[Objective] This study aimed to study the adsorption performance of activated carbon prepared from corn stalks. [Methed] With granular activated carbon prepared from corn stalks as research object, adsorption performance simulation test equipment was set up to investigate the adsorption performance of the prepared activated carbon for methanol by static weight method. In addition, the effects of adsorption bed structure, activated carbon particle size in adsorption bed, addition amount of graphite powder in activated carbon and modified activated carbon on systematic adsorption performance were studied. [Result] Under conditions of same activated carbon and same adsorption temperature, the adsorption performance of new adsorption bed A (installed with finned diaphragm adsorbate tubes) was signifi- cantly better than that of unmodified adsorption bed B. Compared with adsorption bed B, adsorption bed A took 5 min shorter to reach the adsorption amount of 0.22 g/g. Under the same adsorption temperature, the adsorption performance of bed loaded with different-particle size activated carbon was significantly better than that loaded with same-particle size activated carbon. The bed loaded with different-particle size activated carbon took 16 min shorter to reach the adsorption capacity of 0.22 g/g compared with the bed loaded with same-particle size activated carbon. Adding proper amount of graphite powder in activated carbon could enhance the thermal conductivity and strengthen the adsorption properties. The optimum addition amount of graphite powder was 20% of the total amount of activated carbon. Com- pared with that of the control, the adsorption performance of activated carbon soaked by weak acidic solution was significantly improved. It took 3 min shorter to reach 87.1% of the equilibrium adsorption amount. [Conclusion] This study will provide reference for optimizing structural design of adsorption bed and adsorption refrigeration system.