The proprietary Uhde top-fired steam reformer

The feed stream to the reformer is distributed over a large number of parallel reformer tubes via an inlet manifold system.

Each tube row is connected to a separate outlet header which is connected to a common transfer line. Low-NOx burners are arranged in the furnace ceiling between the tube rows and between the outer tube row and the side walls. Tunnels are provided at the bottom to collect the flue gas.

The reformer floor is rendered gas-tight at the point where the reformer tube passes through the furnace bottom by means of bellows. This prevents any ingress of air into the heated zone of the furnace and allows thermal expansion of the manifold. Compared with a hot outlet system, the horizontal expansion is much lower, as a result of which it is possible to design very large reformers.