Patent ID: 8147571

Claim:
A fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement comprising: means to supply a safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation, means to supply a synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation, and means to supply a processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation, wherein: the fuel processor comprises a desulphurisation reactor, and the means to supply the synthesis gas comprises a catalytic partial oxidation reactor, the fuel processor further comprises a combustor and a pre-reformer, means to supply a hydrocarbon fuel to the desulphurisation reactor, means to supply air to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor, and means to supply air to the combustor, the desulphurisation reactor is connected to a first duct arranged to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor, a second duct arranged to supply the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the combustor and a third duct arranged to supply the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the pre-reformer, the combustor is connected to a duct arranged to supply oxygen depleted air and steam to the pre-reformer, the catalytic partial oxidation reactor is connected to a duct arranged to supply hydrogen as the synthesis gas to the desulphurisation reactor, the catalytic partial oxidation reactor is connected to a duct arranged to supply hydrogen as the synthesis gas to the pre-reformer, and wherein the pre-reformer is connected to a duct arranged to supply product gases to the fuel cell arrangement.