In the late 1960s, rhenium-platinum catalysts were successfully introduced, rapidly ushering in a new era of “petroleum purification” in the petroleum industry. In recent years, during petroleum refining processes, the incorporation of rhenium to form binary noble metal catalysts has improved the catalytic activity and selectivity for one or more hydrocarbon conversion reactions. This enhances the depth of reforming reactions, increasing the yields of gasoline, aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and other products. Additionally, rhenium can be used as a catalyst for automotive exhaust purification.