Safety first and foremost at AOV MOV events
The annual meetings of the AOV (Air Operated Valve) and MOV (Motor operated valve) Users’ Groups were held in early January at the Contemporary Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA. As ever, both events were well attended and proved to be extremely open platforms where engineers and technicians discussed and debated issues around the use of air and motor operated valves in nuclear power plants.
To give you a sense of scale, the AOV/MOV Users’ Group meetings drew a total of around 800 people. That’s a substantial figure, revealing just how much importance is placed on the role of AOVs and MOVs in nuclear power units. It also explains why the organizers have relocated to Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Florida, for the show has simply outgrown the previous venue. The new site offers plenty of space for both a larger exhibition hall, as well as ample seating for all attendees.
The first two days were devoted to MOVs. The initial general session on Monday already set the tone for the rest of the week and included high quality presentation on topics such as the use of expanded ePTFE gasket materials, the results of JOG classification at Point Beach Nuclear Plant and inspection & monitoring of MOV stem nut thread wear. The level of audience participation should also be noted. Attendees do not just passively absorb information, but they really question the presenters in some detail in order to fully understand the points being discussed.
Wednesday morning saw a joint MUG AUG CANUG, and for the rest of the week attention focused on the AOV Users Group. The general sessions continued to be a mine of information, with topics under discussion ranging from valve packing and elastomers training to AOV obsolescence and engineering & design. Asked how the session programme was compiled, the AOV Chairman Tim Scoggins noted: “We have put together a well rounded agenda, with elements of training, operational experiences and more utility-led presentations. This information can be extremely valuable to power plants, both from the safety as well as the cost issue. After all, if we look at the total maintenance bill of a typical nuclear power plant, then some 40% of all money could well be spent on valve-related work.”
“Without doubt, the nuclear industry is continuing to grow,” concluded Karen Miller, the Conference Coordinator. “It has also been pleasing to welcome more foreign exhibitors and visitors to the 2008 AOV/MOV, and I trust we may see even more in 2009.”
You can find a complete retrospect of this sucessful AOV/MOV Joint Conference on Valve World March 2008 edition.
AOV/MOV 2008 Presentations
All the AOV/MOV 2008 presentations are available to AOV/MOV members on line. To set up access, please contact Karen Miller, on: KEMiller@mmciglobal.com