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(11)

EP 1 670 578 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 11.08.2005 (43) Date of publication: 21.06.2006 Bulletin 2006/25 (21) Application number: 04789538.8 (22) Date of filing: 30.09.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B01J 19/00(1980.01) C01B 6/21(1974.07) C01B 3/00(1980.01) C01B 6/24(1968.09) (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/033056 (87) International publication number: WO 2005/032709 (14.04.2005 Gazette 2005/15)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT SE (30) Priority: 30.09.2003 US 675402 30.09.2003 US 675401 30.09.2003 US 675109 30.09.2003 US 675360 06.11.2003 US 702955 29.12.2003 US 747838 (71) Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)

(72) Inventors: TOWNSEND, Susan, Holt Niskayuna, NY 12309 (US) MINNEAR, William, Pual Clifton Park, NY 12065 (US) ZHAO, Ji-Cheng Latham, NY 12110 (US) LEMMON, John Schoharie, NY 12157 (US) BREWER, Luke, Nathanial Albuquerque, NM 87111 (US) RIJSSENBEEK, Job, Thomas Niskayuna, NY 12309 (US) (74) Representative: Szary, Anne Catherine  London Patent Operation General Electric International, Inc. 15 John Adam Street London WC2N 6LU London WC2N 6LU (GB)