(19)

(11)

EP 0 914 184 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.05.1999 Bulletin 1999/19 (21) Application number: 97920846.0 (22) Date of filing: 08.05.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 1/ 10( . ) B01D 21/ 28( . ) B01J 19/ 10( . ) B25J 7/ 00( . ) C02F 1/ 36( . ) G01N 1/ 36( . ) B01D 21/ 00( . ) B01D 43/ 00( . ) B01J 43/ 00( . ) B81C 99/ 00( . ) C12M 1/ 00( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/GB1997/001239 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/043026 (20.11.1997 Gazette 1997/50)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT CH DE FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 10.05.1996 GB 19960009819 04.09.1996 GB 19960018424 (71) Applicant: BTG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED London EC4M 7SB (GB)	(72) Inventor: SCHRAM, Cornelius, John Bedford MK43 7PE (GB) (74) Representative: Buttrick, Richard  British Technology Group Ltd, 10 Fleet Place London EC4M 7SB London EC4M 7SB (GB)