NOVELTY - Hot gases are produced by continuously reacting reactants comprising metallic element(s), water and compound(s) including carbon and hydrogen to generate first hot gaseous products with hydrogen gas; continuously exiting the first products from a first reaction zone; providing the first products to a second reaction zone; and reacting the first products with an aqueous oxidizer solution.    USE - Producing hot gases e.g. for use in an underwater vehicle. Also used in producing hydrogen for fuel cell.    ADVANTAGE - The process is effective for the production of energy and hydrogen. The reactants used are commonly available, relatively inexpensive and insensitive, and do not deteriorate in storage. They are non-toxic, and give non-toxic and environmentally safe reaction products. The process produces propulsive gases from the reactants providing high specific impulse and high density impulse. It provides for the continuous production of propulsive gases and hydrogen by reactions releasing much larger amounts of energy than required to start and sustain the reaction. It provides reactions for the production of propulsive gases and hydrogen having lower temperatures than result from conventional processes using similar reactants. It produces the propulsive gases and hydrogen from the reactants that may be conveniently measured and introduced into the reaction zone.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Production of hot gases includes:    (a) continuously providing a first reaction zone (10) with reactants comprising metallic element(s), water and compound(s) including carbon and hydrogen;    (b) continuously reacting the reactants to generate first hot gaseous products (30) including hydrogen gas;    (c) continuously exiting the first gaseous products from the first reaction zone;    (d) providing the first products to a second reaction zone (33); and    (e) reacting the first products with an aqueous oxidizer solution of hydrazine nitrate, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide or hydroxylamine perchlorate.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a conceptual diagram of an underwater vehicle serving as a representative operating environment.    First reaction zone (10)    Pump (16)    Conduit (17)    First hot gaseous products (30)    Second reaction zone (33)