Discrete element method (DEM) simulations of a pseudo 2-D fluidized bed at non-isothermal conditions are presented. First implementation details are discussed. This is followed by a validation study where heating of a packed column by a flow of heated fluid is considered. Next hot gas injected into a colder bed that is slightly above minimum fluidization conditions is modeled. In this study bubbles formed in monodisperse beds of different glass particle sizes (1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm) and with a range of injection temperatures (300-900 K) are analyzed. Bubble heat transfer coefficients in fluidized beds are reported and compared with values produced by the Davidson and Harrison model. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,