The steam reforming (SR) of propane for hydrogen production at 400-600 degrees C in a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) membrane reactor was investigated. The YSZ membrane was used as a hydrogen selective membrane. A Rh-supported Ce0.15Zr0.85O2) catalyst was packed in the membrane reactor because the catalyst was found to be the most suitable catalyst for the low-temperature SR of propane on the basis of the results obtained using a packed bed reactor. The conversion of propane in the membrane reactor was higher than that in a packed bed reactor due to the shift of equilibrium toward the hydrogen-producing side. In spite of relatively low permeation selectivity (ideal H-2/CO selectivity = 9 at 100 degrees C), hydrogen permeation through the membrane Caused an increase in the CO2 fraction and a decrease in the CO fraction in reformed gas. This indicates that the water-gas shift reaction was an important contributor in the product distribution in the membrane reactor. Meanwhile, the methane fraction remained largely unchanged. regardless of selective hydrogen permeation. (C) 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.