Abstract: The device catalytically reforms a raw hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas for fueling a fuel cell stack. The device is compact so as to be usable in mobile or temporary applications, such as in vehicles, trailors, as an emergency generator or the like. The device has generally cylindrical housing with an axial burner and a helical catalyst tube outside of the burner and inside of the housing. A refractory heat shield sleeve is interposed between the burner and the helical tube so that heat from the burner progresses to one end of the housing and then passes between the heat shield and housing side wall to envelop the catalyst tube. A gas deflector and swirler may be disposed at the end of the heat shield to properly direct the hot gases from the burner to the catalyst tube. Raw fuel is percolated through the catalyst tube and converted therein to a hydrogen rich gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A vaporizer for converting liquid fuel into fuel vapor wherein an annular chamber defined by inner and outer walls is provided and wherein rings are situated one after the other along the length of the chamber, each ring extending around the circumference of the chamber in contact with the inner and outer walls and including a passageway for conveying fluid and/or vapor between the liquid/vapor flow spaces situated on opposite sides of the ring.

Abstract: A fuel vapor generator capable of being incorporated within a carburetor having a housing defining a chamber at the bottom thereof. An input line is attached to the lower portion of the housing for introducing a liquid fuel into the chamber and a return line is also attached to the lower portion of the housing for removing any excess liquid from the chamber and returning the excess liquid to the chamber. Located within the chamber is a level regulating system which, by being operably connected to both the inlet and removal lines is capable of regulating the liquid level within the chamber. In addition, an atomizer is located within the chamber in order to spray the liquid fuel in mist form into the upper portion of the housing for vaporization thereof prior to introduction into the Venturi tube of a carburetor.

Abstract: Catalytic cracking of gaseous or distillate hydrocarbon fuels for the production of hydrogen (such as for use in a fuel cell) is provided in a push/pull operated dual chamber blow and run apparatus utilizing a catalytic bed employing ring catalyzed nickel supported on porous ceramic substrates, having a graduated catalyst content such that there is a low catalyst content in the portion of the bed near the inlet and a high catalyst content in the portion of the bed near the outlet.