Operating a steam reforming reactor for producing hydrogen for use in a fuel cell comprises a start-up phase in which the reactor is supplied with a hydrocarbon gas and flue gas from a gas burner

摘要

Operating a steam reforming reactor (1) comprises a start-up phase in which the reactor is supplied with a hydrocarbon gas (HG) and sufficient oxygen-containing gas (OG) for total oxidation of the HG, a second phase in which the OG supply is reduced and a steady-state phase in which the reactor is supplied exclusively with HG and steam. The OG is flue gas from a gas burner (5) used to heat the reactor and the water vapor in the flue gas is used to achieve autothermal reforming in the second phase.