A comparative experimental study of the interactions between platinum and a range of hydrocarbon fuels

► The reactivity of four different alkanes ranging from C1 to C4 is tested over platinum. ► The platinum plate temperature peaks at moderately rich ethane/air mixtures. ► The reactivity limits of ethane/air mixtures broaden in the presence of platinum. ► Compressed natural gas show higher selectivity towards CO and H2. ► Two distinct reactive zones are observed in the streamwise and transverse directions.