NOVELTY - An operational cycle comprises off state; manager check state entered into from the off state; preheat state entered into from the manager check state; startup state entered into from the preheat state; run state entered into from the startup state; and shutdown state entered into any of manager check state, preheat state, startup state, or run state.    USE - The invention is for a fuel processor capable of reforming a fuel. The fuel processor is used in a power plant (all claimed)    ADVANTAGE - The invention enables all the operational states to receive notification to advance from state to the next. The states meet the conditional statements to advance from one state to the next. They do not skip the next state or return back to a previous state.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Operational cycle comprises off state; manager check state entered into from the off state where operational readiness of the fuel processor is checked; preheat state entered into from the manager check state where fuel processor preheats gases having the fuel for mixing into a process feed stream; startup state entered into from the preheat state where fuel processor begins operating under start-up conditions; run state entered into from the startup state where fuel processor reforms the process feed stream into a reformate under steady-state conditions; and shutdown state entered into any of manager check state, preheat state, startup state, or run state.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (a) a fuel process comprising supply of fuel, air, and water; oxidizer receiving the fuel, air and water and generating a process feed stream; reformer reforming the process feed stream into a hydrogen-rich gas; and automated control system directing the generation of the supply fuel, air, and water, generating feed stream, and reforming the process feed through an operational cycle;    (b) a power plant comprising a fuel processor, and fuel cell receiving the hydrogen-rich gas; and    (c) a method for operating a fuel processor comprising transitioning from off state to manager check state, transitioning from manager check state to preheat state, transitioning from preheat state to startup state, transitioning from startup state to a run state, and transitioning from any of manager check state, preheat state, startup state, or run state.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure illustrates an operational cycle for the fuel processor.