Fuel reforming method and apparatus for power generation system using fuel cells

A reformer for reforming steam and non-reformed raw material gas contained in a gas discharged from a fuel electrode of a fuel cell, comprising:

• a reforming catalyst;
• and
• a container including an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder extending in the outer cylinder and a center pipe extending in the inner cylinder, one end of the inner cylinder being communicated with one end of the outer cylinder on one side of the container and the other end of the inner cylinder being communicated with one end of the center pipe on the other side of the container to define a passage through the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder and the center pipe, the passage including a first gas passage formed between the outer and inner cylinders for introducing the gas discharged from the fuel electrode into the container, a second gas passage formed between the inner cylinder and the center pipe for holding the reforming catalyst and a third gas passage formed in the center pipe for discharging the gas from the container.

A reformer for reforming steam and non-reformed raw material gas contained in a gas discharged from a fuel electrode of a fuel cell, comprising:

• a reforming catalyst;
• and
• a container including an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder extending in the outer cylinder and a center pipe extending in the inner cylinder, one end of the inner cylinder being communicated with one end of the center pipe on the other side of the container to define a passage through the outer cylinder, the inner cylinder and the center pipe, the passage including a first gas passage formed in the center pipe for introducing the gas discharged from the fuel electrode into the container, a second gas passage formed between the inner cylinder and the center pipe for holding the reforming catalyst and a third gas passage formed between the inner and outer cylinders for discharging the gas from the container.