Abstract: A method and apparatus has been provided for generating a high purity aqueous stream with selected ionic species--either cation (e.g. sodium) or anion (e.g. sulfate) and suitable for use as a chromatography eluent. In one form, an eluent generating means defines a source channel and a product channel separated by a permselective ion exchange membrane including exchangeable ions of the same charge as the selected ionic species. The membrane allows passage of ions of the same charge as the ionic species but is resistant to transmembrane passage of ions of opposite charge. Means is provided for applying an electrical potential between the source channel and product channel. In another form of the device, two different membranes define two source channels, a positively charged, anode source channel and a negatively charged cathode source channel, and a product channel. The effluent from the product channel is directed to the chromatographic separation means.