Stabilized ceramic composition, apparatus and methods of using the same

A stabilized refractory component for use with a pyrolysis reactor, said component comprising;

• (i) at least 20 wt. % of a first grain mode based upon the total weight of said refractory component, said first grain mode including stabilized zirconia having a D50 grain size in the range of from 5 to 2000 μm, said stabilized zirconia including a matrix oxide stabilizer;
• (ii) at least 1 wt. % of a second grain mode having a D50 grain size in the range of from 0.01 μm up to not greater than one-fourth the D50 grain size of said first grain mode, dispersed within said first grain mode, based upon the total weight of said refractory component, wherein said first grain mode comprises partially stabilized zirconia and said second grain mode comprises fully stabilized zirconia;
• and
• (iii) at least 1 wt. % of a preservative component within the aggregate of at least one of (a) said first grain mode, (b) said second grain mode, and (c) an optional another grain mode, based upon the total weight of said refractory component;
• wherein said component has porosity at 20° C. in the range of from 5 to 45 vol %.