A burner nozzle assembly (20) for the production of synthesis gas in a synthesis gas generation chamber (16) has a cooling water jacket (60) face that is protected from hot gas corrosion by an annular shield (76) fabricated from a high melting point material. The heat shield is affixed to the cooling water jacket face by means of a threaded retaining member (74) that engages in one of the surfaces an aligned channel (100) having correspondingly mating threads.
