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Justia Patents Carbon-oxide And Hydrogen ContainingUS Patent for Plant for production of hydrogen and method for operating this plant Patent (Patent # 10,486,968)
Plant for production of hydrogen and method for operating this plant
Nov 9, 2015 - L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
The invention relates to a plant for production of hydrogen, and to a method for operating this plant, comprising a steam reforming reactor having a furnace, in which reactor water and at least one carbonaceous energy carrier are reacted to form a hydrogen-containing crude synthesis gas, and at least one cleaning device for purifying the crude synthesis gas, to which the crude synthesis gas is fed from the steam reforming via at least one feed line. According to the invention, upstream of one of the at least one cleaning devices at least one return line branches off from the feed line, through which the crude synthesis gas is at least in part recirculated into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a § 371 of International PCT Application PCT/EP2015/025077, filed Nov. 9, 2015, which claims the benefit of DE 10 2014 116 871.2, filed Nov. 18, 2014, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The invention relates to a plant for production of hydrogen comprising a steam reforming reactor having a furnace, in which reactor water and at least one carbonaceous energy carrier are reacted to form a hydrogen-containing crude synthesis gas, and at least one cleaning device for purifying the crude synthesis gas, to which cleaning device the crude synthesis gas is fed from the steam reforming via at least one feed line. The invention also additionally comprises a method for operating this plant.
All hydrogen-containing gas mixtures that can be used as starting materials of a synthesis reaction are in principle termed synthesis gas. Typical syntheses for which the synthesis gas is used are the syntheses of methanol and ammonia. The breakdown of the synthesis gas into the individual components CO, H2, CO2, H2O and CH4 likewise forms a broad field of application for reforming plants.
The production of synthesis gas can in principle proceed from solid, liquid and gaseous starting materials. The most important method for generating synthesis gas from gaseous reagents, what is termed reforming, generally utilizes natural gas as reagent. Natural gas is substantially a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons, the composition of which varies depending on the site of origin, where the main component is always methane (CH4) and, as further components, higher hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms and also impurities such as sulphur, for example, can be present.
To reform natural gas to form a synthesis gas, what is termed steam reforming is principally used, in which the methane that is present is converted in the presence of a catalyst primarily according to the following reaction equations to form hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2):
CH43H2OCO+3H2
CO+H2OCO2+H2
When a suitable catalyst is used, and steam is added, moreover, cleavage of higher hydrocarbons to form methane occurs according to what is termed the rich gas reaction:
C n  H m + ( 2 - n 2 )  H 2  O ↔ ( n - 2  n - m 4 )  CH 4 + 2  n - m 4  CO 2 .
The highly endothermic character of the methane conversion with water to form carbon monoxide dominates the overall enthalpy of steam reforming. The energy input necessary for this process, which is therefore endothermic overall, is generally realized via an external heater, what is termed the furnace. For this purpose, the overall stream of the carbonaceous energy carrier is divided and the first part is introduced as reagent into the steam reforming, while the second part is fed as fuel gas into the furnace. In principle, also, different carbonaceous energy carriers can be fed into the steam reforming and into the furnace.
The methane conversion can be increased by increasing the steam-carbon ratio, i.e. by superstoichiometric addition of steam.
The subsequent purification with synthesis gas is dependent on the composition of the synthesis gas. If the synthesis gas contains hydrogen which is to be used further in downstream processes, then, to purify the hydrogen, pressure-swing adsorption (frequently also PSA) is usually carried out.
Pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) is a physical method for separating gas mixtures under pressure by means of adsorption. Special porous materials such as, for example, zeolites or activated carbon are used here as adsorbents. The gas is introduced at an elevated pressure of 10 to 80 bar into a fixed-bed reactor, which is filled with the adsorbents, and so the gas flows through the fixed bed. One or more components of the mixture, termed the heavy components, are then adsorbed. At the exit of the bed, what is termed the light component, in this case hydrogen, can be taken off. After some time, the adsorber bed is substantially saturated, and some of the heavy components co-exit. At this time, via valves, the process is switched over in such a manner that the exit for the light component is closed and an outlet for the heavy components is opened. This is accompanied by a pressure fall. Via the low pressure, then, the adsorbed gas is desorbed again and can be taken off at the outlet. Generally, two alternately loaded and discharged adsorbers are connected, and so continuous operation is possible.
If the synthesis gas also contains carbon monoxide, the purification generally additionally comprises a CO2 removal, a synthesis gas drying unit and a low-temperature synthesis gas separation plant or cryogenic synthesis gas separation plant (CO Cold Box).
The CO2 removal is usually a scrubber in which amines or else carbonates are used as scrubbing medium. In this case, in a first step, the CO2 accumulates in the scrubbing medium and can then, together with the scrubbing medium, be transferred to a second separation step. In the second step, scrubbing medium and CO2 are separated again from one another, whereby the CO2 can be taken off in concentrated form.
In the drying, water still originating from the steam reforming is removed from the synthesis gas. The drying unit is usually a temperature-swing adsorption unit (TSA).
In the low-temperature separation plant, the CO gas is separated off from the other components still present in the synthesis gas.
In addition to the CO gas, in the low-temperature separation plant, a hydrogen-rich stream and one or more residual gas streams are generated. For purifying the hydrogen-rich streams, a pressure-swing adsorption is usually used, which separates off the hydrogen from what is termed the PSA residual gas.
In accordance with the possible connection variants of the individual purification stages, the residual gas contains unreacted methane, higher-value hydrocarbons, CO2, H2O, inert gases, such as nitrogen and argon, and also unseparated hydrogen.
The residual gas is recirculated to the furnace of the endothermic steam reforming. The amount of additional fuel gas required can therefore be reduced, since the residual gas usually possesses a not insignificant heating value. Furthermore, in this manner the residual gas need not be worked up further or burnt in a flare.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,667,410 describes a method for controlling the quality of the synthesis gas generated from a steam reforming process, with the focus on the residual gas formed in the purification. In this case, by measuring the unreacted methane and the reaction temperature, the amount of the methane supplied is adjusted in such a manner that the synthesis gas formed always has the same composition, which is necessary for the downstream ammonia synthesis.
US 2010/0255432 A1 discloses a method for starting up a steam reforming reactor, in which a mixture of a fuel gas and an inert gas is generated which has a composition such that the heating output corresponds to 25% of the heating output in the steady-state operation with recirculation of a residual gas. The oven of the steam reformer is operated during startup using this mixture.
A problem with the recirculation of residual gas is that with the cleaning devices, malfunctions can always occur. The steam reforming reactor, however, is very sensitive to pressure fluctuations in the furnace chamber. The control range is usually at a slight under pressure of from −1 to −10 mm of water. In the event of malfunction of one of the gas cleaning processes, the malfunctioning cleaning stage and also possibly all subsequent cleaning stages must be turned off immediately. Usually, then, the crude synthesis gas is simply burnt in a flare. Owing to the loss of the residual gas, when one or more cleaning stages are switched off, the total amount of fuel gas introduced into the furnace falls, this gas being composed of fuel gas and recirculated residual gas during standard operation. This leads to a reduced pressure in the combustion chamber, as a result of which emergency shutdown of the entire reformer plant may occur.
