Abstract: The NiMoP/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst was prepared through a multi-step impregnation method and characterized by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), N₂ adsorption-desorption, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and H₂ temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR). The catalyst with 4%Ni is determined to be the best one with optimum component proportion by the tests with model compounds in a fixed-bed reactor. The coal tar hydrogenation was conducted over the optimum catalyst. The results reveal that the removal of carbolic oil can promote the removal of S and N and the saturation of aromatics.