REO Surface Treatment: Engineered to extend run lengths, preserve thermal efficiency, and recover millions in lost production.

What is REO Surface Treatment?

Rare Earth Oxide is a water-based surface treatment that applies rare-earth oxides, such as yttria (Y₂O₃), as a low-density, non-continuous coating on alloys. Unlike traditional coatings, it has no measurable thickness, ensuring no added thermal resistance while providing superior protection against fouling and high-temperature oxidation. This innovative technology, developed to enhance equipment performance, is a game-changer for applications in high temperature process conditions.

Minimox Coupon - Uncoated - WettableMinimox Coupon - Coated - Hyrdrophobic

Field Proven Results

0 +

Deployed Applications

$ 0

In Annual Savings

Up to 0 X

Production Seen During Runs

Currently Used by These Super Major Refineries

The Industry Challenge

The Problem

Heat exchanger fouling costs the process industry billions annually in lost efficiency and maintenance.

$16.5B

Annual industry losses due to fouling

 

The REO Solution

Rare earth oxide technology mitigates fouling formation while maintaining optimal heat transfer.

$340K

Recovered value on average per exchanger per run

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Key Benefits

What REO Surface Treatment Can Do For Your Site

2. Cleaning maintenance

Reduced Fouling

Rare Earth Oxide Surface Treatment forms a low-energy, foul-resistant surface that significantly reduces the adhesion of deposit-forming particles—keeping exchangers cleaner, longer. This enables exchangers to operate closer to design efficiency across the run, even when processing challenging feedstocks. With improved heat transfer, extended run lengths, and reduced cleaning frequency, REO Surface Treatment supports more consistent throughput and drives higher profitability for your operation.

3. Reduce Costs Fin Fan

Lowered Production Losses

REO Surface Treatment helps maintain exchanger performance over the full run, minimizing the rate drops and bottlenecks that lead to production losses. By limiting fouling and preserving heat transfer efficiency, units operate more consistently, allowing operators to push throughput without being forced into early cleanings or rate cutbacks. The result is fewer slowdowns, better unit reliability, and less lost revenue tied to exchanger underperformance.

3. Thermal Stability

Better Thermal Efficiencies

REO Surface Treatment preserves thermal efficiency by reducing surface energy and fouling potential inside the exchanger. With fewer insulating deposits, heat transfer remains closer to design rates across the entire run. This leads to more stable process temperatures, improved energy utilization, and less strain on upstream and downstream systems—all contributing to better overall unit performance and operational efficiency.

2. Predictable Cleaning Schedules

10X Cleaning Efficiency

Rare Earth Oxide Surface Treatment streamlines maintenance by making fouling easier to remove—reducing cleaning time, water usage, and labor costs. Its slick, durable surface allows for rapid foulant release, even after extended service runs. Unlike traditional coatings that degrade under pressure, REO Surface Treatment withstands aggressive cleaning, including up to 20,000 PSI hydroblasting, without loss of integrity. When cleanings are necessary, they are faster, more effective, and far less disruptive—saving time and cutting turnaround costs.

2. Enable IRIS Inspections

Risk Reduction

REO Surface Treatment reduces operational risk by stabilizing exchanger performance and extending equipment life. By limiting fouling and corrosion, it helps prevent the pressure drops, thermal inefficiencies, and mechanical failures that often trigger mid-run interventions or emergency outages. Its durability under thermal cycling and high-pressure cleaning also minimizes coating failure risks. The result is fewer unplanned shutdowns, less reactive maintenance, and a safer, more predictable operation.

6. Improved Sustainability Minimox Key Benefits

Improved Sustainability

Rare Earth Oxide Surface Treatment enhances sustainability by reducing the frequency of cleanings and extending the life of heat exchangers. Its foul-release properties keep exchangers operating efficiently for longer, leading to fewer resource-intensive maintenance cycles. With reduced water usage during cleaning and less frequent replacements, REO Surface Treatment helps minimize environmental impact, lower waste, and support long-term operational sustainability in the toughest process environments

Technical Specifications

Asset 038

Operating Temperature

Matches the max temperature of the parent alloy.

