In this paper, a numerical study of coupled heat and mass transfer during the desorption process of metal-hydrogen reactor (Mg2Ni-H-2), is presented. Analytical expressions describing, the reaction kinetic and the equilibrium pressure of the Mg2Ni-H-2 system have been determined and integrated into a theoretical model that describes the dynamic behavior of the reactor. This model, which takes into account radiative heat transfer, is solved by the control volume finite element method (CVFEM). The numerical simulation is used to present the time-space evolutions of the temperature and the hydride density within the reactor and to evaluate the effect of radiative heat transfer and the governing operating parameters (outlet pressure, temperature of heating fluid, heat exchange coefficient) on the dynamic behavior of the reactor. In addition, a new geometric configuration of the reactor is proposed and simulated. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.