Patent ID: 7056488

Claim:
A method of enhancing light-off of a catalytic partial oxidation process for converting a light hydrocarbon and O 2 to synthesis gas, the method comprising: contacting a reactant gas mixture containing said light hydrocarbon and O 2 with a particulate catalyst comprising a catalytic component and a porous support having an initial BET surface area larger than 1.0 m 2 per gram of support, a pore volume in the range of about 0.01–0.1 cc per gram of support, an avenge pore size in the range of 10 to 150 nm in diameter, with at least a portion of the pores being less than 10 nm in diameter, whereupon initiation of said catalytic partial oxidation reaction occurs at a temperature less than 500° C., such that a gaseous mixture comprising CO and H 2 is produced.