WO1998014402A1 - Removal of calcium from crudes - Google Patents

Removal of calcium from crudes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998014402A1
WO1998014402A1 PCT/US1997/018023 US9718023W WO9814402A1 WO 1998014402 A1 WO1998014402 A1 WO 1998014402A1 US 9718023 W US9718023 W US 9718023W WO 9814402 A1 WO9814402 A1 WO 9814402A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
charged metal
metal
resin
acid
divinylbenzene copolymers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/018023
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Guido Sartori
David W. Savage
Saul C. Blum
Bruce H. Ballinger
Original Assignee
Exxon Research And Engineering Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Exxon Research And Engineering Company filed Critical Exxon Research And Engineering Company
Priority to AT97910811T priority Critical patent/ATE449034T1/en
Priority to AU48093/97A priority patent/AU730026B2/en
Priority to JP10516953A priority patent/JP2001501663A/en
Priority to EP97910811A priority patent/EP0931021B1/en
Priority to DE69739659T priority patent/DE69739659D1/en
Priority to BR9712176-2A priority patent/BR9712176A/en
Priority to CA002266433A priority patent/CA2266433C/en
Publication of WO1998014402A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998014402A1/en
Priority to NO991628A priority patent/NO991628D0/en

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10G—CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
    • C10G25/00—Refining of hydrocarbon oils in the absence of hydrogen, with solid sorbents
    • C10G25/06—Refining of hydrocarbon oils in the absence of hydrogen, with solid sorbents with moving sorbents or sorbents dispersed in the oil
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
    • C10G—CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION; RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
    • C10G25/00—Refining of hydrocarbon oils in the absence of hydrogen, with solid sorbents
    • C10G25/02—Refining of hydrocarbon oils in the absence of hydrogen, with solid sorbents with ion-exchange material

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process to remove certain metals from crude oil.
  • the metal is calcium.
  • Ca-rich crudes are less valuable than crudes with low Ca.
  • a process for Ca removal enables the increase of the value of such crudes. This invention is particularly valuable when a Ca-rich crude is processed in a corrosion-resistant environment, where the increase in acidity accompanying the process of the present invention is not a drawback.
  • the present invention is a process to remove a +2 ionic charged metal from a petroleum feed.
  • the process includes contacting the feed with a resin that includes carboxyl, sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups.
  • the metal is a Group II metal.
  • the metal is calcium.
  • the present invention is a process to remove +2 ionic charged metals from a petroleum feed.
  • the metals include Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Calcium is particularly important.
  • the process includes contacting the feed with a resin that includes carboxyl, sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups. These metals may be in several forms, including naphthenates, phenolates, chlorides or sulfates.
  • the resins can contain carboxyl, sulfonic or phosphonic groups.
  • the resins are crosslinked, therefore not soluble in the crude.
  • Suitable resins are sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers, methacrylic acid-divinylbenzene copolymers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers, polymethacrylic acid and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers with attached iminodiacetic acid groups.
  • the resin can be in the form of a bed through which the crude is passed; otherwise, the resin can be suspended in the crude and separated at the end of the treatment by filtration or centrifugation.
  • the temperature at which the treatment occurs should be high enough to reduce the viscosity of the crude and low enough to avoid decomposition of the resin. A temperature between 50 and 150°C is generally satisfactoiy.
  • the resins can be regenerated by acid treatment.
  • the reaction apparatus was a glass vessel equipped with stirrer and reflux condenser, immersed in an oil bath. 50 g of Kome 6/1 crude, containing 930 ppm of Ca, 42 ppm of Mn and 2.6 ppm of Zn were put into the reactor. 15.6 g of sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, known under the commercial name of Amberlite IR-120 and having a capacity of 1.9 milliequivalents/ml, were added.
  • the mixture was stirred at 70°C for 7 hours. Then the solid was separated by centrifugation and the treated crude was analyzed for metals. The contents of Ca, Mn and Zn had dropped to 107, 4.9 and 0.9 ppm respectively.
  • the reaction apparatus was the same as in Example 1. 50 g of Kome 6/1 crude was put into the reactor. Then 2.15 g of a copolymer of methacrylic acid with divinylbenzene, known under the commercial name of Amberlite IRP-64 and having a capacity of 10 milliequivalents/g, were added.
  • the mixture was stirred at 70°C for 6 hours. Then the solid was separated by centrifugation and the crude was analyzed. The contents of Ca, Mn and Zn had dropped to 66, 2.2 and 0.7 ppm respectively.
  • the reaction apparatus was the same as in Example 1. 50 g of Kome 6/1 crude were put into the apparatus. Then 7.6 g of a sulfonated styrene- divinylbenzene copolymer, having a capacity of 3.3 milliequivalents/gram and known under the commercial name of Amberlyst XN 1010 were added.
  • the oil contained 147 ppm of Ca, 9 ppm of Mn and .7 ppm of Zn, i.e. much less than in the untreated Kome 6/1.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
  • Addition Polymer Or Copolymer, Post-Treatments, Or Chemical Modifications (AREA)
  • Compounds Of Alkaline-Earth Elements, Aluminum Or Rare-Earth Metals (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is a process to remove a +2 ionic charged metal from a petroleum feed. The process includes contacting the feed with a resin that includes carboxyl, sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups. In a preferred embodiment the metal is a Group II metal. In particular, the metal is calcium.