A problem here is that in the event of malfunction of the entire steam reforming, idle times of 24 hours and more occur. This far exceeds the idle times which are necessary for the renewed startup of the cleaning stages (for example low-temperature synthesis gas separation plant 4 to 8 hours, CO2 scrubbing 1-3 hours, pressure-swing adsorption 1 to 3 hours). Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to avoid the entire process being switched off owing to loss of one of the recirculating streams from one of the cleaning plants.
The problem of sudden pressure fall in the event of loss of a residual gas originating from the purification has in practice to date been generally solved in that a false air flap is opened on the steam reformer furnace, through which false air is drawn into the furnace.
A disadvantage with this procedure, however, is that by drawing in of cold ambient air, the temperature in the furnace chamber and flue gas waste-heat system falls greatly. Therefore, considerable temperature fluctuations can occur on the furnace side and process side of the reformer furnace, for which reason the reforming process must then finally be switched off anyway.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plant with which, even in the event of faults in a cleaning device connected downstream of the steam reforming reactor, the operation of the steam reforming reactor can continue to be maintained.
This object is achieved by a method and a plant having the features of the various embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, a plant of this kind has a steam reforming reactor in which water and a carbonaceous energy carrier, preferably a gas consisting of at least 80% by weight of methane, are reacted to form a hydrogen-containing crude synthesis gas. This reaction proceeds endothermically, for which reason the steam reforming reactor is equipped with a furnace, into which at least one heating agent, preferably a combustible gas (also termed fuel gas), is introduced and burnt there. The resultant heat provides the heat required for the steam reforming reaction. In addition, this plant comprises at least one cleaning device, in which at least one component present in the crude synthesis gas, for example hydrogen, is purified.
Finally, such a device comprises a return line, through which the crude synthesis gas can at least in part be recirculated into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor before passage through at least one cleaning stage.
Preferably, in the at least one cleaning appliance, residual gas is separated off that is at least in part combustible. In order to utilize the calorific value of this residual gas, the residual gas can be recirculated via a line into the furnace. If this cleaning device then malfunctions, the residual gas that is recirculated into the furnace is also absent. Through the recycling according to the invention, it is now possible to replace this residual gas, in that a part of the crude synthesis gas is branched off upstream of the cleaning stage and is recirculated to the furnace.
The crude synthesis gas, for the purposes of the invention, is taken to mean here the hydrogen-containing gas originating from the steam reforming reactor that has not yet passed through all of the cleaning stages present, i.e. including a partially cleaned gas.
The residual gas composition varies in accordance with the cleaning process used and usually has the following composition in the stated ranges:
Gas minimum maximum
H2 (mol %) 80 92 CO (mol %) 2 6 CO2 (mol %) 0 1 H2O (mol %) 0 2 N2 (mol %) 0 1 CH4 (mol %) 6 10
If a plurality of cleaning devices are used, they are preferably connected in series in order to work up the entire gas stream.
Preferably, one cleaning device, particularly preferably the last series-connected cleaning device, is a pressure-swing adsorption. In the pressure-swing adsorption, the residual gas is separated off from the hydrogen. Expediently, this residual gas is then recirculated to the furnace of the steam reforming reactor and will there in part replace the fuel gas. As a result, the energy efficiency of the method can be significantly increased.
In an embodiment of the invention, in the steam reforming reactor the at least one carbonaceous energy carrier, which preferably consists of at least 80% by weight of methane, is reacted together with water to give a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Such a reaction has the advantage that the carbon atoms present in the energy carrier need not be discharged from the system in the form of CO2, but rather are likewise a valuable product (CO). Carbon monoxide and hydrogen are substantial primary products of the chemical industry and are required, for example, as reagents for methanol synthesis. Olefins can then be generated therefrom, in the course of a methanol-to-olefin method, for example, as important building blocks for generating longer-chain molecules.
The device according to the invention in addition expediently has further cleaning devices, preferably a CO2 removal, a drying and/or a cold chamber. By means of these additional cleaning devices, in particular in the generation of a synthesis gas that contains not only hydrogen but also carbon monoxide, all valuable products (CO, H2) can be separated off in high purity. Preferably, these further cleaning devices are interconnected in the sequence CO2 removal, drying and/or cold chamber. Such an interconnection is logical, in particular in the case of a method generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in order to be able to purify both valuable products sufficiently. Depending on the composition of the synthesis gas and the product variety sought, however, other interconnections are also conceivable.
Preferably, in each case, at least one further return line branches off from such further cleaning devices, and recirculates streams produced in the cleaning back into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor.
Particularly expedient, in this case, is a line guidance which, in addition, has a return line upstream of each feed line to the respective cleaning stage, wherein the return line leads back into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor. Thus, in the event of malfunction of each individual cleaning stage, the synthesis gas can be recirculated at least in part to the furnace and there replace the unavailable residual gas from the pressure-swing adsorption. Thus it is possible to react flexibly to malfunction of each cleaning stage, to shut them down separately and start them up again as fast as possible, and the steam reforming reaction can continue as such under standard conditions.
The brief further operation of the steam reforming plant without yielding product, with further use of the carbonaceous energy carrier, is more expedient from an economic aspect than the shutting down and restarting of the plant.
Preferably, a metering device is provided in at least one return line, preferably a rate control valve with flow metering, which meters the rate of the recirculated crude synthesis gas. In this manner it is possible to prevent too much or too little hydrogen passing back into the steam reforming reactor. Such a scenario might have effects which include subjecting the steam reforming reaction to severe fluctuations, or might even make a shutdown necessary.
In a further embodiment of the invention, in addition, at least one measuring device is provided which determines the volume flow rate of the carbonaceous energy carrier into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor. Such a value permits the additional demand for recirculated crude synthesis gas to be determined, and so this value can be controlled continuously or else selected once.
The amount of recirculated crude synthesis gas is determined as the theoretical value VS1, where the theoretical value of the volume of the recirculated synthesis gas VS1 is calculated from:
V S   1 = V m + F · V G · H i  ( G ) · η G H i  ( S ) · η S
VS Theoretical volume flow rate of the m3 s−1 recirculated crude synthesis gas Vm Actual volume flow rate of the recirculated m3 s−1 residual gas from at least one cleaning device VG Volume flow rate of the carbonaceous energy carrier fed m3 s−1 into the furnace averaged over the last three minutes F Furnace factor — Hi(G) Heating value of the carbonaceous energy carrier J/kg Hi(S) Heating value of the crude synthesis gas J/kg ηG Efficiency value of the carbonaceous energy carrier — ηS Efficiency value of the crude synthesis gas —
where F has a value between 0.7 and 1.2, preferably 0.9 and 1.
The volume flow rate Vm of the recirculated crude synthesis gas is the measured volume flow rate at the respective time point.
Preferably, there is in addition a feed line for an oxygen-containing gas into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor, since oxygen is required as a reaction partner for the combustion that is proceeding.
In this feed line there is expediently situated likewise a measuring device that determines the volume inflow rate of the oxygen-containing gas in such a manner that the amount of oxygen available in total can be calculated and likewise can be used as a factor for the crude synthesis gas recirculation under closed-loop or open-loop control.
In this embodiment it has proved logical to recirculate the crude synthesis gas in the amount of a theoretical value VS2 which is determined as:
V S   2 = V L a
VS2 Theoretical volume flow rate of the m3 s−1 recirculated crude synthesis gas VL Volume flow rate of the air m3 s−1 a Correction factor —
where a has a value between 1.05 and 1.15.
As VL, instead of the volume flow rate of the air (=combustion air), also, in general, the volume flow rate of an oxygen-containing gas can be adopted. When other gases are used, the same formula is to be employed.
