Abstract: An apparatus and method of use for effectively purging desiccant air dryers of moisture load by introducing heated purge air into the containment vessel holding the desiccant, directly into those areas of the desiccant bed where the moisture loads are most heavily saturated. The improved heat regenerated desiccant gas dryer utilizes parallel ports for introducing heated air or an internal heat distributor, the former automatically controlled by valves selectively operated to allow purge air to quickly cause water vapor adsorbed by the desiccant to be released and discharged from the vessel, allowing the dryer to be returned to service in the gas drying mode with greater confidence that undesirable dew point spikes have been eliminated. More efficient use of heated purging air enables shorter turn-around times for the dryer and energy savings.