Patent ID: 8568494

Claim:
A fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement comprising: means to supply a safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation, means to supply a synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation, means to supply a processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation, wherein: the fuel processor comprises a desulphurisation reactor, and the means to supply the synthesis gas comprises a catalytic partial oxidation reactor, the fuel processor further comprises a combustor and a pre-reformer, means to supply a hydrocarbon fuel to the desulphurisation reactor, means to supply the hydrocarbon fuel to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor, means to supply air to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor, and means to supply air to the combustor, the desulphurisation reactor is connected to a first duct arranged to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel directly to the combustor and a second duct arranged to supply the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel directly to the pre-reformer, the combustor is connected to a third duct arranged to supply oxygen depleted air and steam to the pre-reformer, the catalytic partial oxidation reactor is connected to a fourth duct arranged to supply hydrogen to the desulphurisation reactor, and the pre-reformer is connected to a duct arranged to supply product gases to the fuel cell arrangement.