How does partial oxidation of hydrocarbons produce hydrogen?

Noncatalytic partial oxidation is an industrial method used to produce hydrogen by reacting hydrocarbons with oxygen under elevated pressures. The chemical reaction is represented by the equation:1

$$C_n{H}_{2n+2}+(n/2)O_2\to nCO+(n+1)H_2$$

Unlike the endothermic steam-hydrocarbon process, this method is exothermic, meaning it produces heat. To function effectively, the process requires:1

• A feed system to deliver precise rates of fuel and oxygen.1
• Specially designed burners to ensure rapid mixing of the reactants.1
• A refractory-lined reactor.1
• A cooling system to recover heat from the resulting effluent gases.1

Additionally, there is a "pressure catalytic partial oxidation" method that combines this oxidation process with the steam-hydrocarbon process. In this variation, hydrocarbons and steam are mixed with heated oxygen; the oxygen reacts with the hydrocarbons in a space above a nickel catalyst bed, where the remaining steam-hydrocarbon reactions then proceed to equilibrium, maintaining the necessary temperature without external heating.1