Fouling characteristics of polyurethane-based hollow fiber membrane in microfiltration process

► Polyurethane-based hollow fiber membrane was prepared by melt-spinning method. ► Membrane fouling mechanism in surface water treatment was discussed. ► Inorganic matter formed cake layer and was easier to be removed by backwashing. ► The hydrophobicity of organic foulants restrained the lost water flux to recover. ► An empirical formula was supplemented based on the experimental data.