Abstract: S Zorb process is a desulphurization technology for clean fuel production, the energy utilization of the whole device can yet be further improved. In this paper, pinch technology was used to analyze the S Zorb process in a refinery with the help of the grand composite curve. The results indicate that the device consumes overmuch utility, energy saving potential can be about 24%, and meanwhile, the problem of high energy for low energy situation exists in the pockets of the grand composite curve. Two optimization schemes are proposed. In the first scheme, furnace is retained and medium pressure steam is generated as a byproduct, which realizes the cascade utilization of energy, resulting in a benefit of 10.442 million RMB per year. The other scheme is to remove the furnace which leads to the less consumption of fuel gas with a benefit of 10.662 million RMB per year. Both the schemes have low retrofitting costs and short payback periods. A large amount of energy can be saved which contributes to considerable economic benefits.

Key words: S Zorb unit, pinch technology, energy utilization analysis, grand composite curve