Abstract: There is described a support for a catalyst. The support is for use in a packed-bed reactor for the production of an alkylene oxide. The support comprises a ceramic material and has a pore size distribution wherein ?2% of the pores have a size of ?0.1 ?m and/or has a specific surface area of at least 1.5 m2/g and/or has a total pore volume of ?0.4 cm3/g. Also described is a catalyst comprising the support and a method for the production of alkylene oxide.

Abstract: A support for a catalyst. The support is for use in a packed-bed reactor for the production of an alkylene oxide. The support includes ceramic material and the support has a substantially spherical or ellipsoidal macrostructure. The support further includes surface structures and has a porosity of ?0.35 cm3/g. The catalyst may be included in an apparatus and used for the production of an alkylene oxide.

Abstract: There is described a packing member for use in a packed bed, preferably a support for use as a catalyst support in a packed bed reactor. The packing member comprises ceramic material and has a geometric surface area per volume of ?0.7 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?250 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ?1.5 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?150 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ?3 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?60 kgf. The packing member optionally has a porosity of at least 6%, such as at least 15% or at least 20%.

Abstract: A packing member for use in a packed bed, preferably a support for use as a catalyst support in a packed bed reactor. The packing member includes ceramic material and has a geometric surface area per volume of ?0.7 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?250 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ?1.5 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?150 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ?3 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?60 kgf. The packing member optionally has a porosity of at least 6%, such as at least 15% or at least 20%.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a mould including a first and a second part into a dosing position. The apparatus includes a reorientation conveyor portion comprising first and second opposed retainer members. At least one of the first and second retainer members includes a conveyor. The first and second retainer members are operable to form a separation therebetween and the reorientation conveyor portion is operable to receive the mould into the separation between the first and second retainer members with the first and second retainer members in a first orientation and then move the first and second retainer members into a second orientation while substantially maintaining the first part of the mould in the same position relative to the second part of the mould. The apparatus further includes a mould-separation portion. The reorientation conveyor portion is operable to at least partially eject the mould into the mould-separation portion when the first and second retainer members are in the second orientation.

Abstract: A packing member for use in a packed bed. The packing member includes ceramic material and surface structures on the outer surface of the packing member. The packing member does not include a fluid communication intra-particle channel extending through the packing member from a first aperture on a first side of the packing member to a second aperture on a substantially opposing second side of the packing member. Also described is a supported catalyst, apparatus and a method of production.

Abstract: A mould for manufacturing a packing member from a liquid ceramic composition. The mould including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part and/or the second part comprise an open mould cavity and wherein the first and second parts are operable to engage to form a closed mould cavity, wherein the mould further includes a reservoir forming member, and wherein the mould is operable to be moved from an open position in which the first and second parts are at least partially spaced such that the reservoir member forms a reservoir cavity and the mould cavity is open, to a partially closed position in which the location of the reservoir cavity has moved with respect to the mould cavity and/or the volume of the reservoir cavity has reduced, and then to a closed position in which the first and second parts are engaged such that the mould cavity is closed.

Abstract: A mould for manufacturing a packing member from a liquid ceramic composition. The mould including a first part and a second part, in which the first and/or second mould parts are resiliently deformable and the first part and/or the second part include a plurality of open mould cavities. The first and second parts are operable to engage to form closed mould cavities, and the mould is operable to be moved from an open position in which the first and second parts are partially spaced by the deformation of a mould part and in which position mould cavities are open, to a partially closed position by reducing the deformation of the mould part and in which position some of the mould cavities are closed, and then to a closed position by further reducing the deformation of the mould part and in which position the first and second parts are engaged such that the mould cavities are closed.

Abstract: A packing member for use in a packed bed, preferably a support for use as a catalyst support in a packed bed reactor. The packing member includes ceramic material and has a geometric surface area per volume of ?0.7 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?250 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ?1.5 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?150 kgf; or a geometric surface area per volume of ?3 cm2/cm3 and a side crush strength of ?60 kgf. The packing member optionally has a porosity of at least 6%, such as at least 15% or at least 20%.