Patent ID: 8151716

Claim:
An apparatus for protecting a gas injector that is at least partially positioned within a gasifier, said apparatus comprising: a mounting flange coupled to a top end of the gasifier, said mounting flange comprising a coolant port coupled in flow communication with a coolant source; a hollow tube extending outwardly from said mounting flange into a combustion zone defined in the gasifier, said hollow tube extending between a first end and a second end and circumscribing the gas injector such that a cavity is defined between said hollow tube and the gas injector, said first end coupled to said mounting flange such that said coolant port is in flow communication with said cavity, said hollow tube including a plurality of ports positioned at said tube first end, said ports extending through said tube and coupling said cavity in flow communication with the gasifier combustion zone; and a protective dome coupled to said tube second end, said protective dome defining a first opening sized to receive a portion of the gas injector therein, said first opening coupling said cavity in flow communication with the gasifier combustion zone.