Partial oxidation refers to the incomplete
oxidation of a
hydrocarbon. The resulting products are
carbon monoxide and
hydrogen. This is different than
full oxidation,
aka deep oxidation where the products are
carbon dioxide and
water.
Some typical partial oxidation reactions
methaneCH
4 + 0.5 O
2 --> CO + H
2
propaneC
3H
8 + 1.5 O
2 --> 3 CO + 4 H
2