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The purpose of a gas processor is to provide relatively pure hydrogen to a fuel cell, using a fuel that is readily available or easily transportable. Gas processors must be able to do this in an efficient manner with a minimum of pollution -- otherwise, they negate the benefits of using a fuel cell in the first place. For automobiles, the main issue is energy storage. In order to avoid having large, heavy pressure tanks, a liquid fuel is preferable to a gas. Companies are working on gas processors for liquid fuels like gasoline and methanol. Methanol is the most promising fuel in the short term; it can be stored and distributed in much the same way as gasoline is now.
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