NuScale and Ebara Elliott partner to deploy advanced nuclear technology for efficient, low-carbon, high-temperature steam supply in petrochemical industries worldwide.
NuScale Power Corporation, a recognized leader in advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, has entered into a strategic partnership with Ebara Elliott Energy (EEE), a global manufacturer of turbomachinery systems, to explore innovative applications of nuclear energy in the petrochemical sector. The collaboration centers on a joint research initiative aimed at demonstrating and validating the use of a commercial-scale high-temperature steam compressor, designed to integrate NuScale Power Modules™ (NPMs) into petrochemical plant operations that require substantial process heat.
Ebara Elliott Energy brings over a century of engineering expertise to the partnership, with a strong track record of delivering reliable compressors, turbines, and pumps used continuously across chemical processing facilities worldwide. These systems are built on well-established technologies and have been deployed in thousands of installations, ensuring dependable performance in demanding industrial environments. Meanwhile, NuScale’s SMR technology stands out as the first and only design of its kind to receive approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, underscoring its credibility and readiness for commercial deployment.
Through this collaboration, both companies aim to jointly advance the design, manufacturing, and integration of key turbomachinery and energy conversion components tailored for petrochemical facilities powered by nuclear energy. By combining NuScale’s innovative SMR capabilities with EEE’s extensive experience in rotating equipment, the partnership seeks to deliver a new generation of efficient, low-carbon energy solutions specifically suited for industrial applications. This initiative represents a significant step toward decarbonizing the petrochemical sector, which traditionally relies on fossil fuels for high-temperature heat processes.
A core feature of NuScale’s technology is its ability to generate high-temperature process steam at levels of 500°C or more—temperatures that were previously difficult to achieve using conventional light water reactor systems. The steam produced by NPMs will be separated from external industrial processes through an intermediate heat exchanger, ensuring safety and operational integrity. It will then be further heated using adiabatic compression, a relatively straightforward and efficient process, to meet the rigorous thermal requirements of petrochemical operations.
According to Dr. José Reyes, Chief Technology Officer of NuScale Power, this application of SMR technology represents a transformative opportunity for the petrochemical industry. He emphasized that the partnership with EEE not only enhances NuScale’s supply chain capabilities but also aligns with its broader objective of delivering safe, scalable, and carbon-free energy solutions. Similarly, Ron Josefczyk, Vice President of New Apparatus at Ebara Elliott Energy, highlighted that the collaboration leverages the company’s long-standing engineering excellence to accelerate the deployment of clean nuclear energy technologies in industrial settings.
The project is currently underway, with the high-temperature steam compressor expected to reach completion by 2027. As the initiative progresses, both companies are actively seeking partners for the next phase, which will involve real-world field testing of the integrated system.
In addition, NuScale and EEE are set to present updates on their collaboration at the upcoming World Petrochemical Conference in Houston. Dr. José Reyes will deliver a presentation titled “Reframing Nuclear Heat: From Future Concept to Commercial Reality” on March 24, where attendees can gain deeper insights into the project. The companies will also engage with industry stakeholders at their exhibition booth, showcasing the potential of advanced nuclear technology in transforming energy use within petrochemical plants.
