Electric RTO
Very High VOC Elimination Rate
with High Thermal Efficiency
What is Electric RTO
An Electric Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (Electric RTO) is an industrial VOC abatement system that destroys volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through high-temperature oxidation while using electrical resistance heating instead of gas-fired burners.
Like conventional regenerative thermal oxidizers, the system uses ceramic heat recovery beds to achieve very high thermal efficiency. However, in an Electric RTO, the oxidation chamber is heated by electric elements rather than combustion, enabling:
- Elimination of burner-related NOx emissions
- Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
- Compatibility with renewable electricity for near-zero operational carbon footprint
Electric RTO systems are designed for industrial air pollution control and are widely used in sectors requiring high VOC destruction efficiency with strict environmental compliance requirements.
Electric RTO may also be referred to as:
- Electric regenerative thermal oxidizer
- Electrically-heated RTO
- Electrified RTO system
- Flameless RTO (electric heating)
- NOx-free thermal oxidizer
- Electric VOC abatement system
- Electrified air pollution control system for VOCs
From burner-powered to electric-powered.
Due to the current world situation, energy transition and taking into account the European Union objectives, recently there has been a shift in the demand of how companies want to heat up the oxidation chambers of their Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) systems for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions removal at their production plants.
The trend has gone from burner-powered to electric-powered or to other forms of power, therefore flameless, and therefore without any NOX emissions derived from the burner, for a greener output.
Tecam’s custom-made design
At Tecam, Electric RTO systems are custom-engineered solutions designed for industrial VOC abatement where electrification, emissions reduction, and process efficiency are key requirements.
Tecam provides:
- Tailor-made system design based on process data and VOC load
- Integration of electric heating systems into regenerative oxidation chambers
- Advanced control logic using PLC and thyristor modulation
- Engineering support from concept design to commissioning
- Adaptation to complex industrial layouts and constraints
Each Electric RTO is designed to ensure high destruction efficiency, operational stability, and long-term reliability.
How Electric RTO technology works
RTO equipment usually works with burners that use gas or fuel to heat up the oxidation chamber during start-up so that oxidation of VOCs can take place.
In the case of flameless RTOs, there is no burner and therefore no flame and no NOX emissions generated. The oxidation chamber gets heated up via some electrical resistances placed inside.
- During start-up -> the electric resistances will work at 100 % to be able to heat the RTO oxidation chamber up to the required temperature (eg. 850 ºC, 1100 ºC).
- During operation -> the consumption of electricity will depend on the VOC concentration at the inlet and its calorific value. If the concentration is above the autothermal point, resistances will turn off. Otherwise, if the concentration is lower than this point, the thyristors will modulate the resistances power to maintain the oxidation chamber temperature at the required temperature (eg. 850 ºC, 1100 ºC) to guarantee the oxidation of VOCs.
The advantages of Tecam Electric RTO equipment
- Very High VOC elimination.
- High thermal efficiency.
- Once it reaches operating temperature, the system runs on auto thermal mode, with zero electricity consumption.
- No flame and therefore no NOx associated to combustion.
- Reduction of CO2 emissions, zero if renewable energy is used.
- Equal features and performance as Tecam conventional RTOs.
- Less noise around the equipment, due to the lack of a burner fan.
- Easier to do the installation and commissioning.
- Low operating costs.
- Simple and robust design.
- Almost no maintenance required.
Contact us
The ideal solution for eliminating VOC emissions, suitable for all industries
Electric RTO technology is suitable for all kinds of solvent concentrations, from low to medium and high, as well as indicated for installation in sectors and applications such as chemical, coating, flexoprinting, odour control, etc.
Specialists in the sectors that are most sensitive to environmental impacts
We drive sustainable productivity and innovation for industries with more extensive and more complex needs.
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