Method and apparatus for starting up an apparatus for steam reforming

A method of starting up an apparatus for steam reforming, comprising:

• producing a gas mixture including hydrogen in a reactor;
• conducting the gas mixture produced in the reactor to a condensate separator;
• supplying a condensate stripper first with water from a boiler water feed line of a steam boiler;
• then supplying the condensate stripper and the reactor with steam from the steam boiler;
• and
• after establishment of thermal equilibrium, ending the feed of water from the boiler water feed line and, instead, supplying condensate from the condensate separator to the condensate stripper and conducting cleaned condensate from the condensate stripper into the steam boiler;
• wherein the boiler water feed line of the steam boiler is connectable to the condensate stripper in a liquid-conducting manner;
• wherein a supply from the boiler water feed line is at a same location of the condensate stripper as a supply of the condensate from the condensate separator.

A method of short-term deactivation of an apparatus for steam reforming, comprising:

• producing a gas mixture including hydrogen in a reactor;
• conducting the gas mixture produced in the reactor to a condensate separator;
• supplying a condensate stripper with water from a boiler water feed line of a steam boiler as soon as a feed of condensate from a condensate separator has ended, wherein the condensate stripper and the reactor are continuously supplied with steam from the steam boiler;
• and
• upon starting up of the apparatus for steam reforming, ending the supply of water from the boiler water feed line and, instead, supplying condensate from the condensate separator to the condensate stripper and conducting cleaned condensate from the condensate stripper into the steam boiler;
• wherein the boiler water feed line of the steam boiler is connectable to the condensate stripper in a liquid-conducting manner;
• wherein a supply from the boiler water feed line is at a same location of the condensate stripper as a supply of the condensate from the condensate separator.