System for hydrogen generation through steam reforming of hydrocarbons and integrated chemical reactor for hydrogen production from hydrocarbons

The present invention provides a reactor, which includes:a unitary shell assembly having an inlet and an outlet;a flow path extending within the shell assembly from the inlet to the outlet, the flow path having a steam reformer section with a first catalyst and a water gas shift reactor section with a second catalyst, the steam reformer section being located upstream of the water gas shift reactor section;a heating section within the shell assembly and configured to heat the steam reformer section; anda cooling section within the shell assembly and configured to cool the water gas shift reactor section. The present invention also provides a simplified hydrogen production system, which includes the catalytic steam reforming and subsequent high temperature water gas shift of low-sulfur (