Synthesis of a Heavy‐Oil Viscosity Reducer Containing a Benzene Ring and Its Viscosity Reduction Mechanism

In this study, a small molecular viscosity reducer containing benzene ring was synthesized and evaluated its ability of dispersing asphaltenes and resins. It is helpful for introduction of polar groups to dispersing asphaltene. Benzene ring structure can make viscosity reducer molecules penetrate into the stacking structure of asphaltene and resin better. The long carbon chain in the molecule can interact with paraffin to change the crystalline state of paraffin and reduce the viscosity of heavy oil. Therefore, viscosity reducer has the function of reducing viscosity of heavy oil. And the smaller molecular weight can effectively avoid the phenomenon of viscosity increase in the process of viscosity reduction due to the excessive molecular weight of viscosity reducer. The experimental results show that VR‐1 has good viscosity reduction ability. And VR‐1 has excellent effect on the dispersion of asphaltene and the reduction of particle size. The mechanism of viscosity reduction is studied, and the results are consistent with the experimental results.