A new normalization concept for convective drying of hygroscopic particulates is introduced. Both, intraparticle drying kinetics and sorption equilibrium are considered separately, and integrated into a new heterogeneous fluid bed model for coupled heat and mass transfer. Experiments were carried out using spherical gamma-Al2O3 particles. Sorption isotherms, as well as drying curves, for single particles and fluidized beds have been measured. Batch fluid bed drying curves appear to be predictable on the basis of single particle and material equilibrium data and with the help of the model. All model parameters are directly taken, or estimated from fluidization literature, without any fitting.