NOVELTY - Hydrogen generation for operating fuel cells, comprises reacting silicon and/or a silicon-containing alloy with an alkaline solution as catalyst, in a reaction vessel (1) to form silicon dioxide as nucleator, and depositing the formed silicon dioxide on crystallization nuclei, which are added to the solution. The crystallization nuclei and reaction elements possess a concentration of 10-4-10 mol/L at the end of reaction. The catalyst and the nucleator are supplied continuously or discontinuously to the reaction mixture and to the vessel respectively.    USE - For the operation of fuel cells.    ADVANTAGE - The method is cost effective, and the hydrogen generation, after starting in the presence of silicon-oxide, without the further supply of alkali solution and without application of high pressures and temperatures, proceeds continuously catalytically, by using the alkaline solution in a very substoichiometric amount.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The hydrogen generation for operating fuel cells, comprises reacting silicon and/or a silicon-containing alloy with an alkaline solution as catalyst, in a reaction vessel (1) to form silicon dioxide as nucleator, and depositing the formed silicon dioxide on crystallization nuclei, which are added to the solution. The crystallization nuclei and reaction elements possess a concentration of 10-4-10 mol/L at the end of reaction. The catalyst and the nucleator are supplied continuously or discontinuously to the reaction mixture and to the vessel respectively. The silicon is dissolved in the aqueous alkaline solution at a pressure close to and above an atmospheric pressure. The catalyst is used as a basic metal compound such as alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide, silicates or carbonate, or an organic base such as guanidine. The hydrogen generation is operated temporally through dosed addition of the catalyst and silicon. A dry flushing gas as noble gas and/or nitrogen, flows through a dosing device (16) for the catalyst and the silicon-oxide and produces a part of hydrogen. A circular flow of dry hydrogen is produced by a circulating pump (30) and a cooler (22). Refreshed or used water such as mineralized water, rainwater, drinking water, industrial water, river water and seawater is used in the aqueous reaction mixture. A solid material is obtained from the reaction mixture in continuous or discontinuous manner by a separating device and is separated by a centrifugation and a filter press. The solution remaining in the separating device is supplied into the reaction vessel with or without the addition of fresh water. A filtered hydrogen gas for compressing, storing and/or consuming, is taken via the reaction vessel. The produced hydrogen flows through a vapor separator for the separation of aerosols and through a cooler for the separation of water vapor. The vapor separator consists of packing column and/or a cyclone. The reaction process in the reaction container is operated by a displacement of the solution into a storage vessel (2). The reaction is slowed down in the storage vessel by cooling.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a device for generating hydrogen by using the above process.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a device for generating hydrogen:    Reaction vessel; (1)    Storage vessel; (2)    Hydrogen gas filter; (6)    Dosing device; (16)    Cooler; (22)    Circulating pump. (30)