NOVELTY - A pre-processing assembly for processing fuel feedstock for a fuel cell, has a deoxidizing unit for reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock; a pre-reforming unit for reducing higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock; and a common vessel. The deoxidizing and pre-reforming units are disposed within the common vessel such that the fuel feedstock passes through the deoxidizing unit first and then through the pre-reforming unit.    USE - The assembly is used for processing fuel feedstock for a fuel cell. It is adapted to process natural gas, HD-5 and LPG hydrocarbon fuel feedstocks to produce methane rich gas for use in a high temperature fuel cell. (Claimed)    ADVANTAGE - The assembly is better able to process fuel feedstocks containing hydrocarbons and oxygen without deactivation of the pre-processing catalyst. It is capable of operating without an additional hydrogen supply and has an increased operating life. It is specifically adapted to retard the affects of propylene and other olefins in hydrocarbon containing fuel feedstocks. It reduces or eliminates the higher hydrocarbon content and the oxygen content in the fuel feedstock. It also reduces the lower hydrocarbon content and increases the hydrogen content in the feedstock.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A pre-processing assembly for processing fuel feedstock for a fuel cell, comprises a deoxidizing unit for reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock, where the fuel feedstock includes the oxygen and hydrocarbons having higher and lower hydrocarbon contents; a pre-reforming unit for reducing the higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock; and a common vessel (202). The deoxidizing unit and the pre-reforming unit are disposed within the common vessel such that the fuel feedstock passes through the deoxidizing unit first and then through the pre-reforming unit. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) a fuel processing method for processing the fuel feedstock for the fuel cell, comprising reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock using the deoxidizing unit; reducing the higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock using the pre-reforming unit, where the deoxidizing unit and the pre-reforming unit are disposed within the common vessel such that the fuel feedstock first flows through the deoxidizing unit and then through the pre-reforming unit; and    (2) a fuel cell system for use with the fuel feedstock, comprising the above pre-processing assembly for processing the fuel feedstock; and the fuel cell for receiving the fuel feedstock after passage through the pre-processing assembly.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a detailed schematic view of a pre-processing assembly.    Flow path of fuel feedstock (201)    Common vessel (202)    Inlet (208)    Outlet (210)    Screen (212)