Importance

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Abstract

A linear reformer for liberating hydrogen from a hydrogen containing feedstock, operable on both gaseous and liquid fuels, has a linear burner distributor with at least two fuel distribution apertures for distribution of fuel, a supply of air, where the fuel and air mix in a linear mixing cavity to form a catalytically combustible mixture, a catalytic burner element, an electric heater in heat transferring relation to at least one of the burner distributor and the catalytic burner element, a catalyst bed, a boiler for boiling and heating the feedstock, and an exhaust heat exchanger effective for pre-heating the supply of air to the burner. The burner distributor, catalyst bed, feedstock boiler, and exhaust heat exchanger are all linear elements with a common parallel axis, such that heat exchange gases from the burner travel transversely to the common parallel axis, and where the burner distributor receives heat from the electric heater such that incoming fuel may be at least partially vaporized, and the electric heater heats the catalytic burner element to sufficient temperature such that the vaporized fuel and air mixture initiates catalytic combustion.

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First Claim