Abstract: A fluid product dryer and related methods. Implementations of a method for drying particles may include: introducing particles through an inlet into a first fluid bed section; migrating the particles onto a bed deck; injecting a gas towards the particles through openings in the bed deck; migrating some of the particles through a variable-sized gate opening between the bed deck and a riser; migrating a portion of the particles into the riser; propelling the portion of the particles in the riser upwards by an injection of a gas into the riser; directing a first fraction of the portion of the particles out of the first fluid bed section and into a second fluid bed section through an outlet using a deflector feature; and directing a second fraction of the portion of the particles onto a bed deck of the second fluid bed section by interaction with an impingement feature.