Comparison of cask and dry well storage concepts for a stand-alone monitored retrievable storage/interim storage system

Metal storage casks are compared with surface dry wells for storage of spent fuel or solidified high-level wastes. Conceptual designs of monitored retrievable storage/interim storage (MRS/IS) facilities are described and evaluated for both storage concepts. The MRS/IS facilities include systems and storage facilities for transuranic (TRU) waste. The impact of TRU waste on the MRS/IS facility is evaluated. Comparisons of the storage concepts were made for three cases for which different reprocessing and disposal schedules were assumed, thus affecting the size and handling rate of the MRS/IS facility. In all cases, dry wells were more economical than metal storage casks. 6 references, 51 figures, 51 tables.