Abstract: A method of generating steam by heating water in a steam generator comprising a plurality of steam generating channels, wherein water is supplied at a constant rate to each steam generating channel through respective water supply lines, and wherein a sufficient pressure drop is provided across each water supply line in order to prevent flow reversal in the plurality of steam generating channels.

Abstract: A method for the thermal management of a fuel cell, which method comprises: processing a fuel supply stream comprising hydrogen, steam, at least one carbon oxide and optionally methane using a methanator to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a controlled concentration of methane; and reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein the way in which the methanator is operated is adjusted in response to fluctuations in the temperature of the fuel cell such that the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of generating steam by heating water in a steam generator comprising a plurality of steam generating channels, wherein water is supplied at a constant rate to each steam generating channel through respective water supply lines, and wherein a sufficient pressure drop is provided across each water supply line in order to prevent flow reversal in the plurality of steam generating channels.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte layer, a cathode layer on a cathode side of the electrolyte layer and an anode layer on an anode side of the electrolyte layer, and wherein a hydrocarbon reforming layer is also disposed on the anode side of the electrolyte layer, said hydrocarbon reforming layer having a composition different from that of the anode layer and comprising a catalyst for promoting a hydrocarbon steam reforming reaction and a component, or a precursor of such a component for alleviating carbon deposition on the hydrocarbon reforming layer.

Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen for use in a fuel cell system, which comprises processing a fuel which is essentially free of organic sulfur-containing compounds to produce a hydrogen-containing stream.

Abstract: A process for producing electricity in a fuel cell which comprises: a) pre-reforming a higher carbon (C2+) hydro-carbon fuel in a pre-reformer under conditions effective to achieve substantially complete conversion of higher carbon (C2+) hydro-carbons to produce a pre-reformed fuel stream; b) subjecting the pre-reformed fuel stream to methanation under conditions effective to produce a fuel stream having an increased concentration of methane relative to the pre-reformed fuel stream; and c) supplying the fuel stream and an oxidant to a high temperature fuel cell in which methane is reformed and electricity is produced by reacting the fuel stream at an anode of the fuel cell and reacting the oxidant at a cathode of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for the thermal management of a fuel cell, which method comprises: processing a fuel supply stream comprising hydrogen, steam, at least one carbon oxide and optionally methane using a methanator to produce a fuel cell supply stream comprising a controlled concentration of methane; and reforming within the fuel cell methane present in the fuel cell supply stream, wherein the way in which the methanator is operated is adjusted in response to fluctuations in the temperature of the fuel cell such that the concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled in order to achieve a desired level of reforming of methane within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen for use in a fuel cell system, which comprises processing a fuel which is essentially free of organic sulfur-containing compounds to produce a hydrogen-containing stream.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a solid oxide electrolyte layer, a cathode layer on a cathode side of the electrolyte layer and an anode layer on an anode side of the electrolyte layer, and wherein a hydrocarbon reforming layer is also disposed on the anode side of the electrolyte layer, said hydrocarbon reforming layer having a composition different from that of the anode layer and comprising a catalyst for promoting a hydrocarbon steam reforming reaction and a component, or a precursor of such a component for alleviating carbon deposition on the hydrocarbon reforming layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell produces electricity by reacting a higher carbon hydrocarbon fuel with steam in a steam pre-reformer, whose temperature does not exceed 500° C. A fuel stream is produced that includes hydrogen and not less than about 20% by volume methane, measured on a wet basis. The fuel stream and an oxidant are supplied to a high temperature fuel cell in which the methane is reformed. The fuel cell produces electricity by reacting the fuel stream at a fuel cell anode, and by reacting the oxidant at a fuel cell cathode.