System and method for cooling and extraction of heavy ashes with increase in total boiler efficiency

A cooling system for heavy ashes of the type adapted to be used in association with a combustion chamber, in particular for large flows rates of ashes deriving for example from solid fossil fuel in an energy-production unit, which system comprises:

• a transport belt for transporting heavy ashes, adapted to be arranged below the combustion chamber and having a containment casing and a transport surface equipped with openings for transit of cooling air, which transport surface is adapted to receive the ashes produced in the combustion chamber substantially in a form of continuous bed;
• and
• cooling means for cooling the heavy ashes received on said transport surface, which cooling means comprises at least one partitioned region arranged below said transport surface and forced feeding means for a forced feeding of cooling air at said partitioned region,
• wherein said partitioned region is configured so as to limit outflows of air fed therein, and wherein the overall arrangement is such that, in use, the cooling air fed into said partitioned region crosses said openings in said transport surface and the bed of ashes received on the transport surface.