Cyclic autothermal hydrocarbon reforming process

A continuous process for the partial oxidation of at least one hydrocarbon comprising the steps of:

• (a) in a first reactor, contacting a first oxygen ion conducting ceramic with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature in the range between about 300 and 1400° C. and at a pressure in the range between about 1 and 50 bara, wherein oxygen from said oxygen-containing gas reacts with said first ceramic, thereby producing a first oxygen-enriched ceramic;
• and contacting said first oxygen-enriched ceramic with said hydrocarbon at a temperature in the range between about 300 and 1400° C., thereby producing a first product gas;
• and
• (b) in a second reactor, contacting a second oxygen ion conducting ceramic with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature in the range between about 300 and 1400° C. and at a pressure in the range between about 1 and 50 bara, wherein oxygen from said oxygen-containing gas reacts with said second ceramic, thereby producing a second oxygen-enriched ceramic;
• and contacting said second oxygen-enriched ceramic with said hydrocarbon at a temperature in the range between about 300 and 1400° C., thereby producing a second product gas.