NOVELTY - Control device for catalytic combustor (9) comprises a controller coupled to a fuel injector and designed to measure an elapsed time after fuel injection, to determine whether the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined time, to set a fuel injection amount, and to command the fuel injector to inject the set injection amount of fuel.    USE - For catalytic combustor used in fuel cell system or fuel reforming system.    ADVANTAGE - Rapid temperature increases are achieved in the combustion catalyst and vaporizer. Control of fuel injection amount based on actual catalyst temperature enables accurate control of catalyst temperature.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Control device for catalytic combustor containing a catalyst, comprises:    (1) fuel injector (11) for injecting fuel to a catalytic combustor during start-up operations;    (2) a compressor (5) for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the catalytic combustor; and    (3) controller coupled to the fuel injector designed to measure an elapsed time after first commanding the fuel injector to inject fuel, to determine whether the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined time, to set a fuel injection amount of the fuel injector to a first predetermined injection amount when the elapsed time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, to set the fuel injection amount of the fuel injector to a second predetermined amount larger than a first predetermined injection amount when the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, and to command the fuel injector to inject the set injection amount of fuel.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of controlling an operation of catalytic combustor by supplying oxygen-containing gas to the catalytic combustor, measuring an elapsed time after starting fuel injection, determining whether the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined time, setting a fuel injection amount to a first predetermined injection amount when the elapsed time is less than or equal to the predetermined time, setting the fuel injection amount to a second predetermined amount when the elapsed time is greater than the predetermined time, and injecting the set amount of fuel.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figures are schematic diagrams of a fuel cell system and the inventive control device.    Compressor (5)    Fuel injector (11)    Glow plug (12)    Flow control valve (30)    Sensor (34)