A heat exchanger design is provided for optimal transfer of thermal energy between
a primary reactor-out reformate and a primary reactor-in steam and air. In particular,
one embodiment of the present invention comprises a prime-surface true counterflow
heat exchanger positioned around the primary reactor. It is emphasized that this
abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will
allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the
technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that is will not be
used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
