NOVELTY - A quench ring (36) in combination with a gasifier having a refractory lined reaction chamber (12) with a bottom outlet (27) and a floor (46) to support (12), for carrying a supply of cooling water comprises a protective thermal resistant barrier mounted contiguous to (36) and abutted to (27). (36) is removably mounted beneath (46).    USE - As a quench ring for a gasifier having a refractory lined reaction chamber (claimed) e.g. for the production of synthesis gas.    ADVANTAGE - The protective thermal resistant barrier that is present radially inwardly of the quench ring and comprises dense refractory materials and refractory ceramic fibers provides improved protection to the ring by insulating and physically protecting from the strains and stresses from the temperatures of the hot effluent synthesis gas and slag exiting from the reaction chamber floor. The protective thermal resistant barrier segregates the constricted throat of the gasifier from the quench ring, and avoids rapid cooling of the molten slag by the cooling water in the quench ring and subsequent hardening and freezing in the constricted throat, and the slag remains molten until it contacts the water on the inner surface of the dip tube or in the water bath. The refractive barrier is removable. The removability of the refractory barrier combined with the improved protective ability against the damage to the metal surface of the quench ring during gasifier operations, further overcomes the inability to repair quench ring while the gasifier is hot, as associated with the prior art. The quench ring has a rounded toroidal annular surface rather than sharp edges, which promotes even cooling of the quench ring and does not increase the thermal stresses normally found in the quench rings having sharp edges/angled surfaces intersections.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows an enlarged segmentary view of the quench ring area.    quench ring (36)    bottom outlet of the reaction chamber (27)    reaction chamber (12)    floor (46)    dense refractory brick (49)    dense ramming mix (73)    refractory ceramic fiber. (53)