Patent ID: 8268024

Claim:
An apparatus for reforming a hydrocarbon to produce syngas, comprising: a first reformer comprising: a radiant section having a reformer tube disposed therein, wherein the reformer tube is at least partially filled with a first catalyst; a transition section coupled to the radiant section to receive a flue gas therefrom; a convective section coupled to the transition section to receive the flue gas therefrom; and a plurality of pre-reformer tubes disposed in the transition section, at least partially filled with a second catalyst, and fluidly coupled to the reformer tube via a line external to the plurality of pre-reformer tubes, wherein at least one of the plurality of pre-reformer tubes has at least one extended surface disposed thereon; a second reformer coupled to both the reformer tube and an oxidant source, wherein the second reformer comprises a burner in fluid communication with one or more catalyst beds disposed therein; and a third reformer coupled to the second reformer.