Process for the preparation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide containing mixtures

Abstract

A process for the preparation of a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide by autothermal reforming, comprising (i) partial oxidation of a gaseous hydrocarbon feed in a partial oxidation zone, (ii) passing the effluent of the partial oxidation zone to a reforming zone; and (iii) reforming in the presence of a reforming catalyst in the reforming zone to form a reformed product stream, wherein the partial oxidation is carried out at a H.sub.2 C/C molar feed ratio of less than 0.2, and, preferably reformed product stream has a temperature in the range from 1000.degree. to 1350.degree. C., or wherein the reformed product stream has a temperature in the range from 1100.degree. to 1300.degree. C., and, preferably the partial oxidation is carried out at a H.sub.2 O/C molar feed ratio of less than 0.5.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.