Abstract: A gasifier for converting a carbonaceous feedstock to produce syngas comprising a cone section and a throat section; wherein the throat section comprises a throat refractory material having an inside surface and a substantially cylindrical cooling element having an inner face and an outer face in a radial direction, and a top face and a bottom face in the vertical direction, wherein the inner, outer, top, and bottom faces define a cooling cavity; and wherein the cooling element is in thermal contact with the throat refractory material on the inner face, the top face, and the outer face.