(19)

(11)

EP 1 232 115 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/34 (21) Application number: 00976867.2 (22) Date of filing: 02.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C01B 3/40, C01B 3/38, B01J 23/26, B01J 23/68 (86) International application number: PCT/US0030/287 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/4517 (17.05.2001 Gazette 2001/20)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 05.11.1999 US 163843 P 01.11.2000 US 703701 (71) Applicant: Conoco, Inc. Houston, TX 77210-4783 (US)	(72) Inventors: GAFFNEY, Anne, M. West Chester, PA 19380 (US) KOURTAKIS, Kostantinos Media, PA 19063 (US) (74) Representative: Woodman, Derek  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)