Abstract: A catalyst support comprising at least 95% silicon carbide, having surface areas of ?10 m2/g and pore volumes of ?1 cc/g. A method of producing a catalyst support, the method including mixing SiC particles of 0.1-20 microns, SiO2 and carbonaceous materials to form an extrusion, under inert atmospheres, heating the extrusion at temperatures of greater than 1400° C., and removing residual carbon from the heated support under temperatures below 1000° C. A catalyst on a carrier, comprising a carrier support having at least about 95% SiC, with a silver solution impregnated thereon comprising silver oxide, ethylenediamine, oxalic acid, monoethanolamine and cesium hydroxide. A process for oxidation reactions (e.g., for the production of ethylene oxide, or oxidation reactions using propane or methane), or for endothermic reactions (e.g., dehydrogenation of paraffins, of ethyl benzene, or cracking and hydrocracking hydrocarbons).

Abstract: Impure aromatic carboxylic acids such as are obtained by liquid phase oxidation of feed materials comprising aromatic compounds with substituent groups oxidizable to carboxylic acid groups, or comprising aromatic carboxylic acid and one or more aromatic carbonyl impurities that form hydrogenated species more soluble in aqueous solvents or with less color or color-forming tendencies than the aromatic carbonyl impurity, are purified to an aromatic carboxylic acid product with lower levels of impurities by a process comprising contacting an aqueous solution comprising the impure aromatic carboxylic acid with hydrogen at elevated temperature and pressure with an attrition-resistance, acid stable catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst metal and a support comprising relatively high surface area of high porosity silicon carbide with low levels of iron and alkali metal impurities. The support may further contain titanium or rare earth metals.

Abstract: An improved carrier useful for preparing a catalyst having excellent catalytic performance when used in the production of alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide. The carrier is obtained by a) impregnating a preformed alpha-alumina carrier with at least one modifier selected from among alkali metal silicates and alkaline earth metal silicates, b) drying said impregnated carrier; and c) calcining said dried carrier. The carrier may optionally be washed, prior to being impregnated by conventional catalytic material and/or promoter material.