A system includes a gasifier. The gasifier includes a reaction chamber configured to convert a feedstock into a synthetic gas, a quench chamber configured to cool the synthetic gas, and a transition section between the reaction chamber and the quench chamber. The gasifier also includes a quench ring configured to provide a first flow of a coolant to the quench chamber and a shielding gas system configured to provide a second flow of a shielding gas to protect at least one of the quench ring or the transition section.