Primary Inventor: Stephen Agace
Contributing Inventor(s):
Date: March 3, 2026
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: Holtec International
Equipment Type: DREAM
Docket Number: HOL-150
Application Number: 18/074,585
Patent Number: US 12,567,509 B2
Prior Publication Data: US 2023/0178260 A1 Jun. 8, 2023
Related U.S. Application Data: Provisional application No. 63/285,502, filed on Dec. 3, 2021.
Abstract: A nuclear fuel storage system comprises a fuel rack immersible in a fuel pool which comprises a baseplate and a cellular
body extending from the baseplate. The body comprises plural cell walls arranged to define an array of upwardly open cells each configured to store a nuclear fuel assembly therein. A raised fuel assembly support ring may be disposed at the bottom of each cell on the baseplate to engage and support a fuel assembly. A neutron absorber insert disposed in at least one cell comprises a bottom end configured to frictionally engage the support ring to secure the neutron absorber insert therein. The absorber insert comprises resiliently deformable radial locking protrusions which frictionally engage an outward facing annular side surface of the support ring in one embodiment. The absorber insert may be retrofit into existing racks to restore reactivity control.