Abstract: A gas generation system comprises a reformer (1) to generate a hydrogen-containing reformate stream (4), a reformate stream cooler (2), and a shift stage (3) down-stream of the reformate stream cooler to purify the reformate stream. The surfaces of the cooler that come into contact with the reformate stream are coated with a material that contains at least one catalytically active constituent. The coating is selected such that it also protects against corrosion and sooting in the presence of oxidizing, reducing, and carbon-containing gases. By directly utilizing the coated reformate stream cooler as a catalytically active reactor unit, a water-gas shift reaction to reduce the carbon monoxide concentration takes place to some extent in the cooler prior to the reformate stream entering the actual shift stage. This enables the size of subsequent shift stage(s) to be reduced.

Abstract: A multifuel fuel cell system includes a hydrogen production unit; at least one fuel cell; means for heating a first catalytic converter element in the hydrogen production unit to an operating temperature which can be preset; means for metering liquid fuel, air, and optionally water to the catalytic converter element to produce a synthetic gas mixture containing hydrogen or a reformate; and means for passing the synthetic gas or reformate to further components of the hydrogen production unit which are connected between the catalytic converter element and the at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains means for switching the fuel cell system between a first and a second operating mode.

Abstract: A combined component consists of a heat exchanger and a reactor. The heat exchanger is designed in a plate form, and flow spaces for a first medium and a second medium are alternately defined between successive plates. The plates of the heat exchanger are configured as essentially annular. The heat exchanger has, substantially perpendicularly to the plates, a tubular outer wall and a tubular inner wall. The reactor is surrounded by the inner wall of the heat exchanger. The product of the reactor is conducted through supply orifices on the inner wall of the heat exchanger into the flow spaces for one of the two fluids in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A combined component consists of a heat exchanger and of a reactor. The heat exchanger is designed in a plate form, and flow spaces for a first medium and a second medium are alternately between successive plates. The plates of the heat exchanger are configured as essentially annularly. The heat exchanger has, substantially perpendicularly to the plates, a tubular outer wall and a tubular inner wall. The reactor is surrounded by the inner wall of the heat exchanger. The product of the reactor is conducted through supply orifices on the inner wall of the heat exchanger into the flow spaces for one of the two fluids in the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A multifuel fuel cell system includes a hydrogen production unit; at least one fuel cell; means for heating a first catalytic converter element in the hydrogen production unit to an operating temperature which can be preset; means for metering liquid fuel, air, and optionally water to the catalytic converter element to produce a synthetic gas mixture containing hydrogen or a reformate; and means for passing the synthetic gas or reformate to further components of the hydrogen production unit which are connected between the catalytic converter element and the at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains means for switching the fuel cell system between a first and a second operating mode.