Drying is defined as the removal of liquid, usually water, from a material through the application of heat. It is commonly the last stage of a manufacturing process. There are a few key differences between drying and evaporation - drying typically involves removing small amounts of water from solids, while evaporation removes larger amounts of water from liquids. Some common equipment used in drying include drum dryers, spray dryers, tray dryers, fluidized bed dryers, vacuum dryers, and freeze dryers. Drying has several important applications and benefits, such as preserving products, preparing bulk drugs, improving product handling characteristics, and achieving uniform particle size and flow.