IMI, a global leader in fluid and motion control, engineering bespoke solutions, has been awarded a new contract to supply a wireless vibration monitoring solution for a major refinery operator in Oman, designed to reduce unplanned downtime.
The contract covers the engineering, supply and deployment of over 500 IMI TWTG NEON battery-powered triaxial vibration sensors in ATEX Zone 0 / Class 1 Div 1 applications, battery-powered triaxial vibration sensors, and SolidRed condition monitoring software across two refinery plants. It represents the largest wireless vibration deployment of its kind awarded to IMI in Oman, said a statement.
The shift to continuous monitoring provides significantly richer data for predictive maintenance, helping to identify potential issues earlier, reduce unplanned downtime and enable more targeted intervention. IMI innovative data transmissions allow detailed spectrums (8192 lines of resolution) to be obtained over LoRaWAN protocol, eliminating the requirement for manual inspection using handheld devices.
Additionally, with a sensor battery life of seven to ten years, manual engagement with the monitoring process itself is kept to a minimum.
The solution will enable continuous vibration and temperature monitoring for Category A, B and inaccessible Category C assets, many of which cannot be effectively covered by traditional online or offline monitoring systems. By eliminating the need for manual monitoring rounds, typically carried out every three to six months, the technology will deliver measurable improvements in cost, safety and operational performance.
Till Sereny, Managing Director for IloT Sensors at IMI, said: "This contract is an important step for IMI in the Middle East. It reflects the oil refining industry’s confidence in wireless vibration monitoring as a practical, scalable solution for operators looking to improve asset reliability and reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.
“It also shows the value of early engagement with reliability teams, where we can work closely with customers to understand their operational priorities, matching them with the right technology. We are looking forward to supporting the delivery phase and demonstrating what the solution can achieve in practice."
A particular highlight of the contract win is the introduction of LoRaWAN-based asset monitoring to a customer with no prior LoRaWAN infrastructure, positioning IMI as a key partner in the customer's wider digital reliability journey. The deployment also provides a scalable foundation that can be expanded to additional assets and sites over time.
IMI’s selection for the project came following a thorough evaluation process, with the company's technical capability supported by strong references from major operators. Close local partner engagement throughout the tender phase also played a major role.
Installation at the site is scheduled to begin later this year, said the statement.