Fouling behaviours of two membranes in a submerged membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment

► PAN membrane had a lower fouling rate than PVDF membrane. ► PAN membrane rejected more SMP than PVDF membrane due to the pore sizes. ► PVDF membrane rejected more carbohydrates and fewer proteins than the PAN membrane. ► HPO and HPI-N had highest fouling potential for PAN and PVDF membrane, respectively.