The performance of a newly developed metal-based combustion reactor is discussed. The heat transfer properties under combustion conditions of a so-called sintered-metal reactor covered with a palladium oxide on silica catalyst have been studied up to 550 degrees C. Also enhancement of the thermal stability of the silica by means of addition of aluminium was investigated. With mixed oxides of silicon and aluminium combustion catalysts have been prepared and they have been shown to exhibit good activity in the combustion of methane.