Patent ID: 9228029
Filing Date: 2016-01-05
CPC Classification: B01J,C08F

Claim Text:
1. A process for preparation of catalyst support particles having a pore structure with a pore volume of 1.5 cm 3 /g or more and a surface area of 600 m 2 /g or more, the process comprising: a) providing a silica hydrogel having a solids content from 15% to 33% by weight by acidification of an alkali metal silicate, b) forming the silica hydrogel into hydrogel particles, c) washing the hydrogel particles, at a pH of 3.5 or less to substantially remove salt, optionally for a period of 1 hour or longer, d) contacting the hydrogel particles with an aqueous ageing solution, arranged to provide an aqueous dispersion having a pH from 3 to 5, and at an ageing temperature from 40° C. up to the boiling point of the solution, for an ageing period of 4 hours or longer, to provide aged hydrogel particles, wherein the ageing temperature is from a lowest ageing temperature T e) carrying out solvent exchange on the aged hydrogel particles with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less whereby the aqueous solution in the aged hydrogel particles is substantially replaced by the liquid solvent, and f) substantially removing the liquid solvent from the aged hydrogel particles to provide the catalyst support particles having a pore structure with a pore volume of 1.5 cm