Patent ID: 8425804

Claim:
Method for evaporating a liquid fuel comprising the steps of: in a first stage, partially evaporating between 70 and 90 percent of the entire amount of the fuel in a primary evaporation zone using heat contact with a heated primary medium comprising, superheated steam, whereby an evaporated fuel fraction and an unevaporated fuel fraction are provided; in a second stage, supplying an oxidizing secondary medium to the fuel in a secondary evaporation zone that is spatially separated from the primary evaporation zone, the secondary medium being at a temperature sufficient to generate an exothermic, oxidation reaction in which the evaporated fuel fraction is oxidized, and employing the heat generated in the exothermic oxidation reaction to evaporate the unevaporated fuel fraction, the unevaporated fuel fraction not undergoing oxidation in the secondary evaporation zone; and interrupting the exothermic oxidation reaction to effect only a partial oxidation of the evaporated fuel fraction.