Patent ID: 8053119

Claim:
A reformer for producing hydrogen from a hydrogen-containing fuel for a fuel cell system comprising: a tubular reactor body defining an inner space; a heat source section located in a first portion of the inner space of the tubular reactor body containing an oxidation catalyst adapted to generate thermal energy by the oxidation of a first portion of the hydrogen-containing fuel; a reforming reaction section located successive to the heat source section in a second portion of the inner space of the tubular reactor body, the reforming reaction section containing a reforming catalyst adapted to generate hydrogen from a second portion of the hydrogen-containing fuel; and a heat delivery unit comprising a tubular pass member coiled around and in physical contact with an exterior surface of the heat source section and an exterior surface of the reforming reaction section of the tubular reactor body and adapted to transfer a portion of the thermal energy from the heat source section through the exterior surface of the heat source section to at least some of the second portion of the hydrogen-containing fuel, wherein the pass member is coiled such that a density of windings around the portion of the tubular reactor body corresponding to the heat source section is greater than a density of windings around the portion of the tubular reactor body corresponding to the reforming reaction section.