Operating data from the plant are available for a past period of operation. For that period, the plant operators determined the composition of the reformer product gas by sampling the product gas stream and analyzing it with a gas chromatograph. The overall flow rates of the methane and steam feed streams and of the product stream were determined from calibrated flow meters. Collected data show that the stream leaving the reformer was at 900°C and 1.6 MPa.

a. Component flow rates shown in the table below were calculated from the measured compositions and flow rates. Assuming the temperature, pressure, flow rate, and composition measurements are accurate, has the product gas reached equilibrium?

b. If the calculations in part (a) are inconsistent with the product gas being at equilibrium, give at least two possible reasons and suggest steps by which your hypotheses can be tested.