(JP6263402-A)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP6263403-A)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP6263404-A)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP6263405-A)      Appts. comprises catalyst layers formed in a 2nd annular space and a 3rd annular space. In the 1st catalyst layer are arranged H2 permeable pipes. In the H2 permeable pipe is a sweep gas pipe whose bottom is open. A raw material gas is introduced from the top of the 3rd annular space, then is flowed through the 2nd catalyst layer so that the raw material gas may be converted to H2 at a high temp., and is further flowed through the 1st catalyst layer to cause the unreacted raw material gas to be converted to H2. The H2 is permeated through the H2 permeable pipe to be selectively sepd. and collected. The permeated H2 is entrained with a sweep gas and flows out through the sweep gas pipes.    ADVANTAGE -   High purity H2 can be obtd.    (JP7109104-A)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP7109105-A)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP7109106-A)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (EP615949-B1)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3197095-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3197096-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3197097-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3197098-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3202440-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3202441-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.    (JP3202442-B2)      A hydrogen producing apparatus in which hydrogen produced from a steam reforming reaction is separated and collected by passing through a partitioning wall with selective permeability to hydrogen, comprises: a) an outer cylinder; b) an intermediate cylinder; c) an inner cylinder, the intermediate and inner cylinders are positioned within the outer cylinder in turn so as to be superimposed over one another; d) a combustion burner disposed toward the inside of the inner cylinder, where the intermediate and inner cylinders are joined together at one end to form a closed circular portion, and a first annular space defined by the outer and intermediate cylinders is in connection with an inner cylinder inside space formed inside the inner cylinder; e) a catalyst layer formed by filling a reforming catalyst in a second annular spaced defined by the intermediate and inner cylinders; f) a hydrogen-permeable tube with hydrogen permeability and disposed in the catalyst layer in the second annular space; g) a sweep gas tube with an open end and disposed within the hydrogen-permeable tube; h) a raw material gas is introduced into the reforming catalyst layer in the second annular space so as to convert the raw material gas into hydrogen at a high temperature. The produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube so as to be selectively separated and collected and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas to be conducted out of the apparatus. Also claimed is, apparatus includes: a) an upright outer cylinder with a closed bottom; b) a drooping combustion burner located on a ceiling wall of the inner cylinder; c) hydrogen-permeable tubes with a hydrogen-permeable metal membrane on an inorganic porous layer. A raw material gas is converted into hydrogen at a high temperature, the produced hydrogen permeates the hydrogen-permeable tube and is selectively separated and collected, and the hydrogen having permeated is accompanied by sweep gas introduced from an upper portion of an annular spaced defined between the hydrogen-permeable tube and a sweep gas tube to be conducted out of the apparatus from a top portion of the sweep gas tube.    USE -   An industrial scale hydrogen producing apparatus for obtaining hydrogen of sufficiently high purity for use in solid polymer fuel cells (polymer fuel cells) at lower reaction temperatures.