| abstract |
Hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks are converted to synthesis gas by a catalytic partial oxidation process wherein a mixture of hydrocarbonaceous feedstock, oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and, optionally, steam is provided to a catalytic partial oxidation zone at a temperature not lower than 93°C below its autoignition temperature and at an oxygen-to-carbon molar ratio from 0.3:1 to 0.8:1. The catalytic partial oxidation zone contains a catalyst having a geometric surface area-to-volume ratio of at least 5 cm²/cm³, preferably greater than 20 cm²/cm³. The catalyst volume requirements are comparatively low inasmuch as space velocities which are from about 20,000 hr.⁻¹ to 500,000 hr.⁻¹. |