The formation of stationary spatially patterns is analysed for a detailed reaction mechanism of the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. In the first step, a simple steady-state model of an ideal plug flow membrane reactor is investigated by numerical bifurcation analysis. The model shows a complex nonlinear behaviour including period doubling bifurcations and aperiodic spatial patterns. In the next step, the influence of axial heat dispersion is studied. Finally, a more detailed model of a fixed bed membrane reactor is considered. It is found that pattern formation is possible under operation conditions realisable in a laboratory reactor. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.