Patent ID: 7270688

Claim:
An apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon fuel into a hydrogen rich gas, comprising: a plurality of modules stacked end-to-end along a common axis; wherein each module comprises: a shell comprising a cylindrical shaped tubular member having an axial bore providing a passageway for the flow of a gas stream from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell opposite the first end, and a processing core contained within the axial bore for effecting a chemical, thermal, or physical change to the gas stream passing axially therethrough; and wherein the plurality of modules comprises: a first module comprising an autothermal reforming catalyst bed, a second module comprising a first heat exchanger, a third module comprising a desulfurization catalyst bed, a fourth module comprising a water gas shift catalyst bed, a fifth module comprising a second heat exchanger, and a sixth module comprising a preferential oxidation catalyst bed; and a manifold, wherein the manifold is positioned adjacent to the sixth module, and distributes coolant to and collects coolant from the second, fourth, and fifth modules.