Tutorial: Modeling a Single-Channel, Counter-Flow PolymerElectrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel CellIntrodu ctionThe purpose of this tutorial is to provide guidelines and recommendations for using thePEM Fuel Cell add-on module available in FLUENT.This tutorial demonstrates how to do the following:• Build and generate a mesh for a single-channel PEM fuel cell.• Assign zone names and types that are required in the FLUENT PEM fuel cell add-onmodule.• Import the mesh into FLUENT, set up the case, and run the calculations.• Postprocess the results.Prerequ isitesThis tutorial assumes you are familiar with both the GAMBIT and FLUENT interfaces andthat you have a good understandingof the basic setup and solution procedures. Details ofmost steps will not be shown explicitly.If you have not used FLUENT before, it would be helpful to first refer to the FLUENT 6.3User’sGuide and the FLUENT6.3 Tutorial Guide. You can also refer to the GAMBIT User’sGuide, GAMBIT Tutorial Guide, and GAMBIT Modeling Guide.Problem DescriptionA schematic description of a single, straight-channel, counter-fl ow PEM fuel cell is shown inFigure 1. The dimensions of the fuel cell are 2.4× 2.88× 125 mm in the x, y, and z directions,respectively. This model represents a repeating channel of a larger counter-fl ow PEM fuelcell. The cross-sectional area of the membrane electrode assembly is 2.4 × 125 = 300 mm2.All the zones as marked in Figure 1 (with exception of the optional cooling channel) mu stbe definedas separatezones withinGAMBIT. Note that there can be multiples of each zone.For example, there can be multiple cathode gas diffusion layers, each with different materialproperties.In FLUENT 6.3, all continuum zones must be of the fluidtypee...
