Abstract: The water jacket face of a burner nozzle for a synthesis gas generator is protected from hot gas corrosion by an annular heat shield of high temperature melting point material. The heat shield element is secured to the water jacket face by means of six, for example, radially aligned bayonet mounts. Along each of the radial mounting lines, a pair of radially aligned posts project from the water jacket face. Blind sockets in the heat shield back side surface are aligned to receive the posts therein. Radial bayonet channels between the heat shield face side and backside surfaces connect the inner outer heat shield perimeters through the posts and post sockets. Bayonet wires through the bayonet channels secure the heat shield position relative to the water jacket face.