A method for using CO.sub.2 as a contrast material in medical imaging procedures is disclosed. The method includes providing a source of pressurized CO.sub.2. The step of providing includes connecting the source of pressurized CO2 to a compressed gas unit for controlling delivery of the CO.sub.2. The method also includes regulating pressure of the CO.sub.2 delivered by the compressed gas unit, transmitting the pressurized CO.sub.2 from the compressed gas unit to a control valve assembly for delivery to a patient in controlled dosages, and sequentially processing the CO.sub.2 with the control valve assembly and delivering the CO.sub.2 to the patient as a contrast media.

Scalable greenhouse gas capture systems and methods to allow a user to off-load exhaust captured in an on-board vehicle exhaust capture device and to allow for a delivery vehicle or other transportation mechanism to obtain and transport the exhaust. The systems and methods may involve one or more exhaust pumps, each with an exhaust nozzle corresponding to a vehicle exhaust port. Upon engagement with the vehicle exhaust port, the exhaust nozzle may create an air-tight seal between the exhaust nozzle and the vehicle exhaust port. A first pipe may be configured to transport captured exhaust therethrough from the exhaust nozzle to. The captured exhaust may be at least temporarily stored in an exhaust holding tank connected to and in fluid communication with the first pipe

The present invention is embodied in a carbon dioxide compression and delivery device that uses a plurality of reversible thermoelectric devices and to a method to operate such carbon dioxide compression and delivery device.

A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

The present invention relates to a valve assembly configured to be arranged in a cylinder opening of a gas cylinder, comprising a valve housing having a first housing end and a second housing end, a first housing opening arranged at the first housing end and a second housing opening arranged at the second housing end, the first housing opening having an inner diameter, and a bore extending between the first housing opening and the second housing opening, the bore having an inner face, and an inner valve unit arranged in the bore, said inner valve unit having an inner valve housing, and a first end and a second end, the first end having an outer diameter, the outer diameter being larger than the inner diameter of the first housing opening, the first end being configured to abut the inner face at the first opening, whereby a filling valve is provided, the inner face of the first opening being a filling valve seat, the second end comprising an inlet to the inner valve unit, the inner valve unit further comprising a consumption valve arranged at the first end, and a first pressure reduction valve configured to reduce a pressure in the gas cylinder from a first gas pressure to a second gas pressure, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a protection device arranged in connection with and configured to interact with the inner valve unit to hinder unintended gas flow into the gas cylinder. The present invention also relates to a gas cylinder having a gas with a pressure and an opening, to a gas delivering system, to a gas consuming system and to a beverage dispensing system.

An anaerobic digester is provided. The anaerobic digester includes a biogas storage container comprising a semi-permeable membrane separating the biogas storage container into a first space and a second space, such that the first space is configured to be methane enriched and the second space is configured to be CO.sub.2 enriched. The anaerobic digester further includes a cover positioned over the biogas storage container for protecting the biogas storage container against the elements.

A method, and a system, are for filling a container with an amount of liquid carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) which is partially converted into an amount of solid CO.sub.2 into the container, for maintaining one or more products, loaded into the container, at a defined temperature, below a defined temperature, or within a defined temperature range, the defined temperature or the defined temperature range being below environmental temperature. A method and a system are for providing identification and traceability data determining the container and the one or more products, and for enabling identification of the container during transport to a destination.

Gas pressure actuated fill termination valves for cryogenic liquid storage tanks and storage tanks containing the same.

A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head.

Systems and apparatus for providing long-term cold storage of solid materials such as dry ice are disclosed. The solid materials are stored in a tank configured to maintain the materials in their solid state. The tank is designed with a port sufficiently large to facilitate ingress and egress of the solid materials. A cryogenic liquid is used within the tank to substantially prevent the solid materials from sticking to each other, and to maintain the solid materials at a low temperature.