There is provided a protection structure for a gas cylinder assembly comprising a gas cylinder body and a valve. The gas cylinder body includes a base and a neck to which a proximal end of the valve is connectable in use. The protection structure comprises first and second structural sections, the first section being connectable to the valve such that the second section is spaced from the valve by the first section. Further, in use, the second section is arranged to transfer impact forces to the first section, and the second section is arranged to deform with respect to the second section in response to said impact forces to reduce the peak impact force on the valve.

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

A system and method of operation is described wherein a cryogenic liquid transport fluid is used as in a thermal cascade with at least one volatile gas. The volatile gas in the liquid state enables transport thereof. In operating this system, the liquid volatile gas is maintained at a temperature below its boiling point, below its flash point, but above its freezing point.

An adapter for a canister filling system includes a body having an opening that is shaped to enable insertion of a valve of a gas canister for holding a pressurized or liquefied gas, into an interior space of the body, leaving a sealed gap between at least a portion of a lateral aspect of the valve and an internal surface of the body facing the interior space; and at least one channel that is configured to conduct pressurized or liquified gas from a canister filling system into the sealed gap in the interior space, so as to reach one or more lateral exterior ports of the valve of the gas canister that open laterally to a longitudinal axis of a body of the gas canister, when the valve is inserted in the interior space, to facilitate filling of the gas canister with the pressurized or liquified gas through said one or more lateral exterior ports of the gas canister.

A method for increasing the reliability and availability of a cryogenic fluid reliquefaction system is provided. Wherein the liquid cryogenic fluid is supplied to a cryogenic liquid user in the absence of a pump by elevating the storage height of the main cryogenic storage tank relative to the liquid cryogenic liquid user to a minimum predetermined height. Wherein the temperature of the liquid cryogenic fluid downstream of the sub-cooler is at least 1 degree Celsius above the freezing point of the cryogenic fluid at the internal pressure. The method also includes controlling the internal pressure of the main cryogenic tank by adjusting the recirculation flow to the, and maintaining the cold supply to the liquid cryogenic fluid user when the sub-cooling line is reduced or stopped by venting the vaporized cryogenic fluid.

A method for increasing the reliability and availability of a cryogenic fluid reliquefaction system is provided. It may comprise at least N sub-coolers comprising a motor and a compressor and at least one variable speed. It may comprise N−1 variable speed systems to be shared between the motors and compressors if N equals 2, or N−2 variable speed systems to be shared between the motors and compressors if N is greater than 2. It may comprise two different liquid cryogenic fluid users are provided liquid cryogenic fluid, utilizing two different main cryogenic tanks, with a common sub-cooler and recirculation loop, wherein the pressure in the two different main cryogenic tanks are controlled with pressure controllers acting on two different subcooled liquid cryogenic fluid valves. And or, it may comprise at least one liquid cryogenic fluid user is provided refrigeration from two or more sub-cooling systems in a lead-lag arrangement.

Regulator assemblies can be tested using test fluids selected to have a molecular weight about that of a selected fluid to be dispensed from a fluid storage and delivery vessel including the regulator assembly. The test fluid can be a single gas or a mixture. The test fluid can have a molecular weight of between 80% and 110% of the molecular weight of the selected fluid dispensed from the fluid storage and delivery vessel. Regulator assemblies tested in this manner can pass evaluation when they show fewer than two spikes on the initiation of flow of the test gas. These regulator assemblies can be installed into fluid storage and delivery vessels, particularly for storage and delivery of pressurized fluids.

A method for inhibiting the formation of carbonyl compounds in a gas cylinder containing carbon monoxide wherein the gas cylinder is in fluid communication with a valve assembly wherein the valve assembly connects to a threaded opening in the gas cylinder by a threaded assembly by coating interior and exterior components of the valve assembly selected from the group consisting of an inlet port, an outlet port, a diaphragm and a lower spindle with an amorphous hydrogenated silicon compound. A valve assembly containing the coated interior and exterior components is also disclosed.

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

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