A system for storing nuclear fuel assemblies includes a plurality of cells housed within a support structure. A first cell may house a first fuel assembly and a second cell may house a second fuel assembly. A plurality of compartments separate the plurality of cells and provide passageways for coolant entering a bottom end of the support structure to remove heat from the nuclear fuel assemblies. A first perforation transfers coolant between the first cell and one or more of the compartments, and a second perforation transfers coolant between the second cell and the one or more compartments. At least a portion of the coolant entering the bottom end of the support structure is transferred between the plurality of cells and the plurality of compartments. Two or more fuel storage racks may be stacked together in alternating fuel patterns to facilitate cooling the fuel assemblies with liquid or air.
