Patent ID: 8608814

Claim:
A method for delivering feedstock within a hydrogen-producing pressure range to a hydrogen-producing region of a hydrogen-producing fuel processing assembly that is adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom, the method comprising: drawing a liquid stream from a liquid supply containing at least one carbon-containing feedstock; pumping the liquid stream at least intermittently within or above the hydrogen-producing pressure range into an outlet conduit; delivering a delivery stream comprising at least a portion of the liquid stream from the outlet conduit to the hydrogen-producing region; isolating pressure in the outlet conduit from pressure in the hydrogen-producing region during periods in which the liquid stream is not being pumped within or above the hydrogen-producing pressure range; reducing pressure in the outlet conduit during periods in which the liquid stream is not being pumped within or above the hydrogen-producing pressure range; and wherein the reducing pressure in the outlet conduit includes diverting a bleed stream comprising at least a portion of the liquid stream from the outlet conduit through a bleed conduit during periods in which the liquid stream is not being pumped within or above the hydrogen-producing pressure range.