Patent ID: 6869707

Claim:
A processing system, comprising: a fuel processor adapted to receive a feed stream containing a carbon-containing feedstock and water and to produce a product hydrogen stream therefrom, wherein the fuel processor includes a hydrogen-production region, in which the feed stream is reacted at an elevated temperature in the presence of a steam reforming catalyst to form a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases, and further wherein the fuel processor includes a separation region adapted to separate the mixed gas stream into a stream containing at least substantially pure hydrogen gas from which the product hydrogen stream is formed and a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases; a feedstock reservoir containing a liquid carbon-containing feedstock; a water reservoir containing water; and a pump assembly adapted to draw a liquid feedstock stream containing feedstock from the feedstock reservoir and a liquid water stream containing water from the water reservoir and to deliver the feedstock stream and the water stream to the fuel processor, wherein the pump assembly includes a plurality of synchronized pump heads adapted to pump fluid from a corresponding plurality of pump cavities, wherein one of the pump cavities is adapted receive feedstock from the feedstock reservoir and one of the pump cavities is adapted to receive water from the water reservoir.