What Is a Vapor Combustor and How Does It Work?

A vapor combustor burns waste hydrocarbon vapor inside a tall, insulated enclosure instead of at an open flare tip. Vapor is routed to a burner at the base, mixed with combustion air, and ignited by an automated pilot. The enclosure holds the heat so the unit reaches the high temperature needed to destroy volatile organic compounds.

Because the flame burns inside the stack, there is no visible flame and radiation and noise stay low, which matters near communities, terminals, and roads.

The enclosure also gives the steady, high-temperature residence time that pushes destruction efficiency to 98% to 99.9%, well above what an open flare typically delivers.

Tell us your gas composition and flow and we will confirm the burner and stack size you need.

VCU vs Flare vs Thermal Oxidizer: When to Choose a Combustor

The three ways to destroy waste vapor trade off cost, performance, and visibility. An open flare is the lowest-cost option, but the flame is visible and destruction efficiency is lower. A thermal oxidizer delivers the highest, most tightly controlled destruction, at higher capital and operating cost. A vapor combustor sits in between: an enclosed flame with no visible burning and destruction efficiency up to 99.9%, at a lower cost than a full thermal oxidizer.

Choose a combustor when you need a non-visible flame, high VOC destruction for OOOO compliance, and operation at remote or unmanned sites, including locations with no grid power.

If you are weighing a combustor against a flare or a vapor recovery unit, send us your goals and we will help you choose.

Selection Guide

Combustor Datasheet Downloads

Name

HERO COMBUSTOR FEATURES

  • Ten (10) 3rd Party Tested & EPA Certified Units
  • All Units are OOOOb/c Compliant
  • Automated Controls for Safe & Reliable Operation
  • 98% Or Greater Destruction Efficiency (DRE)
  • Pilot Accessible Outside Of Unit For Ease Of Maintenance

BURNER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

  • 120VAC or Battery Solar Powered Systems Available
  • LED Screen Readout For Status Indication
  • High Temperature Monitoring / Shutdown
  • Flame Arrestor Flashback Monitoring With Fail Close Safety Valve – Optional
  • Automated Pilot Ignition Systems With Continuous Monitoring

OPTIONAL ITEMS

  • Stack Exit Bird Screen
  • Start-Up & Commissioning Assistance
  • Flashback Monitoring System
  • Flame or Detonation Arrestors
  • Pre-Cast Concrete Base With Anchors
  • Liquid Knockout With Automated Liquid Level Controls

APPLICATIONS SERVED

  • Tank Batteries
  • Loading Terminals
  • Compressor Stations
  • Biogas
  • Mining
  • Fabrication

EPA Compliance: OOOOa/b/c and EPA-Certified

Compliance is the whole reason most sites install a combustor, so Hero builds it in. Ten of our standard combustor models are third-party tested and EPA-certified, and the full line is OOOOa/b/c compliant, so your unit meets the current new-source rules from the day it ships.

Each unit reliably achieves 98% or greater VOC destruction efficiency, with selected models rated up to 99.9%, and the automated burner management system supports safe, continuous operation. The selection guide above shows the EPA-certified or compliant status of every model.

We can provide certification and performance documentation for your permitting package. For more on the rules, see our OOOOb/c overview, then contact us for the records you need.

Need an EPA-Certified Combustor Sized for Your Site?

Hero has ten EPA-certified, OOOOa/b/c-compliant models from 24 to 700 MSCFD, plus custom-engineered units. Send your vapor stream and flow and we will recommend the right combustor.

Related Systems and Resources

A vapor combustor is one of several ways to control vapors and emissions. Explore related Hero systems below, or browse all products.

Flare Systems

Open and smokeless flares for higher flows and emergency relief.

View Flares →

Thermal Oxidizers

Highest, most controlled VOC destruction for demanding duty.

View Thermal Oxidizers →

Vapor Recovery

Capture and reuse tank vapors instead of destroying them.

View Vapor Recovery →

BTEX Control Systems

Control BTEX emissions from glycol dehydration units.

View BTEX Systems →

Liquid Knockout Systems

Remove liquids upstream to protect the combustor.

View Knockout Systems →

Ignition Systems

Pilots, igniters, and controls for combustion equipment.

View Ignition Systems →

Browse All Products →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an enclosed vapor combustor unit (VCU) for my oil and gas site?

You likely need a VCU if your site produces hydrocarbon vapors that must be destroyed to meet EPA air quality standards and you require a non-visible flame or lack onsite electricity for blower-driven flare systems. Enclosed vapor combustors are commonly used at tank batteries, loading terminals, compressor stations, biogas facilities, and mining operations. Hero Process Solutions offers ten EPA-certified models that are fully OOOOa/b/c compliant, so compliance is built in from day one. Request a quote at heroprocesssolutions.com/contact or call (918) 941-2166 to discuss your application.

What types and sizes of enclosed combustor units does Hero Process Solutions offer?

Hero Process Solutions manufactures twelve standard VCU models ranging from compact 18-inch by 20-foot units handling 24 MSCFD up to large 84-inch by 35-foot units rated for 700 MSCFD at 1,000 Btu/scf gas. All units feature EPA-certified or EPA-compliant ratings with third-party tested performance. For applications that fall outside standard specifications, Hero also designs custom-engineered combustor units with features like automated damper controls, blower-assisted combustion air, and automated temperature regulation tailored to your exact process requirements.

How much does a vapor combustor unit cost and what is included?

VCU pricing varies based on unit size, gas flow capacity, and whether you need standard or custom-engineered features. Hero Process Solutions standard combustor packages include EPA-certified burner assemblies, fully automated controls with LED status readouts, automated pilot ignition with continuous monitoring, and high-temperature safety shutdowns. Optional add-ons include flame or detonation arrestors, liquid knockout systems, pre-cast concrete bases, and start-up commissioning assistance. Every unit is engineered to achieve 98% or greater VOC destruction efficiency right out of the box.

How long does it take to get a vapor combustor unit delivered and installed?

Lead times for Hero Process Solutions enclosed combustor units depend on the model selected and whether the unit is a standard configuration or a custom-engineered design. Standard EPA-certified models are typically available with shorter lead times since they follow proven designs already tested and certified. Custom units may require additional engineering and fabrication time. Hero has engineers on standby to help you size and select the right unit quickly so your project stays on schedule. Request a quote today at heroprocesssolutions.com/contact or call (918) 941-2166 to get a timeline for your specific application.

What destruction efficiency do Hero combustor units achieve and how are they tested?

Hero Process Solutions combustor units reliably achieve Volatile Organic Compound destruction and removal efficiencies of 98% to 99.9%. This performance is validated through independent third-party testing, and ten of Hero’s models carry full EPA certification. All units are OOOOa/b/c compliant and feature automated burner management systems with continuous pilot monitoring, high-temperature shutdown capability, and LED status readouts to ensure safe and reliable operation at all times across changing process conditions.

Can an enclosed combustor unit run on solar or battery power in remote locations without grid electricity?

Yes. Hero Process Solutions offers burner management systems powered by 120VAC or battery and solar powered configurations specifically designed for remote well sites, tank batteries, and field locations where grid electricity is not available. This makes enclosed combustors an ideal alternative to traditional flare systems that rely on electric blowers for smokeless performance. The solar and battery option provides fully automated operation including pilot ignition and continuous flame monitoring without any external power connection. Request a quote at heroprocesssolutions.com/contact to discuss off-grid options for your site.

Contact us

We have engineers on standby to assist with any questions or to support you with any upcoming projects. Contact us today!