The present invention is an apparatus and process for cooling and
de-steaming hot calcined stucco used in the production of gypsum boards
or bagged plaster. The apparatus is a fluid bed stucco cooler and
comprises a cooler housing having a plenum having a stucco inlet and
stucco outlet. The stucco cooler includes a rotating disk in the plenum.
The rotating disk includes nozzle for spraying fluid, and is attached to
a rotable shaft extending from the side of the cooler also includes a
fluidization pad and agitator to help to mix the air and the stucco
powder to insure fluidization, prevent channeling, and prevent the stucco
powder from building up on the various components. The air also forces
steam from the hot calcined stucco out through an air outlet located at
the top of the stucco cooler, thereby de-steaming the stucco. The stucco
flows through the plenum and passes over the cooling coils, thereby
cooling the stucco as it reaches the stucco outlet.