STAGED AIR AUTOTHERMAL REFORMER FOR IMPROVED STARTUP AND OPERATION

摘要

An autothermal reformer (48) comprises a first stage (50) that selectively receives a fuel flow (24), a first oxidant flow (28), and a steam flow (26). The first stage has (50) a first portion (72) of a catalyst bed (70). The fluids within the first stage are routed through the first portion (72) of the catalyst bed (70) and react. There is a second stage (62) downstream from and communicating with the first stage (50). The second stage (62) receives the fluids (74) from the first stage (50) and also selectively receives a second oxidant flow (64). The second oxidant flow (64) and the fluids received from the first stage (50) flow through a second portion (76) of a catalyst bed (70) and further react.