third pre reformer inlet stream 112 is then introduced into third pre reforming chamber 113 thereby producing third pre reformed stream 114 third pre reformed stream 114 may then be heated once again in a fourth heat exchanger not shown prior to usage downstream note in one embodiment hot gas stream 117 hot gas stream 116 and hot gas stream 115 may come from different sources not shown the second temperature may be greater than said first temperature the third temperature may be greater than said second temperature the indirect heat exchange may be with a flue gas from an smr furnace the indirect heat exchanger may be with one or more process streams the indirect heat exchange may be with smr furnace syngas the amount of steam mixed with hydrocarbons depends on the catalyst and the type of hydrocarbon feedstock the skilled artisan will be able to select the proper amount of steam for any application without undue experimentation each pre reforming chamber may be a stand alone reactor at least two pre reforming chambers may be contained in a single vessel all three pre reforming chambers may be contained in a single vessel the three pre reforming beds may be stacked in one vessel with internal heads the first pre reforming chamber may have a first space velocity the.