Integrated recuperation loop in fuel cell stack

A method and apparatus to increase fuel cell reliability and maintainability is disclosed. The apparatus includes a recuperating loop consisting of a spiral tube that surrounds a stack or a combination of several stacks. If the fuel cell stacks are externally manifolded, the recuperating loop may also surround the external manifold. The spent hot gases from the stack directly flows over the recuperating loop to transfer heat to a coolant flowing through the loop providing heat exchange by convection and radiation. The spent hot gases may be manifolded and may not flow over the recuperating loop. In this case, the heat exchange is by radiation between the hot fuel cell stack(s) and the recuperating loop.