Effect and mechanism of preoxidation using potassium permanganate in an ultrafiltration membrane system

► Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as a preoxidant for sand filter effluent pretreatment. ► We investigate the effect of removing NOM in KMnO4/UF process. ► We examine the mechanism of membrane fouling with preoxidation by KMnO4. ► The KMnO4 oxidation changed the characteristics of organic pollutants. ► Preoxidation by KMnO4 show potential for the mitigation of membrane fouling.