Description

REMOVAL OF CALCIUM FROM CRUDES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process to remove certain metals from crude oil. In particular, the metal is calcium.
Calcium present in crudes can lead to fouling of heaters and heat exchangers and poison catalysts used in crude processing. Therefore, Ca-rich crudes are less valuable than crudes with low Ca. A process for Ca removal enables the increase of the value of such crudes. This invention is particularly valuable when a Ca-rich crude is processed in a corrosion-resistant environment, where the increase in acidity accompanying the process of the present invention is not a drawback.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a process to remove a +2 ionic charged metal from a petroleum feed. The process includes contacting the feed with a resin that includes carboxyl, sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups. In a preferred embodiment the metal is a Group II metal. In particular, the metal is calcium.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is a process to remove +2 ionic charged metals from a petroleum feed. The metals include Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn. Calcium is particularly important. The process includes contacting the feed with a resin that includes carboxyl, sulfonic and/or phosphonic groups. These metals may be in several forms, including naphthenates, phenolates, chlorides or sulfates.
The resins can contain carboxyl, sulfonic or phosphonic groups. Preferably, the resins are crosslinked, therefore not soluble in the crude. Suitable resins are sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers, methacrylic acid-divinylbenzene copolymers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers, polymethacrylic acid and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers with attached iminodiacetic acid groups.
The resin can be in the form of a bed through which the crude is passed; otherwise, the resin can be suspended in the crude and separated at the end of the treatment by filtration or centrifugation. The temperature at which the treatment occurs should be high enough to reduce the viscosity of the crude and low enough to avoid decomposition of the resin. A temperature between 50 and 150°C is generally satisfactoiy.
After use, the resins can be regenerated by acid treatment.
The following examples illustrate the invention without limiting it.
Example 1
The reaction apparatus was a glass vessel equipped with stirrer and reflux condenser, immersed in an oil bath. 50 g of Kome 6/1 crude, containing 930 ppm of Ca, 42 ppm of Mn and 2.6 ppm of Zn were put into the reactor. 15.6 g of sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, known under the commercial name of Amberlite IR-120 and having a capacity of 1.9 milliequivalents/ml, were added.
The mixture was stirred at 70°C for 7 hours. Then the solid was separated by centrifugation and the treated crude was analyzed for metals. The contents of Ca, Mn and Zn had dropped to 107, 4.9 and 0.9 ppm respectively.
Infrared spectroscopy showed that the band at 1708 cm"l, corresponding to the carboxyl group, is more intense than in the untreated crude and the band at 1600 cm**!, corresponding to the naphthenate, was less intense than in the untreated crude. This showed that the metals were in the form of carboxylates and that metals removal had freed carboxylic acids.
We believe the following reaction has occurred: Ca++ +2 SO3H -*- 2H+ + SO3 Ca
Figure imgf000005_0001
Example 2
The reaction apparatus was the same as in Example 1. 50 g of Kome 6/1 crude was put into the reactor. Then 2.15 g of a copolymer of methacrylic acid with divinylbenzene, known under the commercial name of Amberlite IRP-64 and having a capacity of 10 milliequivalents/g, were added.
The mixture was stirred at 70°C for 6 hours. Then the solid was separated by centrifugation and the crude was analyzed. The contents of Ca, Mn and Zn had dropped to 66, 2.2 and 0.7 ppm respectively.
We believe the following reaction has occurred:
Ca++ +2 COOH -**- 2H+ + COO I Ca
Figure imgf000005_0002
Figure imgf000005_0003
Example 3
The reaction apparatus was the same as in Example 1. 50 g of Kome 6/1 crude were put into the apparatus. Then 7.6 g of a sulfonated styrene- divinylbenzene copolymer, having a capacity of 3.3 milliequivalents/gram and known under the commercial name of Amberlyst XN 1010 were added.
