(DE19755815-A1)   NOVELTY - Heating takes place during cold start-up. In a first phase of operation, the catalytic combustor (11a, 11b, 11c) in thermal contact with the reformer (1) and evaporator (2) is heated above the boiling point of water, by catalytic combustion of hydrocarbon and/or hydrogen with an oxidant gas. In the second phase, water and hydrocarbon are supplied to the evaporator. This mixture has an elevated water/hydrocarbon ratio in comparison with normal operation. The mixture leaving the reformer is supplied via the membrane module (4) to the catalytic burner.    USE - To start up a reformer unit supplying hydrogen to e.g. a vehicular fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - Operational temperature is reached as quickly as possible from cold start. Hydrogen is produced as early as possible, for use in the fuel cells. Little cost is involved.    (DE19755815-C2)   NOVELTY - Heating takes place during cold start-up. In a first phase of operation, the catalytic combustor (11a, 11b, 11c) in thermal contact with the reformer (1) and evaporator (2) is heated above the boiling point of water, by catalytic combustion of hydrocarbon and/or hydrogen with an oxidant gas. In the second phase, water and hydrocarbon are supplied to the evaporator. This mixture has an elevated water/hydrocarbon ratio in comparison with normal operation. The mixture leaving the reformer is supplied via the membrane module (4) to the catalytic burner.    USE - To start up a reformer unit supplying hydrogen to e.g. a vehicular fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - Operational temperature is reached as quickly as possible from cold start. Hydrogen is produced as early as possible, for use in the fuel cells. Little cost is involved.    (US6268075-B1)   NOVELTY - Heating takes place during cold start-up. In a first phase of operation, the catalytic combustor (11a, 11b, 11c) in thermal contact with the reformer (1) and evaporator (2) is heated above the boiling point of water, by catalytic combustion of hydrocarbon and/or hydrogen with an oxidant gas. In the second phase, water and hydrocarbon are supplied to the evaporator. This mixture has an elevated water/hydrocarbon ratio in comparison with normal operation. The mixture leaving the reformer is supplied via the membrane module (4) to the catalytic burner.    USE - To start up a reformer unit supplying hydrogen to e.g. a vehicular fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - Operational temperature is reached as quickly as possible from cold start. Hydrogen is produced as early as possible, for use in the fuel cells. Little cost is involved.