Valero Memphis Refinery Alkylation Unit - Technology Details
Valero-Memphis-Refinery.jpg | Credit: Inspection Engineering - June 23, 2020
Unit Capacity and Evolution
The Valero Memphis refinery operates a 12,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) alkylation unit. The unit has undergone significant capacity expansions throughout its history:
- Pre-1997: Original capacity of 4,000 bpd alkylate production
- 1997 Expansion: Capacity doubled from 4,000 bpd to 8,000 bpd during Operations Enhancement Projects
- Current Configuration: 12,000 bpd capacity as reported in recent operational updates
The 1997 expansion achieved three key objectives: doubled alkylate production, increased product octane rating, and lowered olefinicity of the gasoline pool.
Technology and Licensor
Catalyst Type: Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) Alkylation
The Memphis refinery uses hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation technology. The refinery has operated an HF alkylation unit since at least 1981 when Mapco Inc. owned the facility.
Technology Licensor: UOP
While the specific licensor is not explicitly confirmed in available documentation for the Memphis facility, industry sources indicate that UOP (now Honeywell UOP) is the major licensor of HF alkylation technology in the United States. The two primary HF alkylation licensors historically have been UOP and Phillips Petroleum (now ConocoPhillips). Given Memphis refinery's other UOP-licensed units (FCC and reformer) and UOP's dominant market position in HF alkylation, the unit likely employs UOP HF alkylation technology.
Current Status
The alkylation unit was shut down alongside the FCC unit in September 2025 for a major overhaul scheduled to complete by November 1, 2025. This coordinated shutdown makes operational sense since the alkylation unit processes olefin-rich streams from the FCC unit.
References
- Mar 22, 1999 (Oil & Gas Journal). Three projects expand product capacity of Memphis refinery
- Erwin Seba. Sep 12, 2025 (Reuters). Valero overhauling FCCU at Tennessee refinery, sources say.
