Abstract: A generator with a reaction chamber containing a catalytic charge for reacting liquid hydrocarbons with an oxygen containing gas to form a fuel gas is ignited by first electrically heating a part of the catalytic charge, preferably a part in front of the exit of the reaction chamber, to above the start up temperature of the catalyst. Then, the heating is terminated and an internal combustion engine which draws a hydrocarbon/air mixture with an air number higher than for normal operation over the hot volume of catalyst is started. The exothermic reaction which sets in there heats up the catalytic charge. Finally, the air number is throttled down and the transition to continuous operation is made.

Abstract: A reactor having a reaction chamber with an inlet and outlet along with a heat exchanger designed as a cooler for the gas product has all of its walls which are swept by the hot starting materials or the product gas on the way from the inlet to the cooler made of an entirely non-metallic, heat resistant material which will not act as a catalyzing agent for the formation of undesired reaction products.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger for a catalytic gas converter, the heat exchanger being of the cross-flow type and comprised of several flow chambers separated from each other by heat exchanger surfaces having small wall thickness in which each flow chamber is sealed at each end with two plane parallel, warp-free sealing surfaces which face each other.

Abstract: A multi-stage reformed-gas generator(fuel converter) of the type having at least two reaction chambers, each of which containing a catalyst, with the two being connected in series in a flow direction, and means for supplying a gas acting as an oxygen carrier to the reaction chambers and means for supplying fuel gas through the chambers in the flow direction. The catalyst is arranged in the reaction chambers between gas permeable surfaces which separate the reaction chambers from each other and by means of which the gas serving as an oxygen carrier can be fed to the reaction chambers, in which the oxygen carrier gas and the fuel gas are contacted with each other substantially in perpendicular direction to their respective flows in the chamber.