Two-dimensional solution for unsteady heat and mass transfer in metal hydride bed in the hydriding process is obtained using a finite volume method in order to understand the physical mechanisms occurring in the bed. We considered the effects of different thermal conductivities, bed diameters and the presence of fins on thermo-fluid phenomena occurring in the bed. The present results show that the whole process occurring in the bed is governed and controlled by heat transfer from the bed to the surrounding cooling fluid. So we need to develop the method to improve and enhance the heat transfer rate from the bed to the surrounding cooling fluid in order to apply the metal hydride bed to the heat exchanging system efficiently. The higher thermal conductivity, smaller bed diameter and the presence of fins in the bed give more enhanced heat transfer rate from the bed. The present computational results are compared with the experimental data to check the validity of the present calculation, showing the good agreement between them. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.