Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for purifying a contaminated fluid stream, for example an air stream contaminated with volatile organic compounds. A sorption media is directed between narrowly spaced plates which control the depth of sorbant flow. In an adsorber the plates are porous to allow the contaminated air to pass into an adsorption chamber where the media removes the contaminates from the fluid stream. In a desorber the plates may be transmissive or reflective of microwave energy and porous to a purging gas in a desorption chamber where the media releases the contaminates to refresh the media. An inclined plane or conical surface is contemplated for a desorber which can be coupled to an adsorber in a closed loop system.