Patent ID: 7172638
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: B01J,C01B

Abstract:
1. A method of starting-up an autothermal reformer, the method comprising: initiating a start-up operation of the autothermal reformer wherein a sufficient supply of steam for steam reforming a hydrocarbon fuel is currently unavailable to be supplied to the autothermal reformer, the start-up operation including: forming a first stage flow having a fuel flow and a first oxidant flow; passing said first stage flow through a first stage of a catalyst bed of a primary reactor, said catalyst bed being at a temperature below a predetermined operating temperature and catalytically reacting said first stage flow within said first stage to form a first stage effluent including H forming a second stage flow having said first stage effluent and a second oxidant flow; and passing said second stage flow through a second stage of said catalyst bed of said primary reactor and catalytically reacting said second stage flow including all of said unburned fuel within said second stage to form a reformate flow which is exhausted from said second stage.