NOVELTY - A fast light-off catalytic reformer comprises: a catalytic reformer having at least one reactor tube; ignition device within the reactor tube for initiating an exothermic reaction between fuel and air and using the generated heat to provide fast light-off of the reforming catalyst; control system for selecting fuel and air flow rate and operating the ignition device.    USE - The reformer is used for fast light-off reforming useful in power generation system, e.g. engine, spark ignition engine, hybrid vehicle, diesel engine, fuel cell or solid oxide fuel cell (claimed). It is particularly used for on-board production of reformate for hydrogen cold-start in internal combustion engine.    ADVANTAGE - The reformer provides rapid production of high yields of reformate. It allows the engine exhaust to meet SULEV emissions levels immediately from cold-start. It reduces the size of discrete burner and associated system for flowing and exhausting hot burner gases in order to achieve and maintain effective catalyst temperature.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A fast light-off catalytic reformer comprises a catalytic reformer having at least one reactor tube (10). The reactor tube has an inlet (12) in a first end for receiving a flow of fuel (14) and a flow of air, a reforming catalyst (16) disposed within the reactor tube for converting the fuel and the air to a reformate (18) stream, and an outlet in a second end for discharging the reformate stream. An ignition device (22) is disposed within the reactor tube for initiating an exothermic reaction between the fuel and the air and using heat generated thus to provide fast light-off of the reforming catalyst. A control system (30) is provided for selecting fuel and air flow rate and operating the ignition device so as to achieve fast light-off of the reforming catalyst at start-up and to maintain the catalyst at a temperature sufficient to optimize reformate yield.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (a) a power generation system (50) comprising a fast light-off reformer, and operating at least partially on reformate fueling, where the power generating system has a fuel inlet in fluid communication with the reformer outlet (20); and    (b) a fast light-off reforming method, comprising supplying flow of fuel and flow air to catalytic reformer, igniting the fuel and air within the reactor tube to rapidly heat the reforming catalyst with the generated heat, and controlling the fuel and air supply and the igniting so as to achieve fast light-off of the reforming catalyst at a temperature so as to optimized reformate yield.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a perspective view, partially in section, of a fast light-off catalytic reformer.    Reactor tube (10)    Inlet (12)    Fuel (14)    Reforming catalyst (16)    Reformate (18)    Ignition device (22)    Control system (30)