(JP9315801-A)      Method for reforming a hydrocarbon supplied as fuel gas to generate hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel through a reforming reaction occurring in a predetermined reformed, comprises: (a) feeding a supply of oxygen to a raw fuel gas containing the raw fuel and enabling an exothermic oxidation reaction to proceed for a specified component of the raw fuel gas and (b) enabling an endothermic reforming reaction of the raw fuel to proceed with heat generated by the exothermic oxidation reaction of the specified component. Also claimed are: (i) apparatus for reforming a hydrocarbon supplied as raw fuel to generate a hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel through a reforming reaction comprising: (a) a reformer unit which comprises a first catalyst for accelerating an exothermic oxidation reaction of the specified component and a second catalyst for accelerating an endothermic reforming reaction with heat generated by the oxidation reaction, (b) raw fuel supply unit for feeding a supply of raw fuel gas to the reformed unit and (c) oxygen supply unit for feeding oxygen to the raw fuel gas; and (ii) a fuel cell system comprises fuel-reforming apparatus and a fuel cell for receiving a supply of gaseous fuel from the reforming apparatus and generating electrical energy.    USE -   For reforming hydrocarbon supplied as fuel gas to generate hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat required for the endothermic reforming reaction is supplied by the oxidation of the raw fuel which is preferably methanol. No external heat source is required. Gaseous fuel with low content of carbon monoxide is obtained. Reformed raw fuel gas is obtained without lowering the energy efficiency of the whole fuel cell system.    (US6165633-A)      Method for reforming a hydrocarbon supplied as fuel gas to generate hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel through a reforming reaction occurring in a predetermined reformed, comprises: (a) feeding a supply of oxygen to a raw fuel gas containing the raw fuel and enabling an exothermic oxidation reaction to proceed for a specified component of the raw fuel gas and (b) enabling an endothermic reforming reaction of the raw fuel to proceed with heat generated by the exothermic oxidation reaction of the specified component. Also claimed are: (i) apparatus for reforming a hydrocarbon supplied as raw fuel to generate a hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel through a reforming reaction comprising: (a) a reformer unit which comprises a first catalyst for accelerating an exothermic oxidation reaction of the specified component and a second catalyst for accelerating an endothermic reforming reaction with heat generated by the oxidation reaction, (b) raw fuel supply unit for feeding a supply of raw fuel gas to the reformed unit and (c) oxygen supply unit for feeding oxygen to the raw fuel gas; and (ii) a fuel cell system comprises fuel-reforming apparatus and a fuel cell for receiving a supply of gaseous fuel from the reforming apparatus and generating electrical energy.    USE -   For reforming hydrocarbon supplied as fuel gas to generate hydrogen-containing gaseous fuel.    ADVANTAGE -   The heat required for the endothermic reforming reaction is supplied by the oxidation of the raw fuel which is preferably methanol. No external heat source is required. Gaseous fuel with low content of carbon monoxide is obtained. Reformed raw fuel gas is obtained without lowering the energy efficiency of the whole fuel cell system.