Abstract: A process tapping point clearing apparatus (10) has a ram housing a piston (25) in a cylinder (12). A piston shaft (22) has a threaded first end (30) threadingly engaged with the piston. A second end of the shaft retains a clearing head extending from the cylinder, the clearing head adapted to pass through a process tapping point for removing scaling and/or debris material therefrom. The threaded first end of the shaft has an outer thread (36) diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the adjacent intermediate portion of the shaft. The piston can have a threaded aperture (44) to receive an release tool (45) to retract the piston and tapping point clearing toll (34) if stuck in an extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing a process tapping point including a clearing head 3 adapted to pass through the process tapping point to remove scale and/or debris material therefrom, actuation means 7 for driving the clearing head in a reciprocal motion through said process tapping point; and wherein the clearing head 3 includes a flow path through which purge fluid can pass.