Optimized method for the production of catalyst supports based on silica gel and chromium catalysts supported on silica gel

The invention relates to a method for the production of silica gel catalyst supports and chromium oxide catalysts supported on silica gel, and to the corresponding catalyst supports and catalysts for the polymerization of olefin monomers. The invention relates to a catalyst support and to a method for the production of the catalyst support comprising the following steps:a) production of a silicic acid hydrogel having a solids content of from 10 to 25% by weight (calculated as SiO) whose particles are substantially spherical,b) extraction of the hydrogel particles with an alcohol until at least 60% of the water present in the hydrogel has been removed,c) drying of the resultant hydrogel until the residual alcohol content is less than 10% by weight (xerogel formation) at temperatures of 160° C. at atmospheric pressure using an inert entraining gas,d) setting of the desired particle size of the resultant xerogel,in which the hydrogel particles have a particle size of 8 mm before the extraction, and to a catalyst and to a method for the production of the catalyst by loading the catalyst support with a chromium compound. The invention also relates to a method for the production of polyolefins using the catalyst.