Opening address

The papers for this Conference cover a wide

range of topics, and reflect the increasing

understanding of the subject and its importance.

The behaviour and control of boilers affect the

overall reactor plant performance directly. And

here I am using the word 'performance' in its

broadest sense - namely, how well it works. The

boiler which does not have tube failures induced

by spurious transients, or which does not come

out of service due to a faulty control system,

is the successful one.

We have all become more aware of the importance of availability in achieving good overall economics in plant operation. It is generally true that the plant which has a good availability will usually compete strongly with one which is perhaps nominally more efficient but less reliable .