NOVELTY - A thermo-neutral reforming for the production of a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas from a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, comprises pre-heating a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel, an oxygen-rich gas, and steam to an interior zone of a reactor at 380-450 degrees C; and contacting the mixture with a catalyst bed comprising a combined combustion and steam and/or carbon dioxide reforming catalyst containing nickel, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, platinum, zirconium oxide, rhodium, and rhenium at a gas hour space velocity of 30000-70000/hour.    USE - For the production of a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas used as a feed for on-board reformers in vehicles incorporating a high temperature or low temperature fuel cell, for hydrogen enrichment in internal combustion engine, or used in stationary power generating facilities applications (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - A very small amount of platinum group metal(s) can enhance the activity of the base metal-supported thermo-neutral reforming catalyst by providing hydrogen-spillover on the catalyst surface. The hydrogen spillover effect prevents carbon deposition on the catalyst that retards the deactivation of the catalyst. By using a multi-component catalyst, the catalytic combustion and steam reforming functions are enhanced and coke formation and sulfur poisoning are avoided. The heat produced from catalytic combustion induces the endothermic steam reforming of hydrocarbons on the same catalyst surface leading to ultra-rapid reforming. The catalyst is capable of complete oxidation of the hydrocarbon feed stock by consuming all oxygen supplied and generating a high heat of combustion reaction, is very active for the steam reforming reaction that is endothermic in nature consuming the heat generated by the oxidation reaction and providing true thermo-neutral reforming, has a very long active life without any detectable deactivation, and can process liquid hydrocarbons from isooctane to diesel at a very high rate of conversion to syngas.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A thermo-neutral reforming for the production of a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas from a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, involves pre-heating a mixture of a hydrocarbon fuel, an oxygen-rich gas, and steam to an interior zone of a reactor at 380-450 degrees C. The interior zone of the reactor includes a catalyst bed comprising a combined combustion and steam and/or carbon dioxide reforming catalyst containing nickel, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide, platinum, zirconium oxide, rhodium, and rhenium. The pre-heated mixture is contacted with the catalyst bed at a gas hour space velocity of 30000-70000/hour causing an exothermic combustion reaction raising the temperature to 800-900 degrees C and causing an endothermic steam reforming reaction to reform the liquid fuel.