Process for catalytic selective oxidation of a hydrocarbon substrate

Process for the oxidation of a hydrocarbon substrate containing at least 20% by volume of an inert gas to a corresponding oxidized hydrocarbon compound by contacting the hydrocarbon substrate with an oxygen containing atmosphere in presence of a catalyst being active in the oxidation of the hydrocarbon substrate, which process comprises the steps of:

• passing a process gas containing the hydrocarbon substrate through a reaction zone with the catalyst;
• continuously introducing the oxygen containing atmosphere divided into a plurality of substreams successively into the reaction zone, the oxygen containing atmosphere being introduced separately from the process gas containing the hydrocarbon substrate;
• within the reaction zone, reacting the process gas continuously with the oxygen containing atmosphere;
• and
• withdrawing from the reaction zone a product gas containing oxidized hydrocarbon compound and carbon monoxide.