Patent ID: 6979505

Claim:
A contaminant removal system for a fuel processing system ( 14 ) having a hydrogen generator ( 34 ) for converting a fuel stream ( 33 ) to a hydrogen-containing stream ( 28 ), a supply of oxidant ( 38 ) for connection to the hydrogen generator to assist in converting the fuel stream to the hydrogen-containing stream, the supply of oxidant potentially containing at least one water-soluble contaminant that is deleterious in one or more of the hydrogen generator and the hydrogen-containing stream, the contaminant removal system comprising: a cleansing arrangement ( 116 , 142 , 46 , 118 ) connected intermediate the supply of oxidant ( 38 ) and the hydrogen generator ( 34 ) for reducing the level of the at least one water-soluble contaminant in the supply of oxidant prior to admission of the oxidant to the hydrogen generator, the cleansing arrangement comprising a scrubbing apparatus ( 142 , 46 ) having a water supply flowing therethrough, said supply of oxidant is inlet air, and said inlet air is operatively connected ( 138 ) to said scrubbing apparatus for intimate contact with the water flowing therethrough, thereby to dissolve and remove the at least one water-soluble contaminant from said inlet air for said hydrogen generator.