(19)

(11)

EP 1 257 497 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 07.02.2002 (43) Date of publication: 20.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/47 (21) Application number: 01910791.1 (22) Date of filing: 16.02.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C01B 3/40, C01B 3/38, B01J 23/26, B01J 23/68 (86) International application number: PCT/US0104/976 (87) International publication number: WO 0106/0740 (23.08.2001 Gazette 2001/34)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 18.02.2000 US 183423 P 01.11.2000 US 703701 (71) Applicant: Conoco Inc. Houston, TX 77079 (US)	(72) Inventors: KOURTAKIS, Kostantinos Swedesboro, NJ 08085 (US) GAFFNEY, Anne, M. West Chester, PA 19380 (US) WANG, Lin Wilmington, DE 19810 (US) (74) Representative: Woodman, Derek  Frank B. Dehn & Co.,European Patent Attorneys,179 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4EL London EC4V 4EL (GB)