Particularly expedient is an embodiment of the plant according to the invention which has devices for measuring the values necessary for calculating VS1 and VS2, and a metering device which is constructed in such a manner that it recirculates residual gas to the furnace in the amount of the smaller of the two values VS1 and VS2.
Finally, the invention also comprises a method for operating the plant for production of hydrogen, wherein water and at least one carbonaceous energy carrier are reacted in a first method step in a steam reforming reaction to form a crude synthesis gas, and in a second method step the crude synthesis gas is purified in a pressure-swing adsorption. The crude synthesis gas is at least in part recirculated into the furnace of the steam reforming reaction before passing through the pressure-swing adsorption.
Preferably, the amount of the recirculated crude synthesis gas is calculated as theoretical value VS1, where the theoretical value of the volume of the recirculated synthesis gas VS1 is determined as:
VS Theoretical volume flow rate of the recirculated crude m3 s−1 synthesis gas Vm Actual volume flow rate of the recirculated residual m3 s−1 gas from at least one cleaning device VG Volume flow rate of the carbonaceous energy carrier fed m3 s−1 into the furnace averaged over the last three minutes F Furnace factor — Hi(G) Heating value of the carbonaceous energy carrier J/kg Hi(S) Heating value of the crude synthesis gas J/kg ηG Efficiency value of the carbonaceous energy carrier — ηS Efficiency value of the crude synthesis gas —
Underlying this calculation is the concept of calculating, via the heating value, the amount of the residual gas recirculated to date from the pressure-swing adsorption and of recirculating crude synthesis gas having the same heating value. As a result, temperature drops and reaction conditions altered thereby in the steam reforming reaction, or stopping of the reaction, can be reliably avoided.
If there are fluctuations in the gas quality of the gas that is used as fuel gas in the furnace and as reagent in the steam reforming, then the composition of the residual gas recirculated from the pressure-swing adsorption can also alter greatly. Usually, such fluctuations are reacted to by controlling the feed of the fuel gas appropriately.
It has proved to be logical to recirculate the crude synthesis gas in the amount of a theoretical value VS2 which is determined as:
wherein a has a value between 1.05 and 1.15. This ensures that sufficient oxygen is present in order to convert the recirculated crude synthesis gas. Otherwise, there would be a concentration of the at least partially combustible residues which are a problem in plant operation.
It has proved to be particularly convenient here not only to calculate the requirement for recirculated synthesis gas on the basis of the required heating value, but also to determine the maximum possible recycling rate on the basis of the oxygen amount fed in, and then to determine the amount of the actually recirculated crude synthesis gas in accordance with the smaller theoretical value of these two modes of calculation. In this manner, the greatest possible requirement of additional heating value can be covered without lack of reaction on account of an oxygen deficit.
It has proved to be logical to select the amount of the recirculated synthesis gas in a ramp, preferably a linear ramp, in order to avoid in this manner abrupt changes in the process procedure of the steam reforming reactor. The ramping is particularly expedient when the recirculation of the residual gas is likewise reduced in a ramp-like manner, in such a manner that the ramp with which the theoretical value of the recirculated synthesis gas is selected runs reciprocally to the ramp for shutting down the recirculated residual gas.
Usually, such ramps are run over a short and limited time interval (for example 40 seconds), since this gives the advantage of achieving the target value promptly and nevertheless not risking abrupt changes in the process conditions.
After a single calculation of the theoretical value VS1 or VS2 of the recirculated volume flow rate of the recirculated synthesis gas, this can either be calculated further continuously on the basis of the air quantity, or else the value calculated once is, after completion of the ramp, particularly preferably, after completion of 40 seconds, set as a fixed control value.
In addition, the invention also comprises that the method is carried out during startup or during the malfunction of at least one of the downstream cleaning devices. During startup, significant savings are made in this manner of the carbonaceous energy carrier used, the fuel gas or primary energy carrier, or, during malfunction of one of the downstream cleaning stages, as described, the operation of the steam reforming reactor can be maintained unchanged.
The invention finally also comprises the use of a plant according to the invention in the case of malfunction of one of the downstream cleaning stages. As already described, in this manner it is possible to react to faults without the steam reforming reactor needing to be shut down on account of pressure drops, and very long and very expensive idle times of the plant occurring.
According to the invention, this plant can also be used during the startup of a plant for producing hydrogen, since here the steam reforming reactor is started first. Subsequently, all cleaning stages provided are successively turned on in the sequence of their interconnection. As a result, considerable amounts of fuel gas can be saved, since the crude synthesis gas obtained can replace at least in part the carbonaceous energy carrier. The startup operation is thereby arranged in a considerably more cost-favourable manner, since there are still no residual gases available from the cleaning processes.
An example of the generation of pure hydrogen shows that, generally, during the commissioning of the pressure-swing adsorption, all of the crude synthesis gas produced must be flared off over a period of 1 to 5 hours. The synthesis gas generation at this time point runs at about 40% of nominal load.
An example of the generation of pure carbon monoxide shows that, generally, during the commissioning of the low-temperature synthesis gas separation plant, in standard operation, the synthesis gas produced must be flared off over the period of up to 12 hours. By recycling synthesis gas, here, correspondingly, much fuel gas can be saved. The synthesis gas generation at this time point runs at about 40% of nominal load.
Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention result from the subsequent description of the drawings and the exemplary embodiments. In this case, all described and/or pictorially presented features, alone or in any combination, are the subject matter of the invention, independently of the summary thereof in the claims and the dependency reference thereof.
FIG. 1 shows a plant according to the invention for production of hydrogen and
FIG. 2 shows a plant according to the invention for production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
FIG. 1 shows a steam reforming reactor 20, into which, firstly, via line 10, a carbonaceous energy carrier, preferably a gas consisting of at least 80% by weight of methane, is fed. Via line 26, as also via line 24, parts of this energy carrier are branched off and introduced as fuel gas into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20.
Via line 21 and a compressor or a blower 22, flue gas is withdrawn from the furnace chamber of the steam reforming reactor 20 and in this case, simultaneously, the pressure in the furnace chamber is controlled.
Via line 11 and a compressor or a blower 12, in addition, air is introduced into the system. Expediently, as shown, the air is first passed through a heat exchanger 25 in the flue gas waste-heat system of the steam reforming reactor and in this manner takes up heat from the exhaust gas escaping from the steam reforming reactor 20 before it passes preheated into line 23. From line 23, then, the air is fed into the actual steam reforming reactor 20.
Via line 27, the resultant crude synthesis gas is withdrawn from the steam reforming reactor 20 and passed into a pressure-swing adsorption 40. There, hydrogen is obtained having a degree of purity of 99 mol %, preferably 99.9 mol %, particularly preferably 99.99 mol %, and withdrawn via line 41. The residual gas from the pressure-swing adsorption is recirculated via line 42 to the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20.
Via line 46, crude synthesis gas can be branched off before passing through the pressure-swing adsorption 40 and conducted into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20. In this case, the line 46 can open out into the return line 42, or else directly into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20.
FIG. 2 represents the plant according to the invention for generating carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbonaceous energy carrier is fed in via line 10, from which, via line 26, parts of the fuel gas are introduced into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20. The gas used as carbonaceous energy carrier contains at least 80% by weight of methane.
