An apparatus and method for producing a hydrogen-enriched reformate. The
apparatus includes a fuel processor for producing a reformate having
fluctuations in a pressure and/or flow rate and means for reducing the
fluctuations. The reformate comprises impurities that are removed by a
purification unit having a plurality of adsorbent beds. A valve assembly
controls the flow of reformate to the adsorbent beds based upon sensed
product data generated by a product sensor. A compression unit optionally
compresses the reformate prior to entering the purification unit. Means
for reducing fluctuations in the pressure and/or flow rate include a
buffer and/or a conduit for providing a controlled flow of a supplemental
fluid to an inlet of the compression unit. A product valve can control
the flow of hydrogen-enriched reformate out of the purification unit. A
controller can control the valve assembly, the flow of supplemental fluid
and the product valve among other apparatus components to maintain a
stable pressure within the purification unit and to produce a desired
hydrogen-enriched reformate.