Abstract: This invention relates to an ethylene oxide catalyst which contains silver and one or more alkali metal promoters supported an a carrier having a crush strength of at least about 5 pounds and a settled packing density of at least about 30 pounds/cubic foot which comprises first and second alpha alumina components with a first alpha alumina component in the form of particles having a median crystallite size of from about 0.4 to about 4 microns providing from about 95% to about 40% of the total weight of alpha alumina in the carrier and a second alpha alumina component generated in situ by a sol-gel process and providing the balance of the alpha alumina in the carrier. Titania is optionally added to the carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to ethylene oxide catalysts containing silver, alkali metal promoters, rhenium promoters and optionally rhenium co-promoters selected from sulfur, molybdenum, tungsten, chromium and mixtures thereof supported on a carrier consisting of at least 85 percent by weight of alpha alumina, from about 0.01 to about 6 percent by weight (measured as the oxide) of an added alkaline earth metal in the form of an oxide, from about 0.01 to about 5 percent by weight (measured as the dioxide) of added silicon in the form of an oxide and from zero to about 10 percent by weight (measured as the dioxide) of added zirconium in the form of an oxide. The invention also relates to an ethylene oxide process using the above catalyst.