A thermal process for drying fine coal. An example of this type is the Conreur dryer. Coal entering the top of the drying tower is carried down by a series of rollers, being permeated by an ascending stream of hot air. Fixed baffles direct the air to facilitate mingling. The very finest particles may have to be recovered by dry filters or wet scrubbers. The dryer treats coal with a top size ranging from 1/4 to 2 in (0.64 to 5.08 cm).