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This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, external circuit electrical leads coupled to the fuel cell electrodes, and a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack. The stack includes a plurality of inner tubular solid oxide fuel cells, the inside of the inner fuel

This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, external circuit electrical leads coupled to the fuel cell electrodes, and a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack. The stack includes a plurality of inner tubular solid oxide fuel cells, the inside of the inner fuel cells being fluidly couplable to a first reactant source, and a porous support matrix embedding the inner fuel cells and being fluidly couplable to a second reactant source such that a second reactant is flowable through the matrix and to the outer surface of the embedded fuel cells. The stack may also include an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell surrounding the matrix and the inner fuel cells such that the second reactant is flowable through the matrix and to an inside surface of the outer fuel cell and wherein the outer surface of the outer fuel cell is fluidly couplable to a first reactant source.

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1. A fuel stack comprising:(a) a plurality of inner tubular solid oxide fuel cells, the inside of at least one of the inner fuel cells being capable of fluid coupling to a first reactant source; (b) a porous support matrix embedding the inner fuel cells and being capable of fluid coupling to a secon

1. A fuel stack comprising:(a) a plurality of inner tubular solid oxide fuel cells, the inside of at least one of the inner fuel cells being capable of fluid coupling to a first reactant source; (b) a porous support matrix embedding the inner fuel cells and being capable of fluid coupling to a second reactant source such that a second reactant is flowable through the matrix and to the outer surface of at least one of the embedded fuel cells; and (c) an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell wherein the inside of the outer fuel cell contains the matrix and the inner fuel cells such that the second reactant is flowable through the matrix and to an inside surface of the outer fuel cell and wherein the outer surface of the outer fuel cell is capable of fluid coupling to a first reactant source. 2. A fuel cell system comprising:(a) at least one fuel cell stack of claim 1; (b) external circuit electrical leads electrically coupled to the anodes and cathodes of the fuel cells and capable of electrical coupling to an external electrical circuit; and (c) a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack and including a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet both fluidly coupled to anodes of the fuel cells, and an oxidant inlet and an oxidant outlet both fluidly coupled to cathode of the fuel cells. 3. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the inner fuel cells each comprise an inner anode layer, an outer cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the anode and cathode layers, the inner fuel cell layers being concentrically arranged, the first reactant being fuel and the second reactant being oxidant.4. The fuel cell system of claim 3, wherein the outer fuel cell comprises an inner cathode layer, an outer anode layer, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the anode and cathode layers, the outer fuel cell layers being concentrically arranged.5. The fuel cell system of claim 4, wherein the porous matrix is made of an electronic or mixed (electronic and ionic) conductive porous solid state material and is electrically coupled to the cathodes of at least some of the inner fuel cells and the outer fuel cell, and is fluidly coupled to the oxidant inlet and the oxidant outlet.6. The fuel cell system of claim 5, further comprising a container between the thermal enclosure and the stack, the container being spaced from the stack by spacing means such that a fuel flow channel is defined in between an inner surface of the container and the outer surface of the outer fuel cell, the fuel flow channel being fluidly coupled to the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet.7. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the stack includes oxidant delivery channels in the support matrix that are fluidly coupled to the oxidant inlet.8. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein the stack includes an oxidant diffuser that has an inlet fluidly coupled to the oxidant inlet and a plurality of outlets fluidly coupled to the support matrix.9. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein at least some of the inner fuel cells further comprise a porous matrix structure lining the anode surfaces of the at least some of the fuel cells and being made of a porous electrically conductive solid state material.10. The fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein at least some of the inner fuel cells further comprise a plurality of electrically conductive tabs electrically coupled to the anode surfaces of the at least some of the fuel cells and electrically coupled to the electrical leads.11. The fuel cell system of claim 10, wherein the stack includes an anode current collector rod embedded in the matrix, and electrically coupled to at least some of the tabs and to the electrical leads.12. The fuel cell system of claim 10, wherein the stack includes at least one anode current collector plate having fuel cell openings for receiving the inner fuel cells, and reactant perforations in the plate that enable the flow through of oxidant to the cathodes of at least some of the inner fuel cells, and being electrically coupled to at least some of the tabs and to at least some of the electrical leads.13. The fuel cell system of claim 12, wherein the stack includes at least one cathode current collector plate having fuel cell openings for receiving the inner fuel cells, and reactant perforations in the plate that enable the flow through of oxidant to the cathodes of at least some of the inner fuel cells, and being electrically coupled to at least some of the cathodes of the inner fuel cells and to some of the electrical leads.14. The fuel cell stack of claim 1, wherein the inner fuel cells each have a diameter between 10 .mu.m to 3500 .mu.m.15. The fuel cell stack of claim 14, wherein the inner fuel cells each have a diameter between 200 .mu.m to 3000 .mu.m.16. A fuel cell system comprising:(a) a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, the fuel cells each comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the anode and cathode; (b) a fuel reformer thermally coupled to the stack, and including a