Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of olefins by autothermal cracking of a paraffinic hydrocarbon-containing feedstock in the presence of a molecular oxygen-containing gas, wherein said process comprises (a) providing a pre-heated, mixed feedstream comprising said paraffinic hydrocarbon containing feedstock and said molecular oxygen-containing gas, (b) subsequently mixing said pre-heated, mixed feedstream with a diluent, said diluent being pre-heated to a temperature of at least 400° C., to produce a diluted mixed feedstream comprising at least 10% by volume of diluent, and (c) contacting said diluted mixed feedstream with a catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the normal fuel rich limit of flammability, to provide a hydrocarbon product stream comprising olefins.

Abstract: A catalyst capable of supporting combustion beyond the fuel rich limit of flammability comprising a catalytic component and a metallic support wherein the support is a metallic structured packing comprising a multiplicity of open-ended channels and which has been loaded with a non metallic coating, and a process for the production of an olefin, said process comprising passing a mixture of a hydrocarbon and an oxygen-containing gas over said catalyst to produce an olefin.