(19)

(11)

EP 1 866 245 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 30.11.2006 (43) Date of publication: 19.12.2007 Bulletin 2007/51 (21) Application number: 06738007.1 (22) Date of filing: 13.03.2006

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C01B 31/08(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2006/008895 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/099291 (21.09.2006 Gazette 2006/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE ES GB IT (30) Priority: 14.03.2005 US 78509 12.09.2005 US 224149 (71) Applicant: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC. Danbury, CT 06810-5113 (US)	(72) Inventors: CHAO, Chien-Chung Williamsville, New York 14221 (US) PONTANIO, Steve, J. Eden, New York 14057 (US) (74) Representative: Schwan - Schwan - Schorer  Patentanwälte European Patent Attorneys Bauerstrasse 22 80796 München 80796 München (DE)