Combustion catalyst and combustion process using such a catalyst

A process comprising combusting in the presence of a catalyst and in an oxidizing medium, at least one combustible substance containing methane and optionally other compounds selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and mixtures thereof, wherein the catalyst comprises a monolithic substrate, a porous support based on refractory inorganic oxide and an active phase formed by cerium, iron and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of palladium and platinum;

• the content of porous support being from 100 to 400 g per liter of catalyst;
• the content of cerium being between 0.3 and 20% by weight with respect to the porous support;
• the content of iron being between 0.01 and 3.5% of iron by weight with respect to the porous support;
• and the content of palladium and/or platinum being from 12 to 20 g per liter of catalyst;
• said catalyst having been produced by a process comprising introducing iron and cerium simultaneously into said refractory inorganic support before or after said support is coated on said monolithic substrate, and subjecting the resultant coated monolithic substrate to drying and calcining, said cerium and iron having been introduced into the refractory inorganic support prior to said drying and calcining of the coated monolithic substrate.