The present paper describes the characterization of an autothermal reformer designed to generate hydrogen by autothermal reforming (ATR) from commercial diesel fuel (similar to 10 ppm S) and jet fuel (similar to 200 ppm S) for a 5 kW(e) polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). Commercial noble metal-based catalysts supported on 900 cpsi cordierite monoliths substrates were used for ATR with reproducible results. Parameters investigated in this study were the variation of the fuel inlet temperature, fuel flow and the H2O/C and O-2/C ratios. Temperature profiles were studied both in the axial and radial directions of the reformer. Product gas composition was analyzed using gas chromatography. It was concluded from the experiments that an elevated fuel inlet temperature (>= 60 degrees C) and a higher degree of fuel dispersion, generated via a single-fluid pressurized-swirl nozzle at high fuel flow, significantly improved the performance of the reformer. Complete fuel conversion, a reforming efficiency of 81% and an H-2 selectivity of 96% were established for ATR of diesel at P=5kW(e), H2O/C = 2.5, O-2/C = 0.49 and a fuel inlet temperature of 60 degrees C. No hot-spot formation and negligible coke formation were observed in the reactor at these operating conditions. The reforming of jet fuel resulted in a reforming efficiency of only 42%. A plausible cause is the coke deposition, originating from the aromatics present in the fuel, and the adsorption of S-compounds on the active sites of the reforming catalyst. Our results indicate possibilities for the developed catalytic reformer to be used in mobile fuel cell applications for energy-efficient hydrogen production from diesel fuel. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.