TOMSK. Sept 14 (Interfax) - Gazprom has signed a contract with Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) to develop a Russian X-ray crawler prototype to detect pipeline faults.

According to information posted on the Russian Public Procurement System website, the prototype should be ready in 2019. The contract is worth 51.7 million rubles (about $800,000).

The equipment monitors the quality of connection welds and base metal in field pipelines and trunk gas pipelines with diameters from 720 to 1420 mm and up to 32 mm thick.

The crawler will consist of an X-ray generator and an innovative radiation receiver with a frame to be positioned on the pipe, instead of an X-ray sensitive film.

"The unique X-ray generator and the special design of the radiation converter will speed up shadow imaging of the welded joint and reduce the expenses of radiographic testing," according to the documentation.

In contrast to existing Russian X-ray tube generators, the new panoramic generator will employ an original high voltage formation scheme, which will increase the product