TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reformate gases include mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen; mixtures of carbon monoxide and hydrogen containing small quantities of other hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon reformate or inert gases consisting of argon, helium, or nitrogen; by-products from partial oxidation or steam reformation of methane; partial oxidation or steam methane reformation products of other hydrocarbons; products of carbon dioxide reformation of hydrocarbons; and/or products of autothermal reformation of methane and other hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons include propane, butane, and/or octane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The membrane includes single phase or two-phase membranes. It includes strontium doped lanthanum ion cobalt oxide having a composition consisting of La(1-x)SrxCo(1-y)FeyO3, La(1-x)CaxCo(1-y)FeyO3, or La(1-x)SrxCoy1Fey2Niy3Cry4O3; yttria stabilized zirconia doped with an oxide consisting of manganese oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, or other transition metal oxides; undoped cerium oxide; cerium oxide doped with an oxide consisting of manganese oxide, titanium oxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, or other transition metal oxides; yttria stabilized zirconia and a metal consisting of palladium, platinum, nickel, silver, or gold; RE2O3 doped cerium oxide (where RE is yttrium, ytterbium, scandium, or gadolinium), and a metal consisting of palladium, platinum, nickel, silver, or gold; La(1-x)SrxMgyGa1-yO3 and nickel; and/or La(1-x)SrxMgyGa1-yO3 and palladium; preferably La(1-x)SrxCo(1-y)FeyO3 (where x is 0-0.4, and y is 0-1); most preferably La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3 and palladium. Preferred Property: The supported membrane has a thickness of 5-10mum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The cell is heated to 800-1000degreesC. The purified hydrogen is separated at the exit of the second side of the membrane by passing effluent from the second side through a condenser.