Patent ID: 8653208

Claim:
A process for preparing a catalyst comprising: (A) selecting a catalyst support selected from the group consisting of gels of silica, silica alumina, alumina, aluminum phosphate, aluminaphosphate, and combinations of two or more thereof; (B) mixing the catalyst support with one or more chromium containing compound, wherein the chromium containing compound is selected from the group consisting of chromium containing compounds which are oxidizable to a Cr +6 state and chromium containing compounds wherein the chromium is in a Cr +6 state; (C) mixing the catalyst support with one or more transition metal catalyst component; (D) calcining the catalyst support while continuously agitating to prevent agglomeration; (E) optionally for the chromium containing compound which is oxidizable to a Cr +6 state, converting the chromium in the chromium containing compound to Cr +6 ; and (F) spray drying the catalyst support to form catalyst particles; wherein steps (B)-(F) may occur separately in any order or wherein any one or more of steps (B)-(F) may be combined together; and wherein the catalyst support gels are characterized by a surface area greater than 50 m 2 /gram and a pore volume greater than 0.5 cc/gram at the time of mixing the catalyst support gels with the chromium containing compound.