System and method for radioactive waste destruction

A method for transmuting non-fissile transuranics, said method comprising the steps of:

• initiating a critical, self-sustaining fission reaction to produce a first plurality of fast neutrons;
• moderating said first plurality of fast neutrons to produce a first plurality of thermal neutrons;
• transmuting a first portion of the non-fissile transuranics with said first plurality of thermal neutrons;
• striking a spallation target with a proton beam to generate a second plurality of fast neutrons;
• moderating said second plurality of fast neutrons to produce a second plurality of thermal neutrons;
• and
• transmuting a second portion of the non-fissile transuranics with said second plurality of thermal neutrons.

A system for transmuting spent fuel from a nuclear reactor, said system comprising:

• means for separating the spent fuel into components including a first component comprising at least one fissile isotope and a second component comprising at least one nonfissile, transuranic isotope;
• a first reactor for containing said separated first and second components during a critical, self-sustaining fission reaction, said reaction for transmuting at least a portion of said first component and producing a reacted first component and a reacted second component;
• means for separating said reacted first component into fractions including a transuranic fraction comprising at least one nonfissile transuranic isotope for further transmutation in said first reactor;
• a second reactor for containing said reacted second component;
• a spallation target disposed in said second reactor;
• and
• means for generating a proton beam for interaction with said spallation target to transmute said reacted second component with neutrons from said spallation target.