A two-dimensional heterogeneous model was used to describe heat and mass transfer in packed bed adsorbers with a relatively low ratio between tube and particle diameter. Using packed bed the wall effect during exothermal adsorption with low tube-to-particle diameter ratio has an impact on the heat and mass flow, and consequently, on both the temperature and concentration profiles in the reactor. In this work, the calculations based on a heterogeneous two-dimensional non-isothermal model was compared with experimental breakthroughs and calculations done by other researchers. Due to the large influence of the wall, radial profiles of concentration and temperature exist. Consequently, the breakthrough of the adsorbate must be analysed not only with respect to time, but also with respect to the radial position. This paper outlines the impact of thermal and wall effects on packed bed adsorption. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.