The progress of process systems engineering (PSE) was reviewed in the three research fields of water network, heat exchange network and hydrogen network optimization and the applying possibility of PSE technology was discussed at the design stage. The optimizations of water network, heat exchange network and hydrogen network by PSE technology at the design stage were beneficial to petrochemical enterprises to improve resource utilization, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency. The application of PSE technology would continue to help petrochemical enterprises to achieve the goals of cleaner production, deep processing of raw materials, energy conservation and emission reduction. And it could also provide reference for design work and procedures.