Provided is a method of generating a hydrogen-rich reformate from a hydrocarbon
feed stream comprising olefins and alkanes (e.g., LPG). An inlet gas stream containing
the hydrocarbon feed stream and an oxygen containing gas stream, is preheated to
a temperature of from 180 to 300 C. The preheated inlet gas stream is then
contacted with a sulfur tolerant partial oxidation catalyst to form a pre-reformed
gas stream, which is preferably maintained below about 400 C. The pre-reformed
gas stream is then subjected to a reforming process to form the hydrogen-rich reformate.