This contribution deals with the study of hollow fibre membrane dead-end microfiltration combined with powdered activated carbon sorption used in removing of organic dyes from wastewater. Adsorption characteristics of model reactive dye OSTAZIN RED on powdered activated carbon were studied. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics were measured from which followed, that adsorption of this dye on activated carbon is favourable, however the time to reach an equilibrium is around 7 days. From hybrid separation process characteristics measurements it resulted that the activated carbon does not foul this type of membrane and the permeate flux is recovered after membrane backflush. A simple mathematical model describing dynamic sorptive process in microfiltration system is presented and discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.