Hydrogen purification membranes, components and fuel processing systems containing the same

A hydrogen-producing fuel processing assembly, comprising:

• a shell having an outer surface and defining an internal compartment;
• a reforming region substantially within the internal compartment of the shell and including at least one reforming catalyst bed adapted to receive a reforming feedstock and convert the feedstock into a reformate stream comprising hydrogen gas as a majority component and further comprising other gases as minority components, wherein a portion of the at least one reforming catalyst bed extends beyond the outer surface of the shell;
• a hydrogen purification module adapted to receive at least a portion of the reformate stream and to produce therefrom a hydrogen-rich stream containing at least substantially pure hydrogen gas and a byproduct stream containing at least a substantial portion of the other gases;
• and
• a heating assembly adapted to receive and combust a fuel stream with air to generate heat for heating at least the reforming region of the fuel processing assembly.