John Crane: How Can Optical Gas Imaging Cut Emissions?

John Crane – which specialises in flow control technologies – has completed a Quantitative Optical Gas Imaging (QOGI) survey for a leading producer in the food industry.

QOGI is a technology that uses cooled infrared cameras to detect and measure hydrocarbon and gas emissions.

This process allows emissions to be measured from a safe distance, replacing more direct methods of leak rate detection.

About the survey

John Crane’s survey focused on a critical extractor used in the food company’s vegetable oil production.

It used Optical Gas Imaging technology which identified 22 potential leak points across fittings, seals, inspection points and flanges.

The customer was provided with data-driven insights as a result of the survey, helping it to prioritise maintenance and repair processes.

If unaddressed, the identified leaks could lead to an annual material loss of more than US$194,000, based on the customer’s reference value for hydrocarbon solvent use.

The survey was conducted at a fraction of these cost savings, showing a strong return on investment, as well as showing the importance of early detection and targeted maintenance.

Philippe Lambert, VP Commercial and Service for John Crane, says: “This project demonstrates how advanced diagnostics can support more reliable and sustainable food production processes.

“QOGI provides customers with clear visibility of loss mechanisms, allowing them to target repairs effectively and validate the impact of maintenance over time.”

QOGI in the food industry

The customer’s response to the survey has been positive, according to John Crane.

After the initial survey, John Crane has completed additional QOGI inspections at a second facility that operates similar equipment.

The company plans to carry out repeat surveys at both sites, in order to validate the effectiveness of maintenance and to support sustained performance improvements.

QOGI brings benefits that traditional methods cannot, by visualising and quantifying emissions that are usually difficult to detect.

It enables operators in the food industry to protect process efficiency, support environmental objectives and enhance employee safety.

The success of this survey shows how QOGI can be employed in the food industry and how it is growing in importance.

In the food sector, hydrocarbons and solvents play a critical role in production processes.

Routine QOGI monitoring helps reduce emissions while supporting improved maintenance planning, operational resilience and reduced risk.

John Crane’s sustainability commitments

John Crane’s use of QOGI monitoring aligns with its wider sustainability goals. 

The company, alongside its parent company Smiths Group, is part of the United Nations Race to Zero campaign.

John Crane is committed to achieving net zero for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2040 and net zero for Scope 3 emissions by 2050.

The company says it is supporting global efforts to address climate change, through reducing its own energy consumption, waste and carbon footprint across its operations.

It also provides solutions to help its customers achieve their own sustainability objectives, through low-waste and emissions reduction solutions.

Over the last 10 years, John Crane has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%.

In a push to cut its footprint, 72% of the company’s tracked energy comes from renewable sources.

In 2023, John Crane launched its organisation-wide Turn It Off campaign, encouraging employees to reduce energy consumption through behavioural changes.

Throughout this campaign, the company provided resources to help its employees identify opportunities to save energy.

This led to a material reduction in energy consumption across many of the organisation’s operational facilities.