A method of purifying a hydrogen stream using an electrochemical cell having an enclosed electrically conductive cylindrical outer shell and a hollow wet polymeric membrane located within and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member which provides an inner compartment and an outer compartment. An electrode having a longitudinal axis is located within the inner compartment and is spaced from the hollow polymeric membrane. A gas inlet for feeding a hydrogen stream that is to be purified communicates with the inner compartment and a gas outlet is provided for passing purified hydrogen gas thru the cylindrical outer shell. The electrode within the hollow wet polymeric membrane is connected to an anode terminal of a dc supply with an electrical conductor and the outer shell of the cylindrical shaped member is connected to a cathode terminal of the dc supply with another electrical conductor.