Lump theory was used to carry out a prior simulation for a residual oil hydrodesulfurization reaction kinetic model. The prior simulation results show that the use of the lumping kinetic method to investigate residual oil HDS process is feasible, and the proper lump number is 3 or 4. Subsequently, combined with the sulfur compounds hydrodesulfurization reaction mechanism and the level of sulfur compounds detection, a residual oil hydrodesulfurization reaction lumping kinetic model is established on the basis of sulfur content in four components of residual oil, which can provide a reference for further research.