Method and apparatus for setting the ignition property of a fuel

A method utilizing a unit comprising a dispersion zone, an oxidation zone, and a conversion zone, the method comprising:

• feeding an oxidant and a fuel into the unit;
• dispersing the fuel in the dispersion zone, the dispersion zone comprising a dispersion structure;
• oxidizing at least part of the fuel in the oxidation zone by means of the oxidant over a catalyst on a catalyst support;
• transferring into the dispersion zone at least part of the heat evolved by the oxidizing of at least part of the fuel;
• vaporizing the fuel in the dispersion zone;
• converting at least part of the dispersed fuel and/or a supplied fuel thermally and/or catalytically in the conversion zone;
• and
• setting an ignition property of the fuel by means of:
• the molar ratio of oxygen present in the oxidant to the oxygen required for complete oxidation of the fuel present,
• and/or the pressure in the unit,
• and/or the residence time,
• and/or the temperature,
• wherein air flows forward through the catalyst support to the dispersion structure,
• wherein air also flows backward through the catalyst support to a side opposite the dispersion structure,
• wherein a flow direction of the converted fuel is substantially parallel to a plane of the catalyst support, and
• wherein, upon exiting the unit, the fuel having an altered ignition property has a different composition than the oxidant and the fuel fed into the unit.