A mathematical model is developed by introducing a source term and using the coupled mass and energy balances based on the Luikov's system of equations. The source term is due to the surface evaporation of many particles in a solid bed. A numerical scheme based on explicit finite difference method is applied. The prediction of bulk temperature profile and moisture content from the model shows, qualitatively, the same trend as the experimental results found in literature. Additionally, parametric studies are performed to investigate the effect of different parameters such as the porosity, the heat and mass transfer coefficients and the velocity on the overall energy efficiency of the drying process. The present model provides better approximation to an actual drying process, especially in the initial and final periods of drying. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.