Method and cooler for cooling hot particulate material

A cooler for cooling hot material received from a kiln comprising:

• a grate for receiving and supporting the hot material from the kiln;
• at least one cooling gas duct in communication with slots in the grate for introducing cooling gases into the hot material;
• a compressed air system for injecting compressed air into the material on the grate, the compressed air system comprising at least one flow restricting device provided in the at least one cooling gas duct, the at least one flow restricting device sized and configured to substantially prevent the injected compressed air from passing through the at least one cooling gas duct as a consequence of pressure conditions under the grate when the compressed air is injected;
• and
• wherein the at least one cooling gas duct is comprised of a plurality of cooling ducts and wherein the compressed air system is comprised of a compressed air tank storing the compressed air and at least one pipeline for injecting the compressed air into the material on the grate, the at least one pipeline being in communication with the cooling gas ducts.