Refractory wall and method for fabricating the same

1. A method of fabricating a vessel refractory wall, said method comprising:

coupling a plurality of wall bricks together to form a wall, wherein the plurality of wall bricks defining an inner surface of the wall; and

coupling at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks to form a sensor port that has an opening that extends through the wall, wherein at least a portion of the at least one port brick is positioned a distance radially inward from the inner surface of the wall, wherein the at least one port brick forms a top ridge of the sensor port, and wherein at least one cooling passage extends through the opening of the sensor port.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein coupling at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks further comprises coupling the at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks to define a substantially rectangular radial cross-sectional shape for the sensor port.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein coupling at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks further comprises coupling the at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks to define a substantially tapered radial cross-sectional shape for the sensor port.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein coupling at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks further comprises coupling the at least one port, brick to the plurality of wall bricks to define a stepped radial cross-sectional shape for the sensor port.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein coupling at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks further comprises coupling the at least one port brick to the plurality of wall bricks to define a recessed rectangular radial cross-sectional shape for the sensor port.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising inserting a sensor into the opening of the sensor port.

7. A refractory wall comprising:

a plurality of wall bricks coupled together to define an inner surface of said refractory wall; and

a sensor port formed from at least one port brick coupled to said plurality of wall bricks, said sensor port comprising:

an outer wall defining a radial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port and defining a top ridge of said sensor port;

an inner wall defining an opening extending through said sensor port;

an end wall extending between said outer wall and said inner wall, said end wall positioned radially inward a distance from said inner surface; and

at least one cooling passage coupled in flow communication with a coolant source.

8. A refractory wall in accordance with claim 7 wherein said at least one port brick is mortared to at least one wall brick.

9. A refractory wall in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer wall is oriented substantially perpendicularly to said inner surface.

10. A refractory wall in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer wall is oriented at an acute angle with respect to said inner surface.

11. A refractory wall in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer wall defines a channel adjacent to said inner surface.

12. A refractory wall in accordance with claim 7 wherein said end wall comprises a recess defined therein.

13. A refractory wall in accordance with claim 7 further comprising at least one sensor inserted within said opening of said sensor port.

14. A vessel comprising:

a shell;

a refractory wall coupled within said shell, said refractory wall defining an inner surface of said vessel;

a sensor port formed from at least one port brick coupled to said refractory wall, said sensor port comprising:

an outer wall defining a radial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port and defining a top ridge of said sensor port;

an inner wall defining an opening extending through said sensor port; and

an end wall extending between said outer wall and said inner wall, said end wall positioned radially inward a distance from said inner surface; and

a coolant source coupled in flow communication with said sensor port for supplying a coolant to said sensor port.

15. A vessel in accordance with claim 14 wherein said outer wall defines at least one of a rectangular radial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port, a tapered radial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port, a stepped radial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port, and a recessed radial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port.

16. A vessel in accordance with claim 14 further comprising a sensor system comprising at least one sensor coupled to a control and acquisition system, said at least one sensor inserted within said opening of said sensor port.

17. A vessel in accordance with claim 14 wherein said outer wall defines one of a square axial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port, a polygonal axial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port, and a tear-drop axial cross-sectional shape of said sensor port.