TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The combustion plate comprises a ceramic combustion catalyst provided on one surface of the combustion plate. The combustion plate comprises fragments of ceramic catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluid comprises potassium. The reformer product stream comprises hydrogen. The by-product comprises at least one of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The apparatus is adapted to provide a stream of gas through the apparatus and in contact with the reformer plates and a stream of gas through the apparatus and in contact with the combustion plates wherein the streams are in thermal communication but not in fluid communication. The reformer plates and the combustion plates comprise internal manifolds (15, 17) so that when the plates are assembled in a stack the manifolds are arranged to guide the gases over the plates. The reformer plate comprises a reformer catalyst. The catalyst is suitable for catalyzing the reaction of a fuel and water to produce hydrogen. It is provided on one surface of the reformer plate. The apparatus comprises a combustion catalyst and a reformer catalyst, not being in fluid communication. A fluid circuit is in thermal communication with at least one of the reformer unit and the combustion unit to allow the temperature of the unit to be controlled.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel for the reforming reaction comprises methanol. It comprises oil. It includes methane, natural gas, and/or diesel. The by-product comprises at least one of hydrocarbons and methanol.Preferred Method: When the fuel is methanol, the reforming reaction takes place at 150-250degreesC, preferably 180-200degreesC. The combustion reaction takes place at 150-300degreesC, preferably 200-250degreesC. A fluid having a temperature of 150-250degreesC (180-200degreesC) is circulated through the additional fluid circuit. When the fuel is methane, natural gas or diesel, the temperature of the reforming reaction is 350-850degreesC, preferably 500-700degreesC. The temperature of the combustion reaction is 400-900degreesC, preferably 550-750degreesC.