Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising multiple arrays of one or more fuel cells, each comprising an electrolyte layer, an anode layer and a cathode layer; gas separator plates between adjacent fuel cells; and oxidant gas distribution passages and fuel gas distribution passages between adjacent fuel cells; and gas separators opening to the cathode layers and the anode layers, respectively, of the fuel cells. The fuel cell arrays comprise at least first stage fuel cell arrays having associated first fuel gas distribution passages to receive fuel gas from one or more fuel gas supply manifolds and second stage fuel cell arrays having associated second fuel gas distribution passages which receive fuel exhaust from the fuel cells of the first stage fuel cell arrays. The second stage fuel cell arrays are interleaved in the stack between first stage fuel cell arrays to improve thermal gradients. Other interleaving arrangements are possible.

Abstract: A liquid phase reactor comprising a screw within a barrel, the screw and barrel being relatively rotatable and defining a mixing zone therebetween, the barrel having at least two inlets for introduction of components for mixing into the barrel and an outlet for discharge of a product of mixing from the barrel, the screw comprising a spiral groove whereby relative rotation of the screw and barrel is adapted to axially transport the components between the screw and barrel while mixing the components and to extrude the product through the outlet, wherein the reactor is adapted to achieve a substantially constant flow ratio of components into the barrel during operation of the reactor.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising multiple arrays of one or more fuel cells, each comprising an electrolyte layer, an anode layer and a cathode layer; gas separator plates between adjacent fuel cells; and oxidant gas distribution passages and fuel gas distribution passages between adjacent fuel cells; and gas separators opening to the cathode layers and the anode layers, respectively, of the fuel cells. The fuel cell arrays comprise at least first stage fuel cell arrays having associated first fuel gas distribution passages to receive fuel gas from one or more fuel gas supply manifolds and second stage fuel cell arrays having associated second fuel gas distribution passages which receive fuel exhaust from the fuel cells of the first stage fuel cell arrays. The second stage fuel cell arrays are interleaved in the stack between first stage fuel cell arrays to improve thermal gradients. Other interleaving arrangements are possible.

Abstract: A liquid phase reactor comprising a screw within a barrel, the screw and barrel being relatively rotatable and defining a mixing zone therebetween, the barrel having at least two inlets for introduction of components for mixing into the barrel and an outlet for discharge of a product of mixing from the barrel, the screw comprising a spiral groove whereby relative rotation of the screw and barrel is adapted to axially transport the components between the screw and barrel while mixing the components and to extrude the product through the outlet, wherein the reactor is adapted to achieve a substantially constant flow ratio of components into the barrel during operation of the reactor.

Abstract: A method of removing sulfur from a fuel supply stream for a fuel cell (1), which method comprises: (a) hydrogenating the fuel supply stream (1) by contacting it with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to convert sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel supply stream (1) into hydrogen sulfide; (b) removing the hydrogen sulfide to produce a desulfurised fuel stream; and (c) pre-reforming the desulfurised fuel stream to produce a fuel cell feed stream, wherein a portion of the fuel cell feed stream is processed to increase its hydrogen content to produce a hydrogen-enriched fuel stream which is used in step (a) as a source of hydrogen to hydrogenate the fuel supply stream (1).

Abstract: A method of removing sulfur from a fuel supply stream for a fuel cell (1), which method comprises: (a) hydrogenating the fuel supply stream (1) by contacting it with a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen to convert sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel supply stream (1) into hydrogen sulfide; (b) removing the hydrogen sulfide to produce a desulfurised fuel stream; and (c) pre-reforming the desulfurised fuel stream to produce a fuel cell feed stream, wherein a portion of the fuel cell feed stream is processed to increase its hydrogen content to produce a hydrogen-enriched fuel stream which is used in step (a) as a source of hydrogen to hydrogenate the fuel supply stream (1).