Patent ID: 7393382

Claim:
A hydrogen-generation assembly, comprising: a hydrogen-producing fuel processing system adapted to produce a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and other gases from at least one feedstock; and a pressure swing adsorption assembly adapted to receive at least a portion of the mixed gas stream and to remove impurities therefrom to produce a product hydrogen stream having greater hydrogen purity than the mixed gas stream, the pressure swing adsorption assembly comprising: a plurality of adsorbent beds, each bed including an adsorbent region containing adsorbent adapted to adsorb at least one of the other gases; and a temperature-based detection system, comprising: at least one temperature sensor adapted to measure a temperature associated with a portion of the adsorbent region; and a controller adapted to compare the temperature associated with a portion of the adsorbent region with at least one reference temperature that includes a temperature associated with a second portion of the adsorbent region and to selectively control the operation of at least the pressure swing adsorption assembly responsive at least in part thereto.