(19)

(11)

EP 1 570 114 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 13.01.2005 (43) Date of publication: 07.09.2005 Bulletin 2005/36 (21) Application number: 03778571.4 (22) Date of filing: 02.12.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C25C 3/00, C22B 3/00, C22B 34/14 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2003/005238 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/050955 (17.06.2004 Gazette 2004/25)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 05.12.2002 GB 0228322 (71) Applicant: British Nuclear Fuels PLC Cheshire WA3 6AS (GB)	(72) Inventors: LEWIN, Robert, Glyn,c/o British Nuclear Fuels plc Seascale,Cumbria CA20 1PG (GB) THIED, Robert, C.,c/o British Nuclear Fuels Plc Seascale,Cumbria CA20 1PG (GB) (74) Representative: Harrison Goddard Foote  Belgrave Hall Belgrave Street Leeds LS2 8DD Leeds LS2 8DD (GB)