Abstract: A method for disposing of carbon dioxide is provided. According to the invention, CO2 is dissolved in seawater and the salinity of the seawater is increased to produce CO2-containing brine. The CO2-containing brine is denser than the seawater from which it is made. Therefore, when it is released into the ocean, the CO2-containing brine sinks to depth and sequesters the carbon dioxide. The brine may be produced by forming CO2 hydrate, which extracts fresh water from the seawater. Alternatively, the brine may be produced by forming water ice from the seawater and injecting CO2 into the seawater either before or, more preferably, after the water ice has been formed.

Abstract: A gasification system for biomass fuel. The system includes a bulk biomass feeder in which biomass fuel is stored and from which biomass fuel is supplied to the system. A pneumatic conveyor system is employed that transports the biomass fuel from the feeder to a high pressure feed tank. Once deposited in the feeder, the pressure on the fuel is raised and maintained throughout the balance of the gasification process. From the feeder, the fuel travels on a variable speed pressurized conveyance and is dispensed in a controlled and regulated manner to the reactor vessel that takes the form of a fluidized bed reactor. The fuel is gasified in the reactor and the resulting gas and ash mixture is separated. At a cyclone, most of the suspended ash is removed from the mixture. After the cyclone, the gas may be is further filtered before transmission to an end use. The system may optionally be automated by computer control.

Abstract: A stanchion comprising a frame having a substantially horizontal extending frame member and having first and second substantially vertical extending side frame members couples to the substantially horizontal extending frame member. The second substantially vertical extending side frame member is displaced generally longitudinally from the first substantially vertical extending side frame member and the frame members define one stanchion opening therebetween. A restraining member is disposed in the stanchion opening, the restraining member being pivotally mounted to the frame for movement between a first position with the restraining member extending diagonally across the stanchion opening and a second position with the restraining member having a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is adapted to be mounted on the rear of a vehicle. The carrier comprises first and second mounting members and a pair of horizontally spaced bicycle supporting arms connected to the mounting members. The mounting members are pivotably connected for relative rotation about a horizontal pivot axis between a plurality of adjusted positions. The carrier includes indicia corresponding to each of the adjusted positions of the mounting members, so that a user can quickly return the carrier to the same adjusted position. The supporting arms carry cradles formed of an elastic material for receiving a bicycle. Each cradle includes a curved supporting surface for receiving a bar of the bicycle frame, and an integral strap which can be extended over the bar to retain the bar within the cradle. An anti-sway bar hangs downwardly from at least one of the supporting arms for resisting swinging movement of a bicycle.