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Dry barrel storage safely contains spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in containers made of lead, concrete, and steel. It is a temporary containment method until more secure storage can be found. Radioactive waste is cooled in a spent fuel pool before being placed in dry casks. Dry storage facilities house the barrels, which can number in the hundreds. Ensuring safety is an ongoing process, regulated by government agencies such as the NRC.
Dry barrel storage is one way to safely contain spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste. The spent rods are surrounded by inert gas in containers made of a strong material such as lead, reinforced concrete and steel. These vessels are typically bolted or sealed by welding. They are then surrounded by additional means of protection such as concrete or other steel. The goal is to prevent the release of high-level hazardous waste and to protect the environment from radiation. It is meant to be temporary containment for the auctions until more secure storage can be found.
When radioactive waste is first produced, it is cooled in an area called the spent fuel pool. Once at least one year has passed – and generally several – it is placed in dry casks. Radioactive waste stored via this method is typically safe for both transportation and storage, although how much movement it can handle depends on how the barrel is designed.
There are several ways in which dry barrel storage can be oriented. It can be placed inside a vault or on a concrete platform. The containers can be stored vertically or horizontally and are typically cylinder-shaped. How storage is organized depends on the location and resources of a particular facility, although it is often placed in two rows of bins.
Dry barrel storage was created to deal with an excess spent fuel pool. It was determined in the late 1970s and early 1980s that these pools would pose an environmental hazard unless an alternative containment method could be found. There are now several structures, known as dry storage facilities, that house the barrels. Storage vessels can number in the hundreds at these locations.
Ensuring the safety of vessels used for dry barrel storage is an ongoing process. There have been cases where the barrels have cracked or eroded away, allowing other gases to enter the vessel. These accidents are usually the result of poor construction as the waste itself does not typically lead to container degeneration.
Government agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the United States of America provide regulation, supervision and other aid to power plants. This includes ensuring that the waste is properly stored, for example by the dry barrel method. These organizations act as an advocate for citizens and ensure they have a waste-safe environment.
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