Patent ID: 8747698

Claim:
A method for the commissioning of an autothermal reactor for the generation of synthesis gas by reforming hydrocarbon-containing feed gases in a reaction chamber where oxidation and reforming reactions take place, into which a hydrocarbon-containing feed gas and water vapour are fed, with the water vapour content being 0-80% by vol. referred to the hydrocarbon-containing feed gas, as well as an oxidizer of an oxygen content of 10-100% by vol., and a product gas is generated, the commissioning being initiated by an ignition operation, comprising: preheating the autothermal reactor to >600° C. for commissioning by means of an inert fluid; an ignition operation is then triggered by feeding a combustible gas or gas mixture having an ignition temperature below 600° C. and which is below the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbon-containing feed gas, the content of a heating component in the gas or gas mixture being at least 40% by vol. and feeding an oxidizer of an oxygen content of 10-100% by vol.; and autothermal reforming is then started by feeding the hydrocarbon-containing feed gas and water vapour to the reactor.