US-based NuScale Power Corporation and turbomachinery producer Ebara Elliott Energy (EEE) have announced a collaborative research programme to investigate integrating NuScale Power Modules (NPMs) with petrochemical plants needing process heat.
EEE and NuScale will collaborate to support the development, manufacturing, and integration of critical turbomachinery and energy-conversion systems for petrochemical plants powered by NuScale technology. The collaboration is intended to combine NuScale’s SMR technology with EEE’s expertise in steam turbines, compressors, and rotating equipment.
The NuScale NPM is a small pressurised water reactor (PWR) that can each generate 77 MWe or 250 MWt and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules). NPMs are designed to produce reliable process steam for industrial applications at 500 degrees C or higher, a temperature previously considered beyond the reach of light water reactors. Steam produced by the NPM will be isolated from outside facilities via an intermediate heat exchanger and subsequently raised to high temperature through the simple process of adiabatic compression.
Dr José Reyes, Chief Technology Officer of NuScale Power, noted: “Not only does our collaboration with EEE strengthen NuScale’s robust supply chain, but their deep experience in turbomachinery and manufacturing excellence also aligns perfectly with our mission to provide safe, scalable, and carbon-free energy.”
The project is in progress with the compressor target completion in 2027. NuScale and EEE are now seeking candidates for the next phase of the project – field testing.
“By combining our specialised design and manufacturing capabilities with NuScale’s SMR design, we are creating a reliable, low-carbon power solution specifically optimised for the rigorous demands of the global petrochemical industry,” said Ron Josefczyk, EEE Vice President, New Apparatus.
