Method of protecting a surface in a gasifier

A method of protecting a protectable surface in a gasifier, the protectable surface being a normally exposed surface in the gasifier that is vulnerable to thermal chemical damage, said method comprising,

• a) forming a refractory attachment with a heat exposure surface that is exposed to a heat stream in the gasifier and a securement surface that confronts the protectable surface in the gasifier,
• b) mechanically securing the refractory attachment onto the protectable surface in the gasifier without the refractory attachment penetrating the protectable surface, such mechanical securement being obtained by
• (i) providing latching means on the securement surface of the refractory attachment and at the protectable surface
• (ii) forming the securement surface of the refractory attachment with a shape that is complementary to the shape of the protectable surface, and
• (iii) sizing and shaping the latching means of the securement surface and the protectable surface such that engagement of the latching means of the securement surface and the protectable surface positions the securement surface of the refractory attachment at or against the protectable surface to confront the protectable surface without penetrating the protectable surface.