(DE19725006-A1)      A methanol reforming reactor includes a reaction chamber into which the catalyst is charged. Before operations begin, the catalyst is aged, its volume either being reduced before being charged into the reaction chamber or further catalyst being introduced to compensate for shrinkage after the catalyst has been aged inside the chamber. The ageing process is continued until the shrinkage rate falls below a predetermined value.    Also claimed is a process for pre-treating the catalyst by heating it for between 1 and 50 hours in an atmosphere of CH3OH and H2O at between 240 and 350C at a charge rate of between 0.5 m3H2/h and 50 m3H2/h per litre of catalyst until its shrinkage rate falls below a predetermined value.    USE -   In methanol reforming to produce hydrogen for a vehicle fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst does not undergo a loss in its specific activity that would otherwise occur during shrinkage during the first few hours of use.    (DE19725006-C2)      A methanol reforming reactor includes a reaction chamber into which the catalyst is charged. Before operations begin, the catalyst is aged, its volume either being reduced before being charged into the reaction chamber or further catalyst being introduced to compensate for shrinkage after the catalyst has been aged inside the chamber. The ageing process is continued until the shrinkage rate falls below a predetermined value.    Also claimed is a process for pre-treating the catalyst by heating it for between 1 and 50 hours in an atmosphere of CH3OH and H2O at between 240 and 350C at a charge rate of between 0.5 m3H2/h and 50 m3H2/h per litre of catalyst until its shrinkage rate falls below a predetermined value.    USE -   In methanol reforming to produce hydrogen for a vehicle fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst does not undergo a loss in its specific activity that would otherwise occur during shrinkage during the first few hours of use.    (US6171992-B1)      A methanol reforming reactor includes a reaction chamber into which the catalyst is charged. Before operations begin, the catalyst is aged, its volume either being reduced before being charged into the reaction chamber or further catalyst being introduced to compensate for shrinkage after the catalyst has been aged inside the chamber. The ageing process is continued until the shrinkage rate falls below a predetermined value.    Also claimed is a process for pre-treating the catalyst by heating it for between 1 and 50 hours in an atmosphere of CH3OH and H2O at between 240 and 350C at a charge rate of between 0.5 m3H2/h and 50 m3H2/h per litre of catalyst until its shrinkage rate falls below a predetermined value.    USE -   In methanol reforming to produce hydrogen for a vehicle fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE -   The catalyst does not undergo a loss in its specific activity that would otherwise occur during shrinkage during the first few hours of use.