(19)

(11)

EP 1 109 622 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 26.10.2000 (43) Date of publication: 27.06.2001 Bulletin 2001/26 (21) Application number: 99943789.0 (22) Date of filing: 19.08.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01J 29/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9918/994 (87) International publication number: WO 0010/698 (02.03.2000 Gazette 2000/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 20.08.1998 US 97192 P 20.08.1998 US 97193 P 20.08.1998 US 97194 P 18.08.1999 US 377007 18.08.1999 US 377008 18.08.1999 US 376873 (71) Applicant: Conoco Inc. Houston, TX 77210-4783 (US)	(72) Inventors: MANZER, Leo, E. Wilmington, DE 19803 (US) SCHWARZ, Stephan Wilmington, DE 19803 (US) (74) Representative: Woodman, Derek  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)