A system for preparing a container holding radioactive waste for dry storage. In one aspect, the invention can be a system for preparing a container having a cavity loaded with radioactive elements for dry storage, the system comprising: a gas circulation system comprising a condenser module, a desiccant module, and a gas circulator module; the gas circulation system configured to form a hermetically sealed closed-loop path when operably connected to the cavity of the container; and means for adding and removing the desiccant module as part of the hermetically sealed closed-loop path.