National Energy Research Center

Microplastics (MPs) have been recognized as persistence contaminant in drinking water causing potential risks to human health. This study investigated the occurrence, removal and polymer type of MPs in three major drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) as well as different commercial brands of bottled water in Jordan. Water samples were collected from different treatment stages at DWTPs between May and June 2025. These samples were sieved over 20 µm sieve and analyzed for MPs using Nile Red staining and micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). The results showed that MPs were present in all raw water samples of Zai, Zara and Jerash DWTPs, with concentrations ranged from 2.3 to 17.7 particles/L resulting an average MPs removal efficiency of 75%, 81%, 65% respectively. Also, for commercial bottled water, MPs concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 4.4 particles/L which are slightly higher than those measured at the outlets of the DWTPs. Moreover, the results showed that the rayon fiber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were the main types of polymers detected in the samples. Overall, the study findings demonstrated that existing DWTPs in Jordan substantially reduce microplastic loads but do not fully eliminate MPs ≥ 20 µm. Moreover, the results established a baseline for MPs levels in drinking water and commercial bottled water in a water-scarce region. • First national assessment of MPs in Jordanian DWTPs • MPs ≥ 20 µm detected in raw and treated waters • Treatment processes achieved 65–81% MP removal • PET, PE, PU, PTFE and rayon were dominant polymers • Baseline data established for a water-scarce region

Barley is more extensively and more rapidly fermentable than maize, thus it is supposed to increase digestive disorders in ruminants. However, the effect of cereal type on animal performance and digestion may vary with processing degree. In the present experiment, the effect of dry-rolling or grinding barley and maize, as the main cereals in a concentrate containing a high proportion of starch with different rates of fermentation, on intensively reared beef cattle performance, diet digestibility, and feed intake amount and pattern, was studied. Thirty-six 3-month-old male calves were allocated to one of four diets consisting of barley straw (BS) and a concentrate with 60% cereals (barley and maize in proportions 75:25 or 25:75) presented dry-rolled or ground through a 3.5 mm sieve. The experimental period was divided into two phases of 10 weeks each: from start to 277 ± 3.6 kg live weight (LW; Growing), and from 289 ± 3.8 kg LW to slaughter (399 ± 4.6 kg; Finishing). For the Growing phase, there were no differences (p > 0.10) between the majority cereal in the concentrates, nor between their processing methods, in the daily intake of concentrate and BS, and in the animals’ final LW. With respect to Finishing, the interaction between cereal type and processing was significant (p < 0.05) for concentrate daily intake. As a result, animals consuming ground barley ate less concentrate than those fed rolled barley, whereas there were no differences between processing methods for animals fed maize-based diets. Animals consuming ground-barley concentrates consumed significantly more straw than those fed on dry-rolled-barley concentrates (p < 0.05 for Growing and p < 0.01 for Finishing) during the first four hours after feeding. No such differences appeared in animals consuming maize-based concentrates. Starch digestibility was higher in animals fed ground cereals vs. dry-rolled cereals during the Growing phase (p = 0.048), whereas NDF digestibility was also higher (p = 0.008) in animals fed ground cereals during the Finishing phase. The faeces from animals fed on rolled-maize concentrates showed a higher concentration of purine bases than the faeces of animals fed on rolled-barley concentrates (p = 0.016), although there were no differences for the ground cereals. Overall, the results reported indicated that replacing maize with barley in diets for feedlot beef cattle did not affect average daily gain, intake of straw or concentrate, or feed conversion ratios (total or considering just the concentrate); hence the inclusion of either cereal in greater proportions should be based on their market price and on the final cost of the compound feed (which may include different ingredients). The processing method of the cereals (grinding or dry-rolling) also had no influence on the above-mentioned variables, so the selection of the method should be based on their relative cost, exclusively in terms of feed efficiency.

Accurately identifying the external surface structure and crystal morphology of zeolites is essential for establishing structure–performance relationships. Surface free energy serves as a quantitative descriptor of surface stability, which is a prerequisite for theoretical investigations of surface properties. However, a standard computational protocol that effectively balances accuracy and efficiency has yet to be established. To address this, we propose an efficient computational workflow developed through systematic benchmarking. This workflow integrates two key components: an analytical model developed using the SISSO machine learning approach to replace expensive frequency calculations and a configuration screening process based on machine learning potentials to account for the vast number of possible surface terminations. Using this workflow, we efficiently calculate the surface free energies of MFI and FAU zeolites and explore their morphological evolution under dynamic conditions. This study establishes a general and efficient theoretical framework for investigating the thermodynamic properties of zeolite surfaces.

