(19)

(11)

EP 0 817 947 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/03 (21) Application number: 96911516.0 (22) Date of filing: 28.03.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01F 3/ 08( . ) F28F 25/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/004450 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/031749 (10.10.1996 Gazette 1996/45)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: LT LV SI (30) Priority: 04.04.1995 US A 417041 28.03.1996 US A 623555 (71) Applicant: ASHLAND INC. Columbus, OH 43216 (US)	(72) Inventors: HANCOCK, R., Douglas Dothan, AL 36303 (US) NOBLE, Russell, T. Birmingham, AL 35243 (US) ROMANO, Andrew, A. Sparta, NJ 07871 (US) (74) Representative: VOSSIUS & PARTNER  Postfach 86 07 67 81634 München 81634 München (DE)