METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING A REFORMING PROCESS BY USING RENEWABLE ELECTRICAL ENERGY AS A HEATING INPUT TO THE REFORMING PROCESS

A method for improving a reforming process by using renewable electrical energy as a heating input to the reforming process is provided. The method includes partially preheating combustion air using a first electrical heater, wherein the first electrical heater is configured to be supplied with the renewable electrical energy generated by a renewable source, wherein the first electrical heater is integrated in between a cold air preheater and a hot air preheater of a process plant that performs the reforming process; utilizing, by the first electrical heater, a bad based on an availability of the renewable electrical energy received from the renewable source; and providing, by the first electrical heater, the preheated combustion air at an outlet of the first electrical heater to a boiler of the process plant based on the bad utilized by the first electrical heater.