Abstract: A process for the production of mono-olefins from a hydrocarbon feed containing one or more paraffinic hydrocarbons having at least two carbon atoms, the process comprising partial combustion of a mixture of the hydrocarbon feed and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in contact in a reaction chamber with a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability to produce heat of reaction, the reaction chamber being adapted such that at least part of the heat of reaction is transferred to the incoming feed and the velocity of the incoming feed is maintained at a value above the burning velocity of the feed mixture.

Abstract: A process for the production of mono-olefins from a paraffin-containing hydrocarbon feed having at least two carbon atoms which comprises a first step of partially combusting a mixture of the hydrocarbon feed and a molecular oxygen-containing gas in contact with a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability, the first step being carried out under a total pressure of greater than 5 bar absolute and at a temperature of greater than 650.degree. C.; and a second step of cooling the mono-olefinic products to 600.degree. C. or less within less than 50 milliseconds of formation.