Internship report GE hitachi

HA NOI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Internship Report
GE Hitachi
Student:

Le Xuan Dat - 20110191
MEC 2 - K56

Engineer leader:

Robin D. Sprague


Contents
Preface ............................................................................................................................................ 3
GE – Hitachi ..................................................................................................................................... 4
GEH Vietnam ................................................................................................................................... 5
Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor ................................................................................... 6
1. Nuclear Energy ..................................................................................................................... 6
2. ESBWR – Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor ......................................................... 6
Internship Program – Designing Process ........................................................................................ 8
1. Shroud Head Bolt ................................................................................................................. 8
2. Designing Process ................................................................................................................ 9
a. Brainstorm ........................................................................................................................ 9
b.

3D model ...................................................................................................................... 9

c. Analysis ........................................................................................................................... 10

d.

Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 10

My Experience at GE ..................................................................................................................... 11
Other Activities ............................................................................................................................. 12
1. Culture Presentation .......................................................................................................... 13
2. Washington DC .................................................................................................................. 14
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 16
Comment ...................................................................................................................................... 16

2 Preface | GE Power and Water


Preface
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate
in the field of nuclear engineering and technology with the Hanoi University of Science and
Technology in Vietnam (HUST)
The signing is part of a bigger MOU between the university and GEH to collaborate on
enhancing training opportunities and developing a highly qualified human resources in the
fields of science and technology. It sets out the provision of work experience opportunities for
undergraduate and graduate students in nuclear, mechanical and electrical engineering
programs via internships at GEH facilities to introduce them to the nuclear industry and
technologies.
The internship brought 12 students to Wilmington and lasted for 10 weeks. It was the
golden chances for students to reduce the gap between studying and working, also to
experience the advanced technology and excellent organization in the most respected company
in the world.
This report will introduce about GE-Hitachi, the latest nuclear reactors and the working
procedures in GE-Hitachi.

I learnt so many things by working with the group of elite engineers during 10 weeks at
GE Hitachi. I am eager to receive the comments from my mentor, teacher about my
performance. From that, I am able to improve myself.

3 Preface | GE Power and Water


GE – Hitachi
Based in Wilmington, N.C., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider
of advanced reactors and nuclear services.
Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve
the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a
broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service
opportunities.
The alliance combines GE’s design expertise and history delivering reactors, fuels and
services globally with Hitachi’s proven experience in advanced modular construction to offer
customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance
reactor performance, power output and safety.
GEH operates training facilities in Wilmington and San Jose, California, and fuel
manufacturing operations in Wilmington, Toronto and Kurihama, Japan.

GEH’s headquarter, Wilmington, NC

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GEH Vietnam
GE has been present in Vietnam since 1992, and now employs about 750 employees,
including engineering and manufacturing
GE technology helps deliver a quarter of the world’s electricity, and more than 2.000

megawatts (~10%) of installed power generation in Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines, Pacific, and Viet Jet utilize GE aircraft engines and lease GE airplanes
GE has worked to improve trade relations between US and Vietnam (helped achieve 2001 USVietnam trade agreement, supported Vietnam access to WTO in 2007, helping to gain US
Congress approval in 2014 of the US -Vietnam 123 nuclear agreement)
GEH is ready for a long-term commitment to making Vietnam a world leader in nuclear
power with its advanced Generation III+ ESBWR reactor technology.
The GEH’s ESBWR is the world’s safest design with passive core cooling capability. Safer,
simpler, smarter.

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Economic Simplified Boiling Water
Reactor
1. Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy plays a major role in meeting the world’s energy needs. At the end of 2005,
there were 443 nuclear power plants operating in 32 countries, with 25 more units under
construction. These plants account for 17% of the world’s electricity. The industry remains
dynamic, as evidenced by the fact that several new plants enter commercial operation every
year and there are typically 30 or more in various stages of construction at any given time.
Generating electricity with nuclear energy permits economic and social development to be
sustainable; that is, not limited by encroaching environmental concerns. A non-nuclear,
baseload power plant generates electricity by burning fossil fuels day in and day out and
releasing the by-products to the environment. A nuclear plant, on the other hand, generates
large amounts of electricity with virtually no impact on the environment. In quantitative terms,
if the world’s nuclear plants were replaced with coalfired plants, global CO2emissions would
increase by 8% every year. This would amount to 1,600 million tons per year at a time when the
world is trying to reduce emissions by 4,200 million tons per year. Similarly, if the world’s
growing appetite for new electricity is met without nuclear energy playing a key role, CO2

