Abstract: Metal catalysts loaded with Ni, Mo, and different metal promoters M (M = Zn, Co, Ce, Ag) were prepared using mesoporous γ-Al₂O₃ as a support via the impregnation method. The catalyst was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, pyridine infrared, and NH? programmed temperature desorption. The effects of different mixed reaction atmospheres (methane-nitrogen, nitrogen-hydrogen, methane-hydrogen) and various metal promoters M (M = Zn, Co, Ce, Ag) on catalytic performance. The effects of reaction temperature (390–420 ℃) and varying promoters metal loading on the reforming of residue oil were also systematically investigated. Results indicate that in methane-hydrogen mixed atmosphere, the introduction of a small amount of hydrogen aids methane activation and enhances the reforming effect of residue oil over methane. In the NiMo/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, Ni and Mo species are highly dispersed, exhibiting an increase in B acid sites and a decrease in L acid sites. The optimal loading amounts for Ni and Mo are 10% and 20%, respectively. The introduction of metal additives M improved residue oil quality, with Zn exhibiting the best reaction performance. Metal Zn increased L-acid sites in the catalyst and synergized with active metals Ni and Mo to enhance methane activation capacity. Moderately elevated reaction temperatures (390–420 ℃) enhance oil upgrading. Under 420 ℃ conditions, optimal upgrading yields were achieved: upgraded oil viscosity decreased by 98.55%, asphaltene content dropped by 88.41%, desulfurization rate reached 38.65%, and denitrification rate reached 37.14%.

Key words: residue oil upgrading, methane activation, NiMo/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, metal promoter