A regenerable adsorbent system having as constituent parts: a cylindrical perforated plate defining an interior plenum, around which is wrapped at least one layer of sorbent structure supporting a sorbent; and in thermal communication with the sorbent structure is disposed an electrical resistance heater, such as, a heating cable wrapped around the sorbent structure. In one embodiment, the perforated plate includes one or more flow constrictors disposed at a downstream end of the plate. Variations include alternating sections of sorbent structure and heating cable; as well as inserting a porous insulating material to retard heat losses. The system is useful for removing a target compound, such as a contaminant VOC, ammonia, or carbon dioxide, from a fluid flowstream, such as air. When the sorbent is saturated, the system is regenerated by heating the sorbent structure via the electrical resistance heater.