Abstract: Due to the low temperature pyrolysis and the catalytic pyrolysis method could have a high efficient utilization of the low rank coal,the paper stated the ty pe of the catalysts applied to the coal catalytic pyrolysis and the catalytic mechanism.The paper summarized the selection basis of the catalysts in the applied study pro cess of the catalytic pyrolysis.According to the dispersion degree of the catalyst in coal and the different loading mode,the paper introduced the features of the ICHP tec hnique,multi stage hydrogenation heating process,fluidized bed pyrolysis technique,adverse flow type coal catalytic pyrolysis technique in the present catalytic pyrolysis technique.Finally according to the coal pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis features,the study key of the coal catalytic pyrolysis should be the process adjustment principle of the coal grading conversion technology and the directional preparation principle of the catalyst.