Patent ID: 7201783

Claim:
A fuel processing system, comprising: a feedstock supply containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock, water and an odorant, wherein the odorant has a different composition than the carbon-containing feedstock, imparts to the carbon-containing feedstock an odor distinct from the carbon-containing feedstock, and is at least substantially free from sulfur compounds; a fuel processor adapted to produce a product hydrogen stream containing hydrogen gas from a feed stream from the feedstock supply; at least one reforming catalyst bed within the fuel processor and adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases from the feed stream; and a separation region within the fuel processor and adapted to receive the mixed gas stream and to separate the mixed gas stream into a hydrogen-rich stream containing at least substantially hydrogen gas and a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases, and further wherein the product hydrogen stream is formed from the hydrogen-rich stream.