Patent ID: 8021446

Claim:
A hydrogen-producing fuel processing assembly, comprising: a hydrogen-producing region adapted to receive at least a feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock and to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom; and a feedstock delivery system adapted to deliver the feed stream containing at least a carbon-containing feedstock to the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly, wherein the feedstock delivery system is in communication with a liquid supply containing the carbon-containing feedstock, wherein the feedstock delivery system comprises: a pump assembly adapted to draw from the supply a liquid inlet stream containing at least the carbon-containing feedstock and to emit a liquid outlet stream; an outlet conduit in fluid communication with a first delivery conduit, a second delivery conduit, and a recycle conduit, wherein the first delivery conduit and the second delivery conduits are in fluid communication with the hydrogen-producing region of the hydrogen-producing fuel processing assembly, and the recycle conduit is in fluid communication with at least one of the liquid supply and an inlet conduit through which the inlet stream is drawn to the pump assembly; wherein the outlet conduit is adapted to receive the liquid outlet stream and to define a flow path for the liquid outlet stream to the first delivery conduit, the second delivery conduit, and the recycle conduit; a flow restrictor adapted to create backpressure in the recycle conduit; a second flow restrictor adapted to create backpressure in the recycle conduit and to restrict the flow rate of liquid through the second delivery conduit, wherein the first flow restrictor and the second flow restrictor are adapted to create different levels of backpressure in the recycle conduit; and a pressure-actuated valve adapted to selectively permit liquid in the recycle conduit to bypass the flow restrictor.