Graduated lean combustion for a quick start of a fuel processing system

摘要

Fuel processing system for quickly reaching an operating temperature during a starting phase. The fuel processing system includes a reformer, a shift reactor, and a selective oxidation reactor to derive hydrogen for use in generating electricity in a variety of fuel cells. A first combustion heater system is coupled to at least one of the reformer, shift reactor, and selective oxidation reactor to preheat the component during a quick start sequence. This means that the first combustion heater system serves to generate thermal energy as a product of the combustion of air and fuel in the form of a first heated discharge stream. This first heated discharge stream is then used to heat the component directly or by using a heat exchanger system. The first heated discharge stream is also used by a second combustion device as a source of oxygen or diluent.