(19)

(11)

EP 1 349 627 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.10.2003 Bulletin 2003/41 (21) Application number: 01995435.3 (22) Date of filing: 10.12.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B01D 1/00, B01D 3/02, B01D 3/42, H05B 6/78 (86) International application number: PCT/US0147/196 (87) International publication number: WO 0204/7783 (20.06.2002 Gazette 2002/25)

(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: 15.12.2000 US 256029 P (71) Applicant: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC. Danbury, CT 06810-5113 (US)	(72) Inventors: ISOM, Wendell Buffalo, NY 14215 (US) APTE, Prasad East Amherst, NY 14051 (US) HOLMER, Arthur, Edward Lewiston, NY 14092 (US) (74) Representative: Schwan - Schwan - Schorer  PatentanwälteBauerstrasse 22 80796 München 80796 München (DE)