Effect of powdered activated carbon on immersed hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane fouling caused by particles and natural organic matter

► PAC addition decreased the total membrane fouling in HA-contained source water filtrated, but increased the total membrane fouling in kaolinite-contained source water filtrated. ► Although the total membrane fouling was not decreased by PAC addition in HA-kaolinite contained source water filtrated, the irreversible fouling was mitigated. ► PAC addition improved NOM removal rate, especially HPI fraction with MW lower than 1 kDa. PAC-contained cake layer brought out significantly higher membrane specific flux recovery by air-water backwashing. ► PAC usage with batch dosing is a simple, effective operation method for alleviating the immersed UF membrane fouling.