Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrocarbon fuel reformer systems that improve the recovery and utilization of the water vapor and/or the heat energy within the reformer system. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a desiccant matrix maintained in a water transfer assembly to collect, in a continuous manner, water from a process stream and transfer the water to a reactivation stream to return the water vapor to the reformer, with or without the use of a heat exchanger, and without requiring the collection and evaporation of liquid water.

Abstract: A fuel cell system extracts water from the effluent of a fuel cell for supply to other components of the fuel cell system that require water. A preferred embodiment is a fuel cell system, for the production of electricity from hydrogen gas and an oxidant, comprising: (a) a fuel cell comprising an anode input for a hydrogen-containing anode supply stream, a cathode input for an oxidant-containing cathode supply stream, and a cathode output for cathode effluent comprising water produced by said fuel cell; and (b) a water transfer device, connected to said fuel cell, that transfers water from said cathode effluent to said anode supply stream.