The combined CO, reforming and partial oxidation (POX) of n-heptane was studied on various noble metal zirconia catalysts between 700 and 900 degrees C. The activity order of the metals was Rh > Pd > Ir > Pt. Selectivity to syngas increased with the activity of the catalysts but the H-2 to CO molar ratio decreased. The activity and selectivity of the 0.25 wt% Rh/ZrO2 catalyst were close to the performance of a commercial 15 wt% NiO/Al2O3 catalyst. The conversions and product compositions were compared to the calculated thermodynamic equilibria. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.