Ethylene oxide catalyst and process for preparing the catalyst

• US 4,761,394 A
• Filed: 10/31/1986
• Issued: 08/02/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Lauritzen, Ann M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shine, W. J.
• Application Number:
  US06/926,026
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 502/347, 502/348, 549/536
• US Class Current: 502/348
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/688 with manganese, technetium or rhenium
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 301/10 with catalysts containing silver or gold
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/52 using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts

Abstract

This invention relates to an ethylene oxide catalyst having an improved selectivity which catalyst comprises silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium supported on a porous refractory support.

Claims

1. An ethylene oxide catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium supported on a suitable support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g. reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

6. The catalyst of claims 1, 2 3, 4 or 5 wherein the support comprises alpha alumina.

7. The catalyst of claim 6 wherein the alpha alumina has a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 5 m² /g.

8. The catalyst of claim 7 wherein the support surface area ranges from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g.

9. The catalyst of claim 8 wherein the silver ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of the total catalyst, and the alkali metal promoter ranges from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of the total catalyst.

10. The catalyst of claim 9 wherein the silver ranges from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of the total catalyst and the alkali metal promoter ranges from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of the total catalyst.

11. The catalyst of claim 10 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found on the surface of the support or on the surface of the catalyst.

12. The catalyst of claim 10 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found individually or in a mixture thereof on the catlayst, on the support or on both the catalyst and the support.

13. The catalyst of claim 10 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed on stream for about 16±

4 hours.

14. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein said promoting amount of alkali metal and rhenium is such as to provide a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level under a given set of reaction conditions for the catalyst than for a comparable catalyst without alkali metal and/or rhenium.

15. The catalyst of claim 14 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

16. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the silver ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of the total catalyst, the alkali metal promoter ranges from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst and the rhenium ranges from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst.

2. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium promoter, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, supported on a porous, refractory support;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium promoter and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

3. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

4. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, supported on a porous, refractory support;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

5. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide supported on a porous, refractory support wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

17. An ethylene oxide catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of a higher alkali metal comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium, or mixtures thereof and a promoting amount of rhenium supported on a suitable support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g.

27. The catalyst of claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22 wherein the support comprises alpha alumina.

28. The catalyst of claims 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22 wherein the support comprises alpha alumina which has a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 5 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.10 to about 0.75 cc/g.

29. The catalyst of claim 28 wherein the support surface area ranges from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g.

30. The catalyst of claims 17 or 18 wherein the silver ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of the total catalyst, the higher alkali metal promoter ranges from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, the rhenium ranges from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst and the support comprises alpha alumina with a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 5 m² /g.

31. The catalyst of claim 30 wherein said promoting amount of alkali metal and rhenium is such as to provide a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level under a given set of reaction conditions for the catalyst than for a comparable catalyst without alkali metal and/or rhenium.

32. The catalyst of claim 31 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly spece velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

33. The catalyst of claim 30 wherein the higher alkali metal ranges from about 50 to about 1000 ppm by weight.

34. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises potassium.

35. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises rubidium.

36. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises cesium.

37. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises potassium and cesium.

38. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises rubidium and cesium.

39. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises cesium, rubidium and potassium.

40. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found on the surface of the support or on the surface of the catalyst.

41. The catalyst of claim 33 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found individually or in a mixture thereof on the catalyst, on the support or on both the catalyst and the support.

18. An ethylene oxide catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of a higher alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof and a promoting amount of rhenium supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g.

19. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium promoter measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium promoter and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

42. The catalyst of claims 19, 20, 21 or 22 wherein the silver ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of the total catalyst and the alkali metal promoter ranges from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of the total catalyst.

43. The catalyst of claim 42 wherein the silver ranges from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight of the total catalyst and the alkali metal promoter ranges from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of the total catalyst.

44. The catalyst of claim 43 wherein the alkali metal comprises potassium.

45. The catalyst of claim 43 wherein the alkali metal comprises rubidium.

46. The catalyst of claim 43 wherein the alkali metal comprises cesium.

47. The catalyst of claim 43 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found on the surface of the support or on the surface of the catalyst.

48. The catalyst of claim 43 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found individually or in a mixture thereof on the catalyst, on the support or on both the catalyst and the support.

49. The catalyst of claim 43 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

20. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

21. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, supported on a porous, refractory support;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

22. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, supported on a porous, refractory support wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

23. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of a higher alkali metal promoter selected from potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/gm;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

50. The catalyst of claims 23, 24, 25 or 26 wherein the silver ranges from about 5 to about 20 percent by weight.

51. The catalyst of claims 23, 24, 25 or 26 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found on the surface of the support.

52. The catalyst of claims 23, 24, 25 or 26 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found on the surface of the catalyst.

53. The catalyst of claims 23, 24, 25 or 26 wherein the alkali metal and rhenium are found individually or in a mixture thereof on the catalyst, on the support or on both the catalyst and the support.

54. The catalyst of claim 53 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

55. The catalyst of claim 50 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises potassium.

56. The catalyst of claim 50 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises rubidium.

57. The catalyst of claim 50 wherein the higher alkali metal comprises cesium.

24. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of a higher alkali metal promoter selected from potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/gm wherein the rhenium is applied to support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

25. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of a higher alkali metal promoter selected from potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide supported on a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/gm;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

26. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of a higher alkali metal promoter selected from potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide supported on a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/gm wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

58. An ethylene oxide catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of cesium and a promoting amount of rhenium on a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g.

63. The catalyst of claim 58 wherein the silver ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of the total catalyst, the cesium ranges from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of the total catalyst and the rhenium ranges from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst.

64. The catalyst of claim 63 wherein the cesium ranges from about 50 to about 1000 ppm.

65. The catalyst of claim 64 wherein the support has a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 5 m² /g.

66. The catalyst of claim 65 wherein the support surface area ranges from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g.

67. The catalyst of claim 58 wherein said promoting amount of cesium and rhenium is such as to provide a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level under a given set of reaction conditions for the catalyst than for a comparable catalyst without cesium and/or rhenium.

69. The catalyst of claims 58, 59, 60, 61 or 62 wherein the cesium and rhenium are found on the surface of the catalyst.

70. The catalyst of claims 58, 59, 60, 61 or 62 wherein cesium and rhenium are found on the surface of the support.

71. The catalyst of claims 58, 59, 60, 61 or 62 wherein the cesium and rhenium are found individually or in a mixture thereof on the catalyst, on the support or on both the catalyst and the support.

72. The catalyst of claim 71 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

59. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of cesium promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/gm;

the combination of silver, cesium promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

68. The catalyst of claims 59, 60, 61, 62 or 67 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion level of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

60. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of cesium promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/g wherein the rhenium is applied to the support as rhenium heptoxide or ammonium or alkali metal perrhenate or mixtures thereof;

the combination of silver, cesium promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

61. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of cesium promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide supported on a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/gm;

the combination of silver, cesium promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

62. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 50 to about 1000 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst of cesium promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide supported on a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 m² /g and a water pore volume ranging from about 0.25 to about 0.55 cc/g wherein the rhenium is applied to the support as rhenium heptoxide or ammonium or alkali metal perrhenate or mixtures thereof;

the combination of silver, cesium promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher initial selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

73. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

88. The process of claims 73, 74, 78, 79, 83 or 84 wherein the amount of silver added by impregnation ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight, the amount of alkali metal added by impregnation ranges from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight, measured as the metal, and the amount of rhenium added by impregnation ranges from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst.

89. The process of claims 73, 74, 78, 79, 83 or 84 wherein the amount of silver found on the catalyst ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight, the amount of alkali metal found on the catalyst ranges from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight, measured as the metal, and the amount of rhenium found on the catalyst ranges from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst.

90. The process of claims 73, 74, 78, 79, 83 or 84 wherein the amount of silver found on the surface of the support ranges from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight, the amount of alkali metal found on the surface of the support ranges from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight, measured as the metal, and the amount of rhenium found on the surface of the support ranges from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst.

91. The process of claims 73, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 83, 84 or 85 wherein after impregnation the silver is reduced to metallic silver.

92. The process as in any of claims 73, 74-77, 78, 79-82, 83 or 84-87 wherein after impregnation the silver is reduced to metallic silver by heating at a temperature between about 75°

C. to about 400°

C.

93. The process as in any of claims 73, 74-77, 78, 79-82, 83 or 84-87 wherein after impregnation the silver is reduced to metallic silver by heating at a temperature between about 50°

C. to about 600°

C.

74. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support with one or more solutions comprising silver, alkali metal and/or rhenium wherein the concentration of the silver (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1 g/l to the solubility limit of silver in the solution, the concentration of alkali metal (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1×

10^-3 g/l to about 12 g/l and the concentration of the rhenium (measured as the metal) ranges from about 5×

10^-3 g/l to about 20 g/l to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

94. The process of claims 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86 or 87 wherein the solution containing silver also comprises water and vicinal alkylenediamine(s) of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

95. The process of claims 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86 or 87 wherein the solution containing silver also comprises water and ethylenediamine.

96. The process of claims 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86 or 87 wherein the solution containing silver also comprises water, vicinal alkalinediamine(s) of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms and vicinal alkanolamine(s) of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

97. The process of claims 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86 or 87 wherein the solution containing silver also comprises water, ethylenediamine and monoethanolamine.

75. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support with one or more solutions comprising solvent having silver compound(s) dissolved therein, and/or alkali metal compound(s) dissolved therein and/or rhenium-containing compound(s) dissolved therein sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver compound(s), measured as the metal, from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight of alkali metal compound(s), measured as the metal and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles per kilogram of total catalyst, measured as the metal, of rhenium-containing compound(s) to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

98. The process of claims 75, 80 or 85 wherein the silver compound is selected from silver oxalate, silver oxide, silver carbonate, silver lactate and mixtures thereof.

99. The process of claims 75, 80 or 85 wherein the alkali metal compound is a hydroxide and/or a nitrate.

100. The process of claims 75, 80 or 85 wherein the rhenium-containing compound is rhenium heptoxide or ammonium and/or alkali metal perrhenate.

76. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, alkali metal ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the carrier from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of alkali metal compound(s), and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

101. The process of claims 76, 77, 81, 82, 86 or 87 wherein the rhenium-containing ions are perrhenate ions.

102. The process of claims 76, 77, 81, 82, 86 or 87 wherein the selectivity is measured at an oxygen conversion of about 40% at a gas hourly space velocity of about 3300 and when the catalyst has been placed onstream for about 16±

4 hours.

77. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, alkali metal ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of alkali metal compound(s), and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, said rhenium compound(s) providing in the final catalyst rhenium in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous sodium hydroxide solution;

and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

78. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of higher alkali metal comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and a promoting amount of rhenium.

79. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising silver, and/or higher alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, and/or rhenium wherein the concentration of the silver (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1 g/l to the solubility limit of silver in the solution, the concentration of alkali metal (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1×

10^-3 g/l to about 12 g/l and the concentration of the rhenium (measured as the metal) ranges from about 5×

10^-3 g/l to about 20 g/l to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of higher alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

80. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising solvent having silver compound(s) dissolved therein, and/or higher alkali metal compound(s) selected from compound(s) of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof dissolved therein and/or rhenium-containing compound(s) dissolved therein sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver compound(s), measured as the metal, from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight of higher alkali metal compound(s), measured as the metal, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles per kilogram of total catalyst of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, to provide a catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of higher alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

81. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, higher alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of ions of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of higher alkali metal compound(s) selected from compound(s) of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

82. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, higher alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of ions of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of higher alkali metal compound(s) selected from compound(s) of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of a rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, said rhenium-containing compound(s) providing in the final catalyst rhenium in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous sodium hydroxide solution;

and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, higher alkali metal, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

83. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of cesium and a promoting amount of rhenium.

84. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising silver, and/or cesium and/or rhenium wherein the concentration of the silver (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1 g/l to the solubility limit of silver in the solution, the concentration of cesium (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1×

10^-3 g/l to about 12 g/l and the concentration of the rhenium (measured as the metal) ranges from about 5×

10^-3 g/l to about 20 g/l to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of cesium and a promoting amount of rhenium.

85. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising solvent having silver compound(s) dissolved therein, and/or cesium compound(s) dissolved therein and/or rhenium-containing compound(s) dissolved therein sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver compound(s), measured as the metal, from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight of cesium compound(s) measured as the metal, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles per kilogram of total catalyst of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of cesium and a promoting amount of rhenium.

86. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, cesium ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of cesium and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, cesium, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

87. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, cesium ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of cesium compound(s), and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, said rhenium-containing compound(s) providing in the final catalyst rhenium in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous sodium hydroxide solution;

and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, cesium, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

103. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium promoter, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium promoter and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

104. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

105. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

106. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, alkali metal promoter and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

107. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium promoter measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium promoter and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

108. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

109. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

110. A catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen comprising silver, a higher alkali metal promoter comprising potassium, rubidium, cesium or mixtures thereof and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium, measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, supported on a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g wherein the rhenium is applied to the support in the form of a perrhenate or rhenium heptoxide;

the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support affording a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

111. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver, alkali metal and/or rhenium wherein the concentration of the silver (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1 g/l to the solubility limit of silver in the solution, the concentration of alkali metal (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1×

10^-3 g/l to about 12 g/l and the concentration of the rhenium (measured as the metal) ranges from about 5×

10^-3 g/l to about 20 g/l to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

112. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising solvent having silver compound(s) dissolved therein, and/or alkali metal compound(s) dissolved therein and/or rhenium-containing compound(s) dissolved therein sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver compound(s), measured as the metal, from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight of alkali metal compound(s), measured as the metal and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles per kilogram of total catalyst, measured as the metal, of rhenium-containing compound(s) to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

113. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, alkali metal ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the carrier from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of alkali metal compound(s), and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

114. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, alkali metal ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of alkali metal compound(s), and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, said rhenium compound(s) providing in the final catalyst rhenium in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous sodium hydroxide solution;

and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and alkali metal.

115. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver, and/or higher alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, and/or rhenium wherein the concentration of the silver (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1 g/l to the solubility limit of silver in the solution, the concentration of alkali metal (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1×

10^-3 g/l to about 12 g/l and the concentration of the rhenium (measured as the metal) ranges from about 5×

10^-3 g/l to about 20 g/l to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of higher alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

116. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising solvent having silver compound(s) dissolved therein, and/or higher alkali metal compound(s) selected from compound(s) of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof dissolved therein and/or rhenium-containing compound(s) dissolved therein sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver compound(s), measured as the metal, from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight of higher alkali metal compound(s), measured as the metal, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles per kilogram of total catalyst of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, to provide a catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of higher alkali metal and a promoting amount of rhenium.

117. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, higher alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of ions of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of higher alkali metal compound(s) selected from compound(s) of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, higher alkali metal promoter, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

118. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, higher alkali metal ions selected from the group consisting of ions of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of higher alkali metal compound(s) selected from compound(s) of potassium, rubidium, cesium and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of a rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, said rhenium-containing compound(s) providing in the final catalyst rhenium in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous sodium hydroxide solution;

and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, higher alkali metal, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and higher alkali metal.

119. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver, and/or cesium and/or rhenium wherein the concentration of the silver (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1 g/l to the solubility limit of silver in the solution, the concentration of cesium (measured as the metal) in the solution ranges from about 1×

10^-3 g/l to about 12 g/l and the concentration of the rhenium (measured as the metal) ranges from about 5×

10^-3 g/l to about 20 g/l to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of cesium and a promoting amount of rhenium.

120. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which comprises impregnating a porous refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising solvent having silver compound(s) dissolved therein, and/or cesium compound(s) dissolved therein and/or rhenium-containing compound(s) dissolved therein sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver compound(s), measured as the metal, from about 20 to about 1500 ppm by weight of cesium compound(s) measured as the metal, and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles per kilogram of total catalyst of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, to provide the catalyst with a catalytically effective amount of silver, a promoting amount of cesium and a promoting amount of rhenium.

121. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² g with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, cesium ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of cesium and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, cesium, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.

122. A process for preparing a catalyst for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and molecular oxygen which process comprises impregnating a porous, refractory support comprising alpha alumina having a surface area ranging from about 0.05 to about 10 m² /g with one or more solutions comprising silver ions, cesium ions, rhenium-containing ions or mixtures thereof sufficient to deposit on the support from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of total catalyst of silver, from about 20 to about 1500 parts by weight, measured as the metal, per million parts by weight of total catalyst, of cesium compound(s), and from about 0.2 to about 5 millimoles of rhenium-containing compound(s), measured as the metal, per kilogram of total catalyst, said rhenium-containing compound(s) providing in the final catalyst rhenium in a form which is extractable in a dilute (20 millimolar) aqueous sodium hydroxide solution;

and after impregnation, reducing the silver on the support to metallic silver to cause the combination of silver, cesium, rhenium and support to have a higher selectivity to ethylene oxide at a given oxygen conversion level than is obtained under the same reaction conditions with the same combination of silver and support and none or one of the promoters selected from rhenium and cesium.