A fuel cell block for use in a fuel cell module, said fuel cell block comprising: a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, each including an anode and a cathode; a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication with said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said heat exchanger comprising a first heat exchange component in fluid communication with each cathode of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell, a second heat exchange component in fluid communication with each anode of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell, and a casing defining an interior space, wherein the first heat exchange component and the second heat exchange component are disposed within the casing; an air inlet pipe for channeling air to each cathode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said air inlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space, said first heat exchange component configured to increase the temperature of the air in said air inlet pipe, wherein only portions of said air inlet pipe within said interior space are formed using high temperature piping components, wherein high temperature piping components are piping components for channeling a fluid having a temperature greater than 600° C; a fuel inlet pipe for channeling fuel to each anode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said fuel inlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space, said second heat exchange component configured to increase the temperature of the fuel in said fuel inlet pipe; an air outlet pipe for channeling air away from each cathode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said air outlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space; a fuel outlet pipe for channeling fuel away from each anode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said fuel outlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space; and a first manifold and a second manifold, each comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface, said first manifold fluidly coupled to said first fuel cell and said heat exchanger such that said first surface of the first manifold contacts said first fuel cell and said second surface of the first manifold contacts said heat exchanger, the second manifold coupled fluidly to the second fuel cell and the heat exchanger such that the first surface of the second manifold contacts the second fuel cell and the second surface of the second manifold contacts the heat exchanger, wherein said first manifold and said second manifold are coupled fluidly to said air inlet pipe, said fuel inlet pipe, said air outlet pipe, and said fuel outlet pipe; wherein the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell are disposed on opposing surfaces of the heat exchanger such that the heat exchanger is disposed between the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell. a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, each including an anode and a cathode; a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication with said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said heat exchanger comprising a first heat exchange component in fluid communication with each cathode of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell, a second heat exchange component in fluid communication with each anode of the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell, and a casing defining an interior space, wherein the first heat exchange component and the second heat exchange component are disposed within the casing; an air inlet pipe for channeling air to each cathode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said air inlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space, said first heat exchange component configured to increase the temperature of the air in said air inlet pipe, wherein only portions of said air inlet pipe within said interior space are formed using high temperature piping components, wherein high temperature piping components are piping components for channeling a fluid having a temperature greater than 600° C; a fuel inlet pipe for channeling fuel to each anode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said fuel inlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space, said second heat exchange component configured to increase the temperature of the fuel in said fuel inlet pipe; an air outlet pipe for channeling air away from each cathode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said air outlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space; a fuel outlet pipe for channeling fuel away from each anode of said first fuel cell and said second fuel cell, said fuel outlet pipe at least partially extending through the interior space; and a first manifold and a second manifold, each comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface, said first manifold fluidly coupled to said first fuel cell and said heat exchanger such that said first surface of the first manifold contacts said first fuel cell and said second surface of the first manifold contacts said heat exchanger, the second manifold coupled fluidly to the second fuel cell and the heat exchanger such that the first surface of the second manifold contacts the second fuel cell and the second surface of the second manifold contacts the heat exchanger, wherein said first manifold and said second manifold are coupled fluidly to said air inlet pipe, said fuel inlet pipe, said air outlet pipe, and said fuel outlet pipe; wherein the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell are disposed on opposing surfaces of the heat exchanger such that the heat exchanger is disposed between the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell.