An experimental demonstration of the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) in a lab-scale packed bed membrane reactor has been performed. Experiments were carried out with both premixed and distributed oxygen feed over a Ga2O3/MoO3 catalyst and compared, and the influence of the gas composition, flow rate and the extent of dilution was investigated. The experimental results were found to compare very well with detailed reactor simulations. The results revealed that, in comparison with conventional reactor concepts for the ODHP (fixed bed with premixed reactants feed), a significantly higher propylene yield can be achieved at higher propane conversions in a packed bed membrane reactor. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.