The disclosure includes a method for separating a feed stream in a distillation tower may comprise maintaining a controlled freeze zone section in the distillation tower that forms solids from a feed stream, wherein the controlled freeze zone section includes one or more internally disposed elements and a controlled freeze zone wall having an internal wall surface inside of the distillation tower, modifying at least one of the internally disposed elements, the internal wall surface, or both with a treatment mechanism that includes at least one of (a) removing portions of the internal wall surface and (b) applying a coating surface, introducing the feed stream into the controlled freeze zone section, forming the solids from the feed stream in the controlled freeze zone section, and at least one of preventing and destabilizing adhesion of the solids to the internal wall surface with the treatment mechanism.