TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Apparatus: In (A2), the several steam reformation catalysts are provided in a staged configuration, where the staged configuration includes a coke-resistant steam reformation catalyst loaded at an entrance of the steam reformer, followed by the high-activity steam reformation catalyst. In (A2), the several reformation catalysts include at least two of high-activity steam reformation catalyst (preferably a supported nickel-based catalysts), a coke-resistant steam reformation catalyst (preferably a supported doped nickel-based catalysts) and a steam reformation catalyst that promotes water-gas shift reaction. In (A2), a fuel cell is in fluid communication with the hydrogen generation reactor.Preferred Components: The supported doped nickel-based catalyst is comprised of at least one of calcium oxide, potassium oxide and/or calcium aluminate, and is further comprised of at least one noble metal (preferably at least one of platinum, palladium, rhodium, and/or ruthenium). The high activity steam reformation catalyst contains at least one noble metal component. The several catalysts in (A2) are powders or coatings supported on a substrate (preferably foams, monoliths, felts and/or mesh). The several catalysts in (M1) are comprised of at least one of high-activity steam reformation catalyst and coke-resistant steam reformation catalyst; and are further comprised of steam reformation catalyst that promotes water-gas shift reaction.Preferred Method: (M1) Further involves introducing the feed stream of hydrocarbons (preferably a fuel having at least one of 1-4C hydrocarbon and/or 1-4C oxygenate) into the hydrogen reactor chamber. In (M1), when the at least one hydrocarbon is propane, then (M1) provides hydrogen production at residence time of .15 - .30 seconds and at 575degreesC. In (M1) the step of providing several catalysts within the reactor chamber can be performed by, either loading several catalysts within the hydrogen reactor chamber such that the feed stream of hydrocarbons is exposed to several catalysts in a predetermined sequential manner; or by loading the several catalysts within the hydrogen reactor chamber such that the staged catalyst medium includes a first portion having a steam reformation catalyst that also promotes the water-gas shift reaction, located adjacent entrance or exit portions and a second portion including at least one of high-activity steam reformation catalyst and coke-resistant steam reformation catalyst. (M1) Further involves introducing the feed stream of hydrocarbons to a steam reformation catalyst that promotes water-gas shift reaction and located adjacent entrance or exit portions of the hydrogen reactor chamber. In (M1) the step of providing several catalysts within the reactor chamber can be performed such that the high reforming and water gas shift activity characteristics of at least one catalyst is balanced with resistance to coking. In (M1), all or part of the coke-resistant catalyst is mixed with the high-activity catalyst, before loading into the hydrogen reactor chamber. (M1) Further involves step of hot swapping of fuels in the 1-4C range to obtain fuel flexibility and uninterrupted production of hydrogen or a reformed gas stream. In (M2), the purification of the reformer stream is achieved using a hydrogen separation membrane.