Patent ID: 8197777

Claim:
A steam reformer comprising: a first reaction chamber connected to a first inlet and a first outlet; a second reaction chamber connected to a second inlet and a second outlet; the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber being in thermal communication, wherein the first reaction chamber comprises a combustion catalyst or a steam reforming catalyst, wherein, if the first reaction chamber comprises a combustion catalyst, the second reaction chamber comprises a steam reforming catalyst; or if the first reaction chamber comprises a steam reforming catalyst, the second reaction chamber comprises a combustion catalyst, and wherein the first inlet and the first outlet are connected to the first reaction chamber such that, during operation, fluid flows in more than one direction through the first reaction chamber between the first inlet and the first outlet; wherein the combustion catalyst and the steam reforming catalyst are present as coatings on opposite faces of a separation plate; and wherein the first reaction chamber and the second reaction chamber are disposed on opposite sides of a transverse separation plate that is transverse to a main longitudinal axis of the steam reformer.