A quasi-steady state shell and shrinking core approach which recognizes heat and mass transfer resistances in both the gas and particle phases for drying of a porous particle is proposed. A mean field model (constant properties) using this approach was embedded in a spreadsheet combined with a genetic algorithm for parameter identification to provide an easy means of characterizing the drying process from drying data. In drying, assuming a mean field, four major parameters are typically unknown: two related to the process (heat and mass transfer coefficients) and two which incorporate porous particle properties (shell thermal conductivity and vapour diffusivity). It is shown how these four parameters may be determined from experimental drying data. The model was applied to data for spouted bed drying of rice. For the particular case studied, external heat transfer was found to be the controlling mode, although resistance to moisture diffusion within the particle is important. The approach presented admits of future refinements to improve its scope and utility.