reformer chamber having a reformer fuel inlet capable of fluidly coupling to a fuel source and a reformer fuel outlet fluidly coupled to the anode of at least one fuel cell; (c) external circuit electrical leads capable of electrically coupling to the anode and cathode of at least one fuel cell and capable of electrically coupling to an external electrical circuit; and (d) a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack and reformer and including a fuel inlet fluidly coupled to the reformer fuel inlet, a fuel outlet fluidly coupled to the anode of at least one fuel cell, and an oxidant inlet and an oxidant outlet fluidly coupled to the cathode of at least one fuel cell. 17. The fuel cell system of claim 16, wherein the reformer chamber is cup-shaped and the reformer contains the fuel cell stack and further includes a porous, catalyst-coated, foam-like matrix structure inside the reformer chamber.18. The fuel cell system of claim 16, wherein the reformer chamber is cup-shaped and the reformer contains the fuel cell stack and further includes a reformer tube inside the reformer chamber and coiled around the fuel cell stack, wherein the reformer fuel inlet is an inlet of the reformer tube, and the reformer fuel outlet is an outlet of the reformer tube.19. The fuel cell system of claim 18, wherein the reformer tube includes catalytic material dispersed along the inside of the reformer tube.20. The fuel cell system of claim 19, wherein the reformer tube is embedded in a heat-conductive and structurally-supportive matrix material.21. The fuel cell system of claim 16, wherein the at least one fuel cell comprises an inner anode layer, an outer cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the anode and cathode layers, the layers being concentrically arranged.22. The fuel cell system of claim 21, wherein the stack support structure is a porous, foam-like matrix embedding the fuel cells therein and having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of oxidant to the cathode of at least one of the fuel cells.23. The fuel cell system of claim 21, wherein the stack support structure is a metal mesh wrapped around each of the fuel cells, the mesh having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of reactant to the outer electrode layer of at least one of the fuel cells.24. The fuel cell system of claim 21, wherein the stack support structure is a metal wire wrapped around each of the fuel cells, the wire being wrapped such that space is provided for reactant to flow past the wire to the outer electrode layer of at least one of the fuel cells.25. The fuel cell system of claim 22, wherein the matrix of the stack support structure is made of an electronic or mixed (electronic and ionic) conductive, porous solid state material and is electrically coupled to the cathodes of at least one of the fuel cells, and is fluidly coupled to the oxidant inlets and the oxidant outlets.26. The fuel cell system of claim 25, wherein the fuel cells embedded in the support matrix of the stack support structure are inner fuel cells and the stack further comprises an outer tubular solid oxide fuel cell surrounding the matrix and the inner fuel cells.27. The fuel cell system of claim 26, comprising a container between a reformer-tube and the stack, the container being spaced from the stack by spacing means such that a fuel flow channel is defined in between the container and the outer fuel cell, and is fluidly coupled to the fuel inlet and outlet.28. The fuel cell system of claim 22, wherein the fuel cell stack includes oxidant delivery channels in the matrix of the stack support structure that are fluidly coupled to the oxidant inlet and matrix.29. The fuel cell system of claim 22, wherein the fuel cell stack includes an oxidant diffuser that is fluidly coupled to the oxidant inlet and the matrix of the stack support structure.30. The fuel cell system of claim 22, wherein at least some of the inner fuel cells further comprise a porous matrix structure lining surfaces of the anodes of at least some of the fuel cells and made of a porous, electrically conductive, solid state material.31. The fuel cell system of claim 22, wherein at least some of the fuel cells further comprise a plurality of electrically conductive tabs electrically connected to the anode surfaces of the at least some of the fuel cells, and electrically coupled to the electrical leads.32. The fuel cell system of claim 31, wherein the fuel cell stack includes an anode current collector rod embedded in the matrix, and electrically connected to at least some of the tabs and to the electrical leads.33. The fuel cell system of claim 31, wherein the stack includes at least one anode current collector plate having openings for receiving the inner fuel cells, and being electrically connected to at least some of the tabs and electrically coupled to the electrical leads.34. The fuel cell system of claim 33, wherein the stack includes at least one cathode current collector plate having openings for receiving the inner fuel cells, and being electrically connected to at least some of the cathodes of the inner fuel cells, and electrically coupled to the electrical leads.35. The fuel cell system of claim 16, wherein the inner fuel cells each have a diameter between 10 .mu.m to 3500 .mu.m.36. The fuel cell system of claim 35, wherein the inner fuel cells each have a diameter between 200 .mu.m to 3000 .mu.m.37. A fuel cell stack comprising:at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers, and a tab opening in the surface of the electrode outer layer and through the underlying electrolyte layer; an electrically conductive tab for electrically coupling to an external circuit, the tab comprising an electrically conductive material coating the portion of the inner layer in the tab opening; and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, wherein the stack support structure is a porous support matrix embedding the fuel cells therein, the porous matrix being made of an electronic or mixed (electronic and ionic) conductive, porous solid state material and being electrically coupled to the cathode of at least some of the fuel cells and being electrically coupled to the electrical leads. 38. A fuel cell stack comprising:at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers, and a tab opening in the surface of the electrode outer layer and through the underlying electrolyte layer; an electrically conductive tab for electrically coupling to an external circuit, the tab comprising an electrically conductive material coating the portion of the inner layer in the tab opening; and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, wherein the stack support structure includes at least one anode current collector plate having openings for receiving the at least one fuel cell, and being electrically coupled to at least some of the anodes of the fuel cells and being electrically coupled to the electrical leads. 