Abstract The Ni‐Cu@MgAlO catalyst was synthesized by a urea‐assisted pyrolysis co‐precipitation method. Structural characterizations, including N₂ adsorption‐desorption measurement, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope mapping (SEM‐mapping), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), confirmed the successful incorporation of Ni and Cu into the MgAlO framework. The catalyst exhibited good catalytic performance, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ni‐Cu bimetallics, their uniform dispersion on the support, and the catalytic cycle between different valence states. This catalyst was employed to optimize the reaction conditions for the hydrogenation reduction of Chinese white wax. The experimental results indicated that the optimal reaction conditions were achieved at 140°C for 4.0 h, with 0.2 g of catalyst and 2.0 MPa of H 2 pressure. The resulting advanced mixed alkanols showed an acid value of 0.13 and a saponification value of 65.18. Additionally, plausible reaction pathways for the reduction process were proposed. The catalyst's inexpensive and good efficiency are of significant industrial importance, as it enables the conversion of Chinese white wax into advanced mixed alkyl alcohols.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the micro‐pore structure characteristics and genesis of low‐resistivity reservoirs in the Wufeng and Longmaxi Formation of the Sichuan Basin. A comprehensive analytical approach—combining core analysis, gas adsorption, high‐pressure mercury intrusion, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to systematically characterize the pore structure of low‐resistivity shale reservoirs and their relationship with electrical resistivity. The results reveal that low‐resistivity shale reservoirs typically exhibit smaller pore volume and specific surface area, along with a higher degree of organic matter graphitization. This organic matter graphitization process significantly reduces the rock's resistivity. Pore structure evolution is governed by both compaction and tectonic deformation, leading to macropore reduction and meso‐/micropore redistribution. Morphological transformations in organic matter pores—including pore collapse and wall contact—further facilitate electron migration and contribute to resistivity decline. By analyzing microstructural features of the Wufeng–Longmaxi shale, this study highlights the dominant influence of organic matter maturity, graphitization, and pore structure dynamics on resistivity, offering a theoretical framework for understanding the genesis and guiding exploration of low‐resistivity shale gas reservoirs.

Abstract This study evaluates the performance of Con-Fined Frac™ (CFF) blend compared to a Conventional Settle Frac (CSF) proppant/sand system in hydraulic fracturing applications. The CSF blend consists of proppant and sand ranging from fine to coarse mesh sizes, designed to form a hexagonal spherical packing that creates artificial barriers to limit fracture growth, particularly in unwanted vertical directions. The Con-Fined Frac™ (CFF) blend drastically improves overall performance by incorporating degradable materials, including fibrous components and fine particulates; reducing the content of the conventional particulates blended in special fluid formulation. Fine particulates occupy voids between the CSF particles, enhancing sealing, while fibrous materials lock the blend together, reinforcing mechanical strength and integrity. The CFF™ fluid blend reduces the settling tendency and friction pressure of the total fluid system in the tubular and fracture face. Consequently conductive/effective fracture length is improved. The CFF™ blend also results in an effective filter cake that reduces fluid loss and improves bridging across both small and large apertures, including natural fractures and high permeability stratigraphic layers away from the wellbore. Laboratory evaluations, including bridging, leak-off, suspension, and degradation tests, demonstrate superior performance of CFF™. In bridging tests simulating a 2.5 mm far-field aperture, CSF exhibited immediate fluid bleed-off and poor particle distribution, whereas CFF™ delayed leak-off by approximately 10 minutes, maintained particle suspension, and produced a spongy, well-bonded filter cake. Leak-off tests confirmed that CFF™ limited fluid loss to about 35% versus 80% for CSF, maintaining stable pressure and effectively preventing fluid migration. Suspension tests showed that CFF™ remained in stable suspension for over two hours, ensuring deeper and more uniform particle transport. Degradation tests using the high temperature blend indicated that CFF™'s degradable materials fully broke down within 43 hours at 200 °F, reducing near-wellbore and far-field proppant and conductivity damage. Using low temperature blend the degradation time can be reduced. Overall, CFF™ offers controlled fluid leak-off, effective bridging, sustained suspension stability, and complete degradation which provides a comprehensive solution for confining frac treatments in challenging formations. Its predictable fluid loss behavior is particularly valuable in low to high permeability reservoirs and complex multi-phase flow scenarios. Optimal field performance requires proper laboratory evaluation, pumping design and fluid sequencing, emphasizing the integration of CFF™ with engineering best practices. At the time of paper submission, one field frac treatment has been executed with great success in operation and well productivity response. A follow up paper would be submitted in future SPE technical conference.