A novel catalytic combustion concept for zero emissions power generation has been investigated. Catalysts consisting of Rh supported on ZrO2, Ce-ZrO2 or alpha-Al2O3 were prepared and tested under fuel-rich conditions, i.e. for catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) of methane. The experiments were performed in a subscale gas-turbine reactor operating at 5 bar with exhaust gas-diluted feed mixtures. The catalyst support material was found to influence the light-off temperature significantly, which increased in the following order Rh/Ce-ZrO2 < Rh/ZrO2 < Rh/alpha-Al2O3. The Rh loading, however, only had a minor influence. The high activity of Rh/Ce-ZrO2 is probably related to the high dispersion of Rh on Ce-ZrO2 and the high oxygen mobility of this support compared to pure ZrO2. The formation of hydrogen was also found to increase over the catalyst containing ceria in the support material. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.