This work investigates the integration of an autothermal membrane reformer within a micro-CHP system of 5 kWel based on PEM fuel cell. The system modeled is based on a prototype developed within Reforcell European project. The optimization of the micro-CHP system is performed from a thermodynamic point of view aiming at the target of 40% of net electric efficiency and 90% of total system efficiency comparing different configuration and operating conditions. In particular, two hydrogen permeate side options as vacuum or sweep steam are evaluated together with different combination of feed temperature and pressures. A good compromise between electric efficiency (40%) and membrane surface area (0.3 m(2)) was obtained for the sweep gas case at reaction side conditions of 8 bar, 600 degrees C and S/C of 2.5. Higher electric efficiency (40.5%) could be achieved by increasing the membrane surface area. The adoption of a vacuum pump simplifies the reactor design and manufacturing, but reduces the net electric efficiency by about 2% points with a membrane surface area of 0.15 m(2). Finally, the sensitivity analysis highlighted the influence of the main parameters and the design criteria for the definition of the CHP system. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.