Solid oxide fuel cell systems with improved gas channeling and heat exchange

A fuel cell system comprising:

• one or more tubular fuel cells having a longitudinal axis, each comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte;
• a central support element in fluid communication with each of the one or more tubular fuel cells, wherein the central support element comprises an inner longitudinal element defining an inner longitudinal channel and an outer longitudinal element defining an outer longitudinal channel, wherein the outer longitudinal element is concentric to and disposed around the inner longitudinal element, wherein the inner longitudinal channel is adapted to deliver a fuel to the one or more anodes and the outer longitudinal channel is adapted to deliver an oxidant to the one or more cathodes, and wherein the one or more tubular fuel cells are disposed around the central support element;
• one or more anode outlet flow channels in fluid communication with the one or more anodes and adapted to direct an anode exhaust from the one or more anodes;
• one or more cathode outlet flow channels in fluid communication with the one or more cathodes and adapted to direct a cathode exhaust from the one or more cathodes;
• a current collection assembly disposed around the central support element comprising a reducing chamber in fluid communication with the one or more anode outlet flow channels and substantially free of any oxidant;
• a current collector disposed within the reducing chamber and in electrical communication with each of the one or more tubular fuel cells;
• and
• an after burner in fluid communication with the reducing chamber and the one or more cathode outlet flow channels, wherein the after burner is adapted to allow combination of the anode exhaust from the one or more anodes and the cathode exhaust from the one or more cathodes.