Abstract: This invention provides a system for removing surface moisture from granulated coal or other materials in particulate form, the system comprising a dryer, wherein the dryer has: an in-feed (1) for material particles; an in-feed (3) for entrainment gas (suitably air) to provide dilute phase gas entrainment of the particles; and turbulence—inducing means (5) configured to subject the flow of gas—entrained particles to turbulence to strip water from the surface of the entrained particles.