Fuel Blend Chemist at Big West Oil, LLC in North Salt Lake, Utah

Job Description:

The Fuel Blend Chemist is primarily responsible for managing the gasoline blend plan and ensuring gasoline and diesel product quality.  This role reports directly to the Lab Manager with additional oversight from Economics and Planning.  This role has a direct impact on a major portion of refinery production.  This is a great opportunity to make a positive impact to blending operations. Important attributes for this role include: experience with gasoline blending, familiarity with refinery products and plant operation, expertise with specifications, strong logistical planning skills, and being an ambitious learner.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage gasoline blending operations
  
  
  
  • Daily update of blend plan data, including product inventories, qualities, and production volumes, in the blend planning spreadsheet tool.
  
  
  • Adjust blend plan and recipes using the blend planning spreadsheet.
  
  
  • Prioritize next several day detailed plan, with 1 month look ahead.
  
  
  • Optimize plan for inventory, production, purchase and sales volumes requirements.
  
  
  • Plan for seasonal gasoline spec transition.
  
  
  • Minimize spec giveaway. Perform monthly spec giveaway analysis and reporting.
  
  
  • Publish the blend plan to distribution list.
  
  
  • Update DCS blend targets, including recipe and product qualities.
  
  
  • Conduct morning blend coordination meeting with refinery operations, commercial, and engineering staff.
  
  
  • Update and publish the finished product pipeline schedule several times per week.
  
  
  • Oversight of blending equipment: online blend analyzers, composite samplers, flow meter proving, maintenance schedules.
  
  
  • Conduct model updates for Raman blend analyzer
  
  
  • Update and maintain blending system procedures (SOPs).
  
  


• Management of gasoline and diesel product quality and Fuels Compliance
  
  
  
  • Maintain and monitor gasoline production data, including in-line blend data, blend analyzer data, lab test results and Certificates of Analysis (CoA).
  
  
  • Ensure CoA’s are created accurately and ensure compliance with ASTM 4148, ASTM 975, EPA, state, and customer testing requirements.
  
  
  • Check for predicted vs actual performance.
  
  
  • Monitor blend components and finished product tank qualities.
  
  
  • Publish gasoline/diesel specs through seasonal changes.
  
  
  • Troubleshoot any problems with product qualities or blend execution and coordinate corrective action for any off-spec fuel
  
  
  • Coordinate sampling and testing requirement with refinery operations and lab personnel.
  
  
  • Collect data and prepare reports for fuels related environmental reporting.
  
  


• Coordinate injection rates and product inventories for product additives: gasoline detergent, gasoline detergent, corrosion inhibitor, diesel lubricity, pour point depressant, red dye, etc.


• Perform Management of Change (MOCs) as needed for finished products

OTHER DUTIES

• Update LIMS spec limits for various refinery intermediates and products


• Technician shift scheduling


• Coordinate gasoline/diesel hand blends and special testing.


• Lab instrument troubleshooting support

EXPERIENCE

• Refinery gasoline blending/fuels/laboratory experience.


• Bachelors of Science degree, with Chemistry or related fields preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Familiarity with refinery products.


• In-depth knowledge of gasoline and diesel product specifications: ASTM 4814, ASTM 975, EPA 40 CFR Part 80 / Part 1090, etc.


• Organic chemistry background is a plus.


• Computer skills. Strong proficiency with Excel is important. Experience with the following programs is also a plus: PI Process Book, Baytek/cBliss LIMS applications, Maximo.


• Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to prioritize work.


• Ability to plan and think through logistics.


• Ability to learn new principles and skills.


• Good interpersonal and communication skills.


• Strong job ownership.


• Able to meet deadlines and schedules.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Primarily office based with some lab and plant interaction requiring use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

See job description