(CN1245474-A)      The generator comprises: a reaction chamber (10a, b, c)to effect the reforming of a primary initial 3-component mixture consisting of a reactive gaseous fuel (hydrocarbon or alcohol), O2 and water vapour, thus forming a secondary 3-component mixture comprising H2, CO2 and CO ; - a system(18 - 40) for mixing the 3 initial components and heating the resulting mixture to a high temperature before passing to the reaction chamber ; -an arrangement (48)external to the chamber for maintaining the high temperature ; -a system (12 or 82 - 84) for effecting an appropriate treatment of the secondary mixture to use at least one of the components to supply directly a fuel cell ; -a wave guide/microwave (52 - 56) or high voltage electrode system (58 - 64 - 66) to generate a plasma in the reaction chamber.    USE -   The generator provides pure H2 for use in fuel cells e.g. in electric vehicles or other transportable generators.    ADVANTAGES -   The process is a new application involving the reactions of ionised gases, which enables rapid reforming reactions with consequent reduction in the longitudinal dimensions of the reaction chamber for a given power. The apparatus incorporates a membrane with a selective permeability to H2, which dispenses with the use of solid catalysts.Apparatus designs which incorporate solid catalysts(figures 4 and 5) instead of a permeable membrane can be used for fuel cells operating at higher temperatures.They are suitable for fixed applications of medium power. High purity hydrogen is obtainable which can be used directly in fuel cells.    (US6245309-B1)      The generator comprises: a reaction chamber (10a, b, c)to effect the reforming of a primary initial 3-component mixture consisting of a reactive gaseous fuel (hydrocarbon or alcohol), O2 and water vapour, thus forming a secondary 3-component mixture comprising H2, CO2 and CO ; - a system(18 - 40) for mixing the 3 initial components and heating the resulting mixture to a high temperature before passing to the reaction chamber ; -an arrangement (48)external to the chamber for maintaining the high temperature ; -a system (12 or 82 - 84) for effecting an appropriate treatment of the secondary mixture to use at least one of the components to supply directly a fuel cell ; -a wave guide/microwave (52 - 56) or high voltage electrode system (58 - 64 - 66) to generate a plasma in the reaction chamber.    USE -   The generator provides pure H2 for use in fuel cells e.g. in electric vehicles or other transportable generators.    ADVANTAGES -   The process is a new application involving the reactions of ionised gases, which enables rapid reforming reactions with consequent reduction in the longitudinal dimensions of the reaction chamber for a given power. The apparatus incorporates a membrane with a selective permeability to H2, which dispenses with the use of solid catalysts.Apparatus designs which incorporate solid catalysts(figures 4 and 5) instead of a permeable membrane can be used for fuel cells operating at higher temperatures.They are suitable for fixed applications of medium power. High purity hydrogen is obtainable which can be used directly in fuel cells.    (JP2001506961-W)      The generator comprises: a reaction chamber (10a, b, c)to effect the reforming of a primary initial 3-component mixture consisting of a reactive gaseous fuel (hydrocarbon or alcohol), O2 and water vapour, thus forming a secondary 3-component mixture comprising H2, CO2 and CO ; - a system(18 - 40) for mixing the 3 initial components and heating the resulting mixture to a high temperature before passing to the reaction chamber ; -an arrangement (48)external to the chamber for maintaining the high temperature ; -a system (12 or 82 - 84) for effecting an appropriate treatment of the secondary mixture to use at least one of the components to supply directly a fuel cell ; -a wave guide/microwave (52 - 56) or high voltage electrode system (58 - 64 - 66) to generate a plasma in the reaction chamber.    USE -   The generator provides pure H2 for use in fuel cells e.g. in electric vehicles or other transportable generators.    ADVANTAGES -   The process is a new application involving the reactions of ionised gases, which enables rapid reforming reactions with consequent reduction in the longitudinal dimensions of the reaction chamber for a given power. The apparatus incorporates a membrane with a selective permeability to H2, which dispenses with the use of solid catalysts.Apparatus designs which incorporate solid catalysts(figures 4 and 5) instead of a permeable membrane can be used for fuel cells operating at higher temperatures.They are suitable for fixed applications of medium power. High purity hydrogen is obtainable which can be used directly in fuel cells.