Hydrogen generation device and process for operating the same

Apparatus for producing hydrogen comprises an allothermic reformer (1) for converting hydrocarbon gas, preferably methane gas, and water into hydrogen and further reformer products, such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and a catalyst stage (2) connected to the reformer. The reformer contains a gas burner (4). The apparatus also comprises a recycling line (5) connected to the gas burner for recycling the product gas before or after the catalyst stage. An Independent claim is also included for a process for producing hydrogen.