To provide a layered composite oxygen permeable membrane which maximizes the oxygen transfer rate and minimizes the fuel leakage rate.

A fuel system for an energy conversion device comprises a deoxygenator system with an oxygen permeable membrane formed from a multiple of layers. One set of plates, which forms one micro-channel assembly 34 of the deoxygenator system, includes a fuel plate assembly 44 sandwiched adjacent to the composite oxygen permeable membranes 36 which are supported by a porous support 42 such as non-woven polyester. Each fuel plate assembly 44 includes a first fuel plate 52, a second fuel plate 54, and a fuel plate gasket 56 therebetween.