Method for preparing an epoxidation catalyst

A process for the preparation of a catalyst useful for the vapor phase production of ethylene oxide from ethylene and oxygen comprising:

• providing a catalyst precursor comprising an inert support having a catalytically effective amount of a silver containing compound, a promoting amount of an alkali metal containing compound, and a promoting amount of a transition metal containing compound disposed thereon;
• and
• subjecting the catalyst precursor for a first period of time to inert gas heating in at least one inert gas heating zone under an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature range of about 25° C. to about 600° C., and then for a second period of time to oxygen-containing heating in at least one oxygen-containing heating zone having an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a temperature range of about 350° C. to about 600° C., wherein the first period of time is sufficient to convert substantially all of the silver in the silver containing compound to metallic silver and to decompose and remove substantially all organic materials.