Valero Shuts Gasoline Unit for Overhaul at Memphis Refinery Through November

Valero has shut key gasoline units at its 180,000-bpd Memphis refinery for an overhaul running through November, including the FCCU, alkylation unit, and flare gas recovery system.

(Reuters) — Valero Energy Corp. is overhauling the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) at its 180,000 barrel-per-day Memphis, Tennessee refinery, people familiar with plant operations said on Sept. 11.

A Valero spokesperson was not immediately available to discuss refinery operations on Sept. 11.

The 65,000-bpd FCCU was shut over the weekend along with the 12,000-bpd alkylation unit for the overhaul, the sources said.

The overhaul is scheduled to finish by Nov. 1, the sources said.

The refinery’s flare gas recovery unit was also shut for work and a hydrotreater was taken out of production for a catalyst change, according to the sources.

The FCCU uses a fine silica powder catalyst to convert gas oil into unfinished gasoline.

Alkylation units convert refining byproducts into octane-boosting liquids that are added to unfinished gasoline.

The flare gas recovery unit recovers gases that would otherwise be burned in the refinery’s safety flare system for use as fuel in boilers.

Hydrotreaters use catalysts in the presence of hydrogen to remove sulfur from motor fuels in compliance with U.S. environmental rules.