Kinetic parameters for desorption of n-tridecane adsorbed on commercial 5A zeolite pellets have been measured. Pre-exponential factors, activation energies, and the populations of each binding state are reported. The results can be quantitatively fitted with a first order desorption rate equation and three different desorption zones could be determined. The possible existence of a compensation effect is qualitatively discussed. Desorption rates for powder and pellets are compared and the influence of initial coverage of pelletized zeolite on population and maximum temperature is presented.