Air for the combustion is fed into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20 via line 11 and the one compressor or a blower 12. Preferably, in this case, the air in the stack of the steam reforming reactor 20 is passed via a heat exchanger 25 and then, via line 23, is fed into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20.
The crude synthesis gas generated in the steam reforming 20 is fed via line 27 to a CO2 scrubber 30. The CO2 that is separated off here is recirculated via line 31 to the steam reforming 20 in order here to be further converted at least in part to carbon monoxide in a CO-shift reaction.
The purified crude synthesis gas is fed via line 32 to a dryer 33 in which water still originating from the steam reforming is removed.
The crude synthesis gas then passes via line 34 into a low-temperature synthesis gas separation plant 35 in which it is separated into a hydrogen-rich gas 37, the carbon monoxide 36 and various residual gas streams 45. The hydrogen-rich gas is fed via line 37 to the pressure-swing adsorption 40 in which the hydrogen product is removed via line 41. The various cleaning processes are designed in a form such that the required degrees of product purity are reliably achieved.
Residual gas then passes back via return line 42 into the furnace of the steam reforming oven.
In addition, return lines 43, 44, 45 and 45′ branch off from the respective cleaning stages 30, 33 and 35, in such a manner that, via the return lines 45 and 45′ from the low-temperature synthesis gas separation plant 35, via the return line 44 from the dryer and the return line 43 from the CO2 scrubber 30, also in each case crude synthesis gas can be branched off and transferred to the return line 42 through which it then passes into the furnace of the steam reformer.
The recirculation of the various fuel gases 24, 26, 42, 44, 45, 45′, 46, 47 to the burner of the steam reforming reactor 20 need not necessarily take place in a shared collecting line, but can also be implemented separately. This could proceed, for example, by means of two different collections at a different pressure level.
Via return line 47, the crude synthesis gas can also be recirculated to the furnace of the steam reformer even before passing through any of the cleaning devices 30, 33, 35, 40. Therefore, in the event of malfunction of any cleaning stage, the crude synthesis gas can be tapped and recirculated to the furnace, in such a manner that the amount of energy fed to the furnace and also the gas stream fed remain constant and no fluctuations in the steam reformer itself occur.
As a result, long idle times in the event of malfunction of one of the downstream cleaning stages can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, during startup, the cleaning stages can be switched on stepwise and a recycling of gas into the furnace of the steam reformer can already be switched on before the complete plant is running. As a result, considerable amounts of the carbonaceous energy carrier can be saved, which must otherwise be used for the furnace.
Furthermore, measuring devices are situated in the lines 11, 26 and 42 in order to determine the respective volume streams of the gases flowing through these lines 11, 36 and 42. In detail, in this case, the volume stream of the air fed in through the line 11 is measured using measuring device 63, the volume stream of the residual gas stream recirculated through the line 42 into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20 is measured using measuring device 61 and the volume stream of the energy carrier conducted through the line 26 into the furnace of the steam reforming reactor 20 is measured using measuring device 62. Suitable measuring devices are, in particular, turbine meters, rotating-vane meters, direct displacement meters, Pitot tubes, coriolis meters and ultrasonic flow metering methods.
On the basis of these values, in the manner shown the theoretical value for the volume of the crude synthesis gas stream recirculated via line 46 and/or 47 can be calculated. This theoretical value is under closed-loop or open-loop control via the metering device 51, preferably a valve, in return line 46 and the metering device 52, preferably a valve, in return line 47. Here, metering devices having integrated mass flow or volume stream measurement can also be used.
Exemplary Embodiments
Table 1 shows the composition of the volume stream in the respective lines for a plant constructed according to the invention according to FIG. 1 for production of hydrogen in mol %.
Table 2 shows the composition of the volume stream in the respective lines for a plant constructed according to the invention according to FIG. 2 for production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in mol %.
Stream compositions in the lines of a structure according to the invention for production of hydrogen.
Line 10 11 21 23 26 27 (1) 41 42 46
H2 (mol %) 0 0 0 0 0 75.08 100 26.58 98.43 CO (mol %) 0 0 0 0 0 4.45 0 13.13 0.46 CO2 (mol %) 1.1 0.03 19.73 0.03 1.1 16.1 0 47.42 0.01 H2O (mol %) 0 0.959 17.56 0.959 0 0.306 0 0.904 0.09 N2 (mol %) 2 77.36 60.79 77.36 2 0.442 0.005 1.296 0.06 O2 (mol %) 0 20.73 1.2 20.73 0 0 0 0 0.00 CH4 (mol %) 89 0 0 0 89 3.618 0 10.67 1.17 Remainder (mol %) 7.7 0.925 0.722 0.925 7.7 0 0 0 0 (1) Dry, after condensate deposition
TABLE 2 Stream compositions in the lines of a structure according to the invention for production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Line 10 11 21 23 26 27 (1) 32 36 H2 (mol %) 0 0 0 0 0 65.8 70.8 0 CO (mol %) 0 0 0 0 0 21.4 23 99 CO2 (mol %) 0.1 7.25 7.25 7.25 0.1 6.97 0 0 H2O (mol %) 0 22 22 22 0 0.35 0.2 0 N2 (mol %) 0.9 68.6 68.6 68.6 0.9 0.22 0.25 0.6 O2 (mol %) 0 1.33 1.33 1.33 0 0 0 0 CH4 (mol %) 98 0 0 0 98 5.29 5.7 0 Remainder (mol %) 1.3 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.3 0 0 0 Line 37 41 42 43 44 45 45′ 47 H2 (mol %) 97.9 99.997 86.3 11.3 1.67 0 84.3 51 CO (mol %) 0.59 0.0001 3.91 3.3 69.8 0 10.1 3.75 CO2 (mol %) 0.01 0 0.04 66.9 0 0 0 0.04 H2O (mol %) 0.15 0 1 17.4 0 0 0 0.7 N2 (mol %) 0.05 0.003 0.33 0.02 28.5 0 0.22 1.8 O2 (mol %) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CH4 (mol %) 1.27 0.0001 8.43 1.14 0 100 5.36 42.5 Remainder (mol %) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.01 0.2 (1) Dry, after condensate deposition
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.
The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
"Comprising" in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing (i.e., anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of "comprising"). "Comprising" as used herein may be replaced by the more limited transitional terms "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" unless otherwise indicated herein.
"Providing" in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.
Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.
Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.
All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
10, 11 Line
12 Pump
20 Steam reforming reactor with furnace
21 Line
22 Compressor
25 Heat exchanger
30 Scrubber
33 Dryer
35 Low-temperature synthesis gas separation plant
40 Pressure-swing adsorption
42-47 Return line
51, 52 Metering device
61-63 Measuring device
1. A method for operating a plant for production of synthesis gas, the method comprising the steps of:
reacting water and at least one carbonaceous energy carrier in a steam reforming reactor having a furnace to form a crude synthesis gas, wherein an oxidant is used in combination with a fuel to provide heat for the furnace; and
purifying the crude synthesis gas in at least one cleaning stage,
wherein the crude synthesis gas is at least in part recirculated into the furnace for use as a supplemental fuel before passing through the at least one cleaning stage,
wherein the amount of the crude synthesis gas that is recirculated is based on a calculated theoretical flow rate value.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in the event of changes in the amount of the recirculated synthesis gas, the theoretical flow rate value is selected in a ramp.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is carried out during the startup of the plant or during the malfunction of at least one of the cleaning stages.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the oxidant is air, and wherein the method further comprises the step of measuring a flow rate of the air introduced to the furnace, wherein the theoretical flow rate value of the crude synthesis gas that is recirculated to the furnace is 5 to 15% lower than the measured flow rate of the air introduced to the furnace.
