Patent ID: 8226760

Claim:
A method of forming an α-alumina support, the method comprising; providing a batch composition comprising 50 weight % to 90 weight % α-alumina particles, 10 weight % to 30 weight % of organic pore former particles and 1 weight % to 15 weight % of a sintering aid; shaping the batch to form a green body; and sintering the green body to form the α-alumina support, wherein the α-alumina support comprises a mean pore size of from 6 microns to 15 microns and having a pore size distribution (d ps ) of from 0.50 to 1.70 as described by the formula: d ps =( dp 90 −dp 10 )/ dp 50 ; wherein dp 10 is a pore size wherein 10% of the pore volume has a smaller pore size; dp 50 is a median pore size wherein 50% of the pore volume has a smaller pore size; and dp 90 is a pore size wherein 90% of the pore volume has a smaller pore size.