Appeal No. 2002-0218
Application No. 09/332,415
line 23 to page 17, line 7; page 19, line 29 to page 20, line 7;
and page 22, line 20 to page 23, line 2. We recognize that
Clawson does not specifically mention using an open cell foam
carrier as the carrier for its reforming catalyst.
However, we observe that it is admittedly known to be
desirable to reduce the size and weight of an autothermal
reforming assembly by focusing on the shapes and/or
configurations of reforming catalysts (inclusive of an inert
carrier which determines the catalyst shape or configuration).
See the specification, pages 2-3. We find that Narumiya teaches
an open cell foam carrier, which can be used with a reforming
catalytic material, such as a noble metal catalyst, and can be
used to reduce the weight and size of a purification device (a
small purification device for an exhaust gas). See column 2,
lines 45-65, column 3, lines 15-46 and column 4, lines 27-49. We
find that this open cell foam carrier also has properties useful
for and advantageous to the reforming zone of the autothermal
reformer assembly, such as decreasing pressure loss and improving
high heat resistance, small heat capacity, unreacted gas
conversion and porosity. See column 1, lines 40-47 and column 2,
lines 35-44.
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