NOVELTY - The method for operating a fuel cell apparatus, comprises supplying an alcohol fuel to a processing apparatus (10) of the fuel cell apparatus along a fuel channel (7) of the apparatus, producing a hydrogenous fuel gas from the alcohol fuel in the processing apparatus, supplying a fuel gas from the processing apparatus to an anode (3) of the fuel cell apparatus, combusting the fuel gas on the anode, and generating an exhaust gas during the combustion of the fuel gas is discharged from the anode into the fuel channel. The fuel cell apparatus comprises a fuel cell unit (2) and a cathode.    USE - The method is useful for operating a fuel cell apparatus.    ADVANTAGE - The method prevents an oxidation of nickel material of the anode by mixing a sufficient amount of water with the alcohol fuel of the fuel cell thus avoiding separate feeds for reducing gas and fuel and improving the efficiency of the fuel cell.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method for operating a fuel cell apparatus, comprises supplying an alcohol fuel to a processing apparatus (10) of the fuel cell apparatus along a fuel channel (7) of the apparatus, producing a hydrogenous fuel gas from the alcohol fuel in the processing apparatus, supplying a fuel gas from the processing apparatus to an anode (3) of the fuel cell apparatus, combusting the fuel gas on the anode, and generating an exhaust gas during the combustion of the fuel gas is discharged from the anode into the fuel channel. The fuel cell apparatus comprises a fuel cell unit (2), a cathode (4) and an electrolyte (5). The fuel channel is configured for conveying the fuel to the anode. The processing apparatus is arranged in conjunction with the fuel channel. The water is mixed with the alcohol fuel in the fuel channel before it is conveyed to the processing apparatus at the temperature of the fuel cell unit of 400-550 degrees C such that the hydrogen content of the hydrogenous fuel gas after the processing apparatus is 5 vol.%. The alcohol fuel is evaporated in an evaporator. The temperature of the fuel cell unit is measured and the amount of water mixed with the alcohol fuel is adjusted on the basis of the temperature measurement. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a fuel cell apparatus.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic view of a fuel cell apparatus.    Fuel cell unit (2)    Anode (3)    Cathode (4)    Electrolyte (5)    Fuel channel (7)    Processing apparatus. (10)