Abstract A process for preparing a catalyst comprising a metallic catalytic agent on a particulate carrier is disclosed which provides improved uniformity of distribution and fineness of division with narrowness of particle size distribution of the metallic catalytic agent on the carrier. The particles of carrier are suspended by agitation in an aqueous solution of a salt of the metallic catalytic agent and of a source, on heating in aqueous solution, of hydroxyl ions. The suspension is heated in a sealed vessel above 100* C to precipitate the metal or the particles with uniformity of distribution and fineness of division with narrowness of particle size distribution. The metal is converted by conventional procedures to the appropriate active, oxidized or reduced, state. The process is particularly significant with carriers, such as alumina and silica, that in alkaline media are liable to undergo structural charges.
said particles in said aqueous solution are heated in a sealed vessel to between 110* C. and 250* C. to develop sufficient hydroxyl ions to precipitate the metal on the surface of said particles so that, on conversion of the metal to the active, metallic catalytic agent, form said metallic catalytic agent is distributed uniformly and in a finely divided state with narrow particle size distribution on the carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the particles in the aqueous solution are heated in the sealed vessel to between 125* C. and 200* C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the mole ratio of said source of hydroxyl ions to said metal is between 1 : 1 and 4 : 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the particulate carrier is selected from the class consisting of silica and alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the metallic catalytic agent is nickel.