Patent ID: 7399326

Claim:
A system comprising: a first reactor that produces a first hydrogen-rich gas stream containing carbon monoxide; an adsorbent apparatus comprising multiple staged fixed beds where the adsorbent apparatus is located downstream from the first reactor comprising a vessel housing an adsorbent adapted to adsorb carbon monoxide and further wherein the adsorbent apparatus comprises rotating valves to direct the flow of gases into and out of the multiple staged fixed beds, wherein the apparatus reduces the amount of carbon monoxide in the first gas stream to produce a second hydrogen-rich gas stream containing carbon monoxide; a methanation reactor downstream from the adsorbent apparatus; and a heat exchanger disposed between the adsorbent apparatus and the methanation reactor that raises the temperature of the second hydrogen rich stream before entry into the methanation reactor, wherein the downstream components are sized to reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide to a level suitable for use in a PEM fuel cell stack.