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

Authors: Li Hanyong; Cui Yafang; Zhong Ziye; Yu Bo

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pipeline Critical Technology and Equipment for Deepwater Oil & Gas Development, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing, 102617, China ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pipeline Critical Technology and Equipment for Deepwater Oil & Gas Development, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing, 102617, China ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pipeline Critical Technology and Equipment for Deepwater Oil & Gas Development, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing, 102617, China ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Pipeline Critical Technology and Equipment for Deepwater Oil & Gas Development, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing, 102617, China

Abstract: 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]

Keywords: molecular dynamics simulation; viscosity reduction of heavy oil; oil-soluble viscosity reducer; SSM; viscosity reduction mechanism.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2025.147312

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2025 Vol.38 No.1, pp.23 - 49

Received: 14 May 2024
Accepted: 31 Jul 2024
Published online: 14 Jul 2025 *

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