Abstract: This invention is a catalyst comprising palladium on a support containing zirconium and a partial combustion process in which the fuel is partially combusted using that catalyst. The choice of catalysts and supports solves a problem dealing with the long term stability of palladium as a partial combustion catalyst. The catalyst structure is stable in operation, has a comparatively low operating temperature, has a low temperature a which oxidation begins, and yet is not susceptible to temperature "runaway". The combustion gas produced by the catalytic process typically is at a temperature below the autocombustive temperature and may be used at that temperature or it may be fed to other combustion stages for further use in a gas turbine, furnace, boiler, or the like.