History of Trecan

In North America, Submerged Combustion Technology was first developed by EXXON Research and Engineering Company in the early 1950’s when they designed and built the first 25 ton per hour in ground stationary Snowmelter. Snow was loaded into a water filled pit or melting tank incorporating a burner system. The burner fired downward through a tube, which is immersed in the water. Hot combustion products from the burner then mix with the water and travel up through a weir tube together. At the top, the cooled gases escape to atmosphere and the warm water is sprayed over the snow to promote further melting. This process results in excellent mixing and agitation and produces thermal efficiencies of 98%. This technology was then licensed to Thermal Research Engineering Canada to manufacture and market the unit in the early 1960’s. Trecan Limited was established in 1962, by the late William “Bill” Lombard, as the Canadian subsidiary of Thermal Research, USA. At the time Trecan designed and manufactured Liquid Process Gas and propane fired Snowmelters.

In 1986, controlling interest was purchased by MBB Mechanical Services. In 1993 MBB merged with Trecan to form MBB-Trecan. In 1996 MBB-Trecan was sold to Mr. David Burnett one of the original three owners of MBB-Trecan and renamed Trecan Combustion Limited. That same year Mr. Burnett purchased a large commercial property just outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. New buildings were erected and the company has continued designing and manufacturing Portable diesel fired and Stationary Natural Gas fired Snowmelters that are sold throughout North America and Russia.