(EP813903-A2)      Reactor for steam reforming of methanol, has a novel design. Three reactor stages in series are each catalyst-loaded. Of these, only the central stage (1b) has a heater (6). Inlet- (1a) and outlet- (1c) stages are separated by a thermally-conductive partition (3), for heat exchange. They are alternatively, spatially-separated, with heat exchange connections. The gas stream emerging from the final stage is passed through a tempering space, in contact with the inlet stage.    USE -   For the steam reforming of methanol.    ADVANTAGE -   This equipment is designed for low-cost mobility. In the first stage, heat transferred causes minimal conversion to product. This allows a more compact construction of the central stage, and reduced ageing by the unreacted components. The first stage at the same time, being comprised of catalyst pellets, filters out suspended particles. No filter is therefore required before the central stage, which is kept clear of water- and methanol droplets, for the important reforming reaction. No droplet separator is required for the final stage. The water boiler construction is also simplified. The central reaction is compact, with lower thermal capacity, allowing larger temperature swings with changing loading.    (US5928614-A)      Reactor for steam reforming of methanol, has a novel design. Three reactor stages in series are each catalyst-loaded. Of these, only the central stage (1b) has a heater (6). Inlet- (1a) and outlet- (1c) stages are separated by a thermally-conductive partition (3), for heat exchange. They are alternatively, spatially-separated, with heat exchange connections. The gas stream emerging from the final stage is passed through a tempering space, in contact with the inlet stage.    USE -   For the steam reforming of methanol.    ADVANTAGE -   This equipment is designed for low-cost mobility. In the first stage, heat transferred causes minimal conversion to product. This allows a more compact construction of the central stage, and reduced ageing by the unreacted components. The first stage at the same time, being comprised of catalyst pellets, filters out suspended particles. No filter is therefore required before the central stage, which is kept clear of water- and methanol droplets, for the important reforming reaction. No droplet separator is required for the final stage. The water boiler construction is also simplified. The central reaction is compact, with lower thermal capacity, allowing larger temperature swings with changing loading.