emissions would quickly rise to levels that curtail economic growth

2. ESBWR – Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor
The ESBWR advanced nuclear plant will play an important role in meeting the conflicting
needs of developed and developing economies for massive amounts of new electricity and the
need worldwide to limit CO2 emissions. It continues to use advanced technologies first applied
in the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) with simplifications in the recirculation system
and ECCS. Four ABWRs have been constructed in Japan and are reliably generating large
amounts of low cost electricity. Taiwan is constructing two more ABWRs which will enter
commercial operation in 2009 and 2010. Other countries have similar strategies to deploy
advanced nuclear plants, and the successful deployment of ABWRs in Japan and Taiwan,
coupled with international agreements to limit CO2 emissions, will only reinforce these plans.

6 Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor | GE Power and Water


The ESBWR represents an entirely new approach to the way nuclear plant projects are
undertaken, modeled after the successful process used for ABWR. The ABWR was licensed and
designed in detail before construction ever began. Once construction did begin, it proceeded
smoothly from start to finish in just four years.
The successful design, licensing, construction and operation of the ESBWR nuclear power
plant will usher in a new era of safe, economic and environmentally friendly nuclear electricity.
The ESBWR is the first of a new generation of nuclear plants equipped with advanced
technologies and features that raise plant safety to new levels that significantly improve the
economic competitiveness of this form of generation.

ESBWR Plant Model

7 Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor | GE Power and Water

Internship Program – Designing Process

At GEH, I was assigned in ESBWR Reactor Pressure Vessel
Internal Design and Analysis team. My job is re-designing the
Shroud Head Bolt from ABWR model to be compatible with
ESBWR which has different configurations. This project requires
creativity, professional skills with 3D computer aided design
(CAD), using Autodesk Inventor, and finite element analysis (FEA),
using ANSYS.
I worked in B-11 Internal design team and reported to my
engineer leader Robin Sprague. Our team met every 2 weeks to
make sure the project was on track. It usually lasts for years;
however, my work covered only 10 weeks of that long period.
As a design engineer, I was involved in working on the
Shroud Head Bolt as much as possible.
The process included 4 stages:
-

Brainstorm the idea (1 week)
Create 3D model (4 weeks)
Analyze the model (4 weeks)
Evaluate ( 1 weeks)

1. Shroud Head Bolt
Instead of Nut and Bolt, Shroud Head Bolt is used to connect
the Chimney and Separator because of its special characteristics.
The Shroud Head Bolt plays an important role in the ABWR –
Advanced Boiling Water Reactor as well as new type ESBWR.
ESBWR nuclear power plant is built on the very successful

ABWR model. Although, they share the same principle, ESBWR
has its own unique configurations which lead to different design
of Shroud Head Bolt.
8 Internship Program – Designing Process | GE Power and Water


2. Designing Process
a. Brainstorm

This is the most important step. I spent the first week to setup my computer, reading
materials. I also participate in their training such as: ABWR, ESBWR, and PRISM. These training
gave me knowledge of reactor vessel, their technology and also the nuclear power business.
To understand clearly about my project, I was escorted by my leader to GE’s workshop
to see the real model of Shroud Head Bolt. From that experience, I understood the mechanism
in the Head Bolt, how it work, and its purpose in the vessel.
It took me days to have an idea. I tried to come up with complicated ideas, special
mechanisms. However, these ideas were unable to work properly under high work-load and
pressure. Finally, simple idea had more chance to success than any. I start begin the second
step which was creating 3D model.
b. 3D model

Once a brainstormed solution had been accepted I embodied it in a preliminary design. I
focused on keeping the design as simple as possible while ensuring that it fitted within the
required physical envelope and met the design requirements.
I used Autodesk Inventor to create model because Inventor is excellent in the
parametric area, dimensional & geometric constraints, parameter adaptation etc. Inventor is
especially good in the assembly area (it has a separate area for part models and assembly
models). Besides, it creates mass and volume to the object, the model looks very realistic and
can be rendered to look very realistic. Also, with Autodesk Inventor I can create a sketch before
adding dimensions and sizes to it, unlike AutoCAD where you have to know your dimension

before you create.
I created the model with dimensions from the original model. I kept reporting to my
leader to complete my 3D model. I made 2 designs during this stage. When finished, I moved to
assembling simulation. At this point, I could check the working positions, decide to continue
next stage, or go back to previous stages.

