Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrotreating catalyst for a hydrocarbon oil and also to a process for hydrotreating the hydrocarbon oil by using the catalyst. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a hydrotreating catalyst formed by having a hydrogenation-active component supported on a silica-alumina carrier and having a specific pore distribution and also with a hydrotreating process making use of the catalyst for the removal of sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds from a hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: In the steam reforming catalyst for hydrocarbon according to the present invention, catalyst metal is supported on or in the surface layer of a zirconia carrier containing yttria and having a crystal structure primarily consisting of tetragonal system or tetragonal and cubic systems. Compared with conventional steam reforming catalyst, it has higher reaction efficiency and suppresses carbon deposition extensively even when steam/carbon ratio is low and exhibits higher hydrogen generation efficiency and higher catalyst strength. Particularly, it is suitable as a catalyst for internal reforming type fuel cell.In the steam reforming catalyst of hydrocarbon of this invention, metal catalyst can be effectively utilized by supporting metal catalyst only on surface layer of zirconia carrier.