My name is Vince Martin. I presently work in the petroleum industry for Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company in Sinclair Wyoming. My official title is Laboratory Supervisor however I wear many hats in this diverse fast paced environment. While I oversee laboratory operations and supervise ten laboratory technicians/chemists, I also provide support to process (chemical engineers) in term of data interpretation and non-routine analysis requests. I conduct and enjoy statistical analysis to support data quality objectives and being a mechanically oriented individual, I ensure all instruments are operational and maintenance activities are conducted. Like many laboratory management positions in industrial environments, I am tasked with leading and balancing a team of laboratory analysts to provide quality analysis under high sample loading while promoting an attention to detail philosophy in all analysis.
Our laboratory conducts quality control analysis for all units of the refinery which include two crude units, a reformer, a hydrocracker, a fluid catalytic cracking unit, an alkylation plant, and a coker. This data is communicated to the unit supervisors and process engineers and is a key piece of information in unit operating control parameters. Additionally we test and certify finished fuels per ASTM methods which includes all grades of motor vehicle gasoline, #1 and #2 Diesel, Jet Fuel and JP8 as well as certification of performance graded asphalt and liquefied petroleum gas. I am routinely asked to conduct special investigation analysis. I am a true chemist at heart and have my greatest enjoyment when I am able to work in the lab, exercise and further explore the chemistry I enjoy.
Major instrumentation within our lab includes several GC's having TCD, FID and MS detectors, nitrogen analyzers by chemiluminescence detection, sulfur analyzers by UV-fluorescence detection, atmospheric distillation analyzers, vacuum distillation apparatus, wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometers and a host of other instrumentation such as bending beam and dynamic shear rheometers. We will soon add an inductively coupled argon plasma spectrometer to our instrumentation arsenal with plans to add FTIR and Raman spectrometers. http://www.sinclairoil.com/sinclair_refinery.html
When not working in the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets at our home near Encampment, WY in the beautiful Platte River Valley. My hobbies include metal working and welding, equipment/vehicle repair and helping my friend Jack with his duties on the Cherokee Ranch.
Here I am with my two best friends. The little one is my grandson, Brent and the other is Jack Riker, a University of Wyoming graduate in Petroleum Engineering and a great colleague at Sinclair.
