Abstract The process for the production of bead-form silica-containing supported catalysts containing transition metals in ionic or elemental form which comprises mixing a filler comprising an alkaline earth metal silicate with an aqueous dispersion of an inorganic oxide hydrate, converting this mixture into a solid bead-form granulate, calcining the granulate, at a temperature of about 500* to 750* C., and then treating the product with a solution of a transition metal salt, whereby the alkaline earth metal ions present in the granulate are replaced at least in part by transition metal ions. The aqueous dispersion is preferably silica sol and the filler calcium silicate, possibly admixed with kaolin, montmorillonite or attapulgite. After ion exchange, the granulate may be treated with hydrogen to reduce the transition metal ion.
A process according to claim 1, wherein the alkaline earth metal silicate comprises calcium silicate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the alkaline earth metal silicate comprises about 1 to 20 percent by weight of alkaline earth metal oxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the alkaline earth metal silicate added to the aqueous inorganic oxide hydrate dispersion comprises about 20 to 60 percent by weight of the calcined granulate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the filler also comprises aluminum oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the filler mixed into the dispersion comprises an alkaline earth silicate and up to about 30 percent by weight of the alkaline earth metal silicate of kaolinite, montmorillonite or attapulgite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the solution of the transition metal salt is at most two units below that pH value at which the hydroxide of the transition metal would be precipitated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1, including the further step of treating the product with hydrogen thereby to reduce the transition metal ion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process according to claim 6, wherein the alkaline earth metal silicate comprises calcium silicate containing about 1 to 20 percent by weight of calcium oxide and is added in about 20 to 60 percent by weight of the calcined granulate, the ion exchange is effected at a pH no lower than about 2 units below the pH at which the hydroxide of the transition metal would precipitate, and the product is then washed, dried and reduced in hydrogen.