In this paper a theoretical model of the heat-transfer processes in a solid adsorbent packed bed is established. Based on discretized energy control equations of the fluid in the heat-transfer coil and transient heat conduction equations of the adsorbent in the bed with unsteady boundary conditions, a numerical analysis is made. Through numerical computation, a coupling temperature distribution in the adsorbent and the heat-transfer coil is obtained. This will make for an optimal design of the solid adsorbent packed bed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.