Wetting property influence on fluid expulsion in polycrystalline aggregates

Abstract

In order to investigate the mechanism of fluid expulsion from polycrystalline aggregates, we carried out sintering experiments of quartzite with variable X_CO2 (CO₂/H₂O+CO₂). When X_CO2=0, fluids were expelled through interconnected networks to the upper part of the experimental capsules within 192 h. When X_CO2=0.39-0.79, fluids were retained among the quartzite grains by forming intergranular fluid pockets. These pockets were formed by rearrangement and coagulation of fluid filled pores.