PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and method for heating a catalyst for start-up of a compact fuel processor. SOLUTION: The apparatus heats a catalyst bed 410 for start-up and provides heat to the catalyst bed 410 during transient operation to maintain desired reaction temperatures. An electrical heating element 400 may directly or indirectly heat the catalyst. The direct heating of the catalyst is achieved by bringing the heater element 400 into direct contact with the catalyst. Indirect heating is achieved by direct heating of a fluid, such as a process flow, which in turn flows through the catalyst, thereby transferring heat to the catalyst. Additionally, the heating element 400 may be placed within a sheath that is brought into direct contact with the catalyst or fluid that flows through the catalyst. By these means, catalysts of many forms, including pellets, extrudates, spheres, and monoliths, may employ this catalyst heater 400. The catalyst heater 400 can be made of any resistive wire, cartridges, or rods that may be coupled to a power source to provide the energy to produce the heat. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT