Patent ID: 8318363

Claim:
A reformer for a fuel cell adapted to generate a hydrogen-rich reformed gas from a mixed fuel comprising water and a fuel including hydrogen, the reformer comprising: a heat source adapted to evaporate the mixed fuel, the heat source having a heat source flow path through which the mixed fuel passes, the heat source flow path having a predetermined length and a first catalyst layer lining an internal surface of the heat source flow path; a reforming reactor adapted to generate the hydrogen-rich reformed gas from the mixed fuel, the reforming reactor having a reforming reactor flow path through which the mixed fuel passes, the reforming reactor flow path having a predetermined length and a reforming catalyst layer lining an internal surface of the reforming reactor flow path; and a carbon monoxide remover coupled with the reforming reactor flow path and adapted to remove carbon monoxide from the reformed gas, wherein the heat source, the reforming reactor, and the carbon monoxide remover are welded together to form an integrated structure, the carbon monoxide remover comprising two plates with the heat source and the reforming reactor located therebetween, wherein at least one of the heat source or the reforming reactor consists essentially of an alloy of a barrier layer forming metal and a mechanical strength enhancing metal, and each of the heat source and the reforming reactor has a serpentine path comprising a plurality of parallel channels in a same plane to form the heat source flow path or the reforming reactor flow path, such that the heat source flow path and the reforming reactor flow path are respectively formed in different planes that are parallel to each other, and wherein the barrier layer forming metal consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Zn, Zr, and combinations thereof and the mechanical strength enhancing metal consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Mn, Mg, and combinations thereof.