Primary Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
Contributing Inventor(s): Stephen J. Agace
Date: January 7, 2025
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: Holtec International
Equipment Type: HI-STORM UMAX
Docket Number: HOL-145
Application Number: 17/746,599
Patent Number: US 12,191,045 B2
Prior Publication Data: US 2022/0367078 A1 – Nov. 17, 2022
Related U.S. Application Data: Provisional application No. 63/189,383, filed on May 17, 2021.
Abstract: A passively cooled stackable nuclear waste storage system may include a pair of vertically stacked radiation-shielded
nuclear waste storage casks. Each cask has a cavity which holds a nuclear waste canister containing spent nuclear fuel
or other high-level radioactive wastes. The lower cask may be founded on an above-grade concrete pad. The upper cask
is vertically stacked on and detachably coupled to the lower cask. The upper cask comprises a perforated baseplate which
establishes fluid communication between cavities of both casks and is configured to prevent radiation shine. One or
both casks may include air inlet vents configured to draw ambient ventilation air into each respective cask cavity for
cooling the nuclear waste. In operation, air is drawn inward into each cask cavity independently. Air heated in the lower
cask rises into the upper cask where it mixes with air drawn into the upper cask and is returned to atmosphere.
