Heat transfer characteristics in a two-dimensional spouted bed with draft plates were studied using three agricultural materials, paddy, corn and soybean. Increases in inlet superficial velocity and bed porosity result in the increased superficial velocity in downcomer. Heat transfer coefficients for the spout and downcomer were founded to be a function of the superficial velocity and bed depth-to-particle diameter ratio. Two equations correlating heat transfer coefficients for both regions have been developed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.