Fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement and a method of operating a fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement

1. A fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement comprising:

means to supply a safe gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a first mode of operation,

means to supply a synthesis gas to the fuel cell arrangement in a second mode of operation, and

means to supply a processed hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell arrangement in a third mode of operation,

wherein:

the fuel processor comprises a desulphurisation reactor, and the means to supply the synthesis gas comprises a catalytic partial oxidation reactor,

the fuel processor further comprises a combustor and a pre-reformer, means to supply a hydrocarbon fuel to the desulphurisation reactor, means to supply air to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor, and means to supply air to the combustor,

the desulphurisation reactor is connected to a first duct arranged to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor, a second duct arranged to supply the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the combustor and a third duct arranged to supply the desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the pre-reformer,

the combustor is connected to a duct arranged to supply oxygen depleted air and steam to the pre-reformer,

the catalytic partial oxidation reactor is connected to a duct arranged to supply hydrogen as the synthesis gas to the desulphurisation reactor,

the catalytic partial oxidation reactor is connected to a duct arranged to supply hydrogen as the synthesis gas to the pre-reformer, and

wherein the pre-reformer is connected to a duct arranged to supply product gases to the fuel cell arrangement.

2. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the desulphurisation reactor comprises a hydrodesulphurisation catalyst to react hydrogen with sulphur in the hydrocarbon fuel.

3. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 2 wherein the desulphurisation catalyst comprises nickel molybdate and/or cobalt molybdate.

4. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the desulphurisation reactor comprises zinc oxide and copper doped zinc oxide to absorb hydrogen sulphide.

5. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pre-former comprises a prereforming catalyst.

6. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the pre-reforming catalyst comprises a hydrogenolysis catalyst.

7. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 5 wherein the catalyst comprises nickel or cobalt.

8. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 1 wherein the catalytic partial oxidation reactor comprises a partial oxidation catalyst.

9. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 8 wherein the partial oxidation catalyst comprises one or more of cobalt, nickel, iron, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium or molybdenum.

10. A fuel processor for a fuel cell arrangement, the fuel processor comprising:

a desulphurisation reactor, a catalytic partial oxidation reactor, a combustor, a pre-reformer, a supply of hydrocarbon fuel and a supply of air,

a first duct connecting the supply of hydrocarbon fuel and an inlet of the desulphurisation reactor,

a second duct connecting an outlet of the desulphurisation reactor and an inlet of the catalytic partial oxidation reactor to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the catalytic partial oxidation reactor,

a third duct connecting an outlet of the desulphurisation reactor and an inlet of the pre-reformer to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the pre-reformer, the third duct connecting the desulphurisation reactor and the pre-reformer comprising a valve,

a fourth duct connecting an outlet of the desulphurisation reactor and an inlet of the combustor to supply desulphurised hydrocarbon fuel to the combustor, the fourth duct comprising a valve,

a fifth duct connecting an outlet of the catalytic partial oxidation reactor and an inlet of the desulphurisation reactor to supply hydrogen to the desulphurisation reactor,

a sixth duct connecting an outlet of the catalytic partial oxidation reactor and an inlet of the pre-reformer to supply hydrogen to the pre-reformer,

a seventh duct connecting the supply of air and an inlet of the catalytic partial oxidation reactor,

an eighth duct connecting the supply of air to an inlet of the combustor,

a ninth duct connecting an outlet of the combustor and an inlet of the pre-reformer to supply oxygen depleted air and steam to the pre-reformer, and

a tenth duct connecting an outlet of the pre-reformer and an inlet of the fuel cell arrangement to supply product gases to the fuel cell arrangement.

11. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the seventh duct comprises a valve.

12. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the eighth duct comprises a valve.

13. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the pre-reformer is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogenolysis reformer, a steam reformer, a carbon dioxide reformer, a catalytic partial oxidation reformer or combinations thereof.

14. A fuel processor as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the fuel cell arrangement comprises a solid oxide fuel cell arrangement.