Abstract: An improved support ring is disclosed for a polymer resin pellet dryer screen of the type which includes cylindrical screen sections interconnected by two semicircular bands forming a support ring or connecting band. The support ring is positioned in spaced relation to an exterior housing by brackets, and the screen encloses a driven bladed rotor for removing water from a slurry of water and pellets. The improved support ring comprises a two piece annular ring including a generally perpendicular, rigid flange attached to the exterior of a semicircular band pair. The flange rigidities the bands of the ring and supports the adjacent ends of the screen sections from the external housing to maintain the screen in cylindrical configuration and in concentric relation to the bladed rotor rotatably positioned within the screen.