TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The applying a uniform seeding layer further comprises performing multiple applications of the zeolite crystals in a graded pore-size structure, initially using larger zeolite crystals having average diameters of 0.5-3 mu m and subsequently using smaller zeolite crystals having average diameters of 50-500 nm. The method further comprises: assembling many zeolite membrane sheets into a mini-channel module comprising one or more permeate flow channels and one or more membrane channels, where the permeate flow channel formed by stacking two membrane sheets (801) back side to back side and the membrane channel formed by stacking two membrane sheets with the front sides facing one another separated by spacers; orienting the permeate flow channels and the membrane channels in a cross-flow configuration; and assembling two zeolite membrane sheets into a membrane plate module comprising a permeate flow channel, where the permeate flow channel formed by stacking the zeolite membranes sheets back side to back side with the front sides exposed to feed mixtures on the exterior of the membrane plate module. Preferred Components: The zeolite comprises: a water-selective zeolite comprising 3A, 4A or 5A-type zeolite framework; and a hydrocarbon-selective or alcohol-selective zeolite comprising silicalite, titanium silicate, MFI-type or Y-type zeolite frameworks. The metallic support sheet comprises porous nickel, porous nickel alloy or porous titanium. The zeolite growth solution is a template-free solution. The seeding layer comprises zeolite crystals in a graded pore-size structure with larger zeolite crystals having average diameters of 0.5-5 mu m near the bare metal surface and the smaller zeolite crystals formed on the larger zeolite crystals. The permeate flow channels and the membrane channels are oriented in a cross-flow configuration. The membrane further comprises: the assembly of many membranes into the mini-channel module comprising the permeate flow channels and the membrane channels; and the assembly of two zeolite membrane sheets into the membrane plate module comprising the permeate flow channel. EXAMPLE - None given.