non of barometric pumping, which causes condensation of moisture in ship-holds. The study also confirmed the thermal coupling between wood pellets and ocean water temperature. From 2007 to 2010, Melin co-operated with the Swedish Research Institute on developing guidelines for extinguishing fires in storage silos. Together they developed procedures for using nitrogen for fire fighting. During the period of 2009 to 2011, Melin participated in the WorleyParsons engineering team responsible for inves-tigating the conversion of Ontario Power Generation power plants from coal to biomass. Ultimately two plants – Atikokan and Thunder Bay – were converted to using wood pellet fuel. In 2013, Melin conducted the study, “Considerations for Grading Agricultural Residue,” for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. The report describes pre-treatment options such as weathering, washing, torrefaction, steam-treatment and hydrothermal carbonization to maximize commercial value, including quality certification schemes. In 2017 to 2018 Melin undertook a study to explore if wood pellets comply with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for phytosanitary certification. His study evaluated the performance of high-temperature (rotary drum) and low-temperature (belt) dryers and found that Canadian wood pellets are sterile. However, feedstock materials are heavily contaminated with mold, yeast and bacteria. This study is used today as evidence when responding to foreign customer and govern-ment inquiries regarding the phytosanitary nature of Canadi-an wood pellets. Over his career, Melin has authored or co-authored more than 80 scientific papers, reports and books on biomass pro-cessing, safety, logistics, and international trade. Melin has had a remarkable career. During the mid-1990s when the Canadian wood pellet industry was struggling to survive, Melin’s pioneering of the trans-Atlantic pellet trade transformed the industry. Not only was Melin a visionary entrepreneur, he also dis-tinguished himself as a leading scientific expert on all aspects of wood pellets. We wish him all the best in a well-deserved retirement. • Gordon Murray is the executive director of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. For the latest news, equipment and project profile features, plus videos, webinars and more, visit www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca Canadian BIOMASS 11
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