Abstract

An apparatus for in-process removal of built-up paraffin and the like from the inner surface of oil pipelines and the like has a combustion section and a heat transfer section. The combustion section includes an air heater, a blower for causing air to flow through the heater and through a heat transfer section, and a conduit for recirculating air from the heat transfer section to the combustion section. The heat transfer section includes a heater shell, and, disposed therewithin, a heat transfer tubing coil connected in an oil pipeline, upstream of built-up material to be removed, oil in the pipeline, being caused to flow through the coil. Heated air from the combustion section flows across the coil in the heater shell in a manner for transfer of heat from the air to the coil and to the oil flowing therewithin, whereby the temperature of the oil in the coil is raised to a predetermined temperature to liquify material built-up on the inner surface of the pipeline and the like to flow with the oil.