The kinetics of steam reforming of methane was determined on a Ni-YSZ anode, which we refer to as anode 'A' and on a Ni-YSZ anode modified by the addition of a basic compound, which we refer to as anode 'B'. A salient feature of our work is that the data were collected on 50 mum thick anodes screen-printed on 110 mum thick YSZ electrolytes and the experiments were carried out in a fuel cell configuration. Orders in methane and steam were both higher on the modified Ni-YSZ anode. Activation energy was also higher on this anode suggesting different nature of sites in the two anodes. In the present study we have attempted to generate kinetic data at steam/carbon ratios which are economically attractive for fuel cell operation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.