A two-fluid approach and diverse heat transfer models are applied to a two-dimensional cross-section of a rotary kiln coupled with granular flow kinetic theory, which treats random granular motion as thermal molecular motion. The models are validated by comparison with the available experimental data. The results show that the bed surface velocity characteristic peak is located at the center and down the edges. The highest temperature is found at the bed surface and the temperature gradient in the bed is lower than that in the rotary kiln wall. The main factors that affect the temperature distribution are the initial gas temperature and rotational speed of the kiln. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.