2667410 January 1954 Pierce
8535638 September 17, 2013 Terrien
20030170510 September 11, 2003 Robb et al.
20060179718 August 17, 2006 Whyatt
20090092883 April 9, 2009 Ozeki et al.
20100068573 March 18, 2010 Tamura et al.
20100255432 October 7, 2010 Fuentes et al.
20120064421 March 15, 2012 Tamura
20130009102 January 10, 2013 Kelly
WO 2007/068682 June 2007 WO
International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/EP2015/025077, dated Feb. 15, 2016.
Filed: Nov 9, 2015
Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude (Paris)
Inventors: Dieter Ulber (Steinbach), Alexander Rosch (Katy, TX), Ahmet Sari (Sulzbach), Jan Cobbaut (Brussels)
Primary Examiner: Anthony J Zimmer
Current U.S. Class: Carbon-oxide And Hydrogen Containing (252/373)
International Classification: C01B 3/56 (20060101); C01B 3/38 (20060101); B01D 53/04 (20060101); B01D 53/047 (20060101); B01D 53/14 (20060101); B01J 19/00 (20060101); C01B 3/52 (20060101);


text:
Kenneth David Tiler (born 23 May 1950) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League, as a right back.

References

1950 births
Living people
Footballers from Sheffield
English footballers
Association football defenders
Chesterfield F.C. players
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Rotherham United F.C. players
Boston United F.C. players
Gainsborough Trinity F.C. players
English Football League players
National League (English football) players

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I was surprised to see that eDirect Software is selling FileMaker 7 for Windows full copies CD-only without the manual and box for $109.99. They are also selling FileMaker 6 for $69.99. I got directed by a Google ad on FM Forums. You can call them toll free at 866-449-5567. I'm not making money off this in case you are wondering. Just an amazing offer if you are in the market for FileMaker 6 or 7.
I haven't bought from eDirect before but they've got something that says "Overall Store Rating: 5 stars Amazon Marketplace" featured prominently and my guess is that they couldn't get away with that if it weren't true. Worth checking out if you need some extra copies of 6 or 7 for Windows.
This entry was posted in FileMaker Deals on October 25, 2004 by janet.
If you've been a FileMaker customer for any time, you aren't going to believe this. Mac-Res-Q is selling Mac and Windows versions of FileMaker Pro 6 for $79.99 right now. The only slight catch is you don't get a box or user manual, just the CD and Installation code. More on my Studio Manager Bulletin blog. I don't know how long this deal will last.
This entry was posted in FileMaker Deals on June 24, 2004 by janet.


text:
Trump pushes to defund 'anarchist' jurisdictions, including New York City, Portland & Seattle
September 3, 2020 South Asian Express
"Anarchist" jurisdictions and cities that allow violent protests and cut police budgets will face the loss of federal funding, says the latest executive memo from US President Donald Trump ramping up his "law and order" campaign.
A five-page memo sent to federal agencies on Wednesday orders them to report to the White House Office of Management and Budget on any funding that could be redirected. New York City, Portland, Seattle and even Washington, DC are among the initial targets of the measure.
SCOOP: President Trump has signed a memo ordering federal agencies to defund 'anarchist jurisdictions'Agencies must report to OMB funds that can be taken from NYC, DC, Portland and Seattle https://t.co/6TNZx98VJn
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) September 2, 2020
OMB Director Russell Vought was told to issue guidance on "restricting eligibility of or otherwise disfavoring, to the maximum extent permitted by law, anarchist jurisdictions in the receipt of Federal grants" within 30 days.
Attorney General Bill Barr was given 14 days to put together a list of "anarchist jurisdictions" that "permitted violence and the destruction of property to persist and have refused to undertake reasonable measures" to restore order.
"My Administration will not allow Federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones," Trump says in the memo. To ensure the federal funding is not wasted or "spent in a manner that directly violates our Government's promise to protect life, liberty, and property, it is imperative that the Federal Government review the use of Federal funds by jurisdictions that permit anarchy, violence, and destruction in America's cities."
New York City has refused to prosecute rioters, rejected the offer of federal help, and cut the police budget despite an "unconscionable rise in violence," the memo says. It also denounced the "failed leadership" in Seattle, Washington, where anarchists actually established an "autonomous zone" that Mayor Jenny Durkan tolerated until protesters – led by a city council member – came to her own doorstep.
Portland, Oregon mayor Ted Wheeler continues to support "peaceful protesters" that have besieged a federal courthouse for over three months and even set his own apartment building on fire.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser also made the list, for allowing "rioters and anarchists to engage in violence and destruction in late May and early June," that required Trump to deploy the National Guard. The memo was drafted prior to last week's incidents following the Republican National Convention, when angry mobs attacked those in attendance, including Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), in part because Bowser refused to allow additional security.
OMB director Vought told the New York Post, that the administration was "exploring all options to ensure federal resources flowing to lawless cities aren't being squandered."
"The lack of law and order surrounding these riots, and response from local leadership, is a dereliction of duty," Vought added. "Our men and women in blue cannot be handcuffed by local leadership in their efforts to respond to riots and protect their fellow citizens."
Initial protests over the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died as Minneapolis, Minnesota police attempted to arrest him at the end of May, quickly escalated into riots and unrest – first in the Twin Cities and then spreading across the US. Trump has pointed out that the cities where riots have taken place are run by Democrats who refused federal assistance to re-establish order.
After months of referring to the unrest as "peaceful protests," mainstream media outlets began blaming the riots on Trump and noting that it makes Democrats look bad in the polls. Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden denounced "all violence" earlier this week, but Republicans accused him of in effect threatening Americans with more violence unless they vote for him.
← Biden, Trump ramp up campaigns amid national crises
Hackers hijack Twitter account of India PM Modi's website, ask for donations in Covid-19 bitcoin scam →
Army continues to support govt as per Constitution, says COAS
October 15, 2020 October 21, 2020 South Asian Express
US elections: Progressive Democrats Tlaib and Bush win primaries
August 5, 2020 South Asian Express
Mexico corruption leak: New video raises questions over president

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Its easy to reserve hotels in Huntingdonshire With thousands of hotels in UK. Using our website booking hotels in Sutton is quick and safe. We select from the best hotels, and all our hotels in Sutton can be reserved online.
Hotels in Sutton	, Peterborough. Hotels near Sutton. Copyright StarStay UK. 2003-2019.


The Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation (BSRBCC) 2017 Heads' Conference took place 27-29 November in Oslo, Norway. The meeting was attended by 29 participants from ten member states, the BSTF Secretariat and Frontex.
The participants received information on all activities in BSRBCC under the Norwegian Presidency in 2017 and planned activities under the Swedish Presidency in 2018. Furthermore, the Annual Threat Assessment 2017 for the region was presented. Frontex presented an update on current and planned joint operations, and Finland a state of play on the CoastNet system. The conference ended with the formal handover of the Presidency from Norway to Sweden.


In February, Reactions Editor-in-Chief Shawn Moynihan hosted a roundtable of re/insurance professionals spanning the spectrum of the industry to address the elephant in the room for Property & Casualty organisations: the continued loss of institutional knowledge from the industry, and the challenge of attracting, cultivating and retaining new talent to replenish its ranks.
