In this paper, a detailed thermodynamic model based on Dubinin-Astakhov equation is given, which presents a complete and precise description of an adsorption cooling machine cycle. Heat recovery process is one of a lot of useful ways to improve the cooling performance of this kind of machines. This process is also proposed in this paper. In the proposed model, several main factors affecting the performance of cycles are discussed according to the results of computer simulations, such as the working conditions, especially the regenerating temperature, the condensation temperature, evaporation temperature and the two-adsorber temperature difference at the end of heat recovery. The relationship between the performance of the cycle and heat recovery ratio and these factors is initially investigated. The performance of heat recovery cycle is also analyzed and compared with that of the basic adsorption cycle. The obtained results showed that heat recovery can play an important role to improve the performance of an adsorption refrigeration machine. Copyright (C) 2016, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.