Non-catalytic hydrogen generation process for delivery to a hydrodesulfurization unit and a solid oxide fuel cell system combination for auxiliary power unit application

A method for producing electricity from a sulfur containing hydrocarbon fuel stream, the method comprising the steps of:

• supplying at least a diverted portion of the sulfur containing hydrocarbon fuel stream to a non-catalytic reformer to generate a hydrogen containing product stream;
• supplying the hydrogen containing product stream from the reformer and at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fuel stream to a hydrodesulfurization unit, where the diverted portion of the sulfur containing hydrocarbon fuel stream supplied to the non-catalytic reformer is controlled by a control valve, wherein the control valve is configured to receive a signal from the hydrodesulfurization unit, said signal relating to an amount of hydrogen needed by the hydrodesulfurization unit, and wherein the control valve is configured to adjust flow rate of the diverted portion in accordance with said signal;
• desulfurizing the sulfur containing hydrocarbon fuel stream in the hydrodesulfurization unit to produce a hydrogen sulfide containing hydrocarbon fuel stream;
• supplying the hydrogen sulfide containing hydrocarbon fuel stream from the hydrodesulfurization unit to an adsorber, wherein said adsorber is operable to remove hydrogen sulfide from the hydrocarbon fuel stream to produce a desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream;
• and
• supplying the desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream to a solid oxide fuel cell, wherein said solid oxide fuel cell is configured to produce electricity from said desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel stream.