The mixture was stirred at 70°C for 7 hours. After separation of the solids by centrifugation, the oil contained 147 ppm of Ca, 9 ppm of Mn and .7 ppm of Zn, i.e. much less than in the untreated Kome 6/1.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A process to remove a +2 ionic charged metal dissolved in the oil phase of a petroleum feed comprising contacting said feed with a resin that includes a group selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, sulfonic and phosphonic groups and combinations thereof.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein said resins are cross-linked.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein said resin includes sulfonated styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers, methacrylic acid-divinylbenzene copolymers, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylsulfonic acid, phosphorylated styrene- divinylbenzene copolymers, polymethacrylic acid and styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers with attached iminodiacetic acid groups.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein said charged metal is a Group II metal.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein said charged metal is calcium.
6. The process of claim 1 wherein said resin is in the form of a bed through which said petroleum feed is passed.
7. The process of claim 1 wherein the resin is suspended in the crude and separated at the end of the treatment by filtration or centrifugation.
8. The process of claim 1 wherein said process is carried out at a temperature between 50°C and 150°C.
9. The process of claim 1 wherein said charged metal is in the form of naphthenates.
10. The process of claim 1 wherein said charged metal is in the form of phenolates.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein said charged metal is in the form of chlorides.
12. The process of claim 1 wherein said charged metal is in the form of sulfates.
PCT/US1997/018023 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Removal of calcium from crudes WO1998014402A1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT97910811T ATE449034T1 (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 REMOVAL OF CALCIUM FROM CRUDE OILS
AU48093/97A AU730026B2 (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Removal of calcium from crudes
JP10516953A JP2001501663A (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Removal of calcium from crude oil
EP97910811A EP0931021B1 (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Removal of calcium from crudes
DE69739659T DE69739659D1 (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 REMOVAL OF CALCIUM FROM CRUDE OILS
BR9712176-2A BR9712176A (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Process for removing a charged + 2 ionic metal dissolved in the oil phase of an oil feed.
CA002266433A CA2266433C (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Removal of calcium from crudes
NO991628A NO991628D0 (en) 1996-10-04 1999-04-06 Removal of calcium ions from crude oils

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72601596A 1996-10-04 1996-10-04
US08/726,015 1996-10-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998014402A1 true WO1998014402A1 (en) 1998-04-09

Family

ID=24916868

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/018023 WO1998014402A1 (en) 1996-10-04 1997-10-03 Removal of calcium from crudes

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US5976358A (en)
EP (1) EP0931021B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001501663A (en)
CN (1) CN1106442C (en)
AT (1) ATE449034T1 (en)
AU (1) AU730026B2 (en)
BR (1) BR9712176A (en)
CA (1) CA2266433C (en)
DE (1) DE69739659D1 (en)
NO (1) NO991628D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1998014402A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001092439A1 (en) * 2000-05-30 2001-12-06 Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited Process for removing metal ions from crude oil
WO2010003504A1 (en) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-14 Infineum International Limited Removal of metal from diesel fuel
US10358609B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-07-23 Statoil Petroleum As Process for removing metal naphthenate from crude hydrocarbon mixtures

