Abstract: A pallet construction for an annular cooler forms a gas permeable surface for supporting and transporting material during processing thereof. The pallet construction includes a pallet deck having a series of substantially parallel rows of spaced apart elongated slots. Each of the rows of slots are staggered with respect to the slots in an adjacent row in the series. The slots define apertures through the pallet construction. The pallet construction also includes a support frame supporting the pallet deck and having at least one angular brace oriented at an acute angle with respect to the series of rows of slots.