in journal of the american chemical society 60 1938 pp 309 316 high surface area carriers in particular when they are u03b1 alumina carriers optionally comprising in addition silica alkali metal and or alkaline earth metal components provide improved performance and stability of operation the water absorption of the carrier is typically in the range of from 0 2 to 0 8 g g preferably in the range of from 0 3 to 0 7 g g a higher water absorption may be in favor in view of a more efficient deposition of silver and further elements if any on the carrier by impregnation however at a higher water absorption the carrier or the catalyst made therefrom may have lower crush strength as used herein water absorption is deemed to have been measured in accordance with astm c20 and water absorption is expressed as the weight of the water that can be absorbed into the pores of the carrier relative to the weight of the carrier the carrier is typically a calcined i e sintered carrier preferably in the form of formed bodies the size of which is in general determined by the internal diameter of the elongated tube in which the catalyst particles are included in the catalyst bed in general the skilled person will be able to determine an appropriate size of the formed bodies it is found very convenient to use formed bodies in the form of trapezoidal bodies cylinders saddles spheres doughnuts and the like the catalyst.