Influence of operating parameters such as heat source and sink temperatures, operating pressures, pressure ratios, cycle time, and bed parameters such as overall heat transfer coefficient, bed thickness and thermal conductivity, on the performance of a single stage hydrogen compressor is presented. Coupled heat and mass transfer and reaction kinetics are considered for the analysis. An AB(2)-type alloy, Ti0.98Zr0.02V0.43Fe0.09Cr0.05Mn1.5 is chosen as an example. At a given pressure ratio, the hydrogen throughput increases with hot fluid temperature and decreases with increase in cold fluid temperature. Optimum values of thermal conductivity and overall heat transfer coefficient exist for any given hot and cold fluid temperatures. Among the variables studied, heat transfer fluid temperature, bed thickness and supply pressure are found to exert significant influence on the compressor performance. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy.