For decades, Curran tube-ID coatings have protected cooling water exchanger tube bundles from corrosion, delivering long-term reliability and significant cost savings. Recent projects highlight the value these coatings provide in extending exchanger life and reducing maintenance costs.
Louisiana Refinery – 14 Years of River Water Service
A Gulf Coast refinery had a 304 stainless steel exchanger operating with river water cooling. Originally, tube IDs and tubesheets were coated with Curran. After 14 years of service, the exchanger was pulled for replacement:
- Passed a hydro test
- No tube degradation observed in reliability inspections
The refinery performed restoration work, including:
- Curran cleaning and removal of the old coating
- ECT and IRIS NDE inspections
- Recoating with a new Curran tube-ID coating
Inspection results showed no defects, confirming the longevity and protective quality of Curran coatings.
Texas Refinery – Coated vs. Uncoated Comparison
Two floating-head exchangers, installed in 2011, operated on the same cooling water circuit. Only one exchanger was coated with Curran tube-ID coating. Both were pulled in 2020 for cleaning and IRIS NDE.
Observations after cleaning:
- Coated tube: Maintained a smooth, defect-free ID
- Uncoated tube: Showed generalized surface corrosion along the tube ID and tubesheet
These images demonstrate how Curran coatings protect tube bundles, preventing corrosion and extending service life—even when operating under identical conditions.
A Long-Term Value-Add
- Curran tube-ID coatings have been used as a cost-effective protective measure for carbon steel and stainless steel exchangers for over 30 years
- Coatings allow for extended runtimes, fewer cleanings, and reduced unplanned maintenance
- Gulf Coast refineries continue to rely on Curran coatings as a proven solution for long-term exchanger protection
Curran Tube-ID Coating – A Proven History
Epoxy and baked phenolic coatings have a long-standing track record in mitigating corrosion and fouling in refinery and petrochemical operations. These durable, thin-film coatings provide:
- Superior adhesion
- Homogeneous finish
- An inert barrier against cooling water ionic exchange
Curran Coatings are tested for immersion service up to 365°F, making them suitable for most cooling water systems.
Optimized Protection for All Alloys
Cooling water scaling and corrosion have historically challenged crude and petrochemical manufacturing. Curran’s tube-ID coatings provide targeted protection:
- Carbon steel: Downtube coatings applied pinhole-free at 8–12 mils
- Less reactive alloys (stainless steel, copper-nickel, titanium): Coating applied at <4 mils
Even with inherently corrosion-resistant alloys, Curran’s thin-film coatings optimize fouling release, reducing the need for cleaning and preventing premature tube failure.
A Proven Track Record
Curran International began full-length tube coating in 1991 as part of an Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) evaluation project. The goal: salvage steam condenser tubes suffering early pitting and failure.
- In-situ application demonstrated the effectiveness of Curran’s coatings
- Since then, Curran has developed high-performance epoxy coatings for 365°F immersion service across nearly all cooling water systems
Figures:
- Figure 1: Formerly coated exchanger and tubesheet after Curran cleaning and coating removal for IRIS NDE
- Figure 2: Uncoated exchanger and tubesheet after Curran cleaning for IRIS NDE
Learn More
To explore Curran International’s proven heat exchanger coatings:
🌐 Curran Heat Exchanger Protective Coatings
📞 281.339.9993
Catch Curran Live
Meet the Curran team and learn how they reduce failures, extend equipment life, and improve thermal transfer worldwide:
- API 2022 Inspection and Mechanical Integrity Summit – Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX, August 9–11, 2022
- AMPP 2023 Annual Conference + Expo – Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO, March 19–23, 2023
