Catalysts Having Enhanced Stability, Efficiency and/or Activity For Alkylene Oxide Production

Abstract

A catalyst for the manufacture of alkylene oxide, for example ethylene oxide, by the vapor-phase epoxidation of alkene containing impregnated silver and at least one efficiency-enhancing promoter on an inert, refractory solid support, said support incorporating a sufficient amount of zirconium component (present and remaining substantially as zirconium silicate) as to enhance at least one of catalyst activity, efficiency and stability as compared to a similar catalyst which does not contain the zirconium component.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A process for preparing a catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising:
 incorporating fluoride anions and zirconium silicate into alumina;   calcining the alumina at a temperature between 1000° C. and 1400° C. to form a carrier comprising alpha-alumina; and   subsequently depositing a catalytic species comprising silver onto the carrier.   
     
     
         26 . A process for preparing a catalyst for the epoxidation of an olefin comprising:
 incorporating fluoride anions and zirconium silicate into alumina;   calcining the alumina at a temperature between 1000° C. and 1400° C. to form a carrier comprising alpha-alumina; and   subsequently depositing silver and rhenium component onto the carrier.