Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell arrangement with a plurality of fuel cell stacks which are stacked on top of one another and are enclosed in a sealed exterior housing. Supply air is freely guided to the fuel cell stacks within the enclosure, while combustion gas is provided to the respective stacks by means of pipes. A plurality of flat seals are provided between adjacent fuel cell stacks, each having a central air opening and a separate peripheral combustion gas channel. The lowermost fuel stack is mounted by means of such a seal, on a base plate into which a collective channel for exhaust air and a channel for combustion gas are integrated.

Abstract: A serially arranged construction of individual fuel cells implements large-scale systems for generating power. The fuel cells are packed with high density but in an exchangeable manner. Only the fuel gas is fed to the block of fuel cells by special conduits and connecting elements whereas the oxidation gas (e.g. air) is fed by an outside pressure difference between the front and rear sides of the fuel cell blocks. A large number of blocks can be mounted on a carrier plate in which fuel gas ducts are integrated to form a reinforcement and to directly feed the fuel gas into the blocks via pipe pieces mounted from the outside.