Patent ID: 7972394

Claim:
A method of delivering fuel to a fuel cell system, said method comprising: providing a fuel processing system comprising: a reformer to evaporate a mixture of fuel and oxygen coming from said fuel delivery system; and a single stage methanation reactor for removal of carbon monoxide from a reformate stream produced by said reformer, said reactor comprising: a porous ceramic support comprising alumina having silica dispersed on a surface of the alumina, said porous ceramic support having a surface acidity greater than that of alumina alone; and a noble metal catalyst coupled to said support, said noble metal selected from rhodium and ruthenium; introducing fuel and oxygen to said fuel processing system to create a fuel-oxygen mixture; heating said fuel-oxygen mixture in said reformer to produce said reformate stream containing CO, CO 2 , H 2 O, and H 2 ; introducing said reformate stream into said reactor; methanating said CO in said reactor at a temperature in a range of about 280° C. to about 340° C., said methanation having a selectivity of over 50% at a temperature of up to 340° C., and a CO conversion rate of about 30% at a temperature in a range of about 275° C. to about 300° C. to form a stream having a reduced CO level; and transporting said stream having said reduced CO level to said fuel cell.