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 shield material is formed into two ceramic rings that face or cover the nozzle water jacket face. A circular joint between the outer perimeter of an interior shield annulus is stepped to provide a protective lap with the interior perimeter of an exterior shield annulus. The interior ceramic ring is secured in place around the burner nozzle orifice by external lugs projecting radially from the nozzle extruder lip. A second set of external lugs is provided around the outer perimeter of the water jacket face. Internal sectors within a perimeter cuff bracket secure the outer ceramic ring to the water jacket face.