Abstract: A process and apparatus for the transportation and heating of granulated materials, particularly of solid particles of catalyst used for hydrocarbon conversion which must be activated or regenerated. The process comprises moving a bed of catalyst particles on travelling bands or floor plates passing through an elongate chamber and eventually inclined to the axis. The bands are subjected to vibrations imparting to said bed an unidirectional motion, and said bed on said bands being exposed to heating by means of electromagnetic radiations of a wave length range from 0.38 .mu.m to 50 mm.