Patent ID: 8577503

Claim:
A fuel processing apparatus comprising: a reformer having a reforming catalyst for causing a reforming reaction between a raw material and moisture to generate a hydrogen-containing gas; a raw material supply section for supplying the raw material to the reformer; a moisture supply section for supplying the moisture to the reformer; a heating section for supplying a heat which is necessary for the reforming reaction to at least the reforming catalyst; a reforming temperature detection section provided for the reformer to detect a temperature of the reforming catalyst; a shift converter being connected to the reformer and having a shift catalyst for causing a shift reaction between moisture and CO in the hydrogen-containing gas; a shift temperature detection section provided for the shift converter to detect a temperature of the shift catalyst; and a control section, wherein, when the apparatus is booted, the control section activates the raw material supply section to begin supplying the raw material to the reformer, and activates the heating section to begin supplying the heat to the reforming catalyst, and thereafter, when the reforming temperature detection section detects a temperature equal to or greater than a reforming water supply reference temperature, operates the moisture supply section to supply the moisture to the reformer, and while the reforming temperature detection section detects a temperature equal to or greater than the reforming water supply reference temperature, detects an amount of the moisture to be supplied to the reformer and controls the moisture supply section, based on the temperature detected by the shift temperature detection section.