Process for selective hydrogenation of alkynes and catalyst therefor

Stream of olefins such as mixed 1,3-of butadiene acetylenic compound on high porosity of carriers such as alumina, silica and other supported copper catalysts on selective hydrogenation. Optimization of average pore size is greater than about 200 carriers know, non-porous, total pore volume is greater than about 0.65cc/g: choose the BET surface area of less than about 230m2/g. The copper catalyst optimization VIII metals such as Palladium for to improve the low activity of copper catalysts. Products usually contain less than 20ppm of alkynes. In addition, the copper catalyst and Palladium-copper catalysts modified with zinc oxide can be used to improve the performance of catalyst. Reactor loading of two or more different levels of Palladium to promote copper catalyst. Optimization of copper catalysts are silver, gold, or a combination of modified, copper composition to reduce catalyst causing the polymer formation, improvement of olefins such as butadiene 1,3-yield and to prevent copper due to dissolved in hydrocarbons in liquid phase and/or loss of Palladium.