39. A fuel cell stack comprising:at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers, and a tab opening in the surface of the electrode outer layer and through the underlying electrolyte layer; an electrically conductive tab for electrically coupling to an external circuit, the tab comprising an electrically conductive material coating the portion of the inner layer in the tab opening; and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, wherein the stack support structure includes at least one cathode current collector plate having openings for receiving the at least one fuel cell, and being electrically coupled to at least some of the cathodes of the fuel cells and electrically couplable to the external circuit. 40. A fuel cell system comprising:(a) the fuel cell stack of claim 37; (b) external circuit electrical leads electrically coupled to an anode and cathode of the fuel cells and electrically couplable to an external electrical circuit; and (c) a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack and including a fuel inlet and outlet fluidly coupled to anodes of the fuel cells, and an oxidant inlet and outlet fluidly coupled to cathodes of the fuel cells. 41. The fuel cell stack of claim 37 wherein the stack support structure is a porous foam matrix embedding each of the fuel cells and having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of reactant to the outer electrode layer of at least one of the fuel cells.42. A fuel cell stack comprising:at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers, and a tab opening in the surface of the electrode outer layer and through the underlying electrolyte layer; an electrically conductive tab for electrically coupling to an external circuit, the tab comprising an electrically conductive material coating the portion of the inner layer in the tab opening; and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, wherein the stack support structure is a metal mesh wrapped around each of the fuel cells, the mesh having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of reactant to the outer electrode layer of at least one of the fuel cells. 43. A fuel cell stack comprising:at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising an inner electrode layer, an outer electrode layer, an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers, and a tab opening in the surface of the electrode outer layer and through the underlying electrolyte layer; an electrically conductive tab for electrically coupling to an external circuit, the tab comprising an electrically conductive material coating the portion of the inner layer in the tab opening; and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, wherein the support structure is a metal wire wrapped around each of the fuel cells, the wire being wrapped such that space is provided for reactant to flow past the wire to the outer electrode layer of at least one of the fuel cells. 44. A fuel cell stack comprising:(a) at least one tubular solid oxide fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising: an inner electrode layer; an outer electrode layer; an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the electrode layers; and a porous, electrically conductive inner core having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of reactant to the inner electrode layer, the inner core being inside the fuel cell and electrically coupled to the inner electrode layer; and (b) a stack support structure attached to the at least one fuel cell. 45. The fuel cell stack of claim 44, wherein the inner core comprises a foam-like, electrically conductive matrix structure electrically and mechanically coupled to the inner electrode layer.46. The fuel cell stack of claim 45, wherein the matrix structure is coated with a catalyst material.47. The fuel cell stack of claim 46, wherein the at least one fuel cell further comprises a current collector rod embedded in the inner core matrix structure longitudinally to the inside of the fuel cell and having at least one end that is electrically coupled to an external circuit.48. The fuel cell stack of claim 47, wherein the inner core further comprises at least one reactant flow channel in the matrix structure.49. The fuel cell stack of claim 44, wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of electrically conductive sheets mechanically and electrically coupled to the inner electrode layer.50. The fuel cell stack of claim 44, wherein the inner core comprises a current collector rod extending longitudinally through the inside of the at least one fuel cell and a plurality of electrically conductive filaments extending generally transversely from the collector rod and electrically and mechanically coupled to the inner electrode layer.51. The fuel cell stack of claim 44, wherein the stack support structure is a porous foam-like matrix embedding the at least one fuel cell and having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of reactant to the outer electrode layer of the at least one fuel cell.52. The fuel cell stack of claim 44, wherein the support structure is a metal mesh wrapped around the at least one fuel cell, the mesh having a porosity sufficient to allow the flow through of reactant to the outer electrode layer of the at least one fuel cell.53. The fuel cell stack of claim 44, wherein the support structure is a metal wire wrapped around the at least one fuel cell, the wire being wrapped such that space is provided for reactant to flow past the wire to the outer electrode layer of the at least one fuel cell.54. A fuel cell system comprising:(a) a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells and a stack support structure attached to each of the fuel cells, the fuel cells each comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the anode and cathode; (b) a fuel reformer thermally coupled to the stack, and including a reformer tube coiled around the stack, the reformer tube having a reformer fuel inlet fluidly couplable to a fuel source and a reformer fuel outlet fluidly coupled to the anode of at least one of the fuel cells; (c) external circuit electrical leads electrically coupled to the anode and cathode of at least one of the fuel cells and capable of electrically coupling to an external electrical circuit; and (d) a thermal enclosure assembly enclosing the stack and reformer and include a fuel inlet fluidly coupled to the reformer fuel inlet, a fuel outlet fluidly coupled to the anode of at least one fuel cell, and an oxidant inlet and an oxidant outlet fluidly coupled to the cathode of at least one of the fuel cells.