Objective The aim is to provide a basis for the design of catalyst pore structure.

Method The hydrogenation reaction performance of asphaltene were researched using two catalysts with different pore sizes, and the effect of catalyst pore structure on the hydrogenation reaction process of asphaltene was compared.

Result The conversion rates of residue asphaltene were close to be about 60%, which was far less than the 79.88% conversion rate of coal tar asphaltenes with smaller molecules, indicating that the steric effect and the complexity of molecular structure had an important effect on the hydrogenation reaction process of asphaltene. The conversion rate of asphaltene on the catalyst with a small pore size and high active metal content was about 10% higher than that on the catalyst with a large pore size, and it was easier to remove the saturated structure outside the asphaltene. However, due to the limitation of internal diffusion and the increase of asphaltene condensation degree after the reaction, the coking tendency of the asphaltene hydrogenation reaction was greater.

Conclusion The key factors of high conversion rate and good product distribution of the asphaltene hydrogenation reaction are suitable pore size, active metal content, and reasonable matching of them of catalyst.