Development of a neutronics analysis code for pebble-bed HTRs

A new code named HINT (High Temperature Reactor Neutronics Tool) is under development in Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET). This paper introduces the HINT code's computational framework and methodologies in lattice physics and core physics computations. Emphases are given to the double heterogeneity treatment and the leakage feedback in broad-group cross-section generation, as these two issues are specific challenges for high temperature reactors (HTR) compared with light water reactors (LWR). Numerical results are presented to verify the HINT code's capability in HTR fuel pebble and full-core calculations. It demonstrates that the HINT code is promising for pebble-bed HTR neutronics analysis.