Patent ID: 7192458

Claim:
A fuel processor control apparatus for a hydrogen production apparatus, said hydrogen production apparatus comprising a partial oxidation reactor; a preferential oxidation reactor; and a process air conduit for supplying a process air flow to the partial oxidation reactor and the preferential oxidation reactor; the control apparatus comprising: (a) multi-capacity blower having a feed inlet for receiving a process air stream and a feed outlet for producing the process air flow at a plurality of fixed air flow rates, the process air flow being incrementally fixed in response to a demand for hydrogen; (b) a first conduit for connecting the feed outlet of the multi-capacity blower to the partial oxidation reactor; (c) a second conduit for connecting the second conduit to the preferential oxidation reactor; and (d) a reactor air control valve in at least one of the first conduit and second conduit which has a valve inlet for receiving a portion of the process air flow, a valve outlet, and a control body for adjusting the portion of the process air flow in response to the hydrogen demand.