Self-propelled Isotope Crawler for Pipeline Radiography
GammaMat M crawlers permit high quality cost-effective testing that keeps pace with pipeline production fabrication. In today’s pipeline construction work, an exact radiography inspection of circumferential welds is required. To obtain radiographs of sufficiently high resolution, the source material (Ir-192) must be accurately centered inside the circumferential weld. The completely self-contained GammaMat M Pipeline Crawler fully satisfies these requirements. In addition, it provides the advantages of a single shot inspection for each weld, leading to a tremendous increase in the inspection speed.

Fully-integrated Components
The design of the crawler combines all necessary components for drive, control, power supply and radiation shielding of the Ir-192 source, in one integrated unit.

Unparalleled Safety
The source immediately returns to shielding in the event of a battery or electronic failure. In addition, an independent safety circuit ensures that every exposure period is terminated after 20 minutes. Using the maximum Ir-192 source strength, the dose rate at 10 m from the exposed weld is only 0.05 mSv/h. Ten seconds after the exposure command has been given by a radiation pulse from the command isotope – enough time for the operator to leave the safety zone – the exposure is started automatically. During the exposure, which can be pre-selected up to a duration of 1,000 seconds, a visual and audible alarm is activated.

Autonomous, Lightweight and Robust
The GammaMat M Series operates with low power consumption. A pipeline length of approximately 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) can be inspected without recharging the batteries. The crawler is equipped with two sets of batteries facilitating uninterrupted operations by the exchange of the depleted batteries. Optimised shielding design, advanced materials, and high technology electronics result in a lightweight and robust device. The device is capable of climbing a 45% grade.

Regulatory Approvals
The GammaMat SE gamma ray projector using Se-75 has been designed to comply with the latest versions of the national and international safety standards, including ISO 3999:2000.

Specifications:
Isotope
Ir-192 in special form, half-life: 73.827 days

Activity (Maximum)
GammaMat M: 60 Ci (2.2 TBq )

Overall Dimensions
Length: 1.25 m (4.1") Width: 0.14 m (0.46")
Pipeline Diameter: 6" - 18"

Shelding
Depleted Uranium U-235

On the right, GammaMat M Series Pipeline Crawler