(19)

(11)

EP 0 874 679 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.11.1998 Bulletin 1998/45 (21) Application number: 97904741.0 (22) Date of filing: 03.01.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01D 47/ 06( . ) B01D 53/ 14( . ) B01D 47/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/000280 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/025125 (17.07.1997 Gazette 1997/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE DE ES FR GB IT NL PT (30) Priority: 11.01.1996 US 19960584619 11.01.1996 US 19960584891 (71) Applicant: SERV-TECH, INC. Houston, Texas 77087 (US)	(72) Inventors: TRAHAN, Timothy, W. Welsh, LA 70591 (US) CRADEUR, Robert, R. Sulphur, LA 70663 (US) MEHTA, Nishanath Pearland, TX 77584 (US) (74) Representative: Baillie, Iain Cameron  Ladas & Parry, Altheimer Eck 2 80331 München 80331 München (DE)