Catalytic system for converting liquid fuels into syngas

A system for converting a liquid fuel into a gasified stream, the system comprising:

• a) a nozzle having an outlet for feeding a fuel and an oxidant into contact with a reforming catalyst;
• b) a fuel inlet for feeding the fuel into the nozzle;
• c) an oxidant inlet for feeding the oxidant into the nozzle;
• d) the reforming catalyst positioned downstream from the outlet of the nozzle, the catalyst being supported on a substrate comprising a metal screen in a coiled configuration having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and a radial flow path;
• e) an ignition source located inside the inner diameter of the metal screen for igniting the catalyst;
• f) a heat exchanger placed within the system downstream of the catalyst such that a hot side of the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the catalyst and a cold side of the heat exchanger is in fluid communication with a supply of water so as to produce steam;
• and further such that the heat exchanger is displaced radially with respect to a center axis of the coiled metal screen and the heat exchanger has a flow path positioned in crossflow direction with respect to the radial flow path of the coiled metal screen;
• g) a means for feeding steam into contact with the catalyst.