A functional
copolymer viscosity reducer based on molecular dynamics
simulations was synthesized using monomers of mixed ester, 4-vinylpyridine,
and styrene. The possible structure and number of hydrogen bonds within
the complex structure of heavy oil were simulated and analyzed after
the copolymer was added. Results showed that the number of hydrogen
bonds in asphaltene in the simulation structure decreased from 36
to 28 per unit volume with the addition of the copolymer. The original
plane overlap structure of asphaltene was damaged as soon as interactions
occurred between the asphaltene and copolymer molecule. The potential
energy of the system was higher with the addition of the copolymer,
while the non-bond energy difference of the two systems was not obvious.
The stereohindrance effect of the copolymer viscosity reducer molecules
either broke or improved the interlocking structures of the asphaltene,
helping to decrease the viscosity of the heavy oil.