Abstract: Micro computed tomography (Micro-CT) is a non-destructive testing method that can quickly and accurately establish the 3D structure and composition of analytical objects. Taking the residue hydrotreating protectants after industrial operation as the research object, Micro-CT was introduced to characterize the microstructure of the residue hydrotreating protectant in 3D model creatively.By comparing the discrete graph of Micro-CT slice data with the distribution of SEM element discrete graph,the pores, metal sediments in the protectant were identified and confirmed, and 3D reconstruction technology was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional distribution model of pores and metal sediments.The results indicated that Micro-CT could construct 3D structures of protectant from micron to nano-scale. There were still a large number of unused closed pores inside the protectant, and increasing the connectivity of the pores was the key to improving the efficiency of the protectant.As a novel microstructural analysis method for residual oil hydrogenation protectant,Micro-CT can provide guidance for the development of residual oil hydrogenation protectant.

Key words: residue hydrotreating protectant, micro-CT, sediment