It is shown that reverse flow operation is well-suited for packed-bed operation requiring energy addition from sources external to the packing. Packed-bed temperature profiles are dictated by (a) how the power is distributed axially, and (b) the temperature-profile movement, proportional to the volume of flowing gas introduced during the semicycle (flow rate x semicycle period). While peak-shaped temperature profiles result for energy input at axially central locations, plateau-shaped temperature profiles result for energy distribution offset from the center and for relatively large Volumes of gas introduced during a semicycle. In both cases, however, efficient energy integration is achieved with the maximum temperature rise being hundreds of degrees greater than the adiabatic temperature rise for unidirectional flow operation.