Patent ID: 8378129

Claim:
A process for the oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide, the process comprising: providing an impregnated solid support having a surface, which support has been impregnated with at least a catalytically effective amount of silver metal or a silver-containing compound; 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.; 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 to produce a catalyst containing active silver species; placing said catalyst in a fix-bed, tubular reactor; and oxidizing ethylene in the presence of oxygen and said catalyst, wherein said oxidizing is performed in a vapor phase.