A fuel processor system capable of circulating fuel processor system
gases, such as reformate, anode exhaust, and/or combustor exhaust,
through the fuel processor to provide a number of distinct advantages.
The fuel processor system having a plurality of fuel cells discharging an
H.sub.2-containing anode effluent and an O.sub.2-containing cathode
effluent. A fuel processor is also provided for converting a
hydrogen-containing fuel to H.sub.2-containing reformate for fueling the
plurality of fuel cells. A catalytic combustor is positioned in series
downstream from the plurality of fuel cells and a vaporizer reactor is
coupled to the catalytic combustor. A bypass passage is finally provided
that interconnects an outlet of at least one of the group consisting of
the fuel processor, the plurality of fuel cells, the catalytic combustor,
and the vaporizer reactor to the inlet of the fuel processor. The bypass
passage is operable to circulate a fuel processor system gas to the inlet
of the fuel processor.