Abstract: The present development relates to a catalyst composition for the selective hydrogenation of acetylene and to a method for preparing the catalyst. The catalyst comprises iridium, palladium and, optionally, at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, copper, zinc and tin. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is prepared such that the palladium is located within the first 250 micrometers of the surface of the catalyst carrier. In contrast to the catalysts of the prior art, including for example, palladium/silver catalysts, the catalyst of the present invention exhibits high selectivity and an improved stability of the catalytic performance over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A catalyst for selective hydrogenation of acetylenes and diolefins, particularly in a raw gas feed stream for front end selective hydrogenation. The catalyst contains a low surface area carrier with a surface area from about 2-20 m2/g, wherein the pore volume of the pores of the carrier is greater than about 0.4 cc/g, wherein at least 90 percent of the pore volume of the pores is contained within pores having a pore diameter greater than about 500 ? and wherein from about 1 to about 2 percent of the total pore volume is contained in pores with a pore diameter from about 500 to about 1,000 ?, palladium, wherein the palladium comprises from about 0.01 to about 0.1 weight percent of the catalyst, and a Group IB metal, wherein the Group IB metal comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.06 weight percent of the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for selective hydrogenation of acetylene during ethylene purification utilizing a palladium/thallium impregnated catalyst.