This volume deals with the pre-combustion treatment of the fossil fuels which fire the boilers and the control of the feed and boiler water which constitute the working fluid. The control of cooling water quality and the techniques of plant cleaning, both before commissioning and during overhauls, are also covered in this work within the chemistry section. In the metallurgy section, topics dealt with include defect analysis and life assessment, materials behaviour and life assessment, materials behaviour and selection welding processes, non-destructive testing and environmental effects. This volume is complementary to Volumes B and C, Boilers and Ancillary Plant and Turbines, Generators and Associated Plant.