A process used to rearrange the molecular structure of hydrocarbons to alter their properties by cracking or by catalytic conversion. In petroleum refining, reforming is used to produce hydrocarbons for use in gasoline. Steam reforming is the conversion of (p. 322) methane from natural gas into hydrogen. It is used in ammonia production, which is produced from desulphurized and scrubbed natural gas that is mixed with steam and passed over nickel catalyst packed in tubes at a high temperature of around 900ºC.
As both reactions are endothermic, heat is supplied to the reformer.