Patent ID: 7632322

Claim:
A fuel processing assembly, comprising: a reforming region adapted to receive at least one feed stream comprising a carbon-containing feedstock and to produce therefrom a mixed gas stream comprising hydrogen gas as a majority component; and a heating assembly in thermal communication with the reforming region, wherein the heating assembly comprises: at least one fuel chamber that includes an at least substantially open top and is adapted to receive at least one liquid fuel stream at a first temperature, the at least one liquid fuel stream comprising a liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel having an ignition temperature greater than said first temperature, wherein the at least one fuel chamber is further adapted to retain the liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel therein during combustion thereof; and at least one heating and ignition source positioned to ignite fuel vapor formed from and above the liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel that is retained in the at least one fuel chamber; wherein the at least one heating and ignition source is adapted to heat at least a portion of the fuel chamber to raise the temperature of at least a portion of the fuel vapor formed from and above the liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel that is retained in the at least one fuel chamber to a second temperature at least as great as the ignition temperature and to ignite the fuel vapor formed from and above the liquid, combustible, carbon-containing fuel that is retained in the at least one fuel chamber.