Catalytic process

A method of start-up of a continuous process for the production of a gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon oxides wherein reactant streams including

• (a) a stream containing a gaseous hydrocarbon, or hydrocarbon derivative, feedstock, and
• (b) a stream containing an oxidant gas containing free oxygen,
• are separately fed, at elevated pressure, to a burner where partial combustion takes place, and the combustion products are fed over a catalyst to bring the combustion products towards equilibrium, comprising
• (i) producing a hot gas stream by effecting at least partial combustion of a stream of a gaseous combustible material and an oxidant gas containing free oxygen,
• said hot gas stream being produced at least initially by catalytic combustion by passing said combustible material and said oxidant gas over a combustion catalyst;
• (ii) heating at least one of the reactant streams, directly or indirectly, with said hot gas stream to a temperature above the autoignition temperature of said reactants and feeding the reactants streams to said burner,
• whereby autoignition of said reactant streams is effected to produce a flame at said burner and self-sustaining combustion of said feedstock is established;
• and thereafter
• (iii) discontinuing the production of said hot gas stream while continuing feed of said reactant streams to the burner.