AbstractThe results of a fluid‐particle heat and mass transfer study in air spouted beds of silica gel and activated coal particles, using a 9 cm I.D. column with a 30° and 90° conical base, are reported. The effects of gas velocity, particle size, bed depth and cone angle on the heat and mass transfer coefficients are discussed. Equations correlating heat and mass transfer coefficients have been established. The ratio (jn)s/(jD)8has been found to be dependent on the Reynolds number and the system of spout