Patent ID: 8097557

Claim:
A process for producing a catalyst, useful for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, the process comprising: (a) providing an impregnated solid support having a surface, which support has been impregnated with (i) a catalytically effective amount of silver metal or a silver-containing compound, and (ii) one or more alkali metal promoters included in an amount which promotes activity and/or selectivity of the catalyst, wherein said amount of alkali metal promoters is up to 3,000 ppm; (b) subjecting the impregnated solid support to a first calcination in a first atmosphere comprising air, wherein said first calcination is maintained at a temperature of about 250° C. with periodic temperature spikes up to 270° C.; and (c) thereafter subjecting the impregnated solid support to a second calcination in a second atmosphere, which is substantially entirely comprised of an inert gas and substantially absent of hydrogen.