Pipeline Inspection Services : Pipeline Crawlers : Pipeline Radiography
Internal Pipeline Crawlers
The X-Ray Crawler is similar to conventional radiography. For x-ray pipeline inspections, an x-ray source tube on a crawler device is run inside the pipe to each weld. Film is wrapped around the welds and the source tube is excited. The film is then developed in a mobile dark-room on location. The technique is quick and can inspect on average X-Ray Crawler150 welds per day. The advantages of x-ray crawlers are their speed and the short exposure time. The film is also crisper and much less grainy when compared to conventional radiography using Iridium type sources.
CCI offers three different models of internal pipeline crawlers to suit different sizes of pipelines. The 6" Pipeline Crawler is suitable on pipelines with internal diameters from 5.5" to 16". The 10" Pipeline Crawler is suitable on pipelines from 10" to 60" in diameter. The 24" Pipeline Crawler can be utilized on pipelines from 24" to 72" in diameter.
Pipeline crawlers designed and manufactured by JME Ltd. follow the concept of modular construction to provide safe, efficient, and cost effective field units, easy to operate and maintain.
Modules are quickly and easily interchanged. All pipeline crawlers are constructed using the highest grade materials to provide good finish, easy servicing, and extended service life. Electronics utilize military specification components, thus ensuring reliability in the harsh environments encountered in service.
The pipeline crawlers are adjustable throughout their recommended size range by means of wheel spacers specifically designed for use with each pipeline crawler type.
X-ray crawlers substantially speed up the process of inspecting welds using conventional films. A remotely controlled crawler carrying an electronic source tube is inserted inside the piping, and film is wrapped around the welds. The operator positions the crawler at each weld, exposes the film, and moves the crawler to the next weld. X-ray crawlers produce a higher-quality image compared to gamma rays used in traditional radiography and require a smaller barricaded area and a shorter shot time.