Abstract: Disclosed is a process for cooling hot exhaust gases. The process gases are supplied to a stationary fluidized bed, which contains cooling elements and is contained in an annular trough. Fluidizing gas is supplied to the stationary fluidized bed through the permeable bottom of the trough. The hot process gas is passed through the central opening in the fluidized bed. Cooled solids flow from the fluidized bed across the inner rim of the trough into the process gas stream and are entrained by said stream into the dust-containing space over the top surface of the fluidized bed. The solids which are separated in the dust-containing space fall back into the annular fluidized bed, and the cooled gas which contains the remaining solids is supplied to a gas cooler, which is provided with cooling surfaces. The gas which leaves the upper portion of the gas cooler is fed to a solids separator and the separated solids are recycled to the stationary fluidized bed.