Abstract: A linear reformer for liberating hydrogen from a hydrogen containing feedstock, operable on both gaseous and liquid fuels, has a linear burner distributor with at least two fuel distribution apertures for distribution of fuel, a supply of air, where the fuel and air mix in a linear mixing cavity to form a catalytically combustible mixture, a catalytic burner element, an electric heater in heat transferring relation to at least one of the burner distributor and the catalytic burner element, a catalyst bed, a boiler for boiling and heating the feedstock, and an exhaust heat exchanger effective for pre-heating the supply of air to the burner.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for reforming alcohol, particularly for steam reforming methanol, to produce hydrogen for use in fuel cells includes a ceramic support and a catalyst coated thereon. The catalyst contains at least one platinum group metal such as platinum, iridium, rhenium, palladium, or osmium, and where the at least one platinum group metal is reduced, and is also coated with a lanthanide group metal or metal oxide. Preferably, the catalyst contains at least 0.05% by weight of at least one platinum group metal, at least 0.05% by weight of an at least one metal or metal oxide of cerium or lanthanum, and at least 0.05% by weight of an at least one metal or metal oxide of chromium, manganese, or iron.

Abstract: The subject invention is a catalyst consisting of an oxide or mixed oxide support and bimetallic catalytically active compounds. The supporting oxide can be a single oxide, such as Al2O3; it also can be a mixture of oxides, such as Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ), Al2O3 with CeO2, Al2O3 with YSZ and others. The bimetallic compounds, acting as active components, are selected from platinum, and ruthenium, prepared in an appropriate ratio. The catalyst is used in the steam reforming of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen for applications such as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.