Synthesis and viscosity reduction performance evaluation of oil-soluble viscosity reducer based on molecular dynamics simulation

The feasibility of the synthesis of oil-soluble viscosity reducer SSM was simulated by molecular dynamics simulation combined with experimental research. Then, the oil-soluble viscosity reducer SSM was synthesised by copolymerisation of three monomers of stearyl methacrylate (SMA), styrene (SM) and maleimide (MIm) by solution polymerisation. The effects of monomer ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time and initiator addition on the viscosity reduction effect of Liaohe heavy oil were investigated. Infrared characterisation results showed that SSM was successfully synthesised. Thermogravimetric analysis results show that SSM has good thermal stability and dispersibility. The results of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed the viscosity reduction mechanism of SSM on heavy oil. [Received: May 25, 2024; Accepted: July 31, 2024]