The subsection-controlling strategy was applied to the design of the adsorptive reactor to improve the sorption-enhanced steam-methane reforming (SMR), by using subsection-packing ratio of adsorbent and catalyst, and sub section-controlling wall temperature. In the case of the subsection-controlling wall temperature, there IS lower operating temperature zone at the outlet of the adsorptive reactor, where the remaining CO and CO2 concentrations in gas stream can be decreased further by the principle of temperature-induced equilibrium shift. The feasibility and effectiveness of the subsection-controlling strategy for improving the sorption-enhanced steam-methane reforming process is analysed by numerical simulation based on literature data. At low operating pressure, in the range 222-445.7 kPa, combined with subsection-controlling strategy [higher temperature, 450-490degreesC, for subsections I (inlet zone of the adsorptive reactor) and II (middle zone of the adsorptive reactor) and lower temperature, 400-450degreesC, for subsection III (outlet zone of the adsorptive reactor); lower packing ratio of adsorbent and catalyst for subsections I and III and higher ratio for subsection II] a product gas with hydrogen purity above 85% and traces of CO2 (less than 300 ppm) and CO (less than 30 ppm) can be continuously produced with higher hydrogen productivity by a four-step one-bed (a 6 m long adsorptive reactor) pressure swing sorption-enhanced steam-methane reforming cyclic process, and may be directly used in fuel cell applications.