Patent ID: 7789941

Claim:
A method for starting operation of a hydrogen-producing fuel cell system, the method comprising: electrically heating, during a startup period, a reforming region containing a catalyst to a selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature of at least 200° C.; wherein when heated to the selected hydrogen-producing operating temperature, the catalyst is adapted to catalyze, via an endothermic reaction, the formation of a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component and other gases from a feed stream delivered thereto; ceasing the electrically heating; delivering a feed stream containing at least water and a carbon-containing feedstock to the reforming region; producing the mixed gas stream from the feed stream; separating the mixed gas stream into a product hydrogen stream, which contains hydrogen gas of greater purity than the mixed gas stream, and a byproduct stream, which contains at least a substantial portion of the other gases; combusting at least a portion of the byproduct stream to produce a heated exhaust stream; heating the reforming region with the heated exhaust stream; delivering at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream to a fuel cell stack; and producing an electric current with the fuel cell stack from an oxidant and the portion of the product hydrogen stream.