage.
One gangway requires 40-scfm gas (air) at 80-psig.

This is admittedly a small gas flow.
Any hardware recommendation (that works well) would be appreciated.
A vendor recommendation would also be welcomed

Thanks-in-advance
Chance17

 

[Airsmybag]

I notice a lack of response to your post. In case you have not solved your problem, I will respond. For 40 CFM @ 80 PSI, a 10 hp reciprocating ompressor would be adequate. I would use a 25 HP gas engine or 18 - 20 HP diesel. There are a few companies which su[pply such packages. You did not mention type of portability, IE trailer, skid mount to be moved with a forklift. I did not understand your comment about sparks and nitrogen. small engines are available with spark arrestors. If you give your location, I could probably suggest a vendor.

Airsmybag

 

[dcasto]

Just install a surge tank with an electric air compressor at the point where N2 is supplied. I don't understand why you use N2, air is not hazardous unless you are using the N2 to inert the car

 

[moltenmetal]

If you're actuating cylinders, you don't need 40 scfm continuously- you just need a surge tank with a small (1-2 hp) compressor to recharge it. A 10 hp compressor will be a pig of a thing to lug around on a cart. That begs the question: why lug a compressor around at all? Just use a nitrogen cylinder with appropriate regulator. Put it on a cylinder cart and you're done- and no concerns about hazardous area operation of an engine etc. If outages are frequent enough to worry about the number of cylinders you'd need to have on hand, you have bigger problems than just operating the gangplanks.