Highly integrated fuel processor for distributed hydrogen production

摘要

A recuperative heat exchanger ( 36 ) is provided for use in a fuel processor ( 20 ), the heat exchanger ( 36 ) transferring heat from a fluid flow ( 34 ) at one stage of a fuel processing operation to the fluid flow ( 32 ) at another stage of the fuel processing operation. The heat exchanger ( 36 ) includes a housing ( 56 ) defining first and second axially extending, concentric annular passages in heat transfer relation to each other; a first convoluted fin ( 70 ) located in the first passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough; and a second convoluted fin ( 72 ) located in the second passage to direct the fluid flow therethrough.