Patent ID: 6544494
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: C01B,F28D,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
Method of operating an autothermal reformer for converting a mixture of steam, air and hydrocarbon fuel into a gaseous reformate having a first pressure and a temperature of at least about 650Â° C., said method comprising preheating said steam and air with heat extracted from said reformate by (a) passing said steam and said reformate into a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from said reformate to said steam and in which said steam is maintained at a second pressure greater than said first pressure, and (b) passing said air and said steam into a second heat exchanger for transferring heat from said steam to said air and in which said air is maintained at a pressure less than said second pressure, whereby heat is transferred from said reformate to said air via said steam without having said reformate in direct heat exchange relationship with said air.