TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Parameters: Hydrogen is monitored and the predetermined level is less than 97% (preferably less than 92%). If the impurity is carbon dioxide, the predetermined level is greater than 0.5% (preferably greater than 1.5%). If the impurity is carbon monoxide, the predetermined level is greater than 5 ppm (preferably greater than 25 ppm). If the impurity is unreacted hydrocarbon fuel, the predetermined level is greater than 0.75% (preferably greater than 1.5%).Preferred Method: The method includes calcining a carbon dioxide fixing material within a second catalyst bed at calcination temperature to release fixed carbon dioxide while reforming the hydrocarbon fuel in the first catalyst bed. Alternatively, generation of hydrogen includes:(i) performing at least two reforming/calcining cycles, each reforming/calcining cycle including reforming hydrocarbon fuel in a catalyst bed comprising reforming catalyst and carbon dioxide fixing material to produce a reformate comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide, with the carbon dioxide fixing material fixing portion(s) of the carbon dioxide in the reformate to produce hydrogen-rich reformate and fixed carbon dioxide, and calcining the carbon dioxide fixing material within the catalyst bed to release fixed carbon dioxide; hydrating the calcined carbon dioxide fixing material with steam after performing the reforming/calcining cycles; and performing reforming/calcining cycle(s) or allowing the catalyst bed to cool to a shutdown temperature after hydrating the calcined carbon dioxide fixing material;(ii) calcining a carbon dioxide fixing material within a first catalyst bed comprising carbon dioxide fixing material and reforming catalyst at greater than 550degreesC (preferably greater than 750degreesC) to release fixed carbon dioxide; hydrating the calcined carbon dioxide fixing material with steam at less than 600degreesC below a reforming temperature (i.e. 400-800degreesC); heating the first catalyst bed to 400-800degreesC (preferably 500-650degreesC); performing reforming/calcining cycle(s); and reforming hydrocarbon fuel in a second catalyst bed comprising reforming catalyst and carbon dioxide fixing material to produce a reformate comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide while calcining the carbon dioxide fixing material in the first catalyst bed; or(iii) reforming hydrocarbon fuel in a catalyst bed comprising reforming catalyst and carbon dioxide fixing material at a reforming temperature to produce a reformate comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide, with the carbon dioxide fixing material fixing portion(s) of carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen-rich reformate and fixed carbon dioxide; calcining the carbon dioxide fixing material within the catalyst bed at a calcination temperature to release fixed carbon dioxide; and hydrating the calcined carbon dioxide fixing material with steam at a hydration temperature below the reforming temperature, where the hydration temperature is below 600degreesC (preferably below 300degreesC).Preferred Components: The hydrocarbon fuel is a gas at 30degreesC. The hydrocarbon fuel comprises methane, ethane, propane, and/or butane.