China Fuses Three Nuclear Reactors to Power Mega Chemical Plant

China is building the world's first combined nuclear reactor system to power a massive petrochemical plant. The unprecedented project uses ultra-hot steam from three reactors to both generate electricity and drive industrial processes. The system, under construction in Lianyungang, combines two different reactor types. It pairs two established "Hualong One" reactors with a next-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). The key innovation is the HTGR. It can produce steam reaching 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 Fahrenheit). This extreme heat is powerful enough to break apart chemical molecules for manufacturing. The other two reactors will primarily supply electricity. This "triad" design aims to efficiently power the entire industrial complex. It represents a significant step in using nuclear energy beyond just generating power, applying it directly to large-scale, energy-intensive manufacturing.