An integrated mathematical model is developed to evaluate the performance of the reaction of gaseous HCl and CaO in fluidized bed. The model considers initial pore size distribution of solid reactant, pore structure change and attrition caused by particles movement. Bethe network is used to describe the pore space topology, and the percolation theory is used to determine the accessible reaction surface area of the sorbent particles and the effective diffusion coefficient of gaseous HCl. This model prediction accounts for the diffusion of HCl in shrinking pore space as well as in product layer, and clearly demonstrates the increasing diffusion resistance and the isolation of partially reacted pores causing incomplete conversion of solid. The model shows excellent agreement with the experimental data. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.