A method for operating a catalytic reforming assembly. The method includes injecting a quantity of oxidizer gas and a quantity of combustion gas into a reformer to form a mixture. The mixture is channeled across a catalyst bed to form a reformate gas stream. A temperature of the catalyst bed is measured using at least one temperature sensor. A level of the oxidizer gas in the reformate stream is measured using at least one oxidizer gas sensor. A health of the catalyst bed is determined based on at least one of a catalyst bed temperature measurement and an oxidizer gas level.