In this method Methane (CH4), a main component of natural gas, and water react at temperatures of 600 — 800 C to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide and dioxide. The steam reforming system can be easily coupled to a HTGR, which can provide the necessary heat and high temperature. Considerable R&D work has been carried out in Germany for the steam reforming of methane including performing experiments in a pilot plant, EVA-I and EVA-II. Currently work is in progress in JAERI for the HTTR14, in China for the HTR-1015 and in Russia.

A. CO2 Reforming of Methane

The basic CH4 and CO2 reaction for this process (with no addition of steam) produces CO and hydrogen. The reforming process requires high temperature (800 — 900 C) and high energy input, both of which can be provided by HTGRs. The generated CO and H2 mixture (syngas) can be used directly as fuel for electricity generation (e. g., by fuel cells).