Correlating membrane fouling with sludge characteristics in membrane bioreactors: An especial interest in EPS and sludge morphology analysis

► Comparison of sludge morphology and EPS was made to study the filtration behavior of NS and BS. ► EEM and FRI was used to examine the EPS difference between normal and bulking sludge. ► Image analysis was successfully applied in monitoring sludge status. ► Correlation between image analysis information and DSVI was identified by ARX model.