Asset 040

Application Method

Water-based spray/dip

Asset 039

Service Life

6-18+ months typical

Asset 039

Thermal Impact

Zero resistance added

Asset 042

Cure Required

Ambient temperature

Asset 041

Compatible Substrates

All metal types

Asset 043

Chemical Resistance

Hydrocarbon resistant

Asset 043

Coating Thickness

<1 mil typical

REO Surface Treatment Case Studies & Projects

REO Surface Treatment is tailored for industries facing high temperature fouling

Recent REO Surface Treatment Case Studies

Rare Earth Oxide Surface Treatment is tailored for industries facing high temperature fouling

Super Major Texas Refinery

Feed / Effluent Exchanger

EquipmentHydro processing Feed/Effluent Exchanger (Finned Tubes)
ChallengeSevere fouling required constant cleaning
SolutionREO Surface Treatment application to tube ID & OD

Results

20%
Rf Improvement
11°F
Furnace Inlet dT Impact
Minimox Feed Effluent Heat

Super Major Texas Refinery

Crude Wash Bed

EquipmentCrude Vacuum Column Wash Bed (316 SS)
ChallengeSevere fouling required constant cleaning
SolutionREO Surface Treatment application to grid & structured packing

Results

16 Month
Fouling Delay
4 Years
REO Coating Still Present
Crude Wash Bed Packing

Super Major Texas Refinery

RIC Crude Exchanger

EquipmentFlashed Crude vs Resid Exchanger (Plain Tubes)
ChallengeSevere fouling required constant cleaning
SolutionREO Surface Treatment application to tube ID & OD

Results

50%
Fouling Improvement
1.5°F
Furnace Inlet dT impact
RCI Crude

Larget Vacuum Column Wash Bed In The World

South Korea Refinery

EquipmentVacuum Column Wash Bed
ChallengeN/A – (New Fabrication)
SolutionREO Surface Treatment application to grid & structured packing

Results

Ongoing
Case Study
Vacuum Tower Wash Bed

Discover The Benefits of Coating Your Exchanger

Common REO Surface Treatment Equipment Applications

Curramix 2500 Crude Preheat

Crude Preheat Exchangers

Minimox Coker Furnace tubes

Coker Furnace Tubes

Minimox Column Packing Internals

Distillation Column Packing / Wash beds

Minimox Feed Effluent

Coker Furnace Tubes

Your Next Steps

Fouling in crude preheat exchangers reduces throughput and cuts into profits. REO Surface Treatment extends run lengths and preserves thermal performance, helping sites recover lost production and improve unit reliability.

Contact Curran

Discuss your heat exchanger fouling challenges and operating conditions with a Curran team member.

Coating Specification

REO Surface Treatment is specified based on operating temperatures, substrate/metallurgy, service media, and equipment type.

Deliver Unit to Curran Facility

Coordinate scheduling to ensure your unit is returned to site on time, whether it's shipping from your facility or directly from a fabricator.

Application & Delivery

Expert application with full QC documentation provided. Third-party inspection available upon request. Unit is returned to site ready for installation.

Frequently Asked REO Surface Treatment Questions

01

Rare Earth Oxide Surface Treatment is ideal for equipment exposed to severe fouling and thermal cycling, including crude process exchangers, distillation tower components, and coker furnace tubes. Its low surface energy coating helps maintain performance in some of the harshest environments in refining and petrochemical operations. 

02

Rare Earth Oxide Surface Treatment is engineered for long-term durability in aggressive service environments. It has been proven to withstand multiple turnaround cycles and endure repeated high-pressure cleanings up to 20,000 PSI without compromising coating integrity. Actual service life depends on operating conditions, but in crude preheat and coker services, REO Surface Treatment has demonstrated performance over multi-year runs with minimal degradation.

03

REO Surface Treatment delivers ROI by extending run lengths, reducing production losses, and cutting cleaning time and labor. Sites that typically experience early rate cuts or frequent exchanger cleanings often recover significant value—both in increased throughput and lower maintenance costs. The return on investment is often realized within a single extended run.

04

REO Surface Treatment is typically applied during new fabrication—prior to installation and initial service. Applying the coating at this stage ensures maximum surface preparation quality and seamless integration into the asset’s design spec, allowing operators to capture full performance benefits from day one.

05

REO Surface Treatment is applied at a thickness of less than 100 nanometers, making it an ultra-thin solution that does not impact heat transfer. Its temperature limitations are dictated by the parent alloy—not the coating itself. Rare Earth Oxide coating remains stable across the full operating range of refinery-grade metals.

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