Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved process and apparatus for the production of high purity hydrogen by steam reforming. The apparatus is an integrated flameless distributed combustion-membrane steam reforming (FDC-MSR) or reactor for steam reforming of a vaporizable hydrocarbon to produce H2 and CO2, with minimal CO, and minimal CO in the H2 stream. The flameless distributed combustion drives the steam reforming reaction which pro-vides great improvements in heat exchange efficiency and load following capabilities. The reactor may contain multiple flameless distributed combustion chambers and multiple hydrogen-selective, hydrogen-permeable, membrane tubes. The feed and reaction gases may flow through the reactor either radially or axially. A further embodiment of the invention involves producing high purity hydrogen by dehydrogenation using an integrated FDC-membrane de-hydrogenation reactor.

Abstract: Included is a method of starting up a direct heating device having a fuel introduction zone, a combustion zone and a process zone that is in heat exchange relationship with said combustion zone. Prior to the introduction of a fuel fluid into said combustion zone, an oxidant fluid, having a high temperature, is passed through the combustion zone for a warm-up time period sufficient to raise the temperature of the direct heating device to a desired temperature. Steam or a process fluid is passed through the process zone followed by the introduction of a fuel fluid into the fuel introduction zone. After the device has been heated up a process fluid is introduced through the process zone. Thereafter, the introduction of steam through the process zone may be stopped.