The catalytic oxidation of propene has been studied as a model chemical reaction, in order to compare performances of a conventional monolithic reactor and allow-through membrane reactor (contactor type [1]). These formers are different by their configurations but have the same catalytic system: Pt/Al(2)O(3). The results report the catalytic performance of the two reactors in the catalytic oxidation of VOCs in excess of oxygen. In our operating conditions, the most efficient process is the flow-through catalytic membrane reactor. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.