Valero overhauling FCCU at Tennessee refinery, sources say

HOUSTON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Valero Energy Corp VLO.N 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 Thursday.

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

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 November 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.