NOVELTY - A fuel processing apparatus comprises a first separator connected to the fuel processor for separating water from the hydrogen-rich reformate gas stream; and a second separator connected to the fuel cell for separating water from the exhaust gas stream. At least one of separators is a mechanical water separator (10) comprising an elongated housing (5); a gas stream inlet; a gas stream outlet (25) having a tubular extension (40); a liquid outlet (35); a liquid outlet valve for maintaining a minimum liquid level within the housing; a liquid level indicator; and a valve control system.    USE - A fuel processing apparatus for converting hydrocarbon-based fuels into a hydrogen-enriched reformate for use by fuel cells or other power generation devices requiring hydrogen-rich feed streams.    ADVANTAGE - The mechanical water separator maximizes separating efficiency, thus recovering sufficient product water; minimizes gas flow pressure drop, thus minimizing power requirements in the system and increasing overall system efficiency; and minimizes physical volume of the component, thus component may be easily packaged in a fuel processor system or integrated fuel cell-fuel processing system.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A fuel processing apparatus comprises a fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich reformate gas stream comprising water; and a first separator connected to the fuel processor for separating water from the hydrogen-rich reformate gas stream. A fuel cell is connected to the first separator for receiving a water-depleted hydrogen-rich reformate gas stream and for producing electricity and an exhaust gas stream comprising water as products of an electrochemical reaction. A second separator is connected to the fuel cell for separating water from the exhaust gas stream. A combustor is connected to the fuel processor and the second separator. At least one of the separators is a mechanical water separator (10) comprising an elongated housing (5) having a cylindrical inner surface where a portion of the cylindrical inner surface is covered with a capillary material. A gas stream inlet is aligned on a second axis and is tangential to side wall of the elongated housing causing entering gas stream to swirl within the elongated housing where liquid components of the entering gas stream separate due to centrifugal forces created by swirling flow path of the entering gas stream within the elongated housing. A gas stream outlet (25) is located at upper portion of the elongated housing and aligned on a first axis. The gas stream outlet comprises an elongated tubular extension (40) that extends into the elongated housing where lower opening of the elongated tubular extension within the elongated housing is located below the gas stream inlet. A liquid outlet (35) is located below the gas stream inlet. A liquid outlet valve is used for maintaining a minimum liquid level within the elongated housing. A level indicator is provided to monitor liquid level within the elongated housing. A valve control system, which is a passive control system, is provided for the liquid outlet valve. The passive control system comprises an electronic level switch (55) having a float and a magnetic contactor. The liquid outlet valve comprises a solenoid valve.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is a side view of a fuel processing apparatus for separating a liquid from a gas stream.    Housing (5)    Mechanical water separator (10)    Gas stream outlet (25)    Liquid level (30)    Liquid outlet (35)    Tubular extension (40)    Electronic level switch (55)