IMI reported July 1 that it will supply a wireless vibration monitoring solution to reduce unplanned downtime for a refinery operator in Oman. The contract covers engineering, supply and deployment of more than 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 at two refineries. It’s IMI’s largest wireless vibration deployment awarded in Oman so far, and installation is scheduled to begin later this year.

The company reports this shift to continuous monitoring provides richer data for predictive maintenance, helps identify potential issues earlier, reduces unplanned downtime, and enables more targeted interventions. Its data transmissions allow detailed spectrums (8,192 lines of resolution) to be obtained over long-range, wireless area network (LoRaWAN) protocol, eliminating the requirement for manual inspection using handheld devices. Also, with a sensor battery life of seven to 10 years, manual engagement with the monitoring process itself is minimized. The deployment also provides a scalable foundation that can be expanded to additional assets and sites over time.

IMI adds its solution will enable continuous vibration and temperature monitoring for Category A, B and inaccessible C assets, many of which can’t 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, IMI’s sensors will reduce costs, and improve safety and performance.

“This contract 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,” says Till Sereny, managing director for IloT sensors at IMI. “It also shows the value of early engagement with reliability teams, where we can work closely with customers to understand their operational priorities, and match them with the right technology.”