A quench ring assembly for a high-temperature vessel includes a main structural sub-assembly coupled to at least one lower wall tube. The quench ring assembly also includes a flow control sub-assembly coupled to the main structural sub-assembly and extending circumferentially therethrough. The quench ring assembly further includes a wear sub-assembly removably coupled to the main structural sub-assembly. The wear sub-assembly includes a heat shield canopy extending over the flow control sub-assembly.