(19)

(11)

EP 1 024 882 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/32 (21) Application number: 98946619.8 (22) Date of filing: 09.10.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01D 53/32, B01D 53/92, B01J 19/08 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9803/059 (87) International publication number: WO 9920/373 (29.04.1999 Gazette 1999/17)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 22.10.1997 GB 9722173 (71) Applicant: AEA Technology plc Didcot,Oxfordshire OX11 0RA (GB)	(72) Inventors: WEEKS, David, Michael Abingdon,Oxfordshire OX13 5DB (GB) SEGAL, David, Leslie Abingdon,Oxfordshire OX14 3AB (GB) (74) Representative: Lofting, Marcus John  Patents Department,AEA Technology plc,329 Harwell Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA (GB)