In this work the particle dynamic behavior in a rotating drum under different operating conditions has been analyzed based on experimental results and simulations. The Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase model with the kinetic theory of granular flow was used in the simulations. In order to evaluate the simulation results, different solid flow regimes and velocity distributions of the particulate phase were compared with experimental data. The experimental particle velocity distribution was obtained by using a high-speed video camera technique. The numerical simulation has contributed to understanding the main particle dynamics phenomenon present in rotating drums. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.