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A CO2-based beverage dispensing system includes a CO2 monitoring unit operative to emit a warning upon detecting excessive consumption of CO2 gas. The CO2 monitoring unit includes a gas input port, a gas output port, a CO2 monitor, an alarm, and in one embodiment a shut-off valve. The CO2 monitor ma

A CO2-based beverage dispensing system includes a CO2 monitoring unit operative to emit a warning upon detecting excessive consumption of CO2 gas. The CO2 monitoring unit includes a gas input port, a gas output port, a CO2 monitor, an alarm, and in one embodiment a shut-off valve. The CO2 monitor may measure CO2 gas flow rate or pressure, and indicate excessive CO2 gas consumption if the measured CO2 gas flow rate is above a predetermined flow rate or the measured CO2 gas pressure is below a predetermined pressure level. The CO2 monitor may include chronological functionality, and only indicate excessive CO2 gas consumption if the measured quantity trips a threshold for a predetermined duration.

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What is claimed is: 1. A beverage dispensing system, comprising: a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas source; a beverage dispenser connected in gas flow relationship to the CO2 gas source, the beverage dispenser using CO2 gas to dispense one or more beverages; a CO2 monitoring unit interposed between the CO2

What is claimed is: 1. A beverage dispensing system, comprising: a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas source; a beverage dispenser connected in gas flow relationship to the CO2 gas source, the beverage dispenser using CO2 gas to dispense one or more beverages; a CO2 monitoring unit interposed between the CO2 gas source and the beverage dispenser, the CO2 monitoring unit including a CO2 monitor operative to continuously monitor the rate of consumption of CO2 gas; and an alarm operatively connected to the CO2 monitor and operative to emit a warning if the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the CO2 monitor is a gas flow rate meter operative to measure the CO2 gas flow rate from the CO2 gas source, the CO2 monitor indicating an excessive rate of CO2 consumption when the CO2 gas flow rate exceeds a predetermined flow rate. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the CO2 monitor further includes chronological functionality, and wherein the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption upon measuring a sustained CO2 gas flow rate in excess of a predetermined flow rate for a predetermined duration. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the CO2 monitor is a gas flow detector operative to distinguish between any CO2 gas flow from the CO2 gas source and no CO2 gas flow from the CO2 gas source, and further including chronological functionality, wherein the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption upon detecting sustained CO2 gas flow from the CO2 gas source for a predetermined duration. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the CO2 monitor is a pressure monitor operative to detect CO2 gas pressure and having a chronological functionality, the CO2 monitor indicating an excessive rate of CO2 consumption when the detected CO2 gas pressure remains below a predetermined level for a predetermined duration. 6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a shut-off valve operatively connected to the CO2 monitor and operative to halt the flow of CO2 gas in the system if the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm warning is audible. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm warning is visible. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the alarm warning is an electronic signal communicated to a data processing system. 10. The system of claim 1 where the alarm warning activates a wireless communication to a service facility. 11. A CO2 monitoring unit for a beverage dispensing system, comprising: a gas input port operative to be connected to a CO2 gas source; a gas output port operative to be connected to a beverage dispenser using CO2 gas to dispense one or more beverages; a CO2 monitor interposed between the gas input port and the gas output port, the CO2 monitor operative to continuously monitor the rate of consumption of CO2 gas; and an alarm operatively connected to the CO2 monitor and operative to emit a warning if the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption. 12. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 wherein the CO2 monitor is a gas flow rate meter operative to measure the CO2 gas flow rate from the gas input port to the gas output port, the CO2 monitor indicating an excessive rate of CO2 consumption when the CO2 gas flow rate exceeds a predetermined flow rate. 13. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 12 wherein the CO2 monitor further includes chronological functionality, and wherein the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption upon measuring a sustained CO2 gas flow rate in excess of a predetermined flow rate for a predetermined duration. 14. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 wherein the CO2 monitor is a gas flow detector operative to distinguish between any CO2 gas flow from the gas input port to the gas output port and no CO2 gas flow from the gas input port to the gas output port, and further including chronological functionality, wherein the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption upon detecting sustained CO2 gas flow from the gas input port to the gas output port for a predetermined duration. 15. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 14 wherein the alarm comprises first and second output lights, the first light illuminated in response to the CO2 monitor detecting gas flow from the gas input port to the gas output port, and the second light illuminated in response to the CO2 monitor detecting no gas flow from the gas input port to the gas output port. 16. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 15 wherein the alarm warning comprises flashing the second output light in response to detecting no gas flow from the gas input port to the gas output port for a predetermined duration. 17. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 wherein the CO2 monitor is a pressure monitor operative to detect CO2 gas pressure and having chronological functionality, the CO2 monitor indicating an excessive rate of CO2 consumption when the detected CO2 gas pressure falls below a predetermined level for a predetermined duration. 18. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 further comprising a shut-off valve operatively connected to the CO2 monitor and operative to halt the flow of CO2 gas through the monitoring unit if the CO2 monitor indicates an excessive rate of CO2 consumption. 19. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 wherein the alarm warning is audible. 20. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 wherein the alarm warning is an electronic signal communicated to a data processing system. 21. The CO2 monitoring unit of claim 11 where the alarm warning activates a wireless communication to a service facility.