HI-STAR

Holtec International Storage, Transport & Repository

The HI-STAR system, primarily used for spent nuclear fuel transport, is also licensed for transport and storage of spent nuclear fuel and Greater than Class C waste.

The HI-STAR system is engineered to store spent nuclear fuel in a vertical orientation and to transport it horizontally. These overpacks meld the roles of a nuclear pressure vessel and a robust transport device. From a structural standpoint, HI-STAR casks are made up of three shells: an innermost shell that acts as the containment boundary, a series of thick steel intermediate shells for gamma shielding, and an outer or enclosure shell that houses the neutron shielding material.

All HI-STAR models are fitted with AL-STAR Impact Limiters for off-site transport by road (heavy haul trailer), rail, and/or barge. Included with the package are a shipping frame, tiedowns, and a personnel barrier that envelops the cask during shipping operations. The HI-STAR systems are in full compliance with USNRC (10CFR71) and IAEA transport regulations.

Key Design Features

Designed to ensure joint sealworthiness while under pressure and during mechanical loadings.

Radiation and thermal tested at temperatures well over those experienced during operating modes.

Containment boundary material eliminates brittle fracture concerns under sub-zero conditions.

Layered shell construction provides immunity against propagation of a crack induced by a sudden impulse impact.

Extremely efficient heat rejection configuration maximizes heat transmission capability.

Outer region maximizes surface flexibility during a postulated drop and impact event.

HI-STAR Models

HI-STAR 190

HI-STAR 190 is capable of transporting every canister type currently in use at US nuclear plants.

HI-STAR 180

HI-STAR 180 is a dual-purpose cask with the capability to store/transport high burn-up and PWR fuel.

HI-STAR 180D

HI-STAR 180D, a smaller version of HI-STAR 180, uses a double lid construction to provide double containment.

HI-STAR 180L

HI-STAR 180L is a transport cask designed for high burn-up BWR Fuel.

HI-STAR 150

HI-STAR 150 is a light weight transport cask Spanish Nuclear Safety Council.

HI-STAR 100

HI-STAR 100 is the industry’s first dual purpose (storage and transport) cask.

HI-STAR 100MB

HI-STAR 100 MB is a medium weight transport cask for Canisterized and bare basket fuel.

HI-STAR 80

Featuring highly conductive external fins, HI-STAR 80 has the highest heat rejection capacity in our fleet.

HI-STAR 63

HI-STAR 63 is truck weight cask expressly engineered for fuel produced by Canadian-origin reactors.

HI-STAR 60

HI-STAR 60 is a light-weight cask designed for light water reactor fuel.

HI-STAR 330

HI-STAR 330 is the industry’s largest cask for transporting non-fissile waste and activated metal.

Patents

Title	Year	Patent No.	Status
Storage and Transport Cask for Nuclear Waste	2023	US 11,373,775 B2, US 11,610,696 B2	Granted
Container for Storing And/Or Transporting Spent Nuclear Fuel	2021	US 11,081,248 B2, US 10,410,756 B2, EP 3264419, KR 10,2139794	Granted
Apparatus, System and Method for Storing High Level Waste	2016	US 9,269,464 B2, US 8,712,001 B2, US 8,548,112 B2	Granted