The reaction between ethane and cerium oxide with and without noble metal promoters has been studied at temperatures up to 700 degreesC in a pulse apparatus. The cerium oxide was supported on gamma -Al2O3 and promoted by reimpregnation with Pt, Ph or Ru. The promoters drastically enhanced the conversion of ethane, but the yield of ethylene was highest with unpromoted cerium oxide and at high temperatures. The product yield depended strongly on the degree of reduction of the material samples. Carbon dioxide was formed in reaction with the fresh unpromoted cerium oxide. The yield of ethylene increased as the degree of reduction of the cerium oxide increased at 700 degreesC. No water was formed simultaneously with the production of ethylene. This shows that the dehydrogenation that took place was non-oxidative. Ethane in reaction with the fresh promoted cerium oxide material samples yielded mostly carbon dioxide and water. The product yields changed towards carbon monoxide and hydrogen together with methane and coke as the promoted materials were being reduced. Some ethylene was formed also with the platinum-promoted material sample with a high degree of reduction.