Fuel and air supply base manifold for modular solid oxide fuels cells

A base manifold (16) for a modular solid oxide fuel cell assembly (10) comprises a plurality of receiving areas (108) for receiving a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell stacks (12); a fuel inlet passageway (95) disposed between a manifold fuel inlet port (94) and a plurality of stack fuel inlet ports (96); an oxidant inlet passageway (87) disposed between a manifold oxidant inlet port (86) and a plurality of stack oxidant inlet ports (88); a fuel outlet passageway (99) disposed between a plurality of stack fuel outlet ports (98) and a manifold fuel outlet port (100); and an oxidant outlet passageway (91) disposed between a plurality of stack oxidant outlet ports (90) and a manifold oxidant outlet port (92).