A method is described for quenching coke coming from the distillation of coal and having a temperature higher than or equal to 900 DEG C, comprising the steps of a) lowering the temperature of said coke to about 700-300 DEG C by heat exchange with a fluid through walls of a thermally conductive material interposed between coke and fluid, b) feeding a continuous flow of said coke at about 700-300 DEG C into a turbo- cooler (T), comprising a cylindrical tubular body (18), closed at opposite ends by respective end plates (19,20), provided with an optional cooling jacket (21) for the inner wall thereof, at least one inlet opening (9) for the coke, at least one inlet opening (10, 15, 16) for water, at least one discharge opening (11, 12) and a rotor, rotatably supported in the cylindrical tubular body (5) and comprising a shaft (13) provided with elements (14) projecting radially from said shaft, adapted for the handling and advancement of the coke; c) feeding a continuous flow of water at a temperature less than or equal to 100 DEG C into the turbo-cooler (T), through said at least one inlet opening (10, 15, 16) and subjecting said flow of coke and water to the action of the rotor, which advances the coke towards said at least one discharge opening (11); d) continuously discharging from said at least one discharge opening (11, 12) a flow of coke at a temperature lower than or equal to 200 DEG C, and a flow of water vapor.