This study is the first try to overcome the main differences in implementation of ultrasound as an additional cleaning step in the filtration process under submerged, large-scale conditions. Moreover, the study presents the first results of ultrasound-enhanced maintenance cleaning step in a continuous, submerged, dynamic filtration process under realistic wastewater conditions. Preliminary tests confirm earlier findings from membrane bioreactors MBRs concerning frequency, exposure time, as well as particle size distribution. Filtration trials (continuous flux rate: 150 L/m(2) h) under practicable wastewater condition showed that the right implementation of ultrasonic as well as the exposure time are the main parameters to enhance fouling in long-term trials. Furthermore based on the gained results a new modified mathematical model was built with which deformation effects on textile surfaces can be quantified in a simple, fast and effective way. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.