Recent advances in material science have produced durable, low-surface-energy, thin-film coatings that dramatically improve the release performance of stainless steel, titanium, and copper-alloy exchanger tubes.

Refinery operators often specify these coatings for alloyed-up tubes to combat cooling water pitting and deposit corrosion. Even with upgraded metallurgy, Tube-ID fouling and scaling can still occur—but these new coatings significantly mitigate the problem.

Tubes Protected. Heat Transferred.

When compared to newly fabricated stainless steel tubes, Curran’s durable low-surface-energy coatings:

  • Reduce surface tension to less than 25 dynes/cm²—a three-fold reduction over uncoated tubes
  • Slightly smooth tube surface, creating a high contact angle (>90°)
  • Deliver hydrophobic and oleophobic performance, inhibiting fluid “wet-out” and fouling

This combination ensures that tubes remain protected without compromising heat-transfer efficiency.

Real-World Results

Midwest Refinery

  • Titanium U-tube and cooling water bundles coated
  • Eliminated the need for annual hydro-lance tube-ID cleaning
  • Maintained shell-side thermal duty, reducing backpressure

Texas Gulf Coast Refinery

  • Coated atmospheric overhead stainless steel exchangers operated in parallel with uncoated units
  • Coated exchanger showed ~9% improved flow immediately
  • Four months later, coated bundle still delivered ~50% higher cooling water flow compared to cleaned uncoated exchanger

Curran coatings are less than 50 microns thick, maintaining the exchanger’s designed thermal performance while providing durable anti-fouling protection.

2022 summer Duplex SS Bundle Coated
Duplex SS tube bundle coated with Curramix 3500™, a ceramic low-surface energy release coating applied at 30 microns total DFT.
2022 Summer Curramix 3500 Coating Close up
Close-up of Curramix 3500™ coated tubesheet.

A Wide Selection of Low-Surface-Energy Coatings

Curran’s advanced coating portfolio includes:

  • Sol-Gel materials
  • Pre-ceramic polymers
  • Epoxy-silicone formulations

These coatings are compatible with most refinery cooling water exchanger materials, delivering long-term performance, minimal maintenance, and improved efficiency.

Learn More

Explore Curran’s full line of foul-release exchanger coatings:

🌐 Curran International – Foul Release Coatings

📞 281.339.9993