Hydrogenation catalyst and use in oxo process

Claim 1

IN THE PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOLS BY CATALYTIC HYDROGENATION OF A LIQUID CARBONYLATION ALDEHYDE PRODUCT IN THE PRESENCE OF WATER AT TEMPERATURES FROM ABOUT 300*F. TO ABOUT 500*F., AND PRESSURES FROM ABOUT 2000 P. S. I. G., THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES CARRYING OUT SAID HYDROGENATION WITH A CATALYST PREPARED BY PELLETING A HYDROVENATION CATALYST COMPONENT SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF METAL OXIDES AND METALS FROM REDUCED METAL OXIDES MIXED WITH FINELY DIVIDED ALUMINUM, ALUMINUM HAVING A SINTERING POINT AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE OF THE ACTIVATION TEMPERATURE OF THE CATALYST, 850* TO 1200*F., AND HEATING THE RESULTING PELLET IN THE PRESENCE OF HYDROGEN AT TEMPERATURES IN THE RANGE OF ABOUT 850* TO 1200*F. SO THAT THE FINELY DIVIDED ALUMINUM BECOMES SINTERED AND BONDED TO THE CATALYST COMPONENT IN THE PELLETS, THEREBY PRODUCING A CATALYST OF HIGH STRENGH AND OF UNDIMINISHED CATALYTIC ACTIVITY.