Primary Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
Contributing Inventor(s): Stephen Agace
Date: Oct. 8, 2024
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: Holtec International
Equipment Type: Fuel Rack
Docket Number: HOL-149
Application Number: 17/973,895
Patent Number: US 12,112,856 B2
Prior Publication Data: US 2023/0129679 A1 – Apr. 27, 2023
Related U.S. Application Data: Provisional application No. 63/271,849, filed on Oct. 26, 2021.
Abstract: A fuel rack for storing nuclear fuel in a fuel pool in one embodiment comprises a baseplate configured for placement in a fuel pool, and a cellular body coupled to the baseplate. The body comprises tightly-packed upwardly open cells which each hold a nuclear fuel assembly. In one embodiment, each cell may have a hexagonal cross-sectional configuration. The cells are each formed by angled cell walls and corners formed between adjoining cell walls. Adjacent cells are arranged to meet in corner-to-corner alignment. This produces triangular-shaped flux traps interspersed between the cells for reactivity control. In some embodiments, at least one peripheral side of the fuel rack has an undulating configuration defining a series of alternating peaks and valleys which nests with a complementary configured peripheral side of an adjacent fuel rack. This provides higher packing density of fuel racks and fuel assemblies in the fuel pool.
