Senior Engineer A - Fellow Engineer - New Reactor Technology
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Started as a Sr. Engineer A performing core design for Westinghouse 4-loop plants, including Seabrook Station and eventually Indian Point. Developed nuclear design models and loading patterns and calculated safety and operating nuclear parameters for multiple 4-loop Westinghouse plants. Also developed models and loading patterns for other Westinghouse and non-Westinghouse plant types in support of fuel proposals. Was then assigned to the New Reactor Technology group as a nuclear designer for AP1000 PWRs. I assisted with the qualification of a new pin power reconstruction methodology for the ANC code using MCNP code benchmark cases, and also performed a criticality analysis of the new fuel storage area using the SCALE code. I also developed the methodology used for directly monitoring shutdown margin in AP1000 plants. I performed the nuclear design of the AP1000 gray control rodlets, including absorber material selection, evaluating the effect of gray rods on operations and fuel performance, and obtaining patents for the new gray control rod design. I also finished development of the Mechanical Shim (MSHIM) Operation and Control Strategy and the nuclear design analytical methods supporting that type of operation. Co-authored topical reports on the gray control rodlet design, MSHIM Operation and Control Strategy, and the AP1000 Core Reference Report. Provided training on multiple AP1000 topics to both Chinese and US customers. I was promoted to Fellow Engineer in February 2015. I developed and implemented a new method for determining more accurate fits of transient limit functions in the Westinghouse VENUS code. I was also the licensed methodology expert for Westinghouse power distribution control methods and their associated technical specifications, and was recognized as an expert on the 3D FAC methods used for AP1000 plants. Won two company-level George Westinghouse Signature Awards for AP1000 relating to the gray rod design and the core reference report.