Autothermal reforming process for production of hydrogen

A hydrogen plant, said plant comprising:

• a first stream comprising hydrocarbons;
• a second stream comprising an oxidant;
• a prereformer unit arranged to receive the first stream comprising hydrocarbons and to provide a prereformed stream;
• an autothermal reforming unit arranged to receive the prereformed stream and the second stream comprising an oxidant, and to provide a first syngas stream;
• a first waste heat boiler arranged to provide a first steam stream via a steam drum;
• a hydrogen synthesis and purification section arranged to receive at least said first syngas stream and to provide a hydrogen stream and at least one off-gas stream;
• wherein the hydrogen synthesis and purification section comprises a high temperature shift reactor, arranged to receive at least a portion of said first syngas stream and provide a first shifted syngas stream;
• wherein the hydrogen plant further comprises a steam superheater, arranged to superheat at least a portion of the first steam stream from said steam drum, via heat exchange with the first shifted syngas stream from the high temperature shift reactor, and thereby provide a superheated steam stream, and
• wherein the hydrogen plant further comprises a second heat exchanger arranged to heat said first stream comprising hydrocarbons via heat exchange with at least a first portion of said superheated steam stream, before said first stream is fed to the prereformer unit.