John Crane, a global leader in flow control technologies and rotating equipment solutions and part of Smiths Group plc, has completed a Quantitative Optical Gas Imaging (QOGI) survey for a leading food-industry producer, identifying opportunities to reduce fugitive emissions, improve reliability, and strengthen operational efficiency. The survey focused on a critical extractor used in vegetable oil production, where hydrocarbon solvents play a key role in the processing cycle. Using advanced optical gas imaging technology, John Crane engineers detected 22 potential leak points across fittings, seals, flanges, and inspection points within the system.
Further analysis quantified nine of these leaks at a combined rate of approximately 16 kg per hour, providing the customer with precise operational data to prioritize maintenance and corrective actions. Based on the customer’s reference value for hydrocarbon solvent usage, the identified leaks could represent annual material losses exceeding $194,000 USD if left unresolved. Conducted at a cost significantly lower than the potential financial impact of solvent loss, the survey demonstrated clear value by enabling targeted maintenance and improving asset performance.
The program has received strong support from the customer. Following the initial inspection, an additional QOGI survey has already been conducted at another facility operating similar equipment. Repeat inspections at both locations are scheduled for early 2026 to assess the effectiveness of maintenance interventions and ensure sustained operational improvements.
The success of the initiative has also generated interest across other regional operations, with teams exploring similar diagnostic programmes for their facilities. QOGI technology enables operators to visualize and quantify emissions that may otherwise remain undetected using conventional inspection techniques. By identifying fugitive emissions early, companies can protect process efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance workplace safety.
The QOGI service is delivered through the John Crane Performance Plus™ modular service framework under its Asset Condition Management category. The framework supports customers in adopting data-led maintenance strategies that enhance asset reliability and operational performance.
“This project highlights the role advanced diagnostics can play in supporting more efficient and sustainable food production,” said Philippe Lambert, Vice President – Commercial and Service at John Crane. “QOGI provides customers with clear visibility of potential loss mechanisms, enabling them to prioritise repairs and verify the effectiveness of maintenance over time.”
The project reflects the increasing relevance of advanced monitoring technologies in the food processing sector, where hydrocarbons and solvents are widely used. When integrated into structured reliability programs, routine QOGI monitoring can support improved maintenance planning, stronger operational resilience, and reduced environmental risk.
John Crane is a worldwide provider of flow-control technologies and a pioneer in developing solutions for rotating equipment used across the energy and process sectors. Its offerings include mechanical seals, couplings, and filtration technologies, complemented by sophisticated service capabilities and digital monitoring tools. With a network of more than 200 service, sales, and manufacturing facilities in 50 countries, John Crane operates as a key business within Smiths Group plc, a FTSE 100 industrial technology leader committed to engineering progress for the future.