9 Internship Program – Designing Process | GE Power and Water


c. Analysis

I knew that my models were able to perform correctly. Then I need to evaluate the
behavior of my model under high pressure, temperature and load. To solve this problem, I used
Ansys Workbench to predict how my model would operate in real condition.
This software helped increase the project. I applied working conditions, loads, then
ANSYS calculated the shear force, bending moment, deformation … With the results, I must
decide the final form, the thickness, length and suitable materials for my model.
Finally, I submitted my final model to my leader, wrote a report.

d. Conclusion

It’s important to note that the Design process is not intended as a linear step by step
process. The Design process may contain various iterations depending on the complexity of the
Design, input requirements, planning documents and engineering management direction,
where all requirements and Design Inputs are not available at all process. However, the goal is
to arrive at a final Design that, when released, meets all applicable requirements. The
identification and control of changes and risk is performed during all phases of Design process.

During the Plan phase of the Design process, applicable requirements are identified
including the Safety-Related Classification of the Design, Customer Technical Requirements and

the applicable codes and standards (such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
(ASME)).

10 Internship Program – Designing Process | GE Power and Water


My Experience at GE
While working as design engineer, I realized that brainstorm is the hardest part. I must
come up with an idea, and it must fit the unique configuration of the vessel. I did learn two
lessons from that:
1. Simple is the best: Industrial product not only works efficiently, but also serves standard
of the maintenance, manufacture …
2. Experience and Creativity hold same rank: Creativity helps you come up with an idea
while Experience develops it.

There is a reason why I think that makes GE become the respected company in the world is
organization.
ESBWR team has hundreds of engineer from many departments. Each department works on
different fields such as: Mechanical design, Electrical system, Control system … They all
connect with each other in many ways.
Senior manager engineers must ensure that their teams are going on the same direction.
The organization is critical. They must work with other colleagues from other departments,
sometime from other regions or countries. The diversity didn’t create conflicts but support the
creativity. They learn from each other and admit their mistakes.

11 My Experience at GE | GE Power and Water


Other Activities
Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to learn about many different facets of

the GEH business through “Lunch and Learn” seminars, tours of plant facilities, and the
meetings with employees/ managers. Seminars were given on topics such as fuels, services and
new reactors, as well as non-engineering subjects such as professional development, finance,
and marketing. These presentations gave me a glimpse into various roles of GEH employees at
this site.
I also had the opportunity to spend time on the beaches around Wilmington, relaxing,
swimming, fishing, kayaking, surfing, and playing beach games like sand volleyball. Many other
activities were possible too, such as: tennis, golf, and other sports. In addition, I had a chance to
visit Washington DC with a unique tour hosted by GEH.

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1. Culture Presentation
As a traditional activity for all international internship, we presented to our colleagues
about Vietnam.

13 Other Activities | GE Power and Water


2. Washington DC

Vietnam Embassy in DC

We had the meeting with Counselor, Chief Economic Officer - Mr. Le Cong TIEN and
Counselor, Head of Technology and Science Office, Mr.Tran Ngoc CA. We talked about our
experience, the internship at GE.
Moreover, we discussed about Vietnam – USA relationship as well as development
opportunities for both countries not only technology and science but also economic. We, as a
new generation, were able to share our thoughts and ideas for various problems.

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White House

Lincoln Memorial

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Conclusion
It has been 11 weeks since I start our fantastic trip to Wilmington. I have been through a
lot of priceless experience that I can never forget. I will not only keep the memories and lessons
of this internship as a launcher for my future careers but also spread the technology and
messages of GEH to my country.

Comment

16 Conclusion | GE Power and Water