The emerging technology of fluidized bed combustion of coal and recognition of the fluidized bed heat exchanger as a heat transfer device with great potential have regenerated interest in the heat transfer process between a gas fluidized bed and immersed tubes with extended surfaces or fins. In the present work, a critical review of the effects of some important fluidization and fin geometry parameters on the bed-to-tube-surface heat transfer is presented. The significant features of finned tube heat transfer are discussed and areas requiring further attention are suggested. © 1987.