METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INJECTING A LIQUID HYDROCARBON FUEL INTO A FUEL CELL POWER PLANT REFORMER

摘要

A fuel atomizer (4) for a liquid hydrocarbon fuel reformer/processor (2) creates a high velocity atomized stream of a liquid fuel and stream, wherein the liquid fuel is quickly vaporized so as to limit carbon deposition from the fuel on the surfaces of the fuel vaporizer (10). The injector includes a small diameter fuel injection tube (6) through which the liquid fuel and steam mixture is ejected at relatively high velocities. The liquid fuel forms an annular film which surrounds a steam core in the tube, which film and steam core composite are ejected from the tube into a stream of super heated steam, or steam and air, provided via an input (16). The stream of super heated steam substantially instantaneously vaporizes the fuel droplets from the film after the latter leaves the injection tube.