High yields of synthesis gas by millisecond partial oxidation of higher hydrocarbons

Cyclohexane, n-hexane, and isooctane were reacted with air in a Ph-monolith reactor and converted into synthesis gas (H-2 + Co) in yields exceeding 90 %, with >95% conversion of fuels and 100% conversion of oxygen. The best ca talyst was an 80 ppi washcoated alumina monolith containing 5 wt% Ph. There was a small effect of catalyst contact time on syngas selectivity and conv ersions for gas space velocities from 3 x 10(5) to 3 x 10(6) h(-1). Preheat ing the feed enhances syngas selectivities slightly, but no reactor preheat is necessary provided the fuel remains vaporized. Addition of 25 mol% tolu ene to isooctane also produces syngas, olefins, and methane with 90% yield, including similar to 70% yield to syngas. Partial oxidation of gasoline-ai r mixtures was attempted but the catalysts were poisoned after several hour s, probably by sulfur and/or metals.