Ignition method of fuel reformer using partial oxidation reaction of the fuel for SOFC fuel cell start-up

A method of starting a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer including a heating element and an autothermal reformer disposed at a rear end of the heating element, the method comprising in this order of steps:

• I. contacting a first fluid comprising oxygen with the heating element;
• II. passing the first fluid into the autothermal reformer to preheat a reformer catalyst contained within the autothermal reformer to a first temperature;
• III. reducing flow of the first fluid into the autothermal reformer;
• IV. introducing a fuel into the autothermal reformer subsequent to preheating the reformer catalyst to initiate a partial oxidation reaction within the autothermal reformer to generate additional heat;
• V. increasing flow of the fuel and the first fluid to initiate autothermal reforming;
• and
• VI. controlling the temperature of the reformer catalyst by supplying a cooling fluid, the first fluid, and the fuel to the autothermal reformer and adjusting flow of each of the cooling fluid, the first fluid, and the fuel.