The present invention discloses a hybrid combustor, such as an anode
tailgas oxidizer (ATO), for fuel processing applications which combines
both flame and catalytic type burners. The hybrid combustor of the
present invention combines the advantages of both flame and catalytic
type burners. The flame burner component of the hybrid combustor is used
during start-up for the preheating of the catalytic burner component. As
soon as the catalytic burner bed is preheated or lit off, the flame
burner will be shut off. Optionally, the hybrid combustor may also
include an integrated heat recovery unit located downstream of the
catalytic burner for steam generation and for the preheating of the feed
for a reformer, such as an autothermal reformer.