(19)

(11)

EP 1 789 634 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 30.05.2007 Bulletin 2007/22 (21) Application number: 05773177.0 (22) Date of filing: 19.08.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  E02D 5/74(2006.01) E02D 5/80(2006.01) E02D 5/76(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/GB2005/003254 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/018656 (23.02.2006 Gazette 2006/08)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 19.08.2004 GB 0418545 (71) Applicants: ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY Aberdeen AB24 3FX (GB) Amec Group Limited Swynnerton, Stone Staffordshire ST15 0UD (GB)	(72) Inventors: NEILSON, Richard David Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8FJ (GB) STARKEY, Andrew Joe Aberdeen AB25 3UX (GB) IVANOVIC, Ana Kingswells, Aberdeen AB15 8UB (GB) JACKSON, Brian Stone, Staffs ST15 0QX (GB) RITSON, Andy Stone, Staffs ST15 0QX (GB) (74) Representative: Suèr, Steven Johannes et al Ablett & Stebbing, Caparo House, 101-103 Baker Street London W1U 6FQ London W1U 6FQ (GB)