METHOD FOR QUICK START-UP OF A FUEL PROCESSING SYSTEM USING CONTROLLED STAGED OXIDATION

摘要

The present invention relates to controlled staged rich combustion throughout a fuel processing system in order to improve start up performance. Multiple stages of air injection are used to burn rich combustion products within each component to provide direct heating thereof. During the start up cycle, the fluid temperature entering each reactor is increased and each component is heated to its operating temperature in parallel. The controlled staged rich combustion eliminates the load imposed upon a combustor within the system during the start up cycle. Thus, each of the components within the fuel processing system may be optimized for an operational mode rather than a start up mode.