An Eulerian-Lagrangian computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was built to describe two-fluid atomisation in a tapered fluidised bed coater using the air-blast/air-assisted atomiser model. Atomisation was modelled both with and without the inclusion of the solid phase (i.e. gas-liquid and gas-solid-liquid multiphase modelling). In addition, a multi-fluid flow model (Eulerian-Eulerian framework) combined with a population balance model was used as an alternative approach for modelling the spray produced by a two-fluid nozzle. In this approach, the CFD solver couples the population balance equation along with the Navier-Stokes equations for predicting the droplet diameter and mass fraction distribution. Comparison between simulated spray pattern (gas-liquid model) and that experimentally visualised by means of UV illumination was made and a good agreement was obtained. Parametric studies were done in order to investigate the effects of operating conditions on spray cone and liquid mass fraction inside the reactor. Furthermore, comparison of time-averaged fluidised bed behaviour with the inclusion of sprays obtained by both gas-solid-liquid multiphase modelling methods is presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.