What follows is an edited transcript of that conversation, in which our participants weighed in on strategies for recruitment, creating the type of culture that appeals to junior talent, and what needs to be done to drive more fresh insight to a career in re/insurance, among other topics.
Participants included: Joanna Conte, Vice President, Head of S&C Technology Enablement, QBE North America; Noelle Codispoti, Chief Executive Officer, Gamma Iota Sigma; Phylip Jones, Global Marketing Manager, Trans Re; Brenda Leadley, SVP, Head of HR Americas, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty; Sarah Maguire, Underwriting Trainee, Sompo International; Cyril Neyme, Assistant Vice President, Treaty Underwriting, SCOR; Brian Viscusi, US Regional Head of Human Resources and Senior Vice President, Munich Re America. Shawn Moynihan moderated.
Shawn Moynihan: Let's first talk about some of the recruitment strategies that you've found effective in attracting talent to the industry. I'd like your thoughts on some of the methods that work, and what might be done better in this area going forward.
Noelle Codispoti: It's interesting because we do surveys of our students every year, and this most recent year our students reported that 88% of them found their job through some kind of face-to-face interaction, either meeting an employer on campus, faculty adviser, alumnus. While for many years, at least for the millennial population, we've wanted to say, "Well, they want to do everything virtually, they're not going to call anybody, they're not going to visit anybody face-to-face, they just want to text and call," what we find is that the relationship build part of it is very important in their ultimate career decision.
That's why a company like Munich Re has had such success with many of our top students, because they're cultivating that relationship, and in a very positive way delivering the message of their culture and what their available job opportunities are going to be, which I think speaks volumes for the students coming in, too. If they also value the personal contact, they are going to be that relationship builder that this industry has always predicated itself on and valued.
Brian Viscusi: Our key focus is a proactive, collaborative approach to recruiting between the business units and HR. We leverage social media to share our message and to let people have a glimpse into our culture through stories on Facebook and LinkedIn – which are highly valuable ways to communicate.
We've been very fortunate to work with Noelle Codispoti and her team to really make an impact in universities through their career fairs and the Gamma Iota Sigma chapters. We're learning more and more how valuable it is to have college advisers or professors who understand our company and have very strong input into career recommendations for graduating seniors and for internships for sophomores and juniors. Being able to tie into the schools and to be able to have that word-of-mouth has really helped us a lot with the quality of the candidates we're seeing in the last few years.
Brenda Leadley: We recently revamped our career pages to do more storytelling, and we are piloting a texting tool to keep candidates in the loop during the recruiting process. Candidates today want more instantaneous communications. We also have a robust employee referral programme. At the end of the day you have to focus on making it a place where people want to work; for instance in having good development programmes, global career opportunities, great benefits, etc.
Noelle Codispoti: I think sometimes when we look at college recruiting in our industry and across other industries we kind of see it as, "Well, students need jobs, so they need us more than we need them." But the fact is, right now college unemployment rates are some of the lowest of all time, so they actually don't need us as much as we think, and we have to do it better than every other industry just to win. The telling of that story isn't getting on campuses, and that's why companies like Munich Re, and Sarah will tell you that's how she ended up at Sompo, that part is important before and after the career fair.
Cyril Neyme: Yes, because otherwise you can't identify yourself with that person who works in the industry, and get the chance to ask, "Do I want to be like this person? Do I think that she's happy or he's happy doing his work?" The only way you manage to do that is by meeting that person or attending a face-to-face presentation.
Phylip Jones: The first thing that I was able to do is to hire an intern this past summer who didn't arrive through the traditional insurance hiring system – an executive's tap on the shoulder – but instead through organic conversations and posting the opening on multiple digital outlets. This year, I'm trying to partner with my college, Morehouse College in Atlanta, where they just developed an underwriting programme. From a marketing standpoint, I want to leverage the underwriters that are in the business either in that region or from New York or fly down and start the conversation with students early on.
Right now TransRe does a great job of developing the mid-level to junior level employees and interns, so as we see the gap between the turnover at the higher level we'll be prepared and we can backfill. Once that starts to expand, I want to develop this programme out so that we can partner with other schools and universities that are producing students interested in risk management.
Noelle Codispoti: We think that's one of the most important steps in recruiting folks three, five, seven years down the road. The insurance industry is not recruiting to the same level as you think they would need to, to cover this 400,000 number that's put out there (first reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2013). Folks come to us all the time and say, "Yes, students are great, but we need the experienced hire," and my reaction to them is, "Well, if you had come and participated seven years ago, you'd have a good pool of students who would know you existed." It's still just as important to get on campus and tell your story.
That's why we developed a "One Campus at a Time" strategy. It's very straightforward – we go to schools without risk or insurance classes and say, "Hey, here's an alumnus from your university who has gone into the insurance industry and this is how they used the majors you have." In my underwriting career, I underwrote partnerships, which includes sports teams, so I lead with that when I talk to students: "I underwrote the Yankees and the Giants." You didn't meet any of those people, but it's good to lead with.
Sarah Maguire: My internship with WSIA sealed the deal for me in discovering this is exactly what I want to do – just getting exposed to a taste of the broker side, a taste of the underwriting side, what side do I want to go on? Is this something I want to do? What line do I want to be in? This internship provided hands-on experience and connected me with fellow RMI students around the country and mentors that helped me determine what side would fit best. Tony Chimeria, SVP of Human Resources at Sompo, was my mentor and was very helpful throughout that process. From that perspective, I think internships play a vital role in attracting young talent.
One thing that I'm attracted to just from an underwriting standpoint is the interaction between the client and the broker, so if you are a people person you can have both the analytical and the personal skills to make your job very exciting. I don't think that's highlighted enough; what does an underwriter do? That's how we change that narrative.
Joanna Conte: Insurance is a relationship business that leverages your personal entrepreneurial spirit and gives you the ability to give back and truly be a part of something bigger. Everyone wants this, so to find an industry and a particular organisation that promises to operate with agility and quickly make bold decisions can be exhilarating. Regardless of which degree you studied at school, your skill sets can be transferred to relationship management and being part of a greater good. QBE has many ways it encourages diversity among its employees – we even call it part of our DNA.
Brian Viscusi: We look at our intern programmes as a great feeder to full-time positions and so much more valuable than just a one-day interview. We talk sometimes internally about a world in the future where we don't hire entry-level people anymore, we just have these robust intern programmes that feed the positions, and now we're only doing one set of interviews every year instead of two sets of interviews. I think it makes us more efficient if we're able to bring in people who we are really comfortable with and who we are able to evaluate over 10 weeks, as opposed to just in one day or in an on-campus screening and then a day of interviews. It also offers interns a good way to evaluate and test out a company.
Cyril Neyme: Absolutely. When you have a programme of rolling interns year-over-year, at some point a year later they talk to other students and say, "I did an internship with them, it was great, you should check it out." Because otherwise, we're up against some of the world's largest companies that have greater name recognition in better-known industries. Regardless of the position, those companies will automatically receive 10 times more applications. But over time, we're building our recognition.
Every six months we change interns, and in doing so we build a pool of people who truly know the company, know the team, and we found out that we managed to attract more talent because of them – because of that network that we built up over the years.
Sarah Maguire: I started out as an undecided business major, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do. I ran cross-country for my college and one of my teammates said, "You should take a risk elective, just try it." I took it, and I thought, "This is really interesting, it's something different, I like the analytical, problem solving, and people interaction part of it." After taking that class I ended up changing my major to Risk Management and Insurance. There are about 10 trainees who started at Sompo around the same time as I did and we're all friends, we hang out on the weekends outside of work. I just moved here a little over a year ago, not knowing very many people in the city, so it's great to come into an office and be among friends and peers who are starting out in the industry as well.
Shawn Moynihan: Work/life balance seems to be more important than ever and gets more attention now than it did before, particularly with all of us living plugged-in lifestyles. Younger professionals, particularly, have known no other way. Is that something that comes up in a lot of your conversations around this industry in particular, and is that something the industry can do a better job of communicating to prospective talent?
Joanna Conte: Absolutely, yes. For me, personally, it was a tremendous selling point working for an organisation such as QBE that values work/life balance. As a full-time working mother, it's hard to ignore the challenges that come with "having it all." Choosing to have a family alongside a demanding yet powerful career can force most to focus on one thing versus another. It can feel like a seesaw of guilt that never stops moving until you work for an organisation that supports and mimics the value and culture that comes with this balance. There may be unexpected times where a child is sick or a school has a delayed opening, and QBE gets it.
We all understand that you are going to make up missed hours later in the day without judgement. Because I work globally, I don't hesitate to schedule meetings with the Philippines during my commute from the Jersey Shore into New York City. Using technology, such as Skype, you don't have to miss a beat. This type of flexibility is appreciated by all employees, but especially by parents charged with taking care of family and home responsibilities.
Intentional flexibility keeps women in the workforce and makes real, long-standing relationships possible, which is good news for all of us and a critical step in where we are going as an organisation and as an industry.
Brenda Leadley: We promote working from home a couple of days a week. We also try to emphasise that we are not a 24/7 type of culture, which I think is appealing for people. This is very much "lived" from top management down.
Sarah Maguire: Although there is a stereotype of young professionals being attracted to the "plugged-in," tech-savvy world, I really think it depends on the individual. I love coming into the office and having all hands on deck, especially since I am still learning. You can really only learn so much over the computer. For example, this week our senior management's out for meetings and I know I'm going to go in today and it's will be kind of quiet. Some people might enjoy working in an environment like that, but I love the interaction and camaraderie. I think that's very important. It's crazy, the amount of things I learn just by hearing my teammates interacting with a broker or discussing an account with another underwriter. Those conversations often time spark more questions.
Shawn Moynihan: What type of workplace culture do you want to be part of? What's important to you? Does the Property & Casualty business offer something specific that speaks to that that the industry can communicate better when recruiting?
Brian Viscusi: Everybody wants to have a rewarding experience in their job; they want to feel like they're making a difference. We want people to understand what the industry offers and the critical role that the industry plays in protecting people, homes and businesses worldwide.
We spend a lot of time in Munich Re thinking about, "What is our purpose? How do we want to be seen by the public? How do we want to appeal to people?" The industry has, on its own, created a purpose for us. Insurance touches so many different areas – it keeps the global economy running, it gets people back on their feet. That overarching purpose should be an easy thing for us to sell. The purpose of the industry should create a reason that people want to be part of it, and if we can just get people in the door, then it's up to each company to figure out what their day-to-day looks like.
When you think about what the industry does, then getting people in the door should be easier than it is. I think the purpose of the industry is the secret that we need to get out outside of these walls a little bit better than we have in the past.
Phylip Jones: One thing that I've identified within my generation – and what we've just articulated – is about doing work that has purpose behind it. TransRe is one of the affiliates and part of the Blue Marble consortium; Blue Marble is a microinsurance programme where we're working with underserved populations around the world. What we've tried is to allow our employees – they call them "secondees" – to take their business function and actually go into these areas and apply their skill sets to help move the programme forward.
So if you're a high performer in underwriting, actuary and claims, now you can be a representative going abroad to areas such as India or Colombia. My job is to promote that opportunity itself, but it's also showing our employees that there is a greater purpose behind their work even outside of the normal day of business.
Brenda Leadley: In this industry, to stay in business you have to have a certain amount of integrity and ethics. It's all about trust: I'm going to give you my money so that you will be there when I have a loss. People appreciate that we are so focused on doing the right thing, and employees want to work for a company that regularly talks about our responsibilities to customers, our financial strength and our values. Which we don't always sell well (externally), either.
Shawn Moynihan: What's the answer, then? How do we convey up the chain the importance of more outreach and the importance of telling that story? How does that conversation even begin? Everyone's so busy – it's nowhere near the priority where it should be.
The industry is going to have a major personnel gap in so many areas outside of just underwriting. We're going to keep reaching out to the quality talent that we need to attract and let them know how this industry contributes to the global economy. But more companies need to make an investment in outreach to attract more talent to our industry; the success of the companies represented at this roundtable discussion should be proof that it's a worthwhile investment.
Joanna Conte: Personal accountability is also a part of it. What can we do to spread the word individually? Mentorship has a huge ability to create career trajectories, similar to training programmes, but also what are we doing to our peers or people who work for us? A lot of us are very fortunate to be in managerial roles; do we have people under us who we could create trajectories for, and for other groups that we're witnessing in meetings?
Where can we be held accountable in our day-to-day, not just these big broad programmes?
When I was going through a recent promotion, I was looking for somebody to talk to, and I was very fortunate to have another female leader who is also our CFO, to say, "Have you tried this? Have you looked at this?" I think we need that sometimes, and when you have that and you start to see that, and you build that and you're invested in that, I think it starts to get the word out more and create more of a culture and a structure that we all want to be part of.
Sarah Maguire: Being a part of a company with engaged leaders that are willing to take the time to help us understand and grow professionally was one of the things I looked for when deciding on a training programme. This is something I have definitely experienced at Sompo. Senior management does a fantastic job of sitting down with us to help guide us through accounts and answer our questions. In addition to daily interaction, once a year all Sompo trainees meet in New York for a week to attend workshops and listen to industry speakers. They also plan various social events throughout the week some of which include the opportunity to converse with upper management. That's important, knowing that your existing leaders and mentors are there to lift you up and help you progress.
Phylip Jones: Tangible results, when it comes to either moving up in one's career or having established development programmes, really matter to our generation. Millennials have been conditioned to see the world in a very transactional way – we see all types of results so quickly, and that easily translates so how we see our careers. You want to know that you're actually going to see the fruits of your efforts. A lot of young professionals move around from firm to firm or change industries because they don't feel as though they're moving up as quickly.
One thing that Trans Re does very well, is continue to support their development programme. One way that I'm trying to help promote it even further is showing the results of completing it. I want our employees to want to aspire to join these types of programmes because they know and believe their career is going to change. I also want them to know the company has invested in them just as much as they are investing into the company. That's something that I think needs to be communicated, and share success stories throughout the organisation.
Shawn Moynihan: I want to address how the P&C insurance industry is perceived more broadly and what we might be able to convey, especially to younger talent, that this is a very enriching industry to work in. Philip, I'd like input from a marketing standpoint how the industry is viewed, broadly speaking, and how we could change that perception.
Phylip Jones: We've all identified that there is not as much excitement around the industry as there could be. The one thing that I think we have in our pocket and the trend that's going to push us to the next generation is InsurTech. The InsurTech industry is gathering momentum as a way to connect our younger generations and how we can use some attributes from disruptive trends to reinvigorate our industry. If we're out there promoting and sharing some of the connective elements that our youth see from developing companies such as the Lemonades of the world, we can really change the perception of the industry.
Noelle Codispoti: There are some great organisations out there doing that, that we can all get involved with, like the Insurance Careers movement in February – it's all about sharing individual stories. It's entirely free, and companies have done such an amazing job of sharing what their employees are doing and getting to the young folks. The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation is also another great organisation because early childhood literacy, for example, is something that they're really focused on and showing how the insurance industry gives back.
I agree about InsurTech. Last year we partnered with InsurTech Connect, which is the largest InsurTech-focused conference in the world. We had a programme open up to all students to attend the conference for free, and they did actually get to hear from the CEOs of Lemonade and Credit Karma, followed by Dan Glaser at Marsh. Through that, we also created a partnership with a new fintech student professional organisation at the Darden School of Business in Virginia.
Cyril Neyme: We need to promote the fact that there are all sorts of high-end jobs like data scientist and other new positions that are very important in this new field available in the insurance industry, not only in big tech companies.
Joanna Conte: A good strategy for organisations to implement would be to bring up more junior talent to speak on the stage during conferences. If I'm there as junior talent, I'm excited to be there to represent my cohort of individuals, and I can respond to the things that I'm interested in. I could actually have a voice.
Shawn Moynihan: Once we're able to attract talent, then, of course, you have to cultivate it and hopefully retain it; what are some of the best ways that an organisation can retain talented people? What's involved?
Brenda Leadley: Every employee should have a development plan, but it's just a piece of paper if you don't also have good leaders and managers who follow up and take care. If you have employees you want to retain you need to make sure they know where they're going, which means we need to get more transparent about succession plans. Are you on one? If you're not, why not? Managers still have difficulty having these kinds of conversations.
Sarah Maguire: I think it's about having managers and other members of your team who are committed and willing to invest time in training. It's putting your promises into action: If we say we're going to have these training programmes, if we say, "we're going to do this," you have to follow through.
Cyril Neyme: I think to retain people you need to keep the challenge and keep the interest high to make sure that they do interesting jobs. For instance, I started as an actuary, as a risk manager, then I went through actuarial consulting, then I went to strategy, then I went to underwriting, and I think that speaks to the variety of the top-end jobs that we can have in this industry. That's a very powerful message to convey. There are other industries that can offer that, but not too many – and I think that's a very strong selling point for us.
Noelle Codispoti: It's a hidden gem of an industry just for that sole reason – you never know what's going to come across your desk, so that in itself is interesting and will keep you coming back.
Joanna Conte: That's a great point, because promoting from within, especially in my experience, is key. This is a very small industry, although it feels large. A lot of people know each other, and you can easily go somewhere else if you can find a better opportunity. But if you feel like you're being heard and you feel like you're being supported the way I certainly have been in my organisation, you want to stay, you want to work harder, and they continue to show you career opportunities. Feeling heard and feeling supported is key to keeping the right talent.
Brian Viscusi: Managers should be talking to their employees and saying, "I don't want to lose you, but I think there are some great opportunities on the business side or in underwriting or our innovation lab that you should consider exploring." We have to figure out a way to get managers comfortable having that conversation, to get them thinking more broadly about the organisation instead of just saying, "I could never lose Sarah, therefore I'm not going to tell her about all these other great opportunities out there." We have to be bigger, better team players within our companies.
Brenda Leadley: Typically, especially because our business is so complex, you have experts who are promoted and they are not always the best people leaders in terms of inspiration, motivation and tricky development conversations. I think it's also up to the employee to push and ask, "Where am I? Am I on a succession plan? If I'm not, then tell me why. What do I need to develop?" It's not just up to HR or the manager to do it; it's also up to the employee.
Brian Viscusi: It's energising to see so many people committed to moving the industry in the right direction; it makes you feel good that there are so many companies and so many people that want to do the right thing. It's just a matter of casting a wider net.


Q: Knowing that I would be selling my home, I have been following price ranges for comparable properties to my home on a couple of major real estate websites. Now that I am ready to list, all the agents I've talked to say that the websites are so out of line that their recommendations are worthless. What a shock!
A: Real estate websites have transformed the whole experience consumers have of homebuying or selling — they have made public what used to be private and difficult to get to — namely, listing and sales data about homes across the country.
Several of these sites offer nearby recent sales, with the promise that savvy sellers like yourself can simply go online, input your address and find out what specific homes in your neighborhood have sold for lately — some even go so far as to take the leap from what those homes have sold for to placing an estimated value on your home.
These sites try hard to do a lot of the work for you — surfacing the homes they see as comparable to yours. However, these are, at bottom, computer programs.


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'Unstoppable' director Tony Scott commits suicide in L.A.
by Brian Milinsky · August 20, 2012
Tony Scott with Denzel Washington on set of 'Man on Fire'
The Vincent Thomas bridge is a suspension bridge in Los Angeles, connecting San Pedro with Terminal Island, crossing the Los Angeles Harbor. On Sunday, August 19, 2012 around 12:30 in the afternoon, director Tony Scott jumped to his death from the bridge, leaving a note in his Prius parked on the bridge that include contact information.
A suicide note was later found in his office.
There was no public hint of any problems going on in Scott's life at the time of his suicide. There are reports he had been working on a sequel to his 1986 hit Top Gun, a sequel that has been years in the making. There are also reports that Tom Cruise had been doing research for the film at a Navy facility. Scott, who most recently directed Unstoppable in 2010, had been doing quite a bit of producing in recent years, including The Grey, the TV series The Good Wife and some documentaries. In addition to the planned Top Gun sequel, he was also set to direct Emma's War.
Tony Scott dead at 68
Born in North Shields, near the river Tyne in North East England, Scott followed in the footsteps of his older brother Ridley in attending art school, before enrolling in the Royal College of Art. His plan was to become a painter but Ridley was already achieving success in directing and he pushed Tony in that direction. His first works were commercials and he directed many of them, earning enough to buy a Ferrari within a year of starting to direct projects for his brother.
This led to overtures from Hollywood and that led to his taking on The Hunger, a vampire film with great visuals that became a cult favorite. However, it did poorly at the box office and with critics and Scott was forced to return to directing commercials for several years. Until Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer saw a Saab commercial Scott had directed where a Saab Turbo vehicle is seen racing a Saab fighter jet. The producing duo then signed up Scott to helm Top Gun, which turned into one of the highest grossing films of 1986.
He went on to direct Revenge, Days of Thunder, The Last Boy Scout and True Romance, from a Quentin Tarrantino script, in the early 1990s. While The Fan did not do well with fans or critics, other movies he did in the mid to late 1990s did, including Enemy of the State and Crimson Tide.
The new century brought Scott to Man on Fire and Spy Game, followed by an unusual film Domino starring Kiera Knightley playing the real-life Domino Harvey. Scott has a fascination for the story of Harvey and spent years developing the project into a feature film. Deja Vu with Denzel Washington followed, marking his third collaboration with Washington, who he would direct again in The Taking of Pelham 123 remake and in Unstoppable.
Scott was 68 years of age at the time of his death. Witnesses on the bridge said that he did not hesitate at all, going to the rail and just leaping to his death. RIP.
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Tags: Brian MilinskyTony Scott
Brian Milinsky
Brian Milinsky has served in the military, been an FM D.J. and an award-winning radio news reporter/anchor/writer/editor. He is presently a screenwriter and currently lives in Los Angeles.
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