Fluid bed processing involves drying, cooling, coating of particulate materials. It is ideal for a wide range of both heat sensitive and non-heat sensitive products. Uniform processing conditions are achieved by passing a gas (usually air) through a product layer under controlled velocity conditions to create a fluidized state.

In fluid bed drying, heat is supplied by the fluidization gas, but the gas flow need not be the only source. Heat may be effectively introduced by heating surfaces (panels or tubes) immersed in the fluidized layer.

In fluid bed cooling, cold gas (usually ambient or conditioned air) is used. Conditioning of the gas may be required to achieve sufficient product cooling in an economically sized plant and to prevent pick up of volatiles (usually moisture). Heat may also be removed by cooling surfaces immersed in the fluidized layer.

Agglomeration and granulation may be performed in a number of ways depending upon the feed to be processed and the product properties to be achieved.

Fluid bed coating of powders, granules, or tablets involves the spraying of a liquid on the fluidized powder under strictly controlled conditions.