Patent ID: 7036314

Claim:
An apparatus for processing and distributing water in a self-contained unit, said apparatus comprising: at least one high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ), a turbine ( 6 ) connected to said at least one high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ) for receiving exhaust gas from said at least one high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ), a reformer ( 2 ) integrated in said at least one high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ), wherein said reformer is operable by process heat of said at least one high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ), said reformer ( 2 ) having an inlet for at least one hydrocarbon fuel and an inlet for admixing at least one of contaminated water and fresh water to said hydrocarbon fuel, said apparatus further comprising a cooler ( 11 ) positioned for preheating at least one of two fuel components including said hydrocarbon fuel by process heat of said at least one high temperature fuel cell, said apparatus further comprising a water purifying station ( 14 , 15 ) connected to said at least one high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ) for operating a water purification with process heat from said high temperature fuel cell ( 1 ), and a water distribution system connected to said water purifying station.