The equilibrium controlled water dissociation and the kinetically controlled nitrous oxide (N(2)O) decomposition were studied in the perovskite BaCo(x)Fe(y)Zr(1-x-y)O(3-delta) (BCFZ) oxygen-permeable membrane reactor. By increasing the temperature or pressure difference and by feeding reducing gases like methane or ethane to the permeate side to consume the permeated oxygen, hydrogen production rate or N(2)O conversion could be enhanced. A hydrogen production rate of 3.1 cm(3) min(-1) cm(-2) was obtained at 950 degrees C. When methane was used as the reducing gas on the shell side, the oxygen concentration on the N(2)O side can be kept at a low level, thus avoiding the inhibition of the N(2)O decomposition by adsorbed surface oxygen species. A complete decomposition of N(2)O for gas streams containing 20 vol.% N(2)O was achieved on the core side at 850 degrees C. Simultaneously, methane on the shell side was converted into synthesis gas with CO yield of above 80%. When feeding ethane to the shell side, the hydrogen from the thermal dehydrogenation of ethane can consume the permeated oxygen. At 850 degrees C. an ethane conversion of 85% and an ethylene selectivity of 86% were obtained. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.