Patent ID: 7086853
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: F23N,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A startup combustor that is used at startup to warm a fuel reformer characterized by: a chamber for combusting fuel; a fuel port connected to the chamber for introducing fuel; an air port connected to the chamber for introducing air; an ignition source connected to the chamber for igniting fuel and air introduced thereto; a filter within the chamber, which is capable of preventing a substantial portion of any soot contained in the air or fuel or which can develop from combusting the fuel with the ignition source from passing through the filter; a controller for regulating the introduction of air and fuel to the chamber and capable of maintaining an excess air ratio to regenerate the filter; and a means for detecting soot accumulation onto the filter, wherein the means for detecting the soot accumulation onto the filter comprises a differential pressure gauge.