The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of hydrogen by
the reformation of a hydrocarbon or aliphatic alcohol having a hollow cylindrical
frame; a columnar catalytic member having a multitude of axial passages, mounted
in and supported by the cylindrical frame so as to be rotatable relative thereto
by a drive unit; a lid body, closing an upper end of the cylindrical frame and
making a space immediately above the columnar catalytic member; a partition wall
for subdividing the space into a first and a second independent space; a gas inlet
port formed in the lid body for introducing a mixture gas of hydrocarbon or aliphatic
alcohol and water vapor into the first space; a hydrogen outlet port formed in
the lid body for recovering hydrogen generated from the second space; and an oxygen
inlet port for introducing oxygen into a region of the catalytic member, wherein
the oxygen inlet port may make further use of the gas inlet port and/or be additionally
provided for communication with a closed space at the bottom in the cylindrical frame.