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6187175B1 (en) * 1996-10-04 2001-02-13 Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company Co2 treatment to remove organically bound metal ions from crude
GB0107908D0 (en) * 2001-03-29 2001-05-23 Bp Oil Int Decolourisation method
US20050004415A1 (en) * 2003-07-02 2005-01-06 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Ion exchange methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream
WO2007086661A1 (en) * 2006-01-25 2007-08-02 Sk Energy Co., Ltd. Method of removing the calcium from hydrocarbonaceous oil
CN101440300B (en) * 2007-11-22 2012-06-27 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Processing method of acid-containing high calcium crude oil
US8975340B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2015-03-10 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Synthesis of sequestration resins for water treatment in light water reactors
US9214248B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2015-12-15 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Capture and removal of radioactive species from an aqueous solution
US9589690B2 (en) 2010-12-15 2017-03-07 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. Light water reactor primary coolant activity cleanup

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4175054A (en) * 1976-11-11 1979-11-20 Petrolite Corporation Use of hydrocarbon polymers in demulsification
US4348288A (en) * 1978-09-27 1982-09-07 Hitachi, Ltd. Process for desalting fuel oil
US4451671A (en) * 1981-09-12 1984-05-29 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Cationic ethylene oxide/propylene oxide and ethylene oxide/butylene oxide polymers, a process for their preparation and their use
US4457847A (en) * 1981-11-05 1984-07-03 Nalco Chemical Company Carboxylate polymers for internal scale control agents in boiler systems
US4647381A (en) * 1985-03-04 1987-03-03 Nalco Chemical Company Scale inhibitors for preventing or reducing calcium phosphate and other scales
US4775458A (en) * 1986-12-18 1988-10-04 Betz Laboratories, Inc. Multifunctional antifoulant compositions and methods of use thereof
US4853109A (en) * 1988-03-07 1989-08-01 Chevron Research Company Demetalation of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks using dibasic carboxylic acids and salts thereof
US4988433A (en) * 1988-08-31 1991-01-29 Chevron Research Company Demetalation of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks using monobasic carboxylic acids and salts thereof
US5143622A (en) * 1991-06-05 1992-09-01 Nalco Chemical Company Phosphinic acid-containing polymers and their use in preventing scale and corrosion
US5180498A (en) * 1992-01-28 1993-01-19 Betz Laboratories, Inc. Polymers for the treatment of boiler water

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2367803A (en) * 1941-09-06 1945-01-23 Pure Oil Co Method of refining hydrocarbon oil
GB820542A (en) * 1955-01-25 1959-09-23 Norman Evans & Rais Ltd Improvements in the removal of metals from mineral oils
US3105038A (en) * 1961-06-09 1963-09-24 Pure Oil Co Process for removing metal contaminants from petroleum oil

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4175054A (en) * 1976-11-11 1979-11-20 Petrolite Corporation Use of hydrocarbon polymers in demulsification
US4348288A (en) * 1978-09-27 1982-09-07 Hitachi, Ltd. Process for desalting fuel oil
US4451671A (en) * 1981-09-12 1984-05-29 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Cationic ethylene oxide/propylene oxide and ethylene oxide/butylene oxide polymers, a process for their preparation and their use
US4457847A (en) * 1981-11-05 1984-07-03 Nalco Chemical Company Carboxylate polymers for internal scale control agents in boiler systems
US4457847B1 (en) * 1981-11-05 1987-12-08
US4457847B2 (en) * 1981-11-05 1996-12-31 Nalco Chemical Co Carboxylate polymers for internal scale control agents in boiler systems
US4647381A (en) * 1985-03-04 1987-03-03 Nalco Chemical Company Scale inhibitors for preventing or reducing calcium phosphate and other scales
US4775458A (en) * 1986-12-18 1988-10-04 Betz Laboratories, Inc. Multifunctional antifoulant compositions and methods of use thereof
US4853109A (en) * 1988-03-07 1989-08-01 Chevron Research Company Demetalation of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks using dibasic carboxylic acids and salts thereof
US4988433A (en) * 1988-08-31 1991-01-29 Chevron Research Company Demetalation of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks using monobasic carboxylic acids and salts thereof
US5143622A (en) * 1991-06-05 1992-09-01 Nalco Chemical Company Phosphinic acid-containing polymers and their use in preventing scale and corrosion
US5180498A (en) * 1992-01-28 1993-01-19 Betz Laboratories, Inc. Polymers for the treatment of boiler water

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001092439A1 (en) * 2000-05-30 2001-12-06 Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited Process for removing metal ions from crude oil
WO2010003504A1 (en) * 2008-07-10 2010-01-14 Infineum International Limited Removal of metal from diesel fuel
US10358609B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-07-23 Statoil Petroleum As Process for removing metal naphthenate from crude hydrocarbon mixtures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1232437A (en) 1999-10-20
ATE449034T1 (en) 2009-12-15
CA2266433C (en) 2007-01-30
AU4809397A (en) 1998-04-24
NO991628L (en) 1999-04-06
BR9712176A (en) 1999-08-31
CA2266433A1 (en) 1998-04-09
US5976358A (en) 1999-11-02
EP0931021B1 (en) 2009-11-18
JP2001501663A (en) 2001-02-06
EP0931021A1 (en) 1999-07-28
CN1106442C (en) 2003-04-23
AU730026B2 (en) 2001-02-22
EP0931021A4 (en) 2000-11-15
DE69739659D1 (en) 2009-12-31
NO991628D0 (en) 1999-04-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5976358A (en) Removal of +2 ion charged metal dissolved in a petroleum feed
US4199440A (en) Trace acid removal in the pretreatment of petroleum distillate
US5227524A (en) Process for purifying acetic acid and/or acetic anhydride
CN1353746A (en) Process for reducing acidity of oil
US6673230B2 (en) Process for oxygenation of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels
CZ2003598A3 (en) Process for removing small amounts of sulfur from hydrocarbon fuels
CN1199417A (en) Process for decreasing acid content and corrosivity of crudes
AU2002321984A1 (en) Process for oxygenation of components for refinery blending of transportation fuels
US4988433A (en) Demetalation of hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks using monobasic carboxylic acids and salts thereof
US6281328B1 (en) Process for extraction of naphthenic acids from crudes
RU2207366C2 (en) Method of lowering total crude oil acid number
JPH043795B2 (en)
CA1151095A (en) Process for removing the nitrogen impurities from a hydrocarbon mixture
EP3247495B1 (en) Process for the recovery of cobalt and tungstic acid and/or their derivatives from aqueous solutions.
AU746315B2 (en) Esterification of acidic crudes
US3145161A (en) Preparation of electrical and refrigerator oils
AU9714198A (en) Process for decreasing the acidity of crudes using crosslinked polymeric amines
MXPA99003005A (en) Removal of calcium from crudes
US2593314A (en) Process for producing magnesia
JP2002514236A (en) CO 2 treatment to remove calcium from crude oil
EP0723954B1 (en) Acetonitrile purification via an adsorption-based process
US2727925A (en) Removal of volatile fatty acids from phenol
US6090993A (en) Process for the preparation of aromatic solvent from a dioxane contaminated aromatic stream
US1943583A (en) Method of refining liquid hydrocarbons
US2487103A (en) Production of fuel oils from acid sludge

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 97198517.0

Country of ref document: CN

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AU BA BB BG BR CA CN CU CZ EE GE HU IL IS JP KP KR LC LK LR LT LV MG MK MN MX NO NZ PL RO SG SI SK SL TR TT UA UZ VN YU AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2266433

Country of ref document: CA

Ref document number: 2266433

Country of ref document: CA

Kind code of ref document: A

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 1998 516953

Country of ref document: JP

Kind code of ref document: A

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: PA/a/1999/003005

Country of ref document: MX

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1997910811

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1997910811

Country of ref document: EP