As an alternative to recovery, hydrocarbon vapors may be destroyed in a flare, combustor or incinerator. For most terminal applications, a device known as a combustor can be successfully used. A combustor is a device that utilizes modified flare technology. A flare is a device that is designed to process hydrocarbon vapors that contain little or no air. Vapor combustors, on the other hand, are designed to safely burn vapor mixtures consisting of hydrocarbons and air. Sometimes this mixture may be within the flammable range of the vapors being destroyed. An incinerator is an enclosed combustion device and has much more sophisticated controls than either the flare or combustor.

Vapor combustors can be configured as an open type, where the flame is elevated and visible; or as an enclosed type, where the flame is generally near grade level and enclosed in an insulated combustion chamber or stack. The equipment provided for each system is similar. The major equipment items included in a combustor system are the stack, anti-burnback burners with an ignition system, assist air blower for smokeless burning, velocity control or staging valve(s), and deflagration arrestor(s).

At most truck loading facilities there are no strict rules associated with the installation of a vapor combustor. Some truck loading terminals have to comply with the local fire codes and in some other locations combustors are not the vapor control technology of choice because of the ever-present flame during operation.

At marine loading facilities, the requirements for operation and safety fall under the U.S. Coast Guard regulations. For marine facilities using combustion as the vapor control device, the U.S.C.G. has implemented regulations more stringent than those at the majority of land-based bulk truck loading facilities.