(19)

(11)

EP 1 240 646 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 20.12.2001 (43) Date of publication: 18.09.2002 Bulletin 2002/38 (21) Application number: 00985452.2 (22) Date of filing: 04.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G21C 19/42 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0004/592 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/1151 (07.06.2001 Gazette 2001/23)

(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: 03.12.1999 GB 9928654 (71) Applicant: British Nuclear Fuels PLC Warrington,Cheshire WA3 6AS (GB)	(72) Inventor: RANCE, Peter Jonathan Watson Seascale,Cumbria CA20 1PG (GB) (74) Representative: Chalk, Anthony John  Harrison Goddard FooteBelgrave HallBelgrave Street Leeds LS2 8DD Leeds LS2 8DD (GB)