Fouling of asymmetric, single tube ceramic membranes during ultrafiltration of Cold Lake heavy oil, is described by a pore restriction fouling model that predicts reduced permeate flux but increased asphaltene rejection with increased time-on-stream. Application of the model to experimental data showed that a 2nd-order rate of asphaltene adsorption/deposition within the membrane pores, described the data better than a 1 st-order model. The asphaltene molecular radius, estimated as a parameter of the model, was in the range 3.8 -14.2 nm, depending on the membrane pore diameter. These values are in good agreement with previously published estimates of asphaltene particle size, determined using different experimental techniques.On decrit I'encrassement des membranes en ceramique de