St. Petersburg Engineers Build Robot to Repair Pipeline Welds

Inventors from St. Petersburg have developed a robot designed to protect welded joints inside major pipelines. The project became a finalist in the Industrics accelerator program run by Gazprom Neft for technology startups in the exploration and production sector, according to the online magazine Energiya+.

The Most Vulnerable Point

The idea for the project emerged after a conversation between Yuri Tornev, a graduate of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and his former academic advisor. At the time, Tornev was working as chief mechanic at a large industrial enterprise, while his mentor was engaged in robotics research. The discussion led to the concept of building a robotic system capable of processing pipeline weld joints.

According to Tornev—now director of Petrorgradsky zavod imeni Torneva (Petrograd Plant Named After Tornev)—one of the most vulnerable points in pipeline construction is the welded seam. If it is not properly protected at the beginning, problems can emerge over time. The robotic complex addresses this issue by applying an anti-corrosion coating to pipe joints from the inside while moving through the pipeline. The robot also immediately checks the quality of the treatment.

Fewer Defects, Lower Maintenance Costs

The technology also eliminates the need for mechanical sleeves and several complex operations that specialists previously had to perform manually. By using the new system, the number of potentially vulnerable sections in pipelines can be reduced during construction, which may later lower maintenance costs.

Developers now plan to test the technology at real industrial facilities. If the trials are successful, the robotic system could be used both in pipeline construction and maintenance.

Earlier reports noted that Russian researchers have also developed methods for designing safer pipelines for hydrogen.