Staged air autothermal reformer for improved startup performance

A method of starting-up an autothermal reformer, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a first stage flow having a fuel flow and a first oxidant flow;
• passing said first stage flow through a first stage of a catalyst bed and catalytically reacting said first stage flow within said first stage to form a first stage effluent;
• forming a second stage flow having said first stage effluent and a second oxidant flow;
• passing said second stage flow through a second stage of said catalyst bed and catalytically reacting said second stage flow within said second stage to form a reformate flow which is exhausted from said second stage.

A method of starting-up an autothermal reformer, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming a first stage flow having a fuel flow, a first oxidant flow and a steam flow;
• passing said first stage flow through a first stage of a catalyst bed and catalytically reacting said first stage flow within said first stage to form a first stage effluent;
• forming a second stage flow having said first stage effluent and a second oxidant flow;
• passing said second stage flow through a second stage of said catalyst bed and catalytically reacting said second stage flow within said second stage to form a reformate flow which is exhausted from said second stage.