Patent ID: 6805553
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: B01J,C01B,F23C,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A fuel processor comprising: (A) a reformation zone in which hydrogen/carbon-containing fuels are endothermically reformed into hydrogen; and (B) an integral burner adjacent said reformation zone providing radiant heat to said reformation zone, said burner comprising (i) an oxygen-catalyst-coated body permeable to a fuel-gas/oxygen mixture, and having a first face for admitting said fuel-gas/oxygen mixture into said body for catalytic burning therein, and a second heat-radiating face confronting and radiantly heating said reformation zone, (ii) a supply space confronting said first face and adapted to distribute said mixture substantially uniformly across said first face, (iii) an inlet to said supply space for supplying fuel gas and oxygen to said supply space, (iv) a combustion chamber interjacent said reformation zone and said second face for receiving exhaust gases exiting from said second face and flame-burning therein any unburned said mixture contained in said exhaust gases to supplement said radiant heat when an increasing demand for hydrogen exceeds the capability of said second face to radiantly heat said reformation zone quickly enough to satisfy said demand, (v) an outlet from said combustion chamber for discharging said exhaust gases from said combustion chamber, and (vi) an igniter in said combustion chamber to set said unburned mixture aflame therein when said demand exceeds said capability.