Patent ID: 8617267

Claim:
A reformer comprising: a heating unit; a first combustor configured to receive and oxidize a heating unit fuel at a first end of the heating unit; a second combustor configured to receive and oxidize an anode off gas (AOG) at a second end of the heating unit; and a reforming unit comprising a first reforming portion surrounding the heating unit, a second reforming portion surrounding the first reforming portion, and a flow path portion connecting the first reforming portion and the second reforming portion to provide fluid communication therebetween, wherein the flow path portion comprises a pre-deformed portion comprising a curved portion comprising a top-curved plate of the flow path portion and a bottom-curved plate of the flow path portion, the pre-deformed portion extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the heating unit and being configured to increase the structural integrity of the reforming unit at the flow path portion.