The U-shaped hollow-fiber membranes based on the perovskite-type oxide BaCo0.7Fe0.2Ta0.1O3-delta (BCFT) were prepared by phase inversion spinning process and were used to construct membrane reactor for partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas (CO + H-2) successfully. The effects of the temperature, CH4 concentration and the CH4 flow rate on the performance of the BCFT hollow-fiber membrane reactor were investigated in detail. At 875 degrees C, an oxygen permeation flux of 20 ml/min cm(2) with 96% methane conversion and 99% CO selectivity were obtained. SEM, XRD, XPS and EDS of the fresh and spent hollow-fiber membranes show that carbonate was formed and the metal ion reduction, as well as the elements segregation took place in the membrane, which led to the fracture of the membrane reactor after 83 h operation. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.