Systems and methods for injecting and mixing a liquid
hydrocarbon fuel to provide a uniform, homogenous
fuel vapor mixture for introduction into a fuel reformer for use with a fuel
cell are disclosed. Preferably, the
system comprises a fuel
injector that generates and aspirate a
liquid fuel in the presence of an atomizing gas
stream; a diverging-converging
mixing chamber, into which the atomized fuel and a secondary fluid
stream are introduced, to enhance the mixing of the fuel and the added heated gas or steam; and a mixer / swirler, which can be centrally located in the
mixing chamber between the upper and lower chambers, to stabilize the
fuel vapor mixture further for greater uniformity and homogeneity. More preferably, grooves and / or brazed wires can be provided on the surfaces of the
mixing chamber and / or mixer / swirler to channel any accumulated fuel so as to provide
sufficient time to evaporate the accumulated fuel.