We investigated direct butane power generation for microtubular solid oxide fuel cells with a diameter of less than 2 mm. Conventional Ni-stabilized zirconia anodes deteriorated rapidly over a period of 3-4 h at 610 degrees C and a low steam/carbon (S/C) ratio of 0.044 in butane due to a large amount of carbon deposition. For the Ni-Gd doped ceria (Ni-GDC) anode, the power could be generated continuously for more than 24 h at 610 degrees C and S/C = 0.044 in butane. The rate of carbon deposition for the Ni-GDC was slower than that for the Ni-stabilized zirconia at 610 degrees C. Ceria can be reduced from Ce4+ to Ce3+, which causes the suppression of carbon deposition on the Ni-GDC anode in butane at low humidity. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.