Cooler for cooling clinker and method for operating a cooler for cooling clinker

A cooler for cooling clinker, the cooler comprising:

• an aeration grate for conveying the clinker in a conveying direction;
• a ventilator for generating a cooling air flow that passes the aeration grate as a cross flow;
• a first measuring plane disposed above the aeration grate, the first measuring plane having a first plurality of temperature measuring installations disposed within the first measuring plane for ascertaining a temperature distribution in the first measuring plane and a second measuring plane parallel to and disposed above the first measuring plane that includes a second plurality of temperature measuring installations disposed within the second measuring plane for simultaneous temperature measurement, wherein each temperature measuring installation of the first and second pluralities of temperature measuring installations includes a respective transmitter and a respective receiver;
• and
• a control installation to control at least one of a conveying rate of the clinker and a flow rate of the cooling air flow as a function of the temperature distribution.