Houston Area

Houston’s Local Expert for RTO & Thermal Oxidizer Troubleshooting & Repair

At PolSys Services, Houston is home.

Headquartered in The Woodlands, we were the first company in Texas to specialize in technical services for all makes and models of thermal oxidizers, RTOs, and other types of air pollution control systems, as well as gas-fired burners. Our Houston-area headquarters allows us to provide the fastest response times and most competitive rates compared to other oxidizer service companies.

If your thermal oxidizer or regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) goes down, production must stop, and emissions compliance may be at risk. Our Houston-based service team provides responsive, effective thermal oxidizer repair, troubleshooting, and maintenance across the Greater Houston industrial corridor.

We support all major oxidizer types:

• Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers (RTOs)
• Recuperative Thermal Oxidizers
• Direct-Fired Thermal Oxidizers
• Catalytic Oxidizers
• Zeolite Concentrator + RTO Systems

Why Houston Facilities Choose Us for Oxidizer Service

1. Local Houston Technicians
   From emergency repairs to complete system rebuilds, our technicians help facilities restore production uptime quickly. They are based in the Houston area, allowing for faster response than companies mobilizing crews from other states. Furthermore, our technicians know how Houston’s heat, humidity, and sudden weather shifts can impact performance, and can quickly recommend the best ways to keep your systems at peak performance in humid, corrosive conditions. With unmatched local expertise and the fastest response times in the area, PolSys remains Houston’s trusted partner for industrial service and support.
2. All OEMs Supported
   We service all makes and models of thermal oxidizer, RTOs & Concentrators from any manufacturer, including Air Clear, Anguil Environmental, Catalytic Products (CPI), CECO, CMM, Durr, Epcon, Munters, Pollution Systems, Ship & Shore Environmental, TANN, and Zeeco.
3. Complete Emissions System Expertise
   We support your entire “emissions system,” including burners/gas trains, fans, ductwork, and PLC control systems.
4. Site-Specific Maintenance Agreements
   We are the only provider in the Houston area to offer Rapid Response Service Agreements, designed around your facility’s compliance requirements, downtime tolerance, and other key factors.

Complete Houston-Area Coverage

• Baytown
• Channelview
• Deer Park
• Freeport
• Katy
• La Porte
• Pasadena
• Sugar Land
• Texas City
• The Woodlands

24/7 Thermal Oxidizer Repair – Houston

Thermal oxidizers operate under extreme conditions, often exceeding 1400-1800°F combustion temperatures, which makes routine inspection and rapid repair critical to maintaining safe operation and VOC destruction efficiency. Our Houston-based field technicians provide 24/7 emergency oxidizer service, including:

• Thermal oxidizer & RTO (Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer) shutdown diagnostics
• RTO valve failure troubleshooting
• Burner and flame management repair
• PLC and control system faults
• Damper and actuator failures
• Combustion chamber damage
• Media plugging and pressure drop issues

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) Service Specializations – Houston

Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers are widely used in petrochemical, chemical processing, and manufacturing facilities because they provide high thermal efficiency while destroying VOC emissions. However, these oxidizer systems must be properly and consistently inspected and serviced to continue operating efficiently and effectively (How an RTO works). Our Houston-based service team specializes in:

RTO Troubleshooting, including:

• Switching valve failures
• Pressure drop problems
• Poor or inadequate VOC destruction efficiency (DRE)
• High combustion chamber temperature
• Fan or airflow problems
• Poor ceramic media performance
• Control system errors and issues

RTO Mechanical Repairs, including:

• Ceramic media repairs & replacement (turnkey media changes)
• Valve rebuilds
• Cold face repairs
• Expansion joint repair
• Ductwork repair

RTO Controls and Automation

• PLC troubleshooting
• VFD failures
• Control system upgrades
• Burner management system issues
• Safety interlock testing

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How quickly can you respond to oxidizer failures in Houston?
   Our technicians can typically respond same or next-day for emergency service, depending on location and site requirements.
2. Can you repair oxidizers from other manufacturers?
   Yes. Our technicians work on all makes and models of thermal oxidizers and RTO systems.
3. Do you offer maintenance agreements?
   Yes. We provide annual inspections, safety testing, and site-specific service agreements designed to prevent shutdowns and reduce downtime.
4. What are the most common regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) problems you address?
   Typical failures include ceramic media plugging, RTO overheating, burner faults, switching valve malfunctions, and control system errors.
5. How often should an RTO be inspected?
   We recommend a thorough (internal & external) system inspection at least once a year, as well as a semi-annual external inspection in some cases. Additionally, burner flames & temperatures should be checked daily, sensors and valves at least monthly, and ceramic media and fan operation at least quarterly.
6. How long does RTO ceramic media last? How do you clean or replace it?
   Media lifespan varies greatly and depends on many factors. It can last 10-20 years, or just a few depending on contamination. Cleaning methods include vacuuming, washing, compressed air, or bake-outs. A turnkey media replacement may eventually be required.
7. What are some common symptoms of an improperly operating oxidizer which may cause lack of compliance with an air permit?
   Common symptoms include oxidizer shutdown alarms, excessive fuel consumption, high pressure drop, low destruction efficiency, and combustion instability. Our field engineers identify root causes behind these symptoms.

What Sets Our Services Apart in Houston?

Our field technicians work on all makes and models of emissions equipment and industrial controls (not just a specific manufacturer’s) and offer unbiased, customized recommendations. As an independent service company (not an Original Equipment Manufacturer, or “OEM”) headquartered in Houston, we provide:

• Customized, Flexible Service
• The Fastest Response Times
• Unbiased Recommendations
• Cost-Effective, Long-Lasting Solutions
• Comprehensive Solutions tailored to your specific system, facility, and the Houston climate