A one-dimensional steady-state heterogeneous model has been used to simulate the H-2 membrane reactor. The simulation work is the basis for the thermodynamic analysis of the integrated pure H2 production process. The simulation and analysis also provide a quantitative tool for insight into and understanding the process.The simulation and thermodynamic analysis results indicate that increasing the inlet ratio H2O/CH4 cannot enhance the pure H-2 production rate. With increasing the inlet ratio H2O/CH4, the overall exergy efficiency of the process decreases, because a large amount of energy is required to obtain the steam.When the geometric parameters of membrane reactor and inlet temperature are given, there is a maximum feeding rate of methane for the integrated process. The pure hydrogen production rate increases with the inlet methane rate increasing, while the overall exergy efficiency decreases as inlet methane rate increases.For the same inlet rate of methane, operating the process at higher inlet temperature increases hydrogen production rate. Whereas, the overall exergy efficiency is lowered.Three suggestions are discussed to improve the overall exergy efficiency. All of them require more equipment investment. There will be an optimal point to balance equipment investment, pure hydrogen production rate and overall exergy efficiency. To find the optimum, thermo-economic analysis will be helpful. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.