Ebara Elliott, NuScale Establish Research Program for High-Temp Steam Compressor

NuScale Power Corp. and Ebara Elliott Energy have announced a collaborative research program to demonstrate and field test a commercial-scale high-temperature steam compressor designed to integrate NuScale Power Modules with petrochemical plants requiring process heat. The program will support the development, manufacturing, and integration of critical turbomachinery and energy-conversion systems, combining NuScale’s small modular reactor technology with Ebara Elliott’s expertise in compressors, turbines, and rotating equipment.

The collaboration is intended to deliver clean, proven, and efficient nuclear-powered solutions for petrochemical applications. Under the collaboration, the companies aim to integrate advanced turbomachinery with nuclear energy systems to provide process heat for industrial applications. NuScale Power Modules are designed to produce reliable process steam for industrial applications at 500 °C or higher, a temperature previously considered beyond the reach of light water reactors.

“The application of NuScale’s technology to produce high-temperature process steam is a use case that unlocks significant commercial opportunities for petrochemical plants, and we are proud to partner with EEE to deliver these high-performance energy solutions to customers worldwide,” said Dr. José Reyes, Chief Technology Officer of NuScale Power. “Not only does our collaboration with EEE strengthen NuScale’s supply chain, but their experience in turbomachinery and manufacturing also aligns with our mission to provide safe, scalable, and carbon-free energy.”

Steam produced by the NuScale Power Module will be isolated from outside facilities via an intermediate heat exchanger and subsequently raised to high temperature through the simple process of adiabatic compression. The project is in progress, with the compressor target completion in 2027. The partners are seeking candidates for the next phase of the project field testing.

“This partnership leverages our century of engineering experience to accelerate the deployment of NuScale’s clean energy technology,” said Ron Josefczyk, Vice President, New Apparatus, Ebara Elliott Energy. “By combining our specialized design and manufacturing capabilities with NuScale’s SMR design, we are creating a reliable, low-carbon power solution specifically optimized for the rigorous demands of the global petrochemical industry.”

Ebara Elliott’s compressors, turbines, and pumps are based on more than 100 years of operational experience, with thousands of units operating globally in chemical facilities 24/7. NuScale’s technology, powered by its NuScale Power Module, is the first and only small modular reactor to have received U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission design approval.

NuScale and Ebara Elliott Energy will gather in Houston next week to share the progress of this collaboration at the World Petrochemical Conference, where Dr. José Reyes will deliver a presentation titled “Reframing Nuclear Heat: From Future Concept to Commercial Reality” on March 24. The companies will also welcome attendees to their booth at the Marriott Marquis Houston.

Manufacturing Upgrade

In October 2025, Ebara Elliott Energy completed a key electrical upgrade at its manufacturing facility in Jeannette, PA, allowing EEE to perform full-speed, full-load testing of compressors and electrical equipment up to 100 MW (134,102 hp). The upgrade began in late 2022 and, with completion, positions the company as a leader in large-scale turbomachinery testing and a one-stop-shop for design, manufacturing